As children continue to spend more time on their digital devices, parents are increasingly concerned about their safety online. The internet is no longer a centralized space that can be easily monitored, and mobile devices make it even harder for parents to keep an eye on their children’s online activity. This is where parental control software comes in – a much-needed solution designed to strike a balance between keeping children safe and giving them the freedom to explore, learn and socialize.
Prior to the pandemic, US children’s screen time was regularly estimated at nearly four hours per day, but thanks to COVID-era lockdowns, this number doubled. Technology has been a lifeline for young people over the last couple of years, helping them stay up to date with their studies, stay connected with friends and spend time on their favorite sites and apps. As technology continues to play an increasingly integral role in the lives of children, parents need to be more aware of the dangers lurking in the digital world.
There are plenty of concerns that parents have about their children’s online activity. These include exposure to inappropriate content such as sexually explicit material, gambling sites, and violent or disturbing images. Bullying has also become an all too common occurrence in the online world, with half of all kids suffering from some form of online bullying at some point in their lifetime. Grooming is another risk for children, as they tend to trust those they meet online at face value. Additionally, accidental data leaks, identity theft and phishing scams are all threats that children could potentially be exposed to online. Lastly, excessive screen time has been linked to various physical and mental health problems among children, such as eye problems, depression and overeating.
To mitigate these risks, parents can use parental control software to enhance their children’s safety online. There are many solutions on the market that can help with some or all of these challenges. Parents should invest in trusted brands with a proven track record in both parental control and the wider cybersecurity market. The following features are fundamental for efficiently utilizing parental control software:
Application controls: These controls enable parents to either block age-inappropriate apps or control which applications their children can access and for how long. Daily time limits are also recommended to minimize excessive screen time.
App and web usage reports: Usage reports help parents better understand where their children spend their time online and highlight sites/apps that may need to be blocked in the future. They also flag newly installed apps.
Safe browsing: This helps children navigate the web while blocking access to pre-categorized age-inappropriate sites. It’s useful for children to be able to request access to specific sites that parents can then handle on a case-by-case basis.
Locator and zoning alerts: These alerts show the location of children’s devices, helping to reduce anxiety about their whereabouts if they forget to text or call home. Parents can also create physical “zones,” with notifications sent to their phone when their child enters or leaves one.
A simple-to-use portal is essential, enabling parents to easily set up, manage, and configure the product on an ongoing basis.
While parental control software is an excellent way to protect children from the dangers of the internet, it’s not a silver bullet that will magically make a child a responsible internet user. Nothing can replace the value gained from honest, two-way communication with children. Parents should have an open debate with their children about the dangers online and set some ground rules together. Children should feel heard and understood.
In conclusion, parental control software is an essential tool for modern-day parenting. It can help parents strike a balance between making the internet a safer place for their children and giving them the freedom to explore, learn, and socialize. With vigilance on the part of parents and the aid of parental control software, children can navigate the digital world with more safety and security.