There are three main things to look for when searching for parental control software: monitoring, content filtering, and user control. Through the user control feature, you should be able to manage the account and create profiles for each child. You should also be given screen time control over your children. It’s not good to let your child stare at a computer or phone screen all day. Parental control suites are great for helping children develop healthy habits.
The screen time management tool should be easy to use. You should be given the option to create time limits, and to even schedule a time for your child’s device to automatically turn off, such as at bedtime. Another way to use such a feature is as a reward for when your kid finishes homework or chores, brings home good grades from school, etc. Give that child extra screen time as a way to reward good behavior.
This day and age, however, kids often do need internet access in order to do research for school. Teens will often be required to type reports. Once again, monitoring is one of the essential features of parental control programs. You should be able to keep an eye on what your child is doing on the internet to ensure that they are only looking at things that are school-related.
User-Friendly Screen Time Control Options
User-friendliness is very important – especially for parents who are not very tech-savvy. Instructions and options should be clear and concise. The processes of creating profiles for each child, managing those profiles, and setting up schedules for screen time should all be simple.
If your primary concern is what your child does and looks at online, then use screen time control tools that allow you to control what kind of content they view. Filtering is another essential feature to consider when looking for a good parental control program or app. Some programs will offer suggestions on what types of content to allow and what to filter out depending on factors such as the child’s age. You can block all sorts of violent, weapon-related content, sexual content, and any other topics you think might be too mature for your child to view.
How much do these programs cost? It depends on factors such as the company itself, the level of control you want, the number of years you want to use it, and so forth. Some of them are available for free, although the free versions are usually limited. With a paid version of a program, you’ll typically get many more options and control over your child’s internet usage.
One program to consider is Kaspersky Safe Kids. Even the free version offers a screen time control feature. If you want extra features, like social media monitoring and real-time alerts, then you can get the paid version at an affordable price. Kaspersky coupons are often available.