Software Safety Guide for Parents: Tips to Keep Kids Safe Online

A recent study shows that about 4.66 billion people were active Internet users of 2020. The stat shows that more than half of people are online, as the world population is estimated to be 7.674 billion in 2019.

The internet is riskier for children and teenagers. As children are very smart and they try to avoid the rules that parents set. Parents must act as a barrier and protect them. This has brought a challenge to parents to be techno-savvy.

Safety Guides For Parents:

Internet security, Internet safety, and social media security have to go hand in hand. So here are some of the safety resources and parent resources to all the worried parents out there.

1. Get Parental Control Software:

Parental Control Software is the security software that is the best solution for monitoring your kids online since parents cannot continuously monitor their children's devices and keep children safe.

Parental Software has every benefit that parents want.

• You are able to track your children's text messages, online games, and mobile phones.
• Monitor them online.
• Block online predators.
• Block inappropriate and internet’s undesirable contents.
• Block sites such as the Dark web.
• Block malware and phishing sites.

There is much parental control software where you have to pay an additional amount to buy their services. While there is some free software that only provides basic protections. Some of the best parental control software are:

• Fenced.ai
• Bark
• Qustodio
• Net Nanny

We have fenced.ai, which protects your children from going in the wrong directions. The internet is the most unsafe place where fenced.ai acts as a nanny and provides you with support to look after your children.

Let’s take the example of fenced.ai to know what parental software does and how it monitors your children by looking at its features.

Fenced.ai features are:

Monitor Phone Activities

• Monitor Calls And SMS
• Monitor Text Messages
• Monitor Phone Contacts and SIM contacts
• Monitor Locations
• Monitor Photos and Videos
• Wi-Fi Logger and many more

Social Media Monitoring

• Monitoring every social media that your child owns such as Facebook, Instagram, Viber, WhatsApp, Skype, Snapchat and many more.

Application Screen time

• Enable Email Activities
• Installed Application
• Browser History
• Application Usage

Alert System

• Keyboard Alert
• Uninstall Alert
• Wi-Fi Change Alert
• Geofence Alert

This is how parental software works. It becomes easier for you to monitor your children. You only need to purchase this service and use it for every electronic gadget like a mobile phone and computer that your child uses.

This will help to protect your child on the internet, provide safety from the effects of social media on your teen’s self-esteem, online gaming risks and many more.

2. Cyber Security Protection:

In addition to parental software, you can try to maintain security by yourself. Cybersecurity is all about updating your computer operating system frequently, installing a firewall, and updating software and protection software such as antivirus and anti-spyware software.

As soon as the internet is connected to electronic devices, there may occur attacks from online thieves and hackers. So, to protect your information, install and update your software in every internet gadget frequently. This also prevents malicious contents and intruders from spying.

3. Use a Safe Search Engine

Search engines often give your child informational and educational data. They may be using it to explore information. But, your child might not always get resourceful and informative information. Sometimes they may explore pornography content on the web.

Due to this problem, there are safe kids search engines made only for children that provide children-based content. They are

• Kiddle
• Wacky Safe
• KidRex
• Safe Search Kids

However, there is a certain consistency in that you may filter out knowledge and education. If this might not work, you can consult with your ISP to enable a safe search. Make sure that you have enabled a safe search option in the browser. You can enable the safe search option in all browsers.

If you are using google chrome, you can enable it by:

1. Go to settings.
2. Then go to Security.
3. And Select Standard Protection

Like this, you can use google chrome with online safety for your kids and you can even set parental controls on Google Chrome. Similarly, All other browsers also have safe search settings or family features. Make sure you enable them and get maximum benefits from them.

4. Age Appropriate Filters

Filters block all the inappropriate contents and manage the contents according to age. On the internet, we come across different inappropriate content mistakenly. Age-appropriate filters allow you to remove and block contents such as violence, pornography, dark web, illegal activities, inappropriate online games.

You can also set filters to block access to peer-to-peer networks. Peer-to-peer networks connect PCs and allow the transfer of files between them. Your child may use this to transfer inappropriate content such as pornography videos. So, you must know 10 ways to block porn on your kid’s devices.

5. OpenDNS

OpenDNS replaces your ISP's DNS servers which are currently configured on your home devices such as routers. By doing this, they will automatically block all malicious websites and information from the internet. However, ensure that teens do not bypass parental controls like OpenDNS as they are more intelligent..

OpenDNS helps load websites faster as they have global network servers that enable your DNS request to automatically go to the closest OpenDNS data center. OpenDNS can be used in all your electronic devices in your home.

OpenDNS has a free service that filters content, blocks adult content, and online predators with basic protections. The free services are:

• OpenDNS Home
• OpenDNS Family Shield.

For additional services, you have to purchase

• OpenDNS Home VIP: It costs $19.95 per year.
• OpenDNS Umbrella Prosumer: It is used in a small business to protect computers anywhere. It costs $20 per user. It is for a maximum of 1-5 users. Each user can use up to 3 devices.

You can use OpenDNS Home and OpenDNS Family Shield by:

• First, Go to OpenDNS and sign up.
• Set up your home router
• Then, Install an OpenDNS updater on any PC that is frequently used for Internet Connection at your home.
• Now, set up the settings of your OpenDNS servers.
• Test OpenDNS to check your DNS settings.

6. Kindle Fire

You may have heard about the Kindle Fire tablet. It helps to read the book digitally. It has become an easier platform for book lovers all over the world. Kindle Fire is also known to have a security system considered safe and less likely for others to hack.

As it gives the option of reading various books, your child may try to access adult content. So for that, Kindle Fire HD 8 Edition is a great option. You don't have to pay additional charges, and it provides unlimited access to books. Its main attraction is it provides age limitations and parental controls for your child.

In the present situation, it is difficult for you to restrict the whole internet in the home. You cannot keep your child away from the internet. But, you can try to control their activities:

Parental Tips for Reducing Children Internet Dependency

In the above paragraphs, I have explained some of the parents' guides, and here are some of the tips for you and your children. Your children might be addicted to online games, social media, inappropriate content such as pornography, and adult content. Here are some ideas for parents to reduce the amount of time their kids spend on the internet:

1.Reduce internet time limits

Parents should limit internet time after school for their kids. The Internet should not be used for more than 2 hours. Make a daily schedule to reduce Internet Dependency. This will limit screen time and they won’t get enough time to search for inappropriate and malicious content.

2. Put their electronic device in public

If you have brought them a laptop and computer to study, keep those electronic devices in public places to ensure they are not browsing inappropriate sites.

3. Make the password strong

Please do not put a weak password such as name, date of birth which they can easily hack. Make passwords strong using symbols, numbers, lower and upper case letters on every electronic device. Try to put a strong password which they cannot hack. Try to change the password daily.

4. Take them outside home frequently

Take them outside the home frequently. When they get bored, take them outside so that they forget about exploring and browsing the Internet. Take them to your relative and friend's house. Make family plans to travel, visit and relax.

5. Provide them training

Your children may want to learn extra activities like swimming, dancing, playing music or any instruments and many more. Ask them what they want to learn or try to know what they are good at. Then, engage them in those activities.

These activities also help them to forget about technology and the internet. This will be a fun and relaxing activity for your child.

6. Practice begins from parents

Let’s not forget that children copy from their parents. As a parent, you must be careful about your activities. Like when you use the Internet too much, your children might also do the same. First, reduce your Internet limits. Then only apply it to your children. This will help them to learn from you directly.

7. Teach them to be password protected on their devices

Teach them to use passwords on every device they own. Ask them not to give their password to anyone, even their friends and relatives. Some people may try to copy and manipulate their private information. This becomes difficult if it is password protected.

8. VPN

Your Children might try to use virtual private networks to browse inappropriate content. VPNs are mostly not free to use, but some VPNs provide free services in both android and ios. Some browsers like Opera mini have free VPN services for their customers.

VPN cannot be controlled. We cannot track or monitor the children's activity if they use VPN. So, when you see your child using VPN, confront them and don't permit them to use VPN at all.

9. Security cameras

Make them aware of security cameras in public. They may not know that people may be monitoring their activities in public where there are security cameras installed. Some people may even record their activities and put them online. So, make them aware of this situation that may create chaos in future.

10. Talk to your children

If certain things are bothering them, talk with them. Instead of getting angry with them, try to act as a friend and give them advice. If the problem is worse, then you have to make decisions and take action.

So try to be updated about how your children are feeling. Ask school and colleges about performance. And make sure they are feeling good.

Conclusion

If your children are Smart, you have to be a smarter parent. We should not compromise on anything related to your child. To maintain internet safety, try parental software like fenced.ai so that it becomes easier to monitor and check them. Parental software will act as a guard and make your work easier.

Nowadays, different devices and applications offer parental control settings. You can set Parental controls for Windows 10, Android, iPhone or iPad. You can even use apps to monitor your kids' smartphones. Also, you can use OpenDNS, device protection settings found on your pc and mobile.

You can filter inappropriate content through browsers. You can ask your ISP to filter out contents too. So, take and apply appropriate measures that are the best fit for your child. Follow the tips and tricks to keep your children safe.