Ensuring children are safe online

In today’s digital age, ensuring children are safe online is understandably a hot topic for parents. This is because the internet can be a dangerous place, and there are many potential risks that children may face online.

Currently (at time of writing), the number one show on Netflix is Adolescence (don’t worry, no spoilers here). The show involved a teenage boy who has been influenced not only by the people around him, but also what he has seen online. Children are much less likely to understand the world portrayed online is not a fair representation of the real world. The internet is unfiltered and can be a scary place, especially if you aren’t able to understand the difference between extream views and what is morally and ethically right.

What can I do as a parent?

One way for parents to ensure their children’s safety online is to use online monitoring tools. These tools can help parents to track their children’s online activity, and to set limits on what their children can do online.

There are a number of different online monitoring tools available, and parents should choose the one that is best for their family. Some factors to consider when choosing an online monitoring tool include the age of your child, the type of online activity you want to monitor, and the features that are important to you.

Once you have chosen an online monitoring tool, it is important to set it up correctly. This includes creating an account, installing the software, and configuring the settings.

Once the online monitoring tool is set up, you can start using it to track your child’s online activity. You can also use the tool to set limits on what your child can do online. For example, you can set time limits on how long your child can use the internet, or you can block certain websites or apps.

Anything else to consider?

It is important to note that online monitoring tools are not a perfect solution for keeping children safe online. However, they can be a valuable tool for parents who want to ensure their children’s safety.

Below, I have listed a few of the main online monitoring tools, but remember, choose the right one for you and your circumstances.

Additional Tips

It is important to remember that online monitoring tools are not a substitute for good parenting. Parents should also talk to their children about online safety and set clear rules about internet use.
Online monitoring tools can be a controversial topic. Some people believe that they are an invasion of privacy. However, many parents believe that they are a necessary tool for keeping children safe online.
If you are concerned about your child’s online safety, you should talk to your child’s doctor or a mental health professional.

I would also like to add that it is important to be aware of the limitations of online monitoring tools. These tools can only track a child’s online activity on devices that they are installed on. They cannot track a child’s activity on devices that they are not installed on, such as a friend’s computer or a public computer.

It is also important to remember that online monitoring tools are not foolproof. Children can find ways to bypass these tools if they are determined to do so.

Despite these limitations, online monitoring tools can be a valuable tool for parents who want to ensure their children’s safety online. By using these tools in conjunction with other safety measures, such as talking to your child about online safety and setting clear rules about internet use, you can help to keep your child safe online.

Online monitoring tools can be a valuable tool for parents who want to ensure their children’s safety online. By using these tools, parents can track their children’s online activity, set limits on what they can do online, and teach them about online safety.

I hope this blog post has been helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me here.

Google Family Link

Google Family Link is a parental control app that helps you manage your children’s Android devices and Google Accounts. With Family Link, you can:

Set screen time limits: You can set daily screen time limits for your child’s device and set a device bedtime.
Manage app access: You can approve or block apps that your child wants to download from the Google Play Store.
View app activity: You can see which apps your child is using and for how long.
Locate your child’s device: If your child has an Android device, you can use Family Link to see their location on a map.
Manage account settings: You can change some of your child’s Google Account settings, such as their password and privacy settings.

Family Link is available for Android and iOS devices. You can download the app from the Google Play Store or the App Store.

Apple Screen Time

Apple’s Screen Time is a built-in feature designed to give users insight into and control over how they spend time on their Apple devices. It’s a valuable tool for both individuals and families.

Activity Reports: Screen Time provides detailed reports showing how much time you or your children spend on apps and websites. It tracks device usage, including how often you pick up your device and which apps send the most notifications.
App Limits: You can set daily time limits for specific apps or categories of apps. This helps manage time spent on potentially distracting or time-consuming apps.
Downtime: Downtime allows you to schedule periods when only selected apps and phone calls are available. This is useful for creating screen-free time, such as during meals or bedtime.
Content & Privacy Restrictions: Screen Time enables you to restrict access to explicit content, prevent in-app purchases, and control privacy settings. This is particularly important for parents who want to protect their children from inappropriate content. Screen Time works seamlessly with Apple’s Family Sharing feature, allowing parents to manage their children’s device usage remotely.

Screen time is only available on Apple devices

Qustodio

Qustodio is a comprehensive parental control application designed to help parents monitor and manage their children’s online activity across various devices. Here’s a breakdown of its key features and functionalities:

Web Filtering:
- Qustodio allows parents to block inappropriate websites and content based on categories.
- It monitors search activity and provides detailed reports of visited websites.
App Monitoring and Blocking:
- Parents can monitor which apps their children are using and set time limits or block specific apps altogether.
- This helps manage time spent on games, social media, and other applications.
Screen Time Limits:
- Qustodio enables parents to set daily or weekly screen time limits for their children’s devices.
- It also allows scheduling of specific times when devices can or cannot be used.
Location Tracking:
- The application includes GPS location tracking, allowing parents to see their children’s real-time location and track their movements.
- It can also set geofences, providing alerts when children enter or leave designated areas.
Call and SMS Monitoring:
- Qustodio monitors call logs and SMS messages, providing insights into who children are communicating with.
- This feature is available on Android devices.
Social Media Monitoring:
- It offers monitoring of social media activity, allowing parents to see what their children are posting and who they are interacting with.
Activity Reports:
- Qustodio provides detailed activity reports, summarizing children’s online behavior, app usage, and website visits.
- These reports help parents identify potential risks and address them proactively.
Panic Button:
- Some versions of Qustodio have a panic button that a child can press, to quickly alert a parent of an emergency.

In summary, Qustodio is a robust parental control solution that offers a wide array of features to help parents monitor and manage their children’s online activities. It provides valuable insights and tools to promote online safety and responsible digital behavior.

Norton Family

Norton Family is a parental control software developed by NortonLifeLock (formerly Symantec). It offers a range of features designed to help parents monitor and manage their children’s online activities, including:

Web Filtering: Blocks access to inappropriate websites based on categories.
Screen Time Limits: Allows parents to set daily or weekly time limits for device usage.
App Monitoring: Tracks which apps children are using and allows parents to block certain apps.
Location Tracking: Provides real-time location information of the child’s device.
Activity Reporting: Generates reports on children’s online activity, including websites visited, apps used, and search terms.

Norton Family is compatible with various devices, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. It aims to promote safe and responsible internet use among children while providing parents with tools to monitor and manage their online activities.

Comparison

Still not sure? All of the options above are decent choices, but the one you choose will depend on exactly what you are looking for and what features are most important to you. Its also important to remember the tools listed are there to assist you, and are not here to replace education and conversations about being safe online. I would also suggest talking to your child about being safe online and ensuring they understand the dangers involved with browsing the world wide web.

FEATURE	Google Family Link	Apple Screen Time	Qustodio	Norton Family
Price	Free	Free	£39.95 /year	£14.99 /year
Rating	4.5 / 5	3 / 5	3.5 / 5	3.5 / 5
Platforms	Android / iOS	iOS	Android / iOS / Windows / Mac	Android / iOS / Windows / Mac
App usage monitoring	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Web monitoring	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Screen time management	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Website blacklist	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Number of devices	6	Unlimited	5	10
Link	Google Family Link	Apple Screen Time	Qustodio	Norton Family

Final verdict

It’s hard to pinpoint one piece of software over another. Each one has its own positives and negatives, but on the whole, in my opinion, Google Family Link would be my go-to option.

I suspect most parents would rather a free option giving them a range of the most required features. For anything more specialist, one of the other options may be more suitable. Google Family Link is available on Android and iOS and gives most of the key features. It’s easy to manage from the parents phone and allows live reports at any time. Head here to take a look!