Parental Control

Last updated: March 19, 2024

Parental Controls

Interpretation

Are features which may be included in digital television services, computers and video games, mobile devices and software that allow parents to restrict the access of content to their children. These controls were created to assist parents in their ability to restrict certain content viewable by their children. This may be content they deem inappropriate for their age, maturity level or feel is aimed more at an adult audience. Parental controls fall into roughly four categories: content filters, which limit access to age inappropriate content; usage controls, which constrain the usage of these devices such as placing time-limits on usage or forbidding certain types of usage; computer usage management tools, which enforces the use of certain software; and monitoring, which can track location and activity when using the devices.

Making the Internet Child-Friendly

There are many tools available for parents to make the internet safer for their children. ISPs, device manufacturers, and operating system developers have ensured an easy route to setting up parental controls. They all use simple step-by-step instructions which you only need to follow once, giving you control over your children’s browsing habits beyond simple supervision.

Parents, Please Be Advised

If you are a parent, it is your responsibility to keep any age-restricted content from being displayed to your children. Protect your children from adult content and block access to this site by using parental controls. Other steps you can take to protect your children are:

  • Use family filters of your operating systems and/or browsers;
  • When using a search engine such as Google, Bing or Yahoo; check the safe search settings where you can exclude adult content sites from your search results;
  • Ask your internet service provider if they offer additional filters;
  • Be responsible, know what your children are doing online.

Parental Control Settings – Desktop Services

All modern operating systems have built-in parental controls and they are simple to activate requiring only a few minutes to setup. Microsoft Windows 10 for instance, allows parents to easily setup accounts for their children, restrict which apps and programs they can open, and block inappropriate websites at the touch of a button. Visit the Microsoft Family Safety site for more information. Apple devices such as Macs, iPads, and iPhones have similar parental controls which can be enabled by following the instructions on Apple’s dedicated Families site.

Parental Control Settings – Mobile Devices

As many children use their own personal devices to access the internet, mobile operating systems now include tools to ensure parents can stay firmly in control of their children’s browsing habits. iOS devices from Apple such as iPhones and iPads can block inappropriate content, set screen time limits and prevent apps from being installed without permission. More information is available on Apple’s dedicated Families site. Android products such as smartphones and tablets contain similar protections, allowing parents to choose what their children can see and do on their personal devices. The Google Safety Centre will walk you through the setup process.

Dedicated Parental Control Software

In addition to parental controls provided free of charge by operating systems, device manufacturers and ISPs, there are multiple parental control apps available from third parties. A non-exhaustive list is provided below:

  • Norton Family (Norton Family provides parents with the insights they need to help keep their child safer and focused when online).
  • Qustodio (Qustodio’s parental control tools to keep their kids’ screen time safe and balanced on every device from one easy-to-use dashboard).
  • Mobicip (Smart parental control app for busy parents, limit screen time, filter internet, monitor social media, track location).
  • Net Nanny (Net Nanny keeps kids safe from viewing adult content while allowing them to browse online safely).
  • Boomerang (Manage and review your child’s browsing experience with our SPIN Safe Browser. Built-in filtering of millions of inappropriate websites with content ranging from pornography and nudity)