With COVID-19 social distancing measures in place nationwide, kids
are now even more glued to their screens. So, what’s the best way to protect
them? Watch their every move? Track their Google history?
Luckily, there are many ways to protect your kid online. Here are two tips to
start.
1. Start
with your router
Your home’s router is
the source of all internet traffic within your home. The more you secure your
router, the better protected kids will be—and the less likely they are to come
across inappropriate or harmful content.
For example, as a
parent, you can control what children search via the router. You can also
restrict internet access during certain times of day, block mature websites
unfit for children and pre-schedule screen time limits.
To customize your
router, open a web browser on your computer or laptop. Find your router’s
8-digit IP address (which is usually on the router) and use this to log into
your router’s network. From there, you can customize your router’s settings as
you please.
2. Protect them when they use their smartphone too
Whether or not your
kids have an Android or iPhone, the Google Family Link app for Android and the Screen Time app for iOS helps you keep a watchful eye on kids’ smartphones.
Both apps apply time
limits per app and allow you to delete certain apps. There are some key
differences between Screen Time and Family Link, though. For instance, Screen
time has no option to instantly turn off your kiddo’s device or limit
screen time control. With Family Link, screen time control operates in
fifteen-minute increments.
Both apps allow you
to monitor devices and prevent your children from deleting any Google search
history. The good news is, regardless of the differences between the two apps,
both give you an equal shot at protecting your kids.
Lastly, don’t panic! There are multiple ways to keep them safe
Whether your children
are gaming online, watching TV with their friends, or swiping and clicking on
their phones, there are several ways you can keep them out of harm’s way.
Beyond the
suggestions we listed above, most web browsers allow you to block specific
websites via a child account. This will look different depending on if you use
Microsoft Edge, Chrome, Safari or another browser, but most allow you to
customize filter settings.
If you still feel
stumped on ways to protect your children online, try these additional
tips:
- Check
browser add-ons
- Clear
your browser’s cache
- Establish
house rules (like set screen times)
- Put
your home’s desktop computer in an open area that’s visible to
everyone
Above all, the best
thing you can do with children is speak to them. Gently warn them of the
dangers that exist on the web—that way they can recognize them if they stumble
across them. When kids understand why protective measures are in place, they’ll
be more likely to follow your home internet safety rules.
USDIRECT
USDirect.com is an
authorized DIRECTV dealer.
The team at USDirect knows that
parents can’t watch their kids 24/7, especially while trying to work during the
day. That’s why they created an in-depth Parental Controls Guide to help parents feel at
ease with their kids streaming tv and playing online during working
hours.