1. What is parental control?
Parental control is an effective solution that allows us to protect our children from negative online influences by enabling us to monitor and manage access to inappropriate content and potentially dangerous interactions.
Parental control measures
The need to discuss parental control became evident from our survey results, where we talked to parents with children aged 0-17. The survey involved a sample of 1907 interviews, collected from parent groups on the WhatsApp platform. Each interview lasted up to 10 minutes and included 12 questions. According to the survey:
- A large number of parents (69%) do not use parental control apps on their children’s phones.
- Parents of younger children (0-5 years) are more likely to install parental control apps, probably reflecting greater concern about very young children’s exposure to online content.
- As children grow older, the installation of parental control apps decreases, with the lowest installation rate among parents of teenagers (13-17 years). This suggests that trust in teenagers’ online self-management increases, or that parents believe their teenagers need more privacy and autonomy.
Here are some common features of parental control:
- Content filtering. Many parental control solutions offer content filtering, allowing parents to block access to websites and online content that may be inappropriate for children. This can include adult content, violence, and other potentially harmful materials.
- App and game restrictions. Parents can often restrict access to certain apps, games, and online services based on age-appropriateness. This helps ensure that your child uses only age-appropriate applications.
- Time limits. Parental control tools often allow parents to set daily or weekly time limits for device or internet use.
- Safe search. Safe search settings can be enforced to ensure that search engines like Google display filtered, child-friendly results, minimizing exposure to inappropriate content.
- Device monitoring Some parental control solutions offer features to monitor a child’s digital behavior and allow parents to track their online activities, including visited websites, used apps, and time spent online.
- Remote control and management Parents can often manage and adjust parental control settings remotely, either through a web-based control panel or a dedicated mobile app.
- Location tracking. Certain solutions provide location tracking features that allow parents to know where their children are physically through connected devices. This can be particularly useful during vacations.
- Usage reports. Comprehensive reports and statistics can be generated to provide insights into the child’s online behavior, helping parents make informed decisions about their digital habits.
- Social media monitoring. Some parental control tools may include features to monitor the child’s interactions on social media platforms, helping parents address potential issues like cyberbullying, privacy concerns, or inappropriate content sharing.
- Notifications and alerts. Parents can receive alerts and notifications when their child attempts to access restricted content, exceeds time limits, or encounters other predefined events.
2. Free parental control solutions
A. Screen Time – Solution for Apple devices
This solution allows you to manage your family’s access to apps and built-in features, ensuring a safe environment for children and teenagers. You can restrict explicit content, monitor content ratings, and control access to Siri’s web content, Game Center features, and more, to maintain privacy.
Setup:
Make sure all devices in your Family Sharing group have the latest software version.
Enable Screen Time:
- Open Settings and tap Screen Time.
- You can select Romanian from the phone’s settings if it’s easier for you.
- Tap Turn On Screen Time, then tap again.
- Select “This is my child’s device.“
Create a Passcode:
- Tap Use Screen Time Passcode and create a unique passcode.
- Re-enter to confirm.
- Enter your Apple ID and password for passcode recovery.
- Enable Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- Enable Content & Privacy Restrictions. Go to Content & Privacy Restrictions and enter the passcode.
- Enable Content & Privacy Restrictions.
Screen Time provides the following options:
- Managing iTunes and App Store purchases:
To prevent Purchases/Downloads:
- Go to Settings > Screen Time.
- Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases.
- Select and set to Don’t Allow.
- Restricting Apps and Features:
Allowed Apps:
- In Content & Privacy Restrictions, tap Allowed Apps.
- Turn off apps to hide them from the Home Screen.
Explicit Content:
- Go to Content Restrictions under Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- Set restrictions for music, movies, TV shows, books, and apps based on ratings.
- Limiting web content:
Website Restrictions:
- Under Content Restrictions, tap Web Content.
- Choose Limit Adult Websites or Allowed Websites and customize as needed.
Game Center Restrictions:
- Under Content Restrictions, scroll to Game Center.
- Set restrictions for multiplayer games, friend additions, and more.
- Privacy and Safety Settings:
To change Privacy Settings:
- Go to Content & Privacy Restrictions and tap Privacy.
- Block settings for location services, contacts, calendars, photos, and more.
- Some features may be enabled by default for children in Family Sharing, such as emergency calls.
Important tips for parents
- Periodic review: Regularly check Screen Time reports to stay informed about your child’s device usage.
- Open dialogue: Discuss the purpose of these restrictions with your child to encourage responsible device use.
- Updates: Keep your child’s device updated to ensure the latest security and parental control features.
- Family Sharing: Use Family Sharing to conveniently manage your family’s devices from your device.
B. Family Link – Google – Solution for Android devices
A comprehensive service designed to link your account with your child’s account, offering a suite of powerful tools for modern parenting.
With Family Link, you can:
- Set healthy limits on device usage time;
- Track your child’s location with the ability to see their phone or tablet’s location;
- Carefully select the apps your child can use;
- Monitor the time spent on each app;
- Manage content settings for apps and websites to ensure appropriate experiences;
- Review and manage app permissions on the device for added security;
- View, modify, or delete information to protect your child’s privacy;
- Approve or block downloads and in-app purchases to avoid unwanted expenses.
Setting up Family Link:
- Create a Google account for your child: If your child is under 13 (or the applicable age in your country) and does not have a Google account, you can create one for them via Family Link.
- Link your account with your child’s: Connect your Google account to your child’s account to monitor their activities.
Family Link offers the following features:
- Screen time management:
- Set limits: Set limits on how much time your child can spend on their devices, including phones and tablets.
- Bedtime controls: Set the device to lock at bedtime to help ensure they get a good night’s sleep.
- Location tracking:
- View device location: Use Family Link to find your child’s phone or tablet location.
- App management:
- Approve or block apps: Select the apps your child can download and use on their device.
- Monitor app usage: See how much time your child spends in each app.
- Manage Google settings: Control settings for Google apps and services, such as Search, YouTube, and Google Play, to filter inappropriate content.
- Activity controls: Manage Activity Controls like YouTube History and restrict your child’s ability to change these settings.
- Review app permissions: Check and manage permissions for apps on your child’s device, such as access to camera, microphone, or contacts.
- Privacy information: View, modify, or delete information about your child’s account, such as name, photo, or birthdate.
- Google Play purchases:
- Approve downloads and purchases: Decide if your child can download or purchase from Google Play.
- Add supervision to an existing account: If your child already has a Google Account, you can add supervision and manage parental controls with Family Link.
- Managing the end of supervision:
- Notifications: You will be notified if your child tries to turn off supervision.
- Lockout: Your child’s supervised devices will be temporarily locked.
Requirements for parents:
- Google account: You need a Google account to use Family Link. If you don’t have one, you can create a free Google account.
- Appropriate age: You must be at least 18 years old or the age of majority in your country to use Family Link
- Consent and location: The child must agree to parental supervision and reside in the same country as the parent
3. Paid parental control solutions
These paid parental control solutions offer different benefits compared to Family Link for Android and Apple’s Screen Time. They provide a higher level of protection and advanced features, some almost reaching the security level offered by the FBI. Here are some of the most well-known options for parents interested in accessing them: Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Norton Family, ESET Parental Control, McAfee Total Protection, Qustodio, Safe DNS.
A. Bitdefender
Bitdefender offers a range of cybersecurity products, including parental control features that help parents manage and monitor their children’s online activities.
- The Parental Control module will be automatically installed if the selected device benefits from a Bitdefender Total Security or Bitdefender Internet Security subscription.
- If Bitdefender is not installed on the child’s device, tap + Install on a new device and send the link displayed in a new window to the new device to install Bitdefender Parental Control.
Features:
- Web content filtering: Blocks access to inappropriate or harmful websites.
- Online activity monitoring: Tracks online activity, including browsing history and social media use.
- App control: Allows parents to block or limit access to certain apps.
- GPS location: Provides location tracking functionality for mobile devices.
- Detailed reports: Provides detailed reports on online activity and digital behavior.
- Device time limits: Allows setting time limits for device usage.
Notable feature: Call and SMS blocking: Allows management of who children can communicate with.
B. Kaspersky
Kaspersky Lab – A Russian product – offers cybersecurity solutions that often include parental control features to help parents protect their children’s online experiences.
Features:
- Web blocking and filtering: Prevents access to dangerous or inappropriate websites.
- Device time management: Sets time limits for device usage.
- App and internet monitoring: Tracks app use and online activity.
- GPS location and safe zones: Tracks device location and sets safe zones.
- Detailed reports: Provides detailed reports on online behavior and device usage.
- Alerts and notifications: Notifies parents of potentially dangerous activities.
Notable feature: Expert tips: Provides advice from psychologists to help parents address various topics with their children.
C. Norton Family
Norton by Symantec offers Norton Family, a parental control solution designed to help parents monitor and manage their children’s online activities.
Features:
- Web monitoring: Monitors and controls online activity, blocking inappropriate sites.
- Device time supervision: Allows setting time limits for device use.
- App monitoring: Tracks and manages app usage.
- GPS location: Tracks mobile device locations.
- Activity reports: Provides detailed reports on online activity and device usage.
- Video blocking: Allows control over the videos children can watch.
- Instant alerts: Notifies parents of suspicious or unsafe activities.
Notable feature: Suitable for large families with multiple devices (unlimited connections).
D. ESET Parental Control
ESET offers a parental control solution designed to help parents filter content, manage screen time, and track their children’s online behavior.
Features:
- Web filtering: Blocks access to inappropriate or dangerous websites
- App control: Allows parents to manage access to apps, blocking or limiting their use.
- Activity reports: Provides detailed reports on online activity and app usage.
- Map location: Provides device location on a map.
- Time limits: Sets time limits for device or app usage.
- SOS mode for kids: Provides children with a quick way to alert parents in emergencies.
Notable feature: Parental messages: Allows parents to send messages directly to the child’s device.
E. McAfee Total Protection
McAfee Total Protection suite includes parental control features to help parents ensure a safe online environment for their children.
Features:
- Antivirus protection: Provides comprehensive protection against viruses, malware, spyware, and ransomware.
- Advanced firewall: Protects devices from unauthorized access and monitors network connections.
- Password manager: Securely stores and manages passwords.
- Identity protection: Monitors and protects personal information to prevent identity theft.
- File encryption: Provides the ability to encrypt sensitive files for additional security.
Notable feature: Web protection: Blocks dangerous websites and prevents risky downloads.
F. Qustodio
Although not specific to Romania, Qustodio is a popular parental control software that offers content filtering, time limits, app monitoring, and more. Features are also available in Romanian.
Features:
- Advanced content filtering: Blocks access to inappropriate content and allows filter customization.
- Online activity monitoring: Tracks app usage and browsing history.
- Device time limits: Allows setting time limits for device use.
- GPS location: Provides location tracking for mobile devices.
- App and game blocking: Allows parents to block access to certain apps and games.
- Detailed reports: Provides detailed reports on online activity and time spent on devices.
- Emergency alerts: Notifies parents of potential dangers or suspicious activities.
Notable features: YouTube monitoring and panic button.
G. SafeDNS
This parental control solution is based on the DNS (Domain Name System), meaning parental control will filter and direct internet traffic via DNS, translating domain names into IP addresses.
- Content filtering: Blocks inappropriate or harmful content based on categories.
- Online threat protection: Protects against phishing, malware, and other online threats.
- Activity reports: Provides detailed reports on internet usage and attempts to access blocked sites.
- Time restrictions: Allows setting time limits for internet use.
Notable features:
- Customizable profiles: Users can create different filtering profiles for family members.
Accessible from any device: Works with any internet-connected device, including smartphones, tablets, and PCs.