Kindergarteners to learn about online safety in new program

Children as young as four will be taught about cybersecurity, under a new program that aims to prevent online grooming.

Law Enforcement Minister Angus Taylor said the program had been designed by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), in response to an increased online threat, linked to the soaring popularity of smart phones.

"(Australian Federal Police) are reporting that kids as young as four are posting sexually explicit content, and this is really distressing," Mr Taylor said.

"It can happen inadvertently, but it can also be encouraged by child sex offenders.

"And it's happening at a young age because kids of a very young age are using phones, tablets and computers in ways they didn't even a few short years ago."

In the past year, the AFP received more than 10,000 reports of child exploitation material, arresting 91 alleged offenders for 208 child sex offences.

The program, Think You Know, aims to teach children and parents about the risks they face and how to deal with online threats.

Mr Taylor said groups of parents could book a presentation via the Think You Know website.