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Children are innocent. They find interest in learning new things and making their way. Internet and technology have always helped children, school kids as well as teens for gaining more knowledge. Children have learned more things which have become a great development of their future. Technology is a great tool for learning and developing, but sometimes, it may backfire. It’s important to be protective rather than just worrying about the danger. Children will get attracted to phones, but it is important that you keep your child safe and secure from threats. We hope that this guide on Protecting Your Children on Their Phone will surely help you to get them safe.
How to Keep Your Child Safe on their Smartphone
It’s natural that children will like to play games that are interesting and also more on the web. The more they get into their phones it becomes difficult to get them rid of their phones. This is why you need to bring on some ways to reduce and protect them from using the phone too much. Below are some ways which you can use to protect your children on their phones and keep them safe.
Get up Parental Controls
As parents, it is important to know about what your children do and what they surf online. Monitoring them constantly is one of the most important things that you need to do. It’s humanly impossible to note out and restrict your children every time they are on the phone. This is why having a separate platform to get your things done is important. Probably, a parental control application could be the right thing for your needs. You can view the list of the best parental control apps that are available to use. You can simply have a look at the features that are present with these applications.
Best Parental Control Apps
1. Google Family Link
Google Family Link is one of the best applications for controlling your children. It has an easy monitoring system that allows online activities without any problem. This app is completely free to use and you can view their activity easily. It is a great way to track activity.
2. Kids Zone
Another impressive application available is the Kids Zone. This application is specially built to track the internet activity of your children. You can use this app to keep an eye on your children and also monitor their screen. The special feature for this application allows you to reduce screen time.
3. FamiSafe
FamiSafe is a family-oriented application that keeps all devices under one segment. FamiSafe allows you to keep a track of the activity 24 hours a day. You can get complete access to their galleries, and also multiple other things. This application is only 21 Mb in size and takes just a few seconds to download.
4. Mobicip
Mobicip is a specialized app that allows you to get digital wellness for your child. This is the motto for the product and it can always be used to monitor the applications they use. Moreover, you can block content and also keep a track of all the searches that your child makes. It is available for free.
5. TigerMom
TigerMom is one of the highest recommended applications that are being used today. This app allows your child to go through a safe and secure internet. You can block access to adult sites and even restrict the internet for the device. The best part is it will allow you to block entry to websites as well.
6. SecureTeen
This is another fantastic application that is developed to stop your children from accessing inappropriate content. However, with the help of this app, you can set the right path for your children. You can individually monitor each application and make sure that everything is going fine.
7. ESET Parental Control
Not many people do know about this, but ESET Parental Control is an amazing application to have and to download for your use. This amazing application comes with a high rating which is specially used for the child’s interest. With the help of the monitor and the app, you can easily set controls for the child.
8. Norton Family Parental Control
Almost everyone knows how impressive Norton Family parental control actually is. Although it gives you complete access to the device, this app also allows you to gain individual access to the applications, the camera, and also the browser present. You can easily accept or decline the permissions according to your needs.
9. Safe Family
Safe Family is one of the most professional applications available for parental control needs. This application is a part of McAfee which is renowned all over the world for internet security. This is why you can always feel safe after using the application and taking it to the next level.
10. Qustodio
More than just a parental control option, the Qustodio is a professional application that includes a complete solution to manage and monitor devices. You can always rely on this wonderful application for the best results. More than just parental control, it can monitor and keep the children safe. The overall application comes as an enterprise control.
Reduce the Screen Time
Playing games for an hour and then watching movies, scrolling through social media is a part of entertainment for every kid. They tend to spend more time on the internet more than just concentrating on studies or doing other activities. Slowly, this addiction will grow bigger, and before you realize it, you won’t be able to recover your child from this addiction. Reducing screen time for your children is equally important. This won’t be possible if you do not take the help of certain applications that will help you to reduce screen time.
Best Apps to Reduce the Screen Time
1. Freedom
Freedom is a great application that is available for both Android and iOS devices. It comes with a great reputation for individual access that can block the apps. So, if something distracts your children, you can use the Freedom application to block it. Although downloading it is free, you may have to pay $2.42 per month if you need the pro version. You can also choose the free trial for a limited few days.
2. Moment
Moment is another fantastic application that prevents screen time from increasing. It is an especially dedicated app that runs on both iOS and Android platforms. You can get this at a range of $7.99 per month and also avail the right technology. Learning to control the Moment is easy as you can get guided coaching sessions from professionals. You will be able to prevent your children from accessing the app.
3. ZenScreen
ZenScreen is the perfect app that allows your children to stay limited towards their phones. In fact, it has a limited capacity of 10 minutes. If your child spends 10 minutes on an application, ZenScreen will force them to leave the phone for the next 20 minutes. In short, it brings up a great way to restrict screen time. This will always allow your child to maintain a food habit.
4. BreakFree
BreakFree brings up the art of screen monitoring to a simple level. If you connect your child’s phone with the BreakFree app, you will be able to know how they spend their time. With the help of the addiction score feature, you will be able to block certain apps and restrict use. It always helps your children to get rid of the addiction.
5. Social Fever
Today, social media addiction is the biggest concern. Social Fever is one such option for you to install. Social Fever allows you to monitor your child’s social media applications. You can customize the application and allow your child to only scroll through a limited time period. This will restrict your child to stop wasting time.
Protection from Cyberbullying
According to the recent surveys conducted, there is a huge spike in cyberbullying all over the world. As per ChildLine, there is a rise of 12% from 2017 as compared to 2020. This goes on to be increasing every month as well. Cyberbullying is an important topic of discussion for every parent and their children. Rising awareness of cyberbullying is always important. It can take many forms as well as abusive messages become constant.
What is Cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying is nothing except the same old bullying that happens online. Most of the time, this type of bullying is conducted in chat rooms, emails, or even on social media sites. They are text messages and even might be pictures and actions that are threatening. Cybercrime has become a bigger issue and this is why it is very important to stop such things from happening. Receiving abusive messages, pictures and constantly being bullied online could lead to destruction.
Tips To Protect Your Child from Cyberbullying
1. Create Tech Boundaries
To prevent any type of threat, the first thing that you can do is to create a small boundary. Sometimes, asking for permission and technology are quite helpful. Teach your children to seek your permission before the use of technology. Allowing your children free access to technology can never set up any type of obstructions. If you set up small limits, it will prevent children from getting too attached to the phone. This will also stop cyberbullying threats. But the best part is these limits will also introduce a healthy sense of identity.
2. Engage in Communication
Whenever you feel your children are spending more time on the internet and not listening to you that much, it’s important for you to engage in a conversation. Raise the issue of getting over their phone and also teach them about what is right and what is wrong. Having a good perception of the internet will help them to quickly justify what is right and what should be avoided. This is why communication becomes so important in letting your children learn.
3. Be Open with Them
Children always look for a companion. As parents, you may have other works too. However, if you are presenting more time on your work, you are missing out to give time to your children. They will feel lonely and will only wish to make new friends online. Known friends are good, but this is where cyberbullying starts. Being friendly with your children will allow them to open up more. In fact, they will share their stories and you can get to know a lot more. Have a decent conversation with your children and wait for the right moment to teach them about cyberbullying, privacy, and other online risks.
4. Create Awareness
Who are the ones being targeted by bullies? Children who feel lonely and have psychological challenges to face are always an easy target for them. However, as parents, it is important that you start the education from your home and start the process. The more children are aware of these things they will try to stay out of the dangers. Let them know about their mental health and consider the brain chemistry as well. Always remember that the best education needs to be starting right from home.
5. Behaviour Changes
Children always love to be jovial and look to be fruitful. However, when you see massive behavior changes in them, you can expect something is not going right. Cyberbullying is always a big factor that can cause mental disturbance to any child. This is why you must track the changes that are being caused in your children’s health. If you find they are not happy or upset about something, talk with them and know the reason for this. Never leave the changes to be psychological.
6. Track the Time
The advent of going online is such that it engages more people. This is why children become addicted and also look for friends to spend time with. Because of this, the time spent on the internet slowly increases. If you keep ignoring the situations, slowly, this time will rise up to become a mere addiction. Such activities from children could be the main reason why they are suffering so much. As parents, it is always your duty to check the time. If you find that things are going extreme, do not hesitate to take the necessary action. However, sit down with your children and explain to them why it was important.
7. Your Reaction Matters
You may not be happy with everything that your child does. However, your reaction to things matters the most. If your reaction is arrogant or rude enough, your child will start feeling uncomfortable around you. This is the time when they will start looking for friends outside and try to be comfortable around them. This could be an easy target for cybercrime. Most of the children facing domestic violence are always easy targets.
8. Talk More
To keep your child safe from online threats, it is always important to have a fruitful conversation. Make out time to be with them and make them feel comfortable. Remember that good communication could always be helpful for your children to share more with you and express their feelings. Do not try to pass on any judgment when they are sharing. Make them understand in a polite way about what is good and what should always be done.
9. Know What They Want
Children are always in search of something. Whenever they find anything new, they try to learn about this. Sometimes, this may also result in emotional distress. Start off by asking what they want and how you can deliver this. They may either be in extreme pain or may just be willing to ask for something. Try to bring to a solution and find out what they are looking to get. Awareness is the best thing that brings up a solution to everything.
10. Take Initiatives
Nothing will change if you do not take initiative from home. It is all about creating awareness from your end and teaching them to be dealing with such issues. Social media risks could always be taught in a good and decent way. To let your children understand better, you can ask their friends to join as well and make them aware of such. On top of this, you can also look for Organizations that educate children about abuse.
Helpful Video About Cyber Bulling :
Keeping your Child Safe Online
Keeping your child safe from phishing or cybercrimes should always be the main concern. One should know when and how you can keep your child safe from any type of social media threats. To prevent this, you need to start from scratch. Most social media sites ask for too much personal information. When you sign up for a social media website, you need to enter a few personal information like name, birthday, or even location. Although they are protected, sharing this information could be causing danger. It is important that you keep such information safe so that the child’s identity is not stolen.
Know-How They are Using Their Phone
As parents, it is always important that you know how your children are surfing all throughout the mobile phones. Obviously, they won’t tell you everything and you need to take part. Keep a track of the many apps they are using at the current time. Also, you must know how much time they do spend on such applications. Keeping a track of such activities may prevent any type of cyber threats from happening. This is why it is important that you keep an eye on this and know more about oversharing. Always remember one thing that education starts from your home and not from any school.
As parents, you need to start teaching your children what good content is and what can be harmful content. If you start to monitor the activities, you will be able to know what their findings are and which type of content attracts them the most. This is why it is important that you keep an eye on your children and always make sure they are on the right track.
Create a Good Example
As parents, it is always important that you know how your children are surfing all throughout the mobile phones. Obviously, they won’t tell you everything and you need to take part. Keep a track of the many apps they are using at the current time. Also, you must know how much time they do spend on such applications. Keeping a track of such activities may prevent any type of cyber threats from happening. This is why it is important that you keep an eye on this and know more about oversharing. Always remember one thing that education starts from your home and not from any school.
As parents, you need to start teaching your children what good content is and what can be harmful content. If you start to monitor the activities, you will be able to know what their findings are and which type of content attracts them the most. This is why it is important that you keep an eye on your children and always make sure they are on the right track.
Conclusion:
Keeping your children away from phones is going to be really hard. It’s not easy to keep your children away from the phone as well. But the only thing that you can do is to keep them safe and protected from any type of threats. Being responsible parents will not only help you to raise them with better education. Always remember that there are several Government programs to seek help in case you feel this is an emergency. Never hesitate to feel shy about letting the officials know. Remember that you can stop a crime from happening. Such an organization will always be helpful for your child to be safe when they are surfing on the phone.
Important Resources:
- Screen Time vs. Lean Time Infographic
- Screen Time Limits for Families, Kids & Adults
- How much screen time is OK for my kids
I’m James Burns, the founder of Routers Networks. I work as a Network Engineer by profession and as a Network Blogger with the passion to bring you the latest update about networking technology and news.