Parental control can be very useful to limit the use time and Internet access of minors, but you must respect their privacy and notify them in advance
In USA, more and more minors use any electronic device almost daily. Specifically, around 70% of children between the ages of 10 and 15 have a mobile phone and, depending on the case, they may use it without supervision. And we may have once thought about applying parental control.
The reality is that, on many occasions, we cannot be as aware as we would like of what minors consume or do not consume on their devices. Due to the vastness of the Internet (and its lack of limits), it is true that we can worry about what can be found out there.
Although on many occasions children know and interpret things better than we think, it is necessary to try to supervise their Internet access. Parental control tools, far from being limiting, make this task easier for parents.
Info About parental control tool…
Parental control tools are software that allow parents to manage the use that minors make of one or more electronic devices. This includes from mobiles, to consoles or even applications such as Netflix, YouTube or Amazon Prime Video.
It is an alternative that we have to take into account before prohibiting the use or access to the Internet, since this measure can be harmful. Especially if we take into account that after the confinement of March 2020, technology has become even more essential in our lives.
…and what can you do
Now, what does a parental control tool allow? The most basic thing, and what most do as standard, is to limit the content. In other words, many applications of this type allow you to block access to specific apps or block access to certain websites based on certain filters (religion, pornography, drugs, etc.). In some cases, it even automatically limits access based on age.
Other features they may have are:
– Block calls. It is possible to prevent numbers that minors do not have saved in their phone from calling them.
– Time management. One of the most important: you can limit the use that minors give to devices. For example, to lock the mobile screen at bedtime, during meals or during class hours. In this way, we avoid spending too much time with him or neglecting responsibilities.
– Activity log. As if it were a browsing history, these tools can keep a record of what applications you use, what websites you visit, etc.
– Emergency button. This is less common, but some parental control tools offer an emergency button for the child in case of any problem.
Another function offered by some parental controls is geolocation , but at DownGamer we believe that it is better to treat it separately:
– Geolocation. This feature, which exists in many of them, can lead to a violation of the minor’s privacy if they are not notified in advance. We already recommend some apps to share location with the person’s consent.
You have to respect the minor
Before recommending some parental control tools, we believe that it is necessary to remember that the privacy of the minor must be respected. As indicated by the AEPD (Spanish Agency for Data Protection) in a technical note , it is important that in no case do we violate the rights of minors and educate them in the use of networks and devices.
Some of the recommendations they make for parents are:
– Educate minors on the risks to their privacy and security to which they are exposed when using electronic devices. We must encourage its responsible use and educate on the dangers.
– Do not apply parental control unilaterally. It is advisable to talk to children about this type of tool and notify them of its activation, in addition to explaining what it is for and what the intention is.
– Limiting the time of use is essential.
– Many tools of this type automatically block some content and websites. The age, use and maturity of the minor must be taken into account, in addition to being open to unlocking and agreeing on some content with the young person.
Blocking meaninglessly or too much can have a negative effect
Despite the advice above, be aware that communication cannot be avoided. Parental control tools are not perfect and not only is there content that they may not filter, but there are also ways to bypass the blocking (such as the use of proxies).
Therefore, it is very important that we maintain sincere and open communication with the minor, taking into account his opinion and the real use he gives it. An 8-year-old is not the same as a 15-year-old, so you have to try not to be too limiting. And, above all, do not violate his privacy.
