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Parental Guidelines for Online Safety

Ensuring the online safety of our children is our duty in the digital age. Those guidelines are prepared to help parents use the available tools for protecting children from inappropriate content and potential online dangers.

Setting Up Parental Controls

Desktop and Laptop Devices

  • Microsoft Windows 10: Visit the Microsoft Family Safety website for step-by-step guide on setting accounts for children, restricting access to apps, programs inappropriate websites.
  • Apple macOS and iOS Devices: Apple provides parental controls across Macs, iPads and iPhones. Instructions could be found on Apple’s Families page.
  • Chrome OS (Chromebooks): Chrome books are popular in educational settings and offer parental controls through Google Family Link. This service allows parents to manage the apps their children can use, monitor the screen time and manage Google Play Store access. Fot start, visit the Google Family Link page.
  • Linux: For Linux operating system users, options for parental control are manual and require a bit of setup. Tools like Timekpr-nExT allow setting time limits for computer usage, while content filtering can be achieved through different DNS services like OpenDNS. More customizations for child-safe browsing can be configured in browser settings.

Mobile Devices

  • iOS Devices: iPhones and iPads allow content blocking, screen time limitation and app installation control. More information is available on the Apple Families page.
  • Android Devices: Google offers comprehensive guidelines for setting parental controls on Android devices through Google Safety Centre.
  • Amazon Fire Tablets: Designed with kids in mind, Amazon's Fire tablets include easy-to-use parental controls that could be found in settings menu under Parental Controls. Offers possibility for child profiles creation, setting educational goals, limit screen time and control content access. Amazon also offers a subscription service called Amazon Kids+ that provides access to kid-friendly books, movies, games, and apps. More information is available at Amazon Parent Dashboard.

Online Safety with ISPs and Home Router Setup

Securing your home network and utilizing the safety features provided by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are crucial steps in creating a safer online environment for your family. Here are the best practices and other valuable information:

Engaging with ISP Safety Features

Most ISPs offer built-in parental controls and security features for managing content access through your home network. Contact your ISP about:

  • Content filtering options.
  • Time restrictions end limit internet access during certain hours.
  • Monitoring tools to keep track of the websites visited on your network.

Visit your ISP's official website or contact their customer support for guidance on those features.

Router Setup for Content Filtering

Setting up your home router to filter unwanted website content is an essential step in creating a safe online environment. This guide discovers advanced practices to help you manage and control the content accessible from your home network.

Utilizing Built-in Router Features for Content Filtering

Most of the modern routers come with built-in options for content filtering. Those features could be various depending on model and manufacturer, so it's important to:

  • Read your router manual: Look for sections for parental control or content filtering to get common with the specific features available on your device.
  • Access your router settings: Typically, you can do this by typing the router's IP address into a web browser. Once logged in, look for a “Parental Control” or “Content Filtering” section.
  • Enable content filtering: Activate filtering options which might include blocking specific websites, enforcing safe search or filtering content by categories (adult, social media, gaming, etc).

Parental Control Software

Consider using software for additional monitoring and control:

  • Qustodio: Offers a dashboard for monitoring online activity and features like social media tracking and advanced time management. Compatible with various platforms. Visit Qustodio.
  • Kaspersky Safe Kids: Manages screen time, tracks device location, filters and monitors web content. Compatible with PCs, Macs and mobile devices. Visit Kaspersky Safe Kids.
  • Net Nanny: Features real-time internet filtering, detailed reporting and screen time management. Compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, iOS and Kindle Fire. Visit Net Nanny.
  • Norton Family: Provides supervision over web usage, searches, videos watched and offers device locking along with location tracking. Compatible with Windows, Android, and iOS. Visit Norton Family.
  • Mobicip: Features internet filtering, app monitoring, time limit setting and device location tracking. Available for iOS, Android, Windows, macOS and Chromebooks. Visit Mobicip.
  • Bark: Monitors communications for cyberbullying and other threats, with focus on social media, texts, and emails. Compatible with iOS, Android, and Amazon devices. Visit Bark.
  • FamilyTime: Features location tracking, app blocking, web filtering and Panic Button. Available for iOS and Android. Visit FamilyTime.
  • OurPact: Provides screen time control, app and website blocking and location of family members. Supports iOS and Android. Visit OurPact.
  • Screen Time: Provides daily time limits, task rewards, and a free play mode to balance screen use. Compatible with iOS and Android. Visit Screen Time.

Communicating with Your Children About Online Safety/Security

Open face to face communication is most important for common understanding the complexity of digital world safely. Here are some strategies and resources to foster healthy discussions and practices:

  • Start Conversations at Early point and do that often

    • Begin discussing online safety with your children at young age and continue as they grow. Use age-appropriate language to explain the importance of privacy, the difference between public and private information and why particular content is inappropriate.

  • Encourage Open Dialogue

    • Create a safe space for your children to share their online experiences. Reassure them that they can come to you with any concerns without fear of judgment or punishment.

  • Set a Good Example

    • Change your online behavior like that you expect from your children by being a good example, set your own digital footprint, privacy settings, and time control you spend on screen.

  • Educate Together

    • Explore websites and apps together. Discuss what is safe and what is not. Use resources like Common Sense Media for reviews and age recommendations for online content.

  • Agree on Digital Rules

    • Work together to create a family media agreement. Agree on screen time limits, online privacy and appropriate content. Regularly review and adjust the rules as needed.

  • Seek Professional Guidance

    • If you notice changes in your children behavior that concern you or they encounter serious online issue as cyberbullying or exposure to harmful content it may be beneficial to consult a psychologist. Specifically, look for professionals specializing in child and adolescent psychology or those with experience in digital media issues. The American Psychological Association offers resources to find psychologists with these specialties.

  • Useful Resources