Digital parenting done right: 3 parental controls you need to keep kids safe online

Let’s face it, parenting is hard enough without the minefield that is: technology.

I have a 1-year-old and I’m already losing sleep over how we’re going to keep him safe online. 

While technology can enrich our family lives in so many ways, sure, it is also scary and ever-evolving territory for parents to navigate. How are we supposed to keep kids safe online when half the time, we can’t even keep track of our own passwords?

Parental controls = the baby gates of the internet – essential, but also a bit of a faff to set up. To save you time, I’ve done some research to find the most no-nonsense controls that will guarantee your kids can surf safely.

There’s a tech trio you should keep your eyes on:

1. Wifi

2. Devices

3. Search Engines

1. Secure Your WiFi (Because We’re Not Raising Hackers)

Your home WiFi is your family’s gateway to the wild west of the internet, so let’s rein it in a bit, shall we?

How to enable parental controls on your WiFi:

1. Log into your router settings. Open a web browser and enter your router’s IP address (this is usually stuck to the side of the router, along with the world's worst password).

2. Enter your admin credentials. 

3. Find the parental control settings. Usually hiding under “Security” or “Access Restrictions.” Because of course, they wouldn’t make this easy.

4. Set up filters. Here you can block inappropriate content and set safe screen time limits.

5. Save your settings and restart the router if needed. Then bask in the temporary illusion of control.

2. Set Up Parental Controls on Tablets & Devices (AKA Digital Toddler-Proofing)

Each device has built-in parental controls, which are great because these days kids have figured out how to unlock your phone before they can even say their own name.

For iPhones/iPads (iOS):

1. Go to Settings > Screen Time.

2. Tap ‘Turn On Screen Time’ and set a passcode. 

3. Select ‘Content & Privacy Restrictions.’

4. Enable restrictions on apps, purchases, and explicit content.

5. Set app limits and downtime. 

For Android Devices:

1. Go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls.

2. Tap ‘Set Up Parental Controls’ and create a PIN. Choose one your kid won’t guess (so not 1234).

3. Select the child’s account and apply restrictions.

4. Enable Google Play restrictions 

3. Filter Unsafe Searches with Google SafeSearch

How to turn on SafeSearch:

1. Go to Google Search Settings (www.google.com/preferences).

2. Find the ‘SafeSearch Filters’ section.

3. Check the box for ‘Turn on SafeSearch.’

4. Click ‘Save’ at the bottom of the page.

5. For added security, lock SafeSearch by signing into your Google account and selecting ‘Lock SafeSearch.’

You know that terrifying moment when you have to take away the iPad and your kid gives you that look? Rino is here to help.

Safe Screen Time Limits with Rino

One of parents’ most-loved features of EDURINO is the app’s adorable timer with a gentle touch. 

In our Parent Zone, you can customise your child’s screen time limit.*

A few minutes before their screen time is up, Rino begins to yawn to let children know it’s their final game. When time is up, Rino falls asleep and the games close gently. No tantrums. No drama. Just Rino snoozing while you breathe a sigh of relief.

Kids respond positively to screen time limits that are:

• A team effort: set together in partnership with your child

• Gentle and not abrupt (with some warning given when time is almost up..!)

• Character led: because who could resist a rhino this cute?

*The World Health Organisation recommends >1 hour of screen time per day for children aged 4 - 6 and >2 hours per day for children aged 6 - 8 - with a focus on high quality, age appropriate educational content over passive or inappropriate content.