Smartphone for the next generation - Parents Need to Know
Smartphones are ubiquitous among children. According to the representative JIM study from 2023, 96% of 12- to 19-year-olds own their own smartphone. These devices offer a multitude of learning and entertainment options, but also pose potential risks. Therefore, it's important for parents to know how to make their children's smartphones safe. But how does a child safety feature work on Android and iOS devices?
General Tips for Child Safety
Before making specific settings on the end devices, some ground rules for handling the devices with the children should be discussed. An open communication with the child is the first step. "Families should openly discuss challenges, boundaries, and solutions," says media educator Dr. Iren Schulz at an Apple family workshop.
It is important to talk to children about the safe use of smartphones and explain the reasons for child safety. Adolescents should understand that these measures serve their protection and not to spoil their fun. Another important aspect is setting clear rules. Parents should agree on fixed times with their children when and how long the smartphone may be used to ensure a healthy balance between screen time and other activities.
"The discussion about children and technology is as important as it is complex. To teach children a healthy use of digital media, we are all called upon. Parents and school play an important role. Trust is very important, and it is important to keep an overview," explains Dr. Schulz further.
It is also important that only trustworthy apps are downloaded from official app stores. This can help prevent access to harmful software or inappropriate content. Finally, parents should always keep the operating system and all apps up to date to close potential security gaps.
Child Safety on iOS Smartphones
Apple offers robust and integrated child safety features that can be accessed through the device's settings. The Screen Time feature is particularly helpful in controlling iPhone usage. Parents can, for example, set certain apps and notifications to be blocked at certain times. App Limits allows time limits to be set for apps or app categories, while Communication Limits determine with whom the child can communicate via the iPhone. Additionally, parents can activate content and privacy restrictions to prevent access to inappropriate content.
Another useful tool on iOS devices is Family Sharing. With this, parents can monitor and approve their children's purchases and downloads. After adding a family member as a child, you can activate the purchase request. This ensures that all purchases and downloads must be approved before they are executed on the child's device.
Additionally, parents can activate content restrictions under Screen Time settings to ensure access to age-appropriate apps, movies, music, and books. Website restrictions help block access to dangerous or inappropriate websites, making internet surfing safer for their child. The "Find My" app also allows you to see where the child is at any time, and you can set up alerts when the child leaves a certain location or arrives at a location.
Child Safety on Android Smartphones
Android also offers numerous options for parental control. One of the most well-known and effective methods is using the "Google Family Link App". With this, parents can also manage their children's smartphone usage. After downloading the app from the Google Play Store and installing it on both their own and their child's device, parents can create a Google account for their child or use an existing one to connect it.
Subsequently, settings can be adjusted to, for instance, limit screen time, approve or block apps, and generally monitor device activity. It's also particularly useful to set daily time limits and lock the device at specific times, such as during homework or bedtime. Additionally, parents can track the real-time location of Android devices, providing extra security.
Conclusion
Implementing parental controls on smartphones is a crucial step in making the digital world safer for children. However, parents should distinguish between control and monitoring, and allow their children some freedom. Both Android and iOS provide comprehensive tools for parents to manage device usage. By combining these technical measures with open communication and clear rules, parents can hopefully protect their children effectively from potential risks.
Children should be involved in discussions about the safe use of smartphones and understand that child safety measures are designed to protect them, not restrict their fun. Parents should communicate openly with their children about digital challenges, boundaries, and solutions. Clearly setting rules for smartphone usage, such as fixed times for use, is essential to ensure a healthy balance between screen time and other activities.
