![]() ![]() Qustodio blocks pornography, even in private browsing mode, monitors time spent on social media, and controls time spent on apps or games. mSpy tracks all calls, messages and chats, can restrict incoming calls, and monitors internet use with browsing history and keyword alerts. Screentime sets device-free homework time and bedtime and daily screen limits, pauses a device or grants time as a reward and creates to-do lists for homework and chores. Moment forces users off their devices when over a set limit, allows parents to see what apps teens are using most and to set screen-free family time, which sounds an alarm when anyone picks up their device. ![]() Checky collects data about how much time your child spends on his or her device, how many times they check it, and how that compares to others. Matthew Johnson, director of education at MediaSmarts, an Ottawa-based non-profit dedicated to digital and media literacy, recommends against putting too much faith in filters because some things get through that shouldn't, much gets blocked that should get through and they often reflect the political views or social values of the creator and may not mirror those of your family.Īpps – There are dozens of apps that purport to help parents monitor and control their kids' online lives. "The most important thing is to get something that works across multi-platforms and operating systems and to go with a name that is already associated with security software," said Levy. The challenge is that these controls have to be installed on individual devices, which can be time-consuming and cumbersome in many households. Make sure you are reviewing the log files periodically for anything concerning. Good monitoring software is not easily bypassed or detected. Your child will likely soon learn to cover their online tracks by deleting browser histories or enabling private browsing where no history is kept. Web filters – There are a wide variety of parental control utilities to govern web access for kids, including Content Watch Net Nanny, Symantec Norton Family Premier, Infoweise SecureTeen, and Kaspersky Safe Kids. Unlike older routers, you don't need an engineering degree to set up and manage it and you can limit kids' access while parents can still get on." "It has fairly flexible controls, you can lock out devices for certain hours, build white lists and black lists, and it can be controlled through an app. He says Google's OnHub leads the pack among a new generation of sophisticated, easy-to-use routers. This will collect information even when your child is using a mobile device or game console. Routers – Levy recommends spending a little extra money ($150 to $200 Cdn) to get a router that allows for password protection and activity logging. To get around sneaky kids, there is no on-off button on the device and if your child unplugs it, you will get a notification. For $129 Cdn, Circle, owned by Disney, can shut down a user's connection for homework time or bedtime. Parents can change any default settings and add custom filters. ![]() It will also block some app and site categories, including chat and forums and news. The kid filter, for instance, blocks social media, mature or explicit content automatically. There are filters for pre-K, kid and teen groups. Each household member gets a profile and devices associated to them. Gradually, those limitations can be eased and then removed."Ĭircle – This small white cube connects to your Wi-Fi network and allows parents to filter content, add time restrictions and see the activity of every connected device on a home network. "They replace the free reign of internet with a restricted palette of options. "They all tend to work the same way, by whitelisting and blacklisting certain content, limiting what kids can do in the app stores and restricting internet access times," said technology expert Carmi Levy. Here's a snapshot of the range of options out there. There is no shortage of technology tools that purport to help parents protect their children from themselves and others online.
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