Every parent dreams of molding and shaping our kids when we can. When the kids are small – and sweet! – They are much more interested in accepting our advice and the rules imposed with love. Ah, how I miss those days !! And in short – it can be a good set of parental controls for you and your kids In my opinion, parental controls can go a long way in helping you build good habits, but it is essential that they have an invested parent with them who is interested in helping their children navigate the online world.
What can parental control do?
With the cost of Aussie children At least 5 hours a day onlineIt’s no secret that they can be exposed to a wide range of people, websites and themes – some of which can be quite annoying. And with most kids playing with an internet-connected phone and a laptop, there’s no limit to what they can access – and usually when you’re not around.
I would like to think of parental control as another way to help you establish healthy habits and good decision making strategies with your children. For example, if you tell your kids that there is no screen time before bed, you can use parental controls to make it a reality. And if you agree that they are only able to use certain apps or social media platforms, this can happen even if parental controls block access if they deviate. I believe that over time, these routines and boundaries simply become part of your child’s daily life and become a good habit.
McAfee’s Parental Control, called Safe family, You can also let your kids see activity online and let you know where your kids are always. How good ??
Does it take just 21 days to form a habit?
Although it is generally believed that it takes only 21 days to form a habit, Courtesy of Dr. Maxwell Maltz in the 1960s, More up-to-date research shows that it may take longer. In fact, research is conducted 2010 by Philippa Lally, a health psychology researcher at University College London Shows that it takes about 2 months or 66 days to be specific to create a new habit!
And while I like the idea that we can help our kids adopt new positive habits in just 2 months, I think we need to keep it real. Fear of getting out (FOMO) with the lure of their shiny devices can mean it takes a little over 66 days to change, especially if you’re trying to change their current usage, starting with scratch.
Nothing replaces the role of being an active digital parent
There is no one who understands how much time poor parents can have. Having spent the last 20 plus years raising and working 4 boys, I feel like I earned time on poor t-shirts! So, understandably, many parents feel that they do not have ‘bandwidth’ to take much more so digital parenting is often put in a very difficult basket. And I totally get it!
But using parental controls without some knowledge of your kids’ digital world is like filling your car with gasoline but not worrying about oil. That would be a problem in the end!
My top 3 digital parenting non-negotiable
So, I’m going to break it down for you. Digital parenting doesn’t have to be overwhelming, especially if you break it down. So, to keep it simple, here are 4 things you can do to improve your digital parenting game:
1. As soon as your kids start using the device, start talking about cyber security
The day your child picks up a device, you start talking about cyber security. If this is the case then they are 18 months old. Always make sure that the messages are age-appropriate and keep them simple You can start with:
- “Remember, parents choose the game”
- “Let’s keep your name secret online.” To help with this, why not create an online nickname for them?
- “Make sure you’re sitting next to (mom / dad / grandma) when you’re using the iPad.”
And as your kids get older, weave more age-appropriate messages, such as:
- “Online friends are not real friends”
- “If you do not do this in person, do not go online.”
- “Think before you post”
Weaving in your family conversations also needs to be automated. Talk about it just like you want sun safety or road safety. And why not share stories around the dinner table to add your own online experience or even relevant news stories to the dialogue.
2. Create a family digital contract
I like the idea of ​​a clear agreement between parents and kids that details your expectations about their online behavior and use of technology. This is a great way to create a set of guidelines that will help them navigate the risks associated with being online. Now, this deal must be a family practice so make sure your kids are involved in the process as well. If you want a starting point, check it out from Modern Parent Here.
3. Promise your child to understand the digital world
Taking some time to understand how your child spends their time online is the best way to understand the risks and challenges they face. So, join your kids on all the social media platforms, play their games and download their messaging app. You will develop a better understanding of privacy settings and the language / online culture that will handle a large part of your child’s life. And the best part is – if they know you understand their world, I have no doubt that you will develop a little ‘technological belief’ which means they will be more likely to come to you with any issues or problems they may encounter online. Great!
Technology works for you
There are some amazing technologies available that make this digital parenting thing a lot easier and include parental controls. McAfee’s safe family A comprehensive parental control solution that lets you monitor and block applications and websites, manage screen time, see where your child’s devices are always, and much more, giving you peace of mind in a perpetually mobile world. The perfect partner for an invested parent!
Parental controls can be a great way to help your kids develop positive habits about their use of technology, but they are even more effective when you meet an investor parent who has a good handle on the online world. So, above all, invest in parental control software but promise to further enhance your digital parenting game – this is the best way to help your kids set up for a safe and positive experience online. And isn’t that the dream of every digital parent?
Take care
Alex 3