Although navigating the digital landscape as a parent is not a simple task, it’s a necessary one. After all, the Internet is replete with age-inappropriate content, scams, and cyberbullying, so establishing rules and limits is crucial for protecting your child’s safety. In this article, we’ll discuss the key pros and cons of using parental control software and why installing one may be a good idea.
What’s Parental Control Software?
Parental control apps are digital tools that help parents monitor their kids’ online activities. They typically allow tracking location, monitoring screen time and app usage, and filtering age-inappropriate content. Although these digital tools are important for filtering harmful content, they shouldn’t replace face-to-face communication. Explaining, educating, and encouraging your kids to navigate the online world safely is crucial and should go hand in hand with parental software.
Why You Should Install Parental Software
Let’s take a look at the key pros of parental control apps and why you should consider installing them to help your kids navigate the digital landscape:
1. Filter out Age-Inappropriate Content
The chances of unintentionally stumbling upon age-inappropriate content are extremely high. According to research, one in five youth experience unwanted online exposure to sexually explicit material, and one in nine youth experience online sexual solicitation. These mind-boggling numbers are a much-needed call to action. Although using control parental apps’ filters will partially protect kids from Internet risks and reduce their exposure to harmful content, it’s also crucial to teach them how to navigate the digital environment.
2. Prevent Cyberbullying
According to the Cyberbullying Research Center, around 1 in 4 middle and high school kids have been subjected to cyberbullying. Such staggering statistics are another reminder not to take children’s online safety for granted. The most workable solutions involve monitoring kids’ online interaction, teaching them about its dangers and symptoms, and encouraging conversation. If you’re parenting a tween, parental apps are a must-have; on the flip side, if you’re a parent to a teenage kid, apps may be too intrusive, so consider discussing the topic and encouraging dialogue.
3. Monitor Screen Time
It’s estimated that children aged 8–10 spend up to 6 hours in front of the screen daily; this trend only exacerbates with age, as teenagers use their devices for up to 8 hours. If you’re parenting small kids, parental control apps allow monitoring of used apps, screen time, and visited websites. They should go hand in hand with communicating and explaining why spending days on your phone is not a good idea. If your children are older, help them manage phone use by setting clear limits and initiating dialogue.
To wrap it up, completely fencing your kid from online dangers is next to impossible. Parental control software comes close, as the powerful tool promotes responsible digital behavior and helps parents and children navigate the digital environment. Although it should definitely become part of your digital toolkit, it shouldn’t be a substitute for parenting and discussions about online safety.
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