What tools can parents use?
Sometimes children try to get the upper hand, maybe if try to take advantage of a situation. What can you do to stay on top of the game?
App awareness
- Young children: Don’t forget to establish your privacy settings on each new device or app
- Older children: Set the parental controls on your tablet to block any in-app purchases. Check whether their apps have ‘geo-location’ enabled, and make sure they’re not sharing their location
Smartphone safety
- Young children: Google Family Link is a free app that helps you manage children’s phone use. The content and privacy restrictions on iPhones give you similar control.
- Older children: Boost privacy by turning off location services. Remind them: once they’ve posted or sent something, they have lost control over it.
Gaming
- Young children: Using ‘airplane mode’ on your tablet lets them play offline, uncontactable from strangers.
- Older children: Your console’s parental controls can help protect them from inappropriate games or material. Some games allow you to establish privacy settings, but make sure they also know how to mute, block and report players who make them uncomfortable.
Search Engine safety
- Young children: Child focused search engines like Swiggle and Kids-search keep them safe.
- Older children: Install parental controls on your home broadband and activate Google SafeSearch.
Social Media savvy
- Help them report comments or block people (each platform has its own pathway for this; help your child find the way to do it on their platform of choice). Privacy settings help limit the people who can search for them or tag them in photos.
Follow Up
- Don’t forget, even after you’ve set your controls, your child might encounter something they don’t really like. Check the browser history on their devices regularly and ask them what they’ve been reading and playing.
Source: Vodafone Digital Parenting
