Although it’s a brilliant resource to have at our fingertips, unfortunately the internet can also be a dangerous place for children of all ages, with unregulated websites, trolls and predators connecting with kids online.
So when it comes to keeping kids safe on the internet, you have to be strategic, and you have to be aware of what your kids are up to so that you can gauge if they are putting themselves at risk in any way. Check out the tools below that are designed for keeping kids safe online to get started.
Keep an Eye on That Smartphone
If your kids have their own smartphones, they are probably spending the majority of their free time online on those devices. And it’s on those devices that cyber bullying and other inappropriate online activities could be taking place, so monitoring your children’s smartphone activity is key.
You could check out the products that are offered by companies like SpectorSoft and WebWatcher, as a couple of examples, in order to watch what your kids are doing. Using products that will not only help you monitor activity, but also log your child’s activity, are best. WebWatcher Mobile is a good example of a product that will log your child’s emails and texts, and you could even set up alerts for specific keywords, so you will be notified right away if something inappropriate is going on.
Use Blocking Software
Blocking software could also come in really handy when you are trying to ensure that your kids stay safe while spending time online. This type of software will give you the ability to make lists of websites that you approve, and all other websites out there will be blocked. So, rather than trying to find specific websites to block, you just figure out what sites you approve of, making the process easier on yourself.
If there are any attempts made by your kids to visit unapproved websites, those attempts are recorded for you to see, and you might even receive a notification, depending upon the software that you are using. On top of that, blocking software could also give you the ability to restrict the amount of time that a computer could be used for, as well as when that computer is used.
Harness the Power of Parental Controls
Your PC or Mac comes with convenient parental control features already built into the operating system, so definitely take advantage of this option as well. And you could do a lot with these features too. For example, you could restrict certain activities, programs, or websites, while monitoring others. And you could also set hours that are off-limits so that your child doesn’t end up using the computer when they aren’t supposed to.
Keeping your kids safe online, and even when they are watching TV, does not have to be a challenge. It is important to keep an eye on what they are up to, but with the help of the right programs, you don’t even have to work very hard to do it.
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© Copyright 2018 Antonia, All rights Reserved. Written For: Tidylife
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