
How to access the Parental Controls of some of the most popular devices:
- iPod Touch/iPhone: From the home screen: Settings>>General>>Restrictions
- Nintendo Wii: Menu>> Settings>>Parental Controls>>Yes>>Enter or Create Your Passcode
- Nintendo Dsi: Menu>>Settings>>Select right arrow twice to third page>>Parental Controls>>Yes>>OK>>Next>>Enter/Create Passcode
- Sony Playstation 3: Menu>>Settings>>Security Settings>>Change Passcode (Passcode is 0000 by default)
- Cell Phones vary by make and model-check with your provider for instructions on how to set up parental controls.
Internet monitoring programs:
READ MORE: Keep your kids safe on the internet
- Net Nanny:
Net Nanny uses constant analysis to determine what websites are appropriate in real time. For example, news sites may be blocked when there is a particularly violent or explicit story on the website. While Net Nanny can be customized, it will start working on a default setting as soon as it’s installed, eliminating the need for a lengthy set-up process.
- CyberSitter:
This internet monitoring program offers a list of 35 categories that can be blocked, from the standard “sex and pornography” to the less popular “cults” and “gambling.” CyberSitter also includes a basic e-mail filter.
READ MORE: 10 top apps for new moms
Texting in class:
Note passing in class has gone the way of the quill pen and stylus. Kids today are more apt to text one another during class. How prevalent is this texting phenomenon? According to TextPlus, an application offering free texting services:
- 43% of teens 13-17 say they text during class
- 17% of them say they do so “constantly”
- 26% think it’s wrong to text during class
- 52% of teens say they text with friends who are sitting in the same classroom
- Nearly 80% of the teens surveyed said they’ve never gotten in trouble for texting in class.
And here’s one very surprising statistic: 66% of teens say their parents text them during the day, even though they know they’re in class. If the idea of your child spending so much time in class communicating with friends rather than the teacher is upsetting, you may be able to restrict your child’s phone from operating during classroom hours with usage controls.