The more time we spend in certain environments, the more opportunities we have to learn and grow, even through our mistakes. This is particularly important for our children, as they navigate their choices influenced by peers and technology. Parents have the right to know about their children’s online activities, including the websites they visit and their conversations. This is crucial because the internet is a public space.
Many school administrations use management and filtering software to monitor the online activities of both students and teachers to fulfill their duty of care. If schools prioritise this responsibility, we as parents should also consider our duty of care by staying informed about our children’s online activities. This awareness can help prevent any sense of unease.
REMEMBER – Parental controls are just one part of creating a safe online environment for our family. As parents and caregivers, we will always be the primary line of defense.
PARENTAL CONTROLS
What are they?
Parental controls, often referred to as family safety settings, are features on a device that enable parents or caregivers to monitor and limit a child’s activities. These settings are designed to help adults oversee and guide their children’s use of technology.
What can they do?
Although all Parental controls differ in a number of ways some of the common capabilities are:
- Limit time on the device and/or internet
- Block inappropriate websites (Guards against accidents or the naughty search)
- Notify when an attempt was made to access an inappropriate website
- Limit the ability to download apps
- Limit who can contact our children in certain communication programs
- Keep logs (Websites visited, conversations, attempts to download)
Where do I find them?
Parental controls will vary depending on the device type (e.g., phone or laptop), the operating system (e.g., Windows 10, 11, or Mac), and sometimes the device’s age. Below are some excellent videos that will walk you through how to setup these controls across modern devices:
How to setup parental controls on Windows Computer
How to setup parental controls on MacBook
How to setup parental controls on iPhone or iPad
How to setup parental controls on Android phone
Benefits & Considerations
Knowing where children are going and who they are communicating with offers many benefits to parents and carers, such as:
- When children know we are watching, it encourages them to make better choices.
- If an issue arises from online activity, we can address it.
- Limiting time helps our children manage their usage
- We get a chance to see how others are treating our children
- We will feel more at ease, and our children will feel safe knowing we, as parents and caregivers, are there to oversee them.
Here are essential points to keep in mind when utilising parental controls:
- They will never replace you as a parent; they are simply a tool to assist.
- This is about protecting and caring for my child’s health and well-being, not spying or invading privacy.
- I decide whether to use parental controls and must not second-guess myself.
- Parental Controls will not eliminate my child’s ability to make decisions when managing technology; they will help them develop those skills.
