While the internet is an indispensable resource for us, for our kids, it’s a core part of their very existence. And while the different ways they can learn, connect, and be entertained are excellent tools, the internet can also present certain dangers to children. Inappropriate and dangerous content, internet predators, cyberbullying and privacy threats are real concerns. Thankfully, there are many ways to keep your kids safe online. We’ve put together an internet safety guide for kids outlining some of the most important ones.

Monitor internet usage

Even with the brilliant tools we’ll be outlining, this remains the foundation of a safe online experience for your kids. Even the best protection controls can potentially be circumvented—either by a smart, internet-savvy kid or a persistent bad actor. When you keep a close eye on your child’s internet habits, you avoid being blindsided and increase their level of online safety.

• Physical safety measures: Keep computers and devices in out of their bedrooms and in shared spaces if you can. Consider limiting access at night or when you can’t be around.
• Browsing history: Regularly check your kids’ browsing history to ensure they aren’t accessing dangerous or inappropriate content.
• Monitor contacts and friend lists: Keep track of who they’re communicating with, and ask about any individuals you don’t recognize.
• Directly ask about their online experience: Explain what bullying, inappropriate advances and suspicious information requests are in terms they will understand. Regularly ask them if they’ve experienced anything along those lines.
• Audit their online profiles: Ensure they don’t provide personally identifying information (address, phone number, etc) in their “bios.” Also, make sure they know to never provide this type of information in a form or if someone requests it.
• Audit their downloads: Set an agreement that they must show you any new apps, games or other programs before downloading. Frequently check to make sure there are none you don’t recognize.

Utilize parental controls

Many apps and device platforms have parental controls that allow you to limit what your child can access. You may need to check new apps for availability and how they work, but here are examples of some of the most popular ones.

Netflix

The parental controls on everyone’s favorite streaming app are both effective and easy to use. First, you’ll need to create a separate profile for your kids. On this profile, you’ll then want to set a maturity level that suits their age. As an extra step, you can go through the shows and movies that are available in this setting. If you see anything you’d prefer them not to have access to, you can block specific titles as well.

At the same time, you’ll want to lock other profiles with a four-digit PIN. Then by adding the requirement of PIN entry to add any new profiles, you’ve limited access to the kids’ profile you’ve created.

To learn how to use Netflix’ parental controls on different devices, check out their tutorial.

YouTube

If you’re wondering: “Does YouTube have parental controls?” the answer is yes, and pretty extensive ones! As you may know, Google owns YouTube—and that’s why your first step will need to be creating a Google account for your kids (if you haven’t already). Then you have a couple of options. First, you can download or use the YouTube Kids app, which only provides access to content made for kids. Alternatively, you can use the YouTube supervised experience on the regular app to filter content.

A very helpful tool is the Google app Family Link, which makes it easier to monitor and control your child’s online activities across all Google apps including the Chrome internet browser, YouTube, the Play Store and more. Being a Google app, it’s also a great tool for setting up parental controls on your Android device.

Android parental controls

While the exact method of doing the following may differ slightly depending on the brand of phone, setting parental controls on your Android device should look something like this. Begin by accessing the device's settings. Navigate to the "Users & accounts" or "Users" section. Next, tap on "Add user" or "Add profile" and select "Restricted profile" or "Child profile." Once the profile is created, you can customize a number of settings including app permissions, content restrictions and screen time limits. 

For enhanced controls and additional functionality, download “Google Family Link” from the Play Store. In addition to permissions, it offers features like location tracking, web filtering and the ability to keep track of your child’s usage. 

iPhone and iPad parental controls

Like most things in iOS, setting parental controls is wonderfully straightforward on an Apple mobile device. Go to "Settings," then locate and tap "Screen Time." If it’s your first time doing so, you’ll be prompted to set up Screen Time. Next, tap on "Use Screen Time Passcode" to set a passcode that prevents your child from changing your settings. Then tap on your child's device name under "Family" and set up their Screen Time settings! (If you don’t see this option, look for “Set Up Screen Time for Family.”) 

You can adjust which apps are allowed, app time limits, downtime (a scheduled period where device usage is restricted), limit communication based on contacts, content and privacy restrictions, and more. You can also make your approval a requirement for your kid’s ability to download anything from the App Store. 

Keep track of your child’s safety needs

As your child grows, their safety needs will change. If we think of parental controls as training wheels, it’s clear that gradually they’ll need to be removed. On the other hand, in certain cases controls that we didn’t consider may need to be added. By monitoring their usage, we can keep abreast of what’s best for our kids. Remember there are many more options for controls and filtering—from Google SafeSearch to some routers that have built-in content filtering. 

Give the family a great online experience with Ting

Ting Internet is an internet service provider that ensures you and your family have the best experience possible both online and offline. Our lightning-fast, 100% fiber connection delivers up to a gig of download and upload speeds (and up to two gigabits in some areas). It’s ultra-reliable, so service disruptions are almost non-existent. And because we believe in pricing honesty, you’ll always pay one fair price with no hidden fees, sneaky charges or contracts. See if Ting Internet is available in your neighborhood!