Why We Use A Parental Control App
Should you use a parental control app on your kid’s tablet or phone? Here’s why our family does and which app we use.
Tablets and electronics are one of the top gift items for kids, tweens, and teens during the holiday season. And while “screen time” is often talked about in a negative light, these electronics can have a lot of benefits too.
Tablets and other devices can be an excellent source of educational games and learning resources, as well as wholesome entertainment. They’re also a way for kids to build fine motor skills. Plus they’re fun!
While I try to be mindful of how much time my kids spend on their devices, I love watching them learn and play. I think that my kids master new technology faster than I do…and I work in technology!
That being said, my husband and I want to make sure that our kids use their electronic devices responsibly and don’t spend too much time in front of a screen. We also want to make sure that they only have access to age-appropriate content.
Turns out, we’re not alone! In a recent survey, 84% of parents reported that they are worried about their child’s online safety.
According to the CDC, kids ages 11-14 spend almost 9 hours a day in front of a screen consuming entertainment media. This can mean computers, televisions, video game consoles, tablets, and phones. And 70% of kids check their mobile devices within 30 minutes of falling asleep at night.
So what’s a parent to do??
3 Easy Ways To Protect Children Online
- Update your devices regularly. Device and software updates often contain important security updates, software patches to fix bugs, and other things that can keep your family safe. When you don’t update, your devices are left more vulnerable.
- Talk to your kids about online safety. Explain about phishing emails, “smishing” (which is the same thing, but via text messaging), how to stop spam emails, and the importance of keeping private information private. Our family also has a house rule that tablets, computers, and televisions are all used in the family space. That way we can see what everyone is doing.
- Monitor your kid’s online activity. One of the easiest ways to do this is with a Parental Control software/app. I’ll let you know which one we use and why.
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What is the Best Parental Control App?
Many devices already come with some form of parental controls. However, trying to manage those controls separately on each individual device is a pain! You’d have to use a separate app for each device or go into the device itself to change the control settings. Who has time for all that?!
That’s why I love the Aura parental control app — I can manage multiple devices right from my phone! (PS- With my link, you can try Aura FREE for 14 days!)
What Aura Offers:
- One-stop parental control solution — No need to download different apps for different devices! Aura is compatible with iOS and Android mobile devices, which is crucial for our family. I’ve tried other parental control tools in the past, but this is the first that I’ve found that was compatible with our Apple tablets and iPhones.
- Time Limits — Not only can you set screen time limits for each child, you can get quite specific with it. In addition to an overall daily time limit, you can set different limits for different apps and categories. You can also view how much time your child spends on those apps and categories.
- Content Filters — Customize what types of content your child is allowed to see, as well as view blocked activity. There are default settings for “child” and “teen,” but you can toggle each app on or off depending on your preferences.
- Parent and Child Notifications — You’ll both receive notifications when kids reach their online time limits.
- Child Dashboard — Kids can view which time limits have been set for them and see if content filtering is enabled. This is such a helpful tool for kids to better manage their time online. No surprises!
Should You Tell Your Children About Parental Controls?
I think that open communication is important for building a solid relationship and trust with our kids, and that goes both ways!
One of the differences between Aura and other parental control tools is transparency. There’s no sneaking around behind your kid’s back or putting hidden apps on their phone. Your kid can see how much time they’ve spent using their devices, the time limits you’ve set, how much time they have left, and more.
The goal is for kids to learn responsibility and make smarter decisions, and that will be accomplished easier if they know what’s going on and you’ve established an open dialogue.
This is especially important as kids turn into teens and are starting to make more decisions on their own. We want to teach them to be responsible adults, and taking ownership of their own devices and how they use them is a great place to start.
How Do You Set Up Parental Controls?
Another thing I love about Aura is how easy it is to get started!
First, you’ll want to claim your free 14-day trial and create your account. Then you’ll download the app to your own phone.
When you want to add a child’s device, Aura will create a QR code that you can scan with their compatible phone or tablet. From there, set-up is a breeze — Aura guides you through the process.
TIP: I recommend showing your child or teen exactly what you’re doing and why. Let them see what time limits you set, so they feel involved in the process.
The first thing I did after linking my daughters’ devices is to set a daily time limit. I gave them up to 2 hours total online time on weekdays and 3 hours on weekends. That way they have their devices available for school and homework. However, I also made limits for certain games, so they can’t spend too much time playing. I love how you are able to specify times for each day and each app!
Does Aura Monitor Text Messages And Emails?
Aura parental controls do not monitor SMS text messages, emails, or in-app messages. However, Aura can block in-app messages when you block the app itself (such as Snapchat, Instagram, etc.)
When it comes to text messaging, I personally find that it’s best to talk to kids about what is appropriate. We also limit who can be added in our young teen daughter’s phone as a contact. That way she’s only messaging with people our family knows and trusts. If she wants to add a new contact, she runs it by us first. This is another step towards building trust on both sides.
When Should You Start Using Parental Controls?
If your child has a device or is going to receive one for the holidays, the time to set up parental controls is NOW! That way you have all the tools you need already in place. I plan on using parental controls at some level for as long as my kids are in the house. As they get older and learn more responsibility, they can earn more privileges and we may relax some of the limits.
With the Aura Family Plan you can set up unlimited family member profiles for parental controls AND monitor unlimited devices.
If you have any questions during setup or throughout the life of your membership, Aura is there to help with 24/7/365 support. You can’t beat that!
Sign up here to start your 14-day free trial to get started with Aura!
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Screen Time Checklist for Kids
Printable Teen Cell Phone Contract
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