One of the hottest trends in education, mobile apps have transformed the way kids learn. Whether it is the Madagascar games in which the kids have to play a game while learning math, or a reading app like A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, the online and mobile world is teeming with exciting games.
This raises the question: How can we, as parents, monitor and make it a safe environment for our kids?
This raises the question: How can we, as parents, monitor and make it a safe environment for our kids?
“Whizzkid” by Katy Stoddard is licensed under CC BY 2.0
If you thought tackling the internet was dicey, try the mobile and tablet apps. It is not easy to impose parental controls on these devices but there are ways in which you can make sure that your kid stays out of harm’s way without losing out on the pros of learning to use technology.
“Safety First” by cgruis8 is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Some of the issues parents faced when these apps were first introduced were the in-app purchases. Companies responded by introducing controls for parents like the parent gate in App Store that requires parents’ permission for certain actions. Some service providers also set a limit on purchases or you are required to provide a PIN before making purchases. Alternatively, we can get tablets that are specifically designed for kids, like LeapFrog. With parental controls you can turn off features and filter content so that you know what your child is viewing. Google and YouTube allow you to use them with safety mode on.
“The modern toddler iPad experience” by Wayan Vota is licensed under CC BY 2.0
You can also download apps and browsers that are designed to be child-friendly. Some of these include:
MobileKids – You can keep track of everything from mobile usage to contacts added and apps downloaded.
Norton Safety Minder – This can be downloaded on Android or Kindle Fire and is available for free. For additional services, you can upgrade it.
Famigo Sandbox – Parents can select the apps that are okay for their kids to use.
Sandbox Kids Corner – This again provides a locked environment and you can also assign a time limit for usage. Parents can also monitor calls and text messages sent.
Kids Place – With this app, you can turn any Android device into a child-safe environment. It has child lock and restrictions on downloads.
Other parental apps in the market include Parental Access, Funamo Control, Parental Control MobileMinder and Safe Browsing Parental Control. You can also consider mobile browsers like K9 Web ProtectionK9 Web Protection, MobSafety Ranger Browser and Mobicip.
Based on your child’s age and the kind of apps and services they will be using, you can design a set of rules on how they should use it. With a choice of apps available – both free and paid – to safeguard your family, you will be able to provide a child-safe environment for kids.
MobileKids – You can keep track of everything from mobile usage to contacts added and apps downloaded.
Norton Safety Minder – This can be downloaded on Android or Kindle Fire and is available for free. For additional services, you can upgrade it.
Famigo Sandbox – Parents can select the apps that are okay for their kids to use.
Sandbox Kids Corner – This again provides a locked environment and you can also assign a time limit for usage. Parents can also monitor calls and text messages sent.
Kids Place – With this app, you can turn any Android device into a child-safe environment. It has child lock and restrictions on downloads.
Other parental apps in the market include Parental Access, Funamo Control, Parental Control MobileMinder and Safe Browsing Parental Control. You can also consider mobile browsers like K9 Web ProtectionK9 Web Protection, MobSafety Ranger Browser and Mobicip.
Based on your child’s age and the kind of apps and services they will be using, you can design a set of rules on how they should use it. With a choice of apps available – both free and paid – to safeguard your family, you will be able to provide a child-safe environment for kids.
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