The plethora of tech devices in modern-day homes, the arguments parents have with their young kids on digital safety, and the attempts to reduce screen time often leave them wondering if parenting was always that difficult. The simple answer is no! It wasn’t.
The advent of technology and a world ruled by the internet has given birth to many problems for parents, such as social media safety, screen time addiction, online grooming, cyberbullying, etc. It has also provided solutions to those challenges in the form of countless parental control apps.
Today we’ll discuss what role parental control apps play in protecting kids of the digital age. Let’s begin by looking at some of the dangers modern-day kids and parents face.
Dangers Posed by The Digital Age
We live in a world where social media has become an integral part of our lives. We use it to fulfill our various needs, such as communicating with the world, getting the latest information/news, entertainment, etc. However, it has brought along a string of dangers with it. The internet and social media combined; open doors to various lethal threats for young kids, such as phishing, online grooming, cyberbullying, intro/addiction to gambling, porn, drugs, etc.
With that in mind, parents wonder what they can possibly do to protect their kids from the horrors of the digital world. For instance, one solution is to use parental control apps. Let’s venture into the realm of possibilities and figure out more ways that can help protect kids of the modern age.
What Measures Can Parents Take to Protect Their Kids?
Now that you are aware of the dangers posed by the digital age, it is time to formulate strategies and nip the evil in the bud. There are several ways parents can ensure the digital safety of their children, starting with familiarizing themselves with technology because knowing is half the battle.
Make Friends with Technology
Becoming friends with the latest technology always seems like a Himalayan task for the millennials. However, parents of the modern era have no other choice but to learn and befriend advanced technology. Parents must learn to use the apps and devices their kids frequently use. They need to step into their kids’ shoes and enter the world they live in if they wish to establish a healthy relationship with them. That is the only way parents can figure out how to limit the influence of social media apps on their kids’ lives.
Limit the Influence of Social Media on Your Kids
Regardless of how you feel about social media apps and platforms as a parent, you won’t be able to completely control the impact of social media on your kids’ lives. At least, not entirely by yourself. The best way to limit its influence is by understanding the apps your kids regularly use, such as Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Wattpad, Poparazzi, etc.
All these apps can expose your kids to limitless dangers, and some of these dangers have real-world implications. For instance, cyberbullying is rampant on these apps and may lead young kids to depression or suicide. Therefore, it is crucial for parents to educate their kids about digital safety and what they mustn’t share on these platforms.
Educate Your Kids About Digital Safety
No parent wishes any harm upon their kids. They want their kids to have the best lives possible. However, the digital age and social media threats make it impossible for parents to shield their kids completely. Nowadays, kids are far more capable than their parents in terms of using technology which is why parents must teach them how to lead a safer online life.
You can begin by having a conversation at the dinner table. Ask kids about their views on the dangers posed by social media. See if they’re aware of the severity of social media threats and their consequences and take it from there. It is easier to take kids on board and help them understand the gravity of the situation because it helps build a relationship based on trust.
In addition to educating kids, parents must learn to use technology to their advantage. Parental control apps are a surefire way to ensure the digital safety of your kids. Curious to know how? Let’s find out.
What Are Parental Control Apps?
Parental control apps are software specifically designed to make parenting easier. All these features provide a security blanket for your kids that helps protect them from real-world threats and reinforces their digital safety. There are plenty of good apps in the market but only the top-tier apps can bring you much-needed peace of mind.
How Can These Apps Help?
Parenting kids of the past was undoubtedly easier than looking after modern-day kids. Tackling the ever-changing technological trends while keeping kids safe from its ugly side is strenuous for all parents. However, technology is not all bad. Sometimes, it gives solutions to unsolvable problems too.
Parenting the modern-day kids with parental control apps and ensuring their digital safety isn’t a daunting task anymore. These apps are like a modern-day toolbox especially created for struggling parents. With top-notch monitoring capabilities, many parental control apps provide features such as,
- App Blocker
- App Usage Reports
- Screen Time Limit
- Screen Time Schedule
- Internet Filters
- Location Tracking
- Geofence
- Calls & Text Messages Monitoring
- Social Media Monitoring
- Panic Button
There are a whole bunch of other features that come with parental apps, but they wary from one app to the other.
How to Choose the Best One?
While looking for the best parental control apps on the market, make sure to create a list of pros and cons for each one you explore. List the features to want in the app suitable for your household. The budget and compatibility range also matter. If you want value for money, the best app would be the one to offer an extensive array of features, must seamlessly work across multiple devices, and be cheaper than its counterparts.
