Parental controls you should install to protect your children

The 21st century has ushered in an era of technology and vast internet connectivity that many in the past could have only dreamt of.

These days, there are more people than ever who rely on technology daily.

Many of those who use TV sets, phones, tablets and laptops are children. Unfortunately, some of the things children are exposed to on these devices are terrifying and outright outrageous in some instances.

While you may not always have a keen eye, there are many measures you can take to ensure that your child remains protected as they use these devices in your presence or absence.

Here are some you should consider.

1. Content blocking applications

There are many applications, both on android and iOS devices that are used to filter search engines and block certain sites. These applications should be installed on the devices your kids use.

2. Call and message tracking applications

Installing apps that allow you to monitor the calls and messages your children receive is very essential. When you get your child his or her first phone, they might be eager and give out their contact information to strangers especially online. This exposes them to scammers as well as predators who take advantage of them. The best way to curb this is by installing these tracking apps on their phones which allow you to keep track of the calls they receive.

3. Screen-time trackers

One major challenge of this age of technology is too much screen time. As adults we also have a hard time cutting down on the time we spend scrolling through our phones. In order to prevent the same from happening to your kids, set up applications that let you track how much time they are spending on their devices. These apps can send you a report daily on how much active screen time your child has. This will help you know what action to take next.

4. Movie app parental controls

Movie applications such as Netflix and Hulu allow you to set up a specific account for children. The account allows your kids to browse lists of different movies and series without coming across R-rated films. As you create your account on these platforms, ensure that you set up a kid’s account.

5. YouTube safety filters

YouTube is one of the most used platforms on the internet. We log onto accounts for both entertainment and educational reasons. Along with these safe searches is content that may not be suitable for kids. The best way to set restrictions is by either using YouTube Kids on your children’s devices or activating safety modes to filter content that is shown.

6. Monitoring their social media

It’s 2019 and many kids have social media accounts such as Facebook, twitter and Instagram. Predators and bullies use these platforms to target children. Children can also give away personal information that should stay private. The most effective way of ensuring this doesn’t happen is by monitoring what they say and post online. If possible, download the apps and send them a request in order to be more aware of what they post.