These days, most children own a computer, mobile phone and games console, so it’s essential that mums know how to set up the parental controls on these devices. Need advice? Get the lowdown here.
A digital age
The latest Childwise Monitor Report shows the vast majority of children own and regularly use digital technology.
According to the report, three quarters of five to 16 year olds own their own computer and two thirds of all seven to 16 year olds can now access the internet in their own room.
Meanwhile, three in five five to 16 year olds have their own TV, and seven in 10 own a mobile phone.
With digital technology now an intrinsic part of life for today’s children, parental control settings and apps have never been more important.
What parental controls are available?
There are a number of safety and privacy tools available to parents that can help safeguard their children while they use their favourite devices.
Content filters can be used to prevent access to adult content, while usage controls can be used to limit the amount of time or types of activity for which a device can be used.
Parental controls for computers
If you use Windows 7, 8 or Vista, or Mac OS X, you can use the in-built parental control settings to limit the time your children can use the computer, the types of games they can play, and the programs they can run.
Safer browsing
Most ISPs offer free parental controls for filtering web content and reporting on your child’s online activity.
In addition, many popular websites offer safety and privacy tools. Google SafeSearch can filter children’s search results to prevent adult content from being included, and YouTube can be similarly filtered. For greater safety and privacy on Facebook use Facebook’s privacy controls.
Controlling TV
Sky, Virgin Media, BT Vision, and all Freeview and Freesat set-top boxes come with parental control options to prevent children from viewing inappropriate content.
Games consoles and portable media players
Parental controls are built in to the Xbox 360, Nintendo DS and DS Lite, Nintendo Wii, Sony Playstation 3 and Sony PSP. These control access to the games that can be played, the content that can be watched, the amount of time a game console can be used, and whether users can play online.
Parental controls are also built in to most portable media players, and controls are available in Windows Media Player.
Mobile phones
Parental control services are available from all mobile phone providers to limit access to internet content. In addition, apps such as Vodafone Guardian can be downloaded to specify the times a child can make or receive calls, use apps, access the internet and use the camera. The app can also be used to block specific contacts to help prevent bullying text messages or calls.
Just a few minutes
Setting up parental controls usually only takes a few minutes so if you haven’t done it yet, make sure you do it today.
