“With freedom, comes responsibility”. We live in a digital era where everything we use has been computerized. All kinds of information and questions about all topics can be accessed online. The advent of STEM education for kids, as well as the emergence of the global Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 also increased the use of the internet, laptop, and computer across all spheres of society.
The internet space is uncensored and you can find answers to anything- long as you search! This has left many parents worried about their kids’ exposure to certain content. Truth is, you cannot always be around your kids to monitor their screen time and content. Thankfully, many parental control software are available to help parents monitor and protect their youngsters and tweens from harmful and censored content.
With the advent of these parental control software, kids can have unhindered access to their laptops and computers without the fear of negative exposure/danger. This article emphasizes the importance of responsible monitoring to ensure family safety. It also highlights the best tools for monitoring a kid’s laptop and computer.
Overview of Monitoring a Kid’s Laptop and Computer
Truth is, you cannot deprive your kids of accessing the opportunities of digital literacy, which involves expertise in operating a computer and laptop. Kids are not often the best judges of what’s best for them, which is why they need guardians to enforce values and protect them from internet hazards.
The digital world is a great place for kids to discover their abilities, learn skills, and unlock the unlimited possibilities of achievements. Younger kids, from the ages of 2 and above, already have access to mobile devices, laptops, and computers, and you’d be surprised by how much knowledge they have about operating these tools. However, there are multiple dangers attached to allowing kids access to the internet without enforcing safety guidelines and measures.
Even as adults, we sometimes fall victim to online scams and harms, including cyber fraud, pornographic websites, predators, cyberbullying, and unethical information, among others. Therefore, it is your sole responsibility as a parent to monitor your kid’s laptop and computer and protect them from these harms.
The essence of monitoring your kid’s online presence goes beyond setting up family basic safety mechanisms or denying access to devices. It also involves placing restrictions on websites, enforcing rules, setting time limits, etc.
In other words, parents should ensure they employ the services of a net nanny to protect their kids while they use the laptop and computer to surf the net and discover the unending possibilities of the internet.
Responsible Monitoring vs Spying
There is a very thin line between responsible monitoring and spying. The latter, which is disrespectful, can lead to resentment and distrust in kids. Also, spying defeats the purpose of installing a net nanny and kids will eventually discover other ways to outsmart you. Responsible monitoring of a kid’s device is the ability of a parent/guardian to safely monitor their kids’ online presence while still maintaining trust.
Truth is, if your kid discovers that you have placed restrictions on their internet activities, they’ll find other alternatives to access the “unwanted websites”. It is better to inform kids about your actions before implementing them. Educate them about internet mishaps and the dangers of drowning in a pool of scam websites. Kids love to be treated like adults and informed about decisions that concern them before you implement them. It’d be easier to apply these parental control software when your kids are duly informed about it.
Best Apps and Tools for Laptops
There are several ways to manage your child’s laptop and computer. These software help you block unapproved apps from your kids’ devices, limit screen time, and record all data transmitted. Here is our pick on the best apps and tools to monitor your kids’ online presence.
Disney Circle
Disney Circle is a quite popular parental control software. Configured as a WiFi router, this software can control all devices connected to it, and this makes it one of the best apps ever. Disney Circle is easy to use and is compatible with both Android and iOS devices. Some of its features include limiting screen time, blocking inappropriate sites and filtering websites, keeping track of mobile devices, and browsing history, among others.
Parents and other members of the family can also set up customized profiles to enable full internet capacity. This is an incredible app that has proven to be reliable and effective.
Bark Parental Controls
If you are looking to ultimately set a screen time limit every time your kids use the internet, then Bark is the best option for you. It can be used to filter websites and block access to specific websites, and gaming apps, and limit access to specific apps like Snapchat. In addition, you can also create daily custom schedules to create healthy and safe screen-time access for your kids.
This net nanny uses a mandatory SafeSearch method to ensure your kids maintain a healthy and protected relationship with the internet.
McAfee Total Protection
This is another parental control software that guarantees family safety and web protection. Its amazing features include dark web monitoring for your email accounts, and transaction cards (credit & debit), among others. It also includes antivirus that protects users from unauthorized and harmful sites.
This tool is compatible with multiple platforms and browsers, including Google Chrome, Android, iOS, and smartphones, among others.
- AWARD WINNING ANTIVIRUS: Rest easy knowing McAfee’s protecting you from the latest threats
- KEEP YOUR KIDS SAFER ONLINE: With parental controls for all your family’s devices
- PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY: Your guided identity protection includes dark web monitoring for your credit card, bank account, up to 10 emails and more
AeroAdmin
Aerodmin Software is an incredible parental software used to monitor kids’ activities across the internet, and it’s completely free! AeroAdmin acts as a net nanny that protects kids from online scammers, adult-rated content, and illicit behaviors. You can also limit your kids’ screen time and censor games and other apps.
All you need to do to get started is to download the free AeroAdmin, set it up, and lay back with confidence while your kids surf the internet.
Life360
This is an exclusive smartphone app that keeps members of a family safe by connecting their devices to track their locations and alert them to dangers. Many dangers are looming around in the real world, most of which kids are ignorant of, and location tracking is important to protect and keep them safe at all times.
Life360 is a free family safety application that is safe and effective to use.
Qustodio (Windows/MacOS/iOS/Android)
Although very pricey, Qustodio remains one of the most effective parental control apps ever. Parents can keep a detailed track of their kids’ online activities, and block access to unwanted apps. Qustodio packages are divided into three(3) and you can select a plan based on the number of devices your kids own.
Amazing features of Qustodio include activity monitoring, location tracking, cross-platform support, and app blocking, among others.
FoxFilter (Google Chrome/Firefox add-on)
FoxFilter is another amazing app that allows parents to implement parental control by filtering apps through keywords and sites. This means that you can block numerous apps and websites through a single keyword. The app also provides a default list of warning keywords from which you can select.
Kidlogger (multiple platforms)
This net nanny remains one of the best monitoring apps. It helps you keep track of your kids’ web history, phone calls, messages, and voice conversations. It is also available across multiple platforms, including Linux, iOS, Windows, Android, and BlackBerry.
MSpy Parental Control
This has similar features to kidlogger, but it contains an additional feature for monitoring locations periodically. You can also block harmful websites and filter websites against future use. MSpy parental control is affordable and simple to navigate.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are countless reasons why parents are advised to monitor their kids’ online activities. The internet is filled with harmful and corrupt websites, scammers, unethical hackers, bullies, and cybercriminals. Many children are ignorant of their schemes and may fall, victim, so you must keep your kids safe and ensure general family safety by monitoring their online presence.
Parents can monitor their children’s online activity by installing parental control software to act as pet nannies for them. This software can block specific websites, monitor their activities, keep track of their browsing histories, track their messages and calls, and even monitor their locations.
Final Thoughts On Parental Monitoring Online
Beyond monitoring, it is also pertinent that you educate your kids about these websites and apps. Digital literacy for kids helps to keep them abreast about the digital space and how to safely navigate the internet.
In addition, you should ensure that your kids are duly aware of your activities and tracking to avoid rebellions and resentments.
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