Basics Of Parental Controls: A Parent's Guide

As digital technology becomes more integrated into our daily lives, managing children's exposure to online content has become a key concern for most parents. The millennial generation of parents who seem to be 'pioneers' in digital parenting, are still learning the ropes in keeping the balance between managing risks and keeping adept with technological advancement.

Most of the Filipino parents now who are rearing grade school children grew up with cellphones and tablets as either luxury or privilege when they were younger. But the children of today consider these gadgets a necessity–asynchronous school activities and other to-do tasks are now embedded in learning management systems or related apps. Outdoor play is also being challenged by screen time or replaced by online gaming apps and online exchange of chats and messages.

Parental control tools offer a practical solution for navigating the digital world, helping to create a safer and more age-appropriate online experience for children. This article provides the basics on how to effectively implement parental controls.

Parental control and why it matters

Parental controls play a critical role in protecting children from inappropriate content, online predators, cyberbullying, and the risks associated with excessive screen time. Given the vast amount of information and interactions available online, along with easy access to apps and sites, children can easily encounter harmful material or age-inappropriate content.

Parental controls allow parents to regulate their children's access and usage through the device itself, its settings, app-specific settings, screen time management and education, in hopes of promoting a balanced and secure digital environment.

Types of parental control

Device-based Controls

Modern devices like smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles typically include built-in parental control features. These enable parents to restrict app usage, set time limits, and block content based on age ratings.

Family Link App is both a device and app-specific control where it helps you as a parent manage your children’s accounts and devices as they explore online. As a parent, you can manage apps, keep an eye on screen time, determine device location and help set digital ground rules for the family. It helps parents stay in the loop and keep their child or teen safer online as they explore.

Gaming consoles like PlayStation and Xbox have specific parental control settings that can be accessed through the console’s options.

App-specific controls

Parents can directly set controls within apps such as YouTube, Youtube Kids, Messenger Kids, Instagram and other social media platforms. These controls include filtering out explicit content, disabling comments, or limiting app usage during certain hours.

Streaming services like Netflix offer kids' profiles that limit access to age-appropriate content. Platforms like YouTube offer a “Restricted Mode” to filter out adult content.

Additionally, the Family Link app as mentioned previously, can be downloaded following a Google account created for kids below 13. With this app, parents can:

• Set screen time limits and downtime schedule
• Approve or block apps for your child
• Find your child’s device location
• View app and device usage
• Choose a new lock screen password
• Manage the data shared from your child's device with apps
• Access and change account information
• Check your child’s devices’ battery levels
• Delete your child’s account

Meanwhile, parents can’t:

• Remotely view your child’s screen
• Access your child’s past searches
• Read your child’s emails or messages in texts or apps
• Listen to your child’s calls
• View your child’s internet browsing history

Screen Time Management

Tools like Apple’s Screen Time, Google Family Link, and various third-party apps allow parents to set daily device usage limits, enforce downtime, and monitor app usage patterns. Parents can select the hours and minutes they want to set for their kids’ daily limit.

iPhones and iPads use the “Screen Time” feature, while Android devices offer “Family Link” for managing a child's device.

Location Tracking

Many parental control apps offer GPS tracking, allowing parents to monitor their child's location in real-time as long as the device is switched on or has internet connectivity, which can be vital for ensuring safety–to monitor if they have been picked up by the school bus for example, or if and when they’ve arrived home.

Teaching your child about online safety, privacy, and the potential dangers of the internet is as important as setting up controls.

Best practices for using parental controls

Establishing trust through open communication.

Talk to your children and educate them about why these controls are necessary. Having an open dialog helps them understand the importance of online safety and this builds trust. As parents, we were young once, and we know how “parental control” can be suffocating at first glance. Kids can easily equate parental concern with snooping, which is why we need them to value online safety and imagine the repercussions if safety were breached.

Age-appropriate settings.

Adjust settings according to your child’s age and maturity. We do not want our young kids to be exposed to violence, nudity, and self-harm. Younger children may need stricter controls, while older kids might benefit from more freedom with monitored access.

Regular Monitoring and Updates

Parental controls should be reviewed and updated regularly as your child grows and as new apps or devices are introduced into the household.

Education

Teaching your child about online safety, privacy, and the potential dangers of the internet is as important as setting up controls. Maintaining the communication lines open is key. Educate your child that if there’s anything that makes them uncomfortable or want to discuss with you, you are very much willing to listen and put your heads together about.

Similarly, stay informed about the latest apps, games, and online trends.

The flipside of parental control

Adverse outcomes are believed to be associated with parental control according to an online journal entitled, "Do parental control tools fulfil family expectations for child protection? A rapid evidence review of the contexts and outcomes of use" by Mariya Stoilova with Monica Bulger and Sonia Livingstone.

This is the result of a review of eight studies, through content analysis and qualitative methods. Both children and parents raised concerns that these controls could lead to increased family conflicts, diminish trust, limit children's autonomy, and invade their privacy.

Furthermore, a longitudinal study from Latvia also suggested that the use of parental controls might contribute to the development of "compulsive internet use" within a year, likely as a result of overly strict parenting.

Conversely, however, the same study indicated that setting clear rules for internet usage and maintaining a positive parent-child relationship could reduce the risk of "compulsive internet use."

The results of the said study shows the other side of parental control. This should not discourage modern parents though, but rather take it as caution, a thing to watch out for, to make sure that we are not losing the bond between a parent and a child, while we try to protect them from potential hazards online.

Both education and open line of communication is without a doubt, vital to setting up parental control.

Conclusion : Human factor is still crucial

Parental controls are a vital aspect of responsible digital parenting. They provide a necessary layer of protection, enabling children to explore the digital world safely. But while parental controls are effective, they are not foolproof.

Tech-savvy children may find ways to bypass restrictions and limits, and some apps might not be fully covered by the controls. Kids can also challenge your authority and find other means to access material and content that are inappropriate. It's essential for parents to remain vigilant, informed, and involved.

While parental controls could not fully safeguard our children from online harm lurking like an invisible villain, parents can always try. For now, with these device based and app-specific tools, as well as positive reinforcement and guidance, parents can ensure their children benefit from the internet’s educational and entertainment resources while minimizing risks.

Want to know why Filipinos desperately need a guide to raising kids in a digital world? Read it here.