Alternatives to Online Parental Controls
The internet is a vast place with so much knowledge, but with that knowledge come its negatives as well. It is an uncontrolled medium and has to be censored for young minds so they don’t have access to content that can corrupt their minds and habits.
Age-appropriate content is the biggest concern of parents all over the world and there are a lot of hidden parental control apps out there that parents utilize to achieve this purpose. Apart from using these apps which will explain later on in this piece, you need to also educate your children between good and bad content and what they can and cannot watch without your supervision.
Although Windows offers a basic parental control feature on its own, what if you need something advance? Let’s look at some top kid safety apps that can give peace of mind that your children are only consuming age-appropriate content
1. Qustodio
With this best parental monitoring app, you can keep an eye on things the way you want by setting time limits, getting reports, blocking apps, and filtering websites. It provides your child with a safe digital environment in which to develop positive feelings toward modern technology. You will get emails of your child’s screen time activity and what they have been using and watching all day. You can always use this with a VPN with PC to fortify protection on your device.
2. VPN
A good VPN can always protect your children from exposed identity online and also ensure that they don’t get access to inappropriate content through the net guard app in the VPN. Click here to download VeePN’s robust application that is sure to give you more control over the content your children are consuming. VeePN comes with a good free trial that allows you to test out the app before you commit to the paid version.
3. NextDNS
NextDNS may be the solution you've been looking for when it comes to protecting the privacy of your children online. With a good windows VPN, you can use it to your advantage. It's designed to keep your child safe from harm, including adult content and other online dangers.
NextDNS does the following for you:
● Blocks pornographic, violent, or profane websites
● Blocking websites like Tinder or Fortnite is possible.
● Filters out unwanted advertisements as well as potentially harmful and malicious websites.
● Away with phishing websites with this anti-virus!
● Information on your internet usage in great detail
● After you've run through 300,000 DNS queries in a month, their pricing plans start at $0.99/month. As a result, getting started is completely free.
4. ScreenTime
If you're worried that your child spends too much time on his smartphone, ScreenTime can be your best friend. Apart from monitoring the time a child spends using individual apps, this program also has the ability to halt all smartphone activity in the blink of an eye. It is undoubtedly the best parental monitoring app out there.
You can give your child extra screen time if he completes a task you've set for him in the app. So he could finish his homework and play his favorite game without being distracted, that would be ideal.
5. Bark
Bark allows you to keep tabs on up to 24 social media sites with little effort on your part. Parents are frequently concerned about the types of social networks their children are using. Algorithms integrated into the app keep tabs on the child's whereabouts. This can be a great addition to your suite of hidden parental control apps.
When someone tries to access something they shouldn't, the app sends you an alert.
6. WebWatcher
Keep your children safe from inappropriate content online with one of the best parental monitoring apps out there. WebWatcher keeps tabs on all of your online activities, including calls, texts, social media, GPS, and more. This app will notify you if your child sends you a text but then deletes it. If a risky activity is detected, the app will send you an alert.
7. ClevGuard
There are several ways you can keep an eye on the online and chat activity of your children using ClevGuard. It is possible to monitor your children and your relationship with your spouse with the help of this service. Additionally, it aids in the preservation of corporate privacy and security.
ClevGuard, available in more than 200 countries, has more than 400,000 registered users. Popular websites like XDA have featured it numerous times.
Try out their free trial first to make sure it's suitable for you. You can use the app with one of the best VPN apps for windows of your choice.
8. FamiSafe
It's little wonder that FamiSafe is such a popular tool for parental control, as it allows you to look through the smartphone history of your child. The websites they visited and the amount of time they spent on each may be seen in this report. You can even restrict your child's phone use during specific times of the day using this software.
Well there you are, it is imperative that you have some controls in place on your children’s devices. The internet is an uncontrolled realm and kids have very impressionable minds. They can be easily influenced by predators online and they can easily be enticed to consume content that isn’t age appropriate for them.
It is crucial that you use good hidden parental control apps to make sure your children are guarded against such content and only consume content that is good for their psychological department.
As a best practice, we recommend you always have a good windows VPN installed on the computer so that the kids are automatically protected against hacks and predators online. Make sure you invest in good and paid software that gives you good control of your child’s media consumption online.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are some alternatives to online parental controls?
In addition to online parental controls, there are other alternatives to consider for managing and monitoring your child's internet usage. These include:
• Setting clear expectations and establishing rules regarding internet usage and appropriate online behavior.
• Regularly discussing and reinforcing the importance of online safety and responsible internet use with your child.
• Implementing time restrictions or scheduling designated periods for device usage.
• Designating shared spaces for device use, such as a common area in the house, to encourage transparency and supervision.
• Utilizing internet filtering software or browser extensions that block specific websites or types of content.
2. How can I limit my child's access to certain websites or apps without using parental controls?
Limiting your child's access to certain websites or apps without using parental controls can be achieved through various methods, such as:
• Creating separate user accounts on devices with restricted privileges and access to specific apps or websites.
• Adjusting the settings within individual apps or platforms to limit features, restrict access to certain content, or enable parental supervision features if available.
• Using third-party tools or software that allow you to block or restrict access to specific websites or apps on your home network.
3. Are there any software programs that allow me to monitor my child's online activity without restricting their access?
Yes, there are software programs available that allow you to monitor your child's online activity without necessarily restricting their access. These programs typically provide features like activity monitoring, website visit logs, search history tracking, and real-time notifications. They enable you to gain insights into your child's online behavior while maintaining a level of trust and independence.
4. What are some effective ways to promote responsible online behavior in children and teens without using parental controls?
Promoting responsible online behavior in children and teens can be done without relying solely on parental controls. Some effective strategies include:
• Educating children about online risks, privacy, and the importance of protecting personal information.
• Encouraging critical thinking and digital literacy skills to help children evaluate the credibility of online sources and navigate potential online threats.
• Establishing open lines of communication and fostering a safe and non-judgmental environment where children feel comfortable discussing their online experiences and concerns.
5. How can I have open and honest communication with my child about online safety and encourage them to make responsible choices online?
To have open and honest communication with your child about online safety and promote responsible choices, consider the following approaches:
1. Initiate regular conversations about online safety and the potential risks and benefits of the internet.
2. Listen actively to your child's experiences, concerns, and questions, and provide guidance and support accordingly.
3. Set clear guidelines and expectations for online behavior, including what is appropriate and acceptable.
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