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iOS NewsAs the internet continues to play an increasingly prominent role in our daily lives, it's more important than ever for parents to stay informed about internet safety and the tools available to protect their children. With cyberbullying and online predators posing a constant threat to young minds, it's crucial to be equipped with the knowledge and tools to navigate the digital landscape safely. Fortunately, parental controls can provide an effective solution by allowing parents to set limits and monitor their child's online activities.
In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ins and outs of iPhone parental controls, including what they are, why they're necessary, and how to maximize their effectiveness.
Part 1. Parents Have to Put Parental Controls on Children
Some parents think that their children are responsible and trustworthy enough to navigate the internet on their own, but it's important to note that children are not always aware of the potential risks of the online world. There are many reasons why parents should use parental controls to monitor their children's internet usage. Here are two major reasons:
1.1. Characters on Kids/Teens Different Ages and Stages
Children and teens of different ages and stages have varying levels of understanding and maturity. For instance, a curious 5-year-old who enjoys exploring the internet may accidentally stumble upon inappropriate content and explore it further out of curiosity. Younger children may not fully comprehend the consequences of their online actions, such as sharing personal information or engaging with strangers. Meanwhile, teenagers may be more tech-savvy but are also more susceptible to online peer pressure and cyberbullying. Parental controls can help parents to monitor and regulate their children's internet usage according to their age and maturity level.
1.2. Objective Online Threats for Kids
The internet exposes children to a wide range of objective online threats, such as cyberbullying, which can cause significant emotional distress and even lead to depression and anxiety in children. Meanwhile, online predators can use the anonymity of the internet to deceive and manipulate children into sharing personal information or meeting up in person. Exposure to inappropriate content, such as violence, sexual content, or drug use, can have a negative impact on a child's emotional and psychological well-being. Parental controls can help prevent these threats by limiting access to certain websites, filtering out inappropriate content, and monitoring online activity.
Part 2. In What Aspects Can Parents Consider Parental Controls for Online Protection?
Although parental controls are great for protecting kids online, figuring out the appropriate type of parental control to use can be a challenging task for parents. With the myriad of options available, selecting the right one can be confusing. Nevertheless, it's crucial to select the appropriate parental control to ensure that your child is safe online.
Here are some of the most important aspects under which parents should consider using parental controls to protect their children from online threats.
2.1. Mobile Phone Monitoring
Mobile phones are one of the most common devices used by children and teenagers to access the internet. With the vast amount of information and features that mobile phones offer, it is essential for parents to monitor their children's phone usage to ensure their safety online. Parental controls for mobile phones can provide parents with the ability to monitor and restrict their children's phone usage. This can include monitoring text messages, phone calls, contacts, photos, videos, browsing history, app activities, and location.
For iOS Devices:
Apple offers a built-in parental control feature called Screen Time that can be used to monitor and restrict a child's phone usage. With this feature, parents can set limits on app usage, restrict access to explicit content, set a bedtime for the device, and more. They can receive weekly reports on their child's phone usage to better understand their online behavior.
For Android Devices
Many phone brands offer built-in parental control features that allow monitoring and restrict phone usage. These features may vary depending on the phone brand and model. For instance, Samsung's parental control feature called Kids Mode allows parents to restrict app usage, set time limits, and block inappropriate content. Google also offers parental controls on Android devices through its Family Link app which works similarly to Samsung's kids' mode.
2.2 Google Parental Control
Google Parental Control is another incredible option for parents to monitor and control their child's online activity on almost all Android phones with a Google account. The primary tool used for this feature is Google Family Link, which is a free app that can be downloaded from the Google Play Store. With Google Family Link, parents can set screen time limits, approve or block app downloads, and view their child's location history.
In addition to these features, Google Parental Control also allows to set content filters on? Google searches, block inappropriate content on YouTube, and monitor Chromebook activity. The app even provides weekly and monthly reports on child's digital activity, including their screen time and the apps they are using the most.
2.3. Carriers Parental Controls
While some parents may feel comfortable using mobile phone monitoring or Google parental controls to protect their children online, others may prefer a more straightforward solution. For those who are less tech-savvy or prefer not to use third-party apps, carriers offer their own parental control options. Carriers such as Verizon parental controls, T-Mobile, Xfinity, AT&T, and Sprint offer various tools for parents to manage their children's mobile usage and keep them safe online.
With these carrier parental controls, parents can set up filters to block inappropriate content, restrict access to certain websites, and even set time limits for device usage. They can even monitor their children's call logs and text messages to ensure they are not communicating with strangers or engaging in any harmful behavior.
One example of carrier parental controls is Verizon's Smart Family app, which allows parents to track their child's location, set screen time limits, block certain apps and websites, and receive alerts for suspicious activity. Similarly, T-Mobile parental control FamilyMode app offers similar features, including content filtering, screen time management, and location tracking.
2.4. Social Media Parental Controls
Social media platforms have become increasingly popular among children, and they offer a wide range of features for connecting with friends and family. However, these platforms also come with risks such as cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and addiction. Here are some of the most common social media apps that children are addicted to, along with their parental control options:
Snapchat Parental Controls: Snapchat has a "Snap Map" feature that can track the child's location, and "My Eyes Only" to block sensitive content. It also comes with an option to disable certain features, such as "Snapstreaks," "Quick Add," and "Bitmoji" to limit the child's activity on the platform.
Instagram Parental Controls: Parents can use Instagram's "Privacy and Security" settings to control who can view their child's profile, and who can follow them, and limit the visibility of their child's comments. Parents can also enable "Restrict Accounts" to limit the interactions their child has with potential bullies or strangers.
Discord Parental Controls: Discord allows to set up of a "Safe Direct Messaging" feature to filter out inappropriate content, and control who can send friend requests to the child. Parents can also use the "Server Mute" feature to limit their child's access to certain channels or chats.
Facebook Parental Controls: Facebook provides features like "Privacy Checkup" and "Messenger Kids" where parents can control who can view their child’s profile and communicate with them.
Twitter Parental Controls: With Twitter's "Privacy and Safety" settings parents can restrict who can see their child's tweets and block accounts that they deem inappropriate. They can even disable "Direct Messages" to limit their child's interactions on the platform.
WhatsApp Parental Controls: WhatsApp also has a "Privacy Settings" option that can help to restrict who can view profile picture, status, and last seen time. Parents can use this feature to limit the interaction of their children with strangers.
2.5. Streaming Media Parental Controls
Streaming media services such as Netflix, Disney Plus, and YouTube are wildly popular among children, offering a wide range of movies and TV shows. These platforms provide a great opportunity for children to engage in educational and entertaining content.
However, parents need to be aware of the potential risks that come along with these platforms. These risks include exposure to inappropriate content, addiction, and cyberbullying. Therefore, it is essential for parents to take measures to ensure their child's online safety while using these platforms. Thankfully, these streaming media platforms do come with some parental controls that parents can use to protect their children, such as:
TikTok Parental Controls: TikTok has a "Family Pairing" feature that allows parents to control their child's account, limit the visibility of videos, and restrict the usage time of the app.
YouTube Parental Controls: YouTube's "Restricted Mode" filters out explicit content, and set up "Time Watched" to limit the amount of time children spend on the platform. Parents can also disable comments on videos or channels that they deem inappropriate.
Netflix Parental Controls: Netflix allows parents to set up individual profiles for each family member, and set up a "Kid's Profile" with appropriate content. They can restrict access to certain movies or TV shows and set up a PIN to prevent their child from accessing adult content.
Hulu Parental Control: Hulu offers a "Kids Mode" feature that limits access to age-appropriate content. Parents can even set up a PIN to prevent their children from accessing inappropriate content.
Disney Plus Parental Controls: Like Netflix, Disney Plus also has the feature to set up a "Kid's Profile" with content that is age-appropriate for children. Hence, parents can filter the adult and inappropriate content from the platform and make it safe for their children.
2.6. Game Parental Controls
Video games are a popular pastime among children, offering them an escape into imaginative worlds and exciting gameplay. However, with the increasing amount of time spent playing video games, parents are often concerned about the potential risks and negative impacts on their child's well-being. Inappropriate content and online interactions are just some of the risks associated with video games, which is why many popular gaming platforms offer parental control options to help manage these concerns, such as:
Nintendo Switch Parental Controls: Nintendo Switch has a dedicated Parental Controls app that can be used to restrict content based on age ratings, limit online interactions, and set up playtime limits.
Xbox Parental Controls: Xbox offers Family Settings that allow parents to control screen time, restrict content based on age ratings or categories, and ensure online safety through features like privacy settings and content filters.
Fortnite Parental Controls: Fortnite, one of the most popular games among children, has its own Parental Controls that allow parents to restrict content, manage in-game purchases, and set up playtime limits.
Roblox Parental Controls: Roblox offers Account Restrictions that allow parents to control privacy settings, restrict content, and disable chat or friending.
Epic Games Parental Controls: Epic Games also offer parental control options that allow parents to manage their child's account, restrict access to certain games or content, and set up playtime limits. These controls help parents ensure that their children are playing games that are appropriate for their age and that they are not spending excessive amounts of time in front of a screen.
By using these parental control options, parents can help ensure that their child has a safe and enjoyable gaming experience while also minimizing potential risks associated with video games.
Part 3. Mental Care is Important as well as Taking Physical Actions
Parental controls are a great way for parents to monitor and manage their child's screen time and online activities, but they only address a part of the issue. While it is crucial to protect children from explicit content and online predators, taking care of their mental well-being is equally important.
Children who spend excessive amounts of time in front of screens can experience adverse effects on their mental health, such as anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. Therefore, it's important for parents to encourage their children to engage in physical activities, spend time outdoors, and interact with family and friends face-to-face.
Additionally, parents should create a safe space where their children can talk openly about their feelings and concerns without fear of judgment or punishment. Encouraging mindfulness practices and limiting screen time before bedtime can also improve the quality of their sleep. By prioritizing both physical and mental health, parents can ensure their child's overall well-being in the digital age.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, parental controls have become an essential tool for parents to protect their children from the potential risks of the online world. The internet exposes children to objective online threats, which can negatively impact their emotional and psychological well-being.
However, with the help of Parental controls such as Screen Time for iOS devices, Google Family Link, and carrier parental controls, parents can monitor and regulate their children's online activities. So, if you're also worried about your children's safety online, take the first step in protecting your children by implementing parental controls on their devices and monitoring their online activities.
