Online Safety Links and Resources for Parents

Tonight we’re talking about setting limits and rules around screen time and why it’s important to “be the guard rail” for your child online. We’ll cover a few parental controls options too.

Non-negotiable screen time guidelines

Non-negotiable screen time rules and limits are based in safety and protection. They are ground rules for how technology will be used in your family. These rules will be included in your Technology Contract.

Technology contract - English Example

Technology contract - Spanish Example

A family technology contract sets you up as the guard rails and sets up expectations, gives them a chance to agree on the expectations OR negotiate, states the consequences, and reminds the family of the rules.

Rules and limits

Separating rules and limits into three areas will help you develop rules for your family.

The three areas are:

●       Content limits--restricting specific apps and games

●       Time limits--restricting time spent on devices

●       Room limits--restricting location of devices

Common non-negotiable rules and limits:

●       "Tech away" at the beginning of the day (first 30 min of the day without devices)

●       "Tech away" at the end of the day (last 30 min of the day without device)

●       "Tech away" at meal times

●       A family charging station that is located in a common area like the kitchen or family room

●       No phones in the bedroom after 10pm (room limit)

●       A time limit on screen time

●       A content limit on which apps and games are appropriate

●       Parental controls set up on all devices (Use Bark-o-matic for step-by-step instructions)

●       A parental control app that filters the internet, turns off the internet, disables certain apps and sends alerts when inappropriate content is sent or received like BARK

Flexible screen time guidelines

Flexible screen time rules and limits are the rules you can collaborate with your children on. It's important to get their input on these rules so they feel included and you're addressing their concerns.

Examples of flexible rules and limits:

●       What time of day your child can be online for entertainment and fun

●       How many hours of free time they have on weekdays and weekends

●       How you’ll track the screen time (one idea is a screen time bank with a weekly limit)

●       Expectations for what needs to be done before screens can be used (chores, homework)

●       Which games and apps will be allowed

Other safety recommendations

●       Turn off notifications on games and apps

●       Block your child from downloading new apps without your permission

●       Turn "location" off on most apps

●       Turn "public" off on most apps (make accounts private)

●       Turn AirDrop (iPhone) or Nearby Share (Android) off

●       Teach your child how to set up Do Not Disturb times on their phone

●       Do a family challenge to see who decreases screen time the most over 7 days

●       Be the role model for healthy screen usage

●       Continue to have regular discussions about how to balance tech time with offline time

Parental controls

You'll want to choose a "parental controls" app to help you manage your child's screen time.

What are “parental controls”?

Parental controls are apps and device settings that help you enforce screen time limits and limit accidental exposure to inappropriate content online. Parental controls should be set stronger for younger kids and adjusted over time as the child demonstrates responsibility and matures.

The "right" parental control solution is going to be different for different families.

Why you shouldn't rely on just parental controls

●       Parental controls are not a replacement for you staying involved in what your child is doing.

●       They are not "set it and forget it" apps. You need to monitor if they are working and make adjustments along the way.

●       They are not child-proof. Kids can google how to get around any of these controls. Parental controls are one added layer of protection, but certainly not the only layer.

What's even more important than a parental control screen time app?

The most important cyber safety tool is ongoing conversations with your child about your family values and your experience with technology, then listening to your child's point of view. We'll introduce conversation starters and parenting scripts in Module Three, so stay tuned!

How to find step-by-step parental control settings for the devices you own

The Bark-O-Matic is a free app that helps you identify all the devices and screens in your home and then gives you step-by-step instructions for how to set up parental controls on those devices.

Three apps to help you manage screen time

Screen Time for iOS (Apple)

This free app tracks the time spent online. You can set limits on apps, schedule downtime, set which apps are allowed, block inappropriate content and set a bedtime for devices so they cannot be used for anything except phone calls after hours. It does not block inappropriate content.

Google Family Link (Android + iOS 11.0 or greater)

This free app lets you set limits on apps, set which apps your kids can use and when they can use them. You can set a bedtime for devices so they cannot be used for anything except phone calls after hours. It does not block inappropriate content.

Bark

Bark is a paid monthly subscription that lets you "see" when your child sends or receives inappropriate content, plus set up screen time limits, check your child's location, schedule downtime, set bedtimes and filter the internet. It is a comprehensive solution.