Knowing how to keep the entire family safe online is something that everyone should learn to do. Even if your kids are in their late teens, you still need to protect not only their identities but your own as well. There are all sorts of threats on the internet that can harm anyone. Your kids could be exposed to inappropriate content or even preyed upon by bad people. You and your spouse could always be the victims of identity theft and other digital crimes. The best way to protect everyone is to use a good family safe internet filter.
There are tons of tools and apps available for every type of computer in the house, all smartphones, and tablets. Ideally, you’ll want to use one centralized suite that you can easily login to through a web portal. Just sign in and create profiles for each member of the family. Select age appropriate content for each child. If available, put tracking on everyone’s phones. Consider investing in a suite that also includes features such as VPN and wireless internet security, webcam protection, social media monitoring, and so forth.
If you’re unsure what is appropriate and what is not for each child, the better programs usually offer some recommendations depending on his or her age and developmental level. There is usually an option for parents to view details about their children’s social media activity, including newly added friends, as well as what kinds of videos they are watching on YouTube.
Additional Features of a Family Safe Internet Filter
Another neat feature often found in family safe internet filter software is the ability to let you manage how much time your kids spend on their devices. Schedule hours of the day when you want them to be able to use their laptop, smartphone, and even TV, as well as the cut-off time. When it’s bedtime, for instance, their devices will automatically switch off.
That being said, parental control software is not intended to be a substitute for good communication. You must explain to your children why you are limiting their screen time. Set an example by staying off the screen yourself as well. Encourage your partner or spouse to do the same. This will give everyone a chance to actually do “traditional family things” like have dinner together, go on outings, attend religious services, spend time at the park, reading actual physical books, and so forth.
There are so many products out there to choose from. It’s a good idea to start with something like Kaspersky Safe Kids, as it comes with a family safe internet filter and other useful tools. Since it’s such a world-renowned organization, you might want to consider other antivirus and security products as well. Just look over Kaspersky coupon deals.