Parental Control Software for Protecting Children in the Digital Age
In today’s digital age, almost every child has access to the internet. However, this increase in internet usage also comes with the growth of potential online threats. Luckily, there are ways to curb these potential threats.
For example, by using parental control software, parents can effectively track and manage their children’s online activity, establish restrictions, and protect them from dangers related to the internet.
In this article, we will discuss how parental control software can ensure children’s safety as they navigate the digital world.
Why is it Important to Monitor Children's Internet Activities?
As the number of children participating in online activities, such as social media, online gaming, and educational platforms, continues to rise, the need to monitor their activities is also becoming increasingly important.
The reason for this is that, as parents, we all wish for the best for our children, and our goal is to provide them with an environment that is both safe and friendly. However, we are not always aware of the potential risks of web usage. Here is what the data says:
- According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), there has been a steady rise in the number of incidents involving child endangerment and exploitation that occur online.
- A survey carried out by the Pew Research Center has revealed that 59% of American teenagers have been the target of cyberbullying at some point in their lives.
- The Crimes Against Children Research Center discovered that one in seven children received unwanted sexual solicitations online.
The online world is not devoid of certain dangers. There has been an alarming increase in the prevalence of cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, online predators, and other forms of threats.
The data above serves as a sharp reminder of the challenges children face while interacting with the digital world. They also highlight the critical need for proactive security measures to protect children’s internet usage.
How Parental Control Software Protects Children Online
Here are some of the ways that parental control can help parents ensure their children are safe online:
Examine Application Usage
With parental control software, you can have access to all of your child’s downloaded applications and programs, along with their usage frequency, whether they are on their phone, computer, tablet, or any other connected device.
Knowing which applications your child is using can help you gain more insight into your children’s activities and any potential dangers that they might be facing. This is particularly true for applications you haven’t heard of, as you can look them up to check whether they are appropriate for children.
Access their Phone Contacts
Are you concerned that your child may be chatting with strangers via text messages, social networks, chat services, or social media?
With parental control software, you will be able to view your child’s contact list. In this way, you will be able to keep track of any new additions they make and inquire about the individual in question. Monitoring software like Wolfeye also allows you to view your child’s digital communications.
Check their Location
Tracking their child’s location can provide parents with a sense of relief, whether they are concerned about their child leaving the house after dark or going somewhere they should not be.
You can also monitor your child’s whereabouts and ensure that they reach home safely whenever they leave the house.
Monitor Device Usage Time
Given that the prevalence of addiction to social media, mobile phones, and video games is at an all-time high in this digital age, it is more important than ever to monitor screen time.
Parental control software allows you to keep track of how much time your child spends using a device, whether it be their phone, computer, or gaming console.
If you believe your children spend a lot of time on their devices, you can set up screen time limitations in addition to monitoring how much time they spend online. You can help your children spend more time outside, boost their level of physical activity, and discover new ways to spend their time by limiting their screen time.
Provide Overview of Web Activity
Parental controls are an excellent tool for gaining an overview of your children’s internet activities. You’ll get daily, weekly, and monthly reports of their digital activities, as well as real-time alerts if your children try to access websites, platforms, or applications that are prohibited. Many computer monitoring software like Wolfeyecan also help provide extensive data about your child’s web browsing history.
Additionally, you will be notified if your child engages in any of the following:
- visits an “unsafe” or restricted location
- makes a call, sends a text, or receives an email from a contact that is blocked or unknown
- tries to uninstall or delete the parental software controls from their device
Preparing Children for Digital Independence
Providing children with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and overcome potential dangers, such as interacting with strangers online, is similar to providing them with a shield.
It is important to equip children with the knowledge and skills necessary to differentiate between interactions and potential dangers, such as online bullies and predators.
Parents and educators can equip children with the knowledge they need to make well-informed decisions and exercise caution when navigating online spaces by having conversations with them about the importance of being mindful of the information they share online and any possible repercussions of sharing it with people they do not know.
Additionally, the way children interact with technology now will mirror their future actions, so it’s essential to teach them digital literacy and ethical online behavior at a young age. Nurturing a healthy skepticism in children by teaching them to be critical thinkers and encouraging them to question the legitimacy of material that they find online can stop them from falling prey to fraud or disinformation.
Conclusion
Protecting children’s time on social media sites and limiting online activities are essential for children of all ages. By using parental control software, parents can make sure that their children have a healthy and responsible relationship with technology, which will keep them safe in the digital world.