Digital safety for kids: How parents can manage it wisely

From studying to gaming, children today spend considerable time online. Many of them find their friends online mainly. Many parents feel conflicted about how much is too much when it comes to online time. This is mainly because they aren't sure which security features to use to ensure their children are safe. Here are a few of them available on each operating system.

On Android Phones (Google Family Link)
Google’s Family Link app is the most suitable tool for controlling Android devices.
Step 1: Install the Google Family Link app on the parent’s phone.
Step 2: Link your child’s Google account to the app (create a new account if your child doesn’t have one).
Step 3: Go to Content Restrictions and click on Google Play. Configure it so that only apps and games suitable for your child’s age (for example, 12+) can be downloaded.
Step 4: Set a Daily Limit to automatically lock the phone after the allotted screen time.

On iPhones (iOS Screen Time)
iPhone settings allow you to control all apps on your child’s device.
Step 1: Go to Settings > Screen Time on your child’s phone.
Step 2: Click Use Screen Time Passcode and set a password known only to the parent.
Step 3: Turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions.
Step 4: Under App Store Purchases, go to Installing Apps and select the option Don’t Allow. This prevents your child from installing new games without parental approval.

Making YouTube Safer (YouTube Kids & Restricted Mode)
To prevent children from accessing inappropriate videos:
For young children, provide only the YouTube Kids app.
In case of using the regular YouTube app, go to Settings > General > Restricted Mode and turn it on. This helps keep inappropriate content away from the child.

Age Restrictions in Play Store (Play Store Settings)
Open the Play Store and click your profile icon.
Go to Settings > Family > Parental Controls and turn it on.
Set Ratings for apps and games. Children will not be able to download or install games with violent or adult (18+) content.

Blocking Websites (Google Chrome)
To prevent children from accessing inappropriate websites through Chrome
Go to Chrome settings on your child’s phone: Privacy and Security > Use Secure DNS.
Select Choose another provider and choose CleanBrowsing (Family Filter). This will block many malicious or inappropriate websites.

Checklist for parents
Instead of secretly checking your child’s phone, discuss openly why these safety measures are necessary. Remove the phone one hour before bedtime to encourage a digital detox. Encourage your child to play games on mobile phones only when you are present.