Monitor - Manage - Mentor
THE TECHIE BIT
Managing - Internet safety and available apps
There is no blanket solution to offer you all in regards to device and Internet management software. But I have discovered a number of incredibly good applications out there for either managing screen time on your child’s device or for restricting their Internet access for their own safety.
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The reality is that there is no one solution you can run across all devices and platforms that will limit and manage children's access.
We've looked at most of the devices which children will have access to the internet on. Below we've put together a quick list of devices and which solutions suit them.
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We have the device guides available on our downloads page.
DEVICE GUIDE
IPAD 4 OR EARLIER
Apple’s own inbuilt safety restrictions and filters, including the ability to limit very young children to just one app (ie; Kids Tube) and be able to apply an agreed time limit. Mind you this takes a little effort to manage, as my toddler used to just throw the iPad or iPhone across the room when the timer ran out and the app stopped.
ANDROID FROM 2013, WINDOWS PC’S, OLDER MAC’S
Qustodio is the answer, this is a paid application which restricts web content and also manages screen time for individual apps on the device. It’s a great program as you run the management from either a web browser or your own device. The cost is very reasonable around $55 USD for 5 family devices. The only limitation we could find is there is no support for Chromebooks or Apple devices older than iOS 11 this includes iPad 4’s and earlier. Their website is very easy to follow and you'll be set up in no time.
SOME ANDROID DEVICES AND CHROMEBOOKS
Google Family Link is the only viable software solution for these devices. It’s complicated and long winded to set up, but we have included a ‘how to sheet’ in the tool kit if you want to go down this road. Please note our other notes on the following page in regards to data collection by Google of your child’s online activities.
NEWER IOS DEVICES (IPHONES AND IPADS), MAC’S 2012 ONWARDS
‘Screen Time’ Apple’s own inbuilt safety restrictions and filters and screen time management, which in most cases can be managed from an Apple device or Mac using ‘Apple Family Sharing’.