What Is Parental Control For?

So, why parental control is important? A United Nations report states that one in five children is exposed to dangers in a virtual environment. Typically, this refers to unwanted online sexual harassment. In addition, children do not have “insurance” against cyberbullying. So today this is a very serious problem both in America and in Europe. Some countries have criminalized online harassment. Parental controls are relevant in these circumstances. This is important, if only because there are a lot of reports of children being stalked by strangers. And such persecution often begins online.

Parental control: what is it and how to set it up?

So, without a doubt: the cyber world is full of dangers for children and teenagers. Therefore, they need to be protected. So, such protection often includes the following steps:

1️⃣ cyber education (when you tell your kids not to click on unfamiliar links or give strangers personal information);
2️⃣ parental control (when you can make sure that your children can bypass the traps on the Internet).

How does parental control work?

Parental controls are special software packages so that parents can track, control and limit the online activity of their children. Programs may have different functions. However, you can use almost all programs on devices such as a computer, laptop, tablet and smartphone. In addition, some programs even allow parents to track text messages (SMS). Parental control features include:

1️⃣ Blocking sites. So, you can block your children from accessing certain websites. For example, by giving a page an X rating, you are preventing your child from visiting that page.
2️⃣ Video control. Parents can receive reports about what videos their children have watched. In addition, the program invites you to check video clips so that you can decide if this content suits your child.
3️⃣ Blocking search terms (keywords). Online navigation is also an important component of your children’s activity. So, you can limit your children’s requests (individual words, phrases) to protect them from inappropriate content.
4️⃣ Social media monitoring. It is hard to imagine the life of a modern teenager without social media like Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Parental Control helps keep track of children’s activity on social media as well.
5️⃣ Activity restrictions. You can also define the hours your child will spend online. Some parents are worried, for example, about the possibility of children becoming addicted to the Internet. Therefore, it is logical to set up parental controls. For example, your child can only use the Internet 2 hours a day, from 17:00 to 19:00. All other times Internet access remains blocked.
6️⃣ Activity reports. Of course, you cannot control absolutely everything. There is always the danger that your child visits prohibited resources or breaks the rules. Therefore, you can receive special reports about what your children did online during the week or month. Such a report contains the sites visited by children, the number of hours spent on the Internet and other important data. This helps parents protect their children from unwanted activities in the future.

Why is it important to set parental controls?

Many parents hesitate to install parental control programs. This is due to the belief that parental control undermines children’s trust in their parents. However, this only happens when your communication with your children is disrupted. First of all, before setting up parental controls, you should explain to your child why this is needed. The Internet is an interesting but also the dangerous time at the same time. Many scammers take advantage of children’s innocence to swindle money, personal information, or other harm. Therefore, parental control is needed in order not to become a victim of scammers on the Internet. You can point out to your child that this will give you more peace of mind and more confidence that your child is safe online.

Summary: Parental controls are tools or software that allow parents to monitor and restrict their children’s online activity. They are often used to protect children from inappropriate content, protect their privacy, and prevent them from accidentally or intentionally accessing harmful or inappropriate websites. Some common features of parental controls include the ability to block certain websites, set time limits on device use, and monitor online activity. Some parental control tools also offer additional features, such as the ability to monitor text messages and phone calls, or to set limits on the amount of time that children can spend using specific apps. Parental controls can be useful for helping parents to ensure that their children are safe and protected online, but it is important for parents to also educate their children about online safety and responsible internet use.

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