Navigating the digital world as a parent can feel like a maze. With kids glued to screens more than ever, keeping them safe online seems harder and more complicated. Still, you’re right to police their actions and luckily, parental controls are working to keep up.
Setting up parental controls on different devices means taking a proactive step to keep an eye on things. Really, from smartphones and tablets to gaming consoles and computers, understanding how to set up these controls effectively is key. So here are 3 helpful tips.
Get to Know What’s Available
Understanding the available parental control options is key if you want to make informed decisions about what works best for your kid and your family.
Take a moment to dig into the parental control features offered by the device or operating system your child is using. Whether it’s iOS or Android gadgets, gaming consoles like PlayStation or Xbox, or even internet routers with built-in parental controls, knowing what’s there means you’re ready to make the right choices.
Say your kid is a big gamer and spends a lot of time on their PlayStation or Xbox. Check out the parental control features on these gaming consoles. You can set playtime limits, restrict access to certain games based on age ratings, and even control online interactions with friends.
Put Limits in Place and Filter Content
Setting usage limits and content filters is super important. It’s all about making sure your kid’s screen time is healthy and safe.
Figure out how much screen time is right for your child based on their age, daily routine, and what they need for school and fun. Then use this information to regulate their screen time.
For example, if your kid’s glued to their Android phone, check out Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls. It has features that let you set daily screen time limits, control which apps they can use, and even block mature content from Google Play Store and Google Search. Or say your kid loves messaging on an iPad. Check out the Screen Time feature on iOS. It’s a handy tool that lets you set time limits for specific apps or groups of apps, block iffy content, and keep tabs on what they’re up to.
Keep an Eye Out and Make Adjustments
It’s not a set-it-and-forget-it deal. Regularly checking in and adjusting parental control settings keeps them effective as your kid grows and their online habits change.
Schedule regular check-ins to see how they’re doing online. Look at their activity reports, tweak screen time limits, and update content filters as needed. Notice your kid’s always on their tablet? Maybe they need more screen time than you first thought. Chat with them about it, see what’s up, and adjust the settings to fit their needs better. It’s all about finding the right balance.
You want to protect your child from too much access. Try these tips.
