Gone are the days when kids would simply play with their toys, go to the park, or watch TV for their entertainment. As a parent, you want to make sure you’re there for your child but also give them space to grow. It used to be more straightforward then. If you’re at the park you can watch your child from a safe distance. Or when they’re playing with their action figures you could just be a few feet away keeping a watchful eye. Nowadays with the prevalence of smartphones and tablets, being a protective parent is becoming more and more complex. On one hand, it gives you better access to your child. If they have a smartphone, talking to them is faster and more convenient. There is also an abundant number of education-centered apps that can help your child with his or her development. Yes, there is a plenty to be thankful for when it comes to the advancement of technology. The problem is there are also a lot of dangers you might not even be aware of.
Modern Fears
One common fear is with the apps our children are using. How do we ensure that whatever they’re playing with is suitable for their age? You certainly don’t want them to be playing online games that might be a bit too old for them. Or how about with the ease and convenience of communication, how do you know who they’re talking to are trustworthy? Getting a smartphone entails a big responsibility for your child to ensure they’re using it the right way. So how exactly do we keep top parental control without acting too clingy to every move our children make?
It’s No Secret
Well, the best way to keep your child safe is to fight fire with fire. While there are a lot of apps you know aren’t safe for your child to use just yet, there are also just as many apps to help you set definite boundaries for your children to follow. You don’t have to sit on the sidelines hoping that your child is safe but you can be proactive and readily keep them from cyber harm. Some of the great apps out there are mSpy, Net Nanny, and Qustodio. They have their own unique features but all have the common objective of keeping you in control.
The most basic capability is internet filtering. Connection to the world wide web is a double edge sword. It gives us access to a lot of information but it also exposes us to websites that aren’t safe to use. Children who are new to using this are even more susceptible. By using these parental apps, you can make sure you screen whatever site your child visits. There are also SMS, call, and app filters that give you the same control on the phone of your child. Some even have special features such as a Panic Button that your child can use. It sends you their location and an alert if they’re in a situation that needs your immediate attention. We don’t have to be powerless in keeping our child safe from the harms of technology. We can harness the advancement of smartphones for our benefit so we need not worry about the wellbeing of our children.
