The children of today have never been without the internet. As a young female who hopes to have a family one day, internet safety and social media for kids is a huge concern. I already have had personal experiences where family and friends have come to me for advice and help on how to monitor and restrict their child’s time online. This is a great question and I hope to gain more clarity on the topic by the end of this blog post.
Social media became mainstream when I was in middle school. Facebook caught on a bit earlier, but was never appealing to my generation. However, apps such as Instagram and Snapchat took over the lives of myself, my peers and the generations who have come after us, and we all have yet to live differently since. The internet has been around for much longer, and it’s safe to say that we all know the affect it has on our daily lives. However, it is easy to breeze over the affect it has on children and young kids as well. According to The Condition of Education 2019, “In 2017, the percentage of all children using the Internet from home was highest among 15- to 18-year-olds (78 percent), followed by 11- to 14-year-olds (68 percent), 5- to 10-year-olds (57 percent), and 3- and 4-year-olds (45 percent)” (Children’s). These numbers are astounding and are only continuing to grow. Children are introduced to the internet and social media at a very young age, and only become more invested and dependent on technology as they get older. In order to protect kids from the dangers of social media and the internet, what options do parents have for monitoring and restricting their child’s online activity?
Talking to kids about screen time limits and responsible online behavior is only the beginning. It is important that they understand the dangers and the power of the internet, but it is not easily comprehensible for young kids. Below are some videos that can be of assistance when approaching the topic of responsible internet and computer use.
However, when a parent is not around, there are many ways to manage a child’s time online. You can block websites, filter content, set time limits, and get a peek into what your kids is doing (Knorr). Aside from just utilizing the features that apps and websites offer in their settings, there are also third-party parental control services that can be of help.
The first parental control service I am going to look more into is Qustodio. It is an app “designed to supervise, manage, and protect your child’s device use on the go” (Qustodio). They offer an online dashboard and parent’s app that allows one to see how their child uses devices, apps and the web. They also prioritize filtering harmful content, setting limits online, and keeping children safe from online threats such as cyberbullying and screen addiction. The service is free (at least initially) and has an incredible amount of positive reviews from parents who are users.
Additionally, Net Nanny is another parental control software that is used by many. Net Nanny is different because it “uses artificial intelligence to block dangerous content the instant before your child sees it” (Net Nanny). It also prioritizes monitoring digital habits, limiting screen time and filtering content, just like Qustodio. Unlike other options, Net Nanny places a heavy emphasis on blocking pornography and mature content. Lastly, users must pay to use this software for each device, but bundles are offered for discounts.
Regardless of which method a parent chooses to take with their children and internet safety, it is important that there is communication involved and the child does not feel spied on that they are in trouble but feels protected and that their best interest is at heart (Knorr). While the internet can be looked at as the enemy, the internet and technology can also be tools to help us combat these issues. Third party parent controls are a great option for making sure that children are responsible online, but at the end of the day, it all comes down to trust and teaching the importance of making smart decisions, especially on the internet. The internet and technology are not going away anytime soon, so the earlier that one learns smart online behavior, the better. Being a positive role model and taking appropriate precautions to ensure that your child is having the best online experience possible is all that a parent can hope to do.
References
“Children’s Access to and Use of the Internet.” The Condition of Education 2019, pp. 1–10.
Knorr, Caroline. “Parents’ Ultimate Guide to Parental Controls.” Common Sense Media: Ratings, Reviews, and Advice, Common Sense Media, 27 Feb. 2019, www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/parents-ultimate-guide-to-parental-controls.
“Net Nanny: Parental Control Software & Website Blocker.” Net Nanny: Parental Control Software & Website Blocker, 2019, www.netnanny.com/.
“Qustodio- Best Parental Control Software.” Qustodio, www.qustodio.com/en/.
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