But let me assure you, maintaining your digital world is not an easy task. We all know that. Probably, you are convinced that you have to pay extra for any special software to maintain your phone. It does not have to be. You do not have to be a subscriber of any service and pay for it. Everything you need is already there. Yes, it is really simple. Your iPhone or Android device already has the best parental control tools hidden in its settings. And you should learn how to use it. Therefore, do not waste a dime on monthly subscriptions.
Yes, I know that you think about it. Of course, the built-in options are rather elementary. They are totally unsuitable for your tech-savvy child. But it is absolutely wrong. These companies – Apple and Google invested so much into making these systems efficient. You have powerful management that can rival any third-party application. Apart from that, native options consume less battery and cause fewer crashes. Furthermore, it is simply easier to manage all of it. Let me show you how to do it without being a computer science engineer. 😎
Let us start with the iPhone. The system is called "Screen Time" by Apple. It is a powerful tool when you configure it properly. At first, you open the "Settings" app. It is this gray gear icon on your phone's main screen. Click on it. Then you go down a little bit and find the "Screen Time" menu. It is your control center.
After opening it, you are presented with several options. At first, you should turn on the "Downtime". You choose start and end time and, during that time frame, only applications you specify will be available. Imagine that you set it for 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM. In that case, during that period of time, your phone becomes useless for watching videos and playing games. It is ingenious for creating a sleep routine.
After that, you have to pay attention to the "App Limits". This is the place where you define how many times your child uses each of his preferred apps during a day. For example, you can limit him to 60 minutes for social media category (both Tiktok and Instagram). After setting it, the application becomes locked. You will see the white screen with the stop icon. Sure, you can unlock it and use it again, but now you will need a passcode. Set it and do not disclose.
Now, let us proceed to the Android options. Google gives you a variety of options named "Family Link". It is a powerful one. You download this application on your phone and link it to your child's Google account. Now, you have an ability to manage his phone remotely. It seems terrifying, but it is pretty easy.
Using "Family Link", you can easily lock your phone. Imagine this situation. You have dinner and they are watching something. You press a button on your phone and everything disappears. It is a digital time out. Furthermore, you can set the time when they are allowed to use particular applications. They can be blocked during classes. The flexibility is enormous. You become an administrator of their world now.
Also, there is "Google Play Store Restriction". You can prevent the downloading of the adult-appropriate apps. In this way, they cannot install whatever game or chat app you never heard of. You filter the content before it is installed.
One of the things that people usually ignore is "Content & Privacy Restrictions". This menu is the most useful part of all iOS parental control options. You can block the access to explicit websites. Also, you can prohibit changing the passcode or even the deleting of any application. Yes, it is true. They cannot delete the suspicious application. You see the transparency that is created.
Yes, you may be scared to be too restrictive. But you can use these tools in a flexible way. You can set the limits based on the behavior. Good grades today? Give them more time for playing tomorrow. In this way, you teach them to manage time, not restrict it.
Surely, someone may claim that kids will bypass these locks easily. Of course, for a professional hacker, it may be possible. But for an average high schooler, it is rather difficult. It makes them think and prevents the mindless usage of the phone. The friction you create is exactly what you want.
It is crucial to create a "Screen Time Passcode". Do not use your date of birth or 1234. It has to be random. Write it down somewhere and hide it in a drawer. If they can guess the code, it will become ineffective. Treat it as a code of a safe since it is.
Are you interested in the concrete contact? For iPhone, there is "Communication Limits". It allows you to control who can call or message your child during downtime. You can allow the family members and block everyone else. It guarantees the connection but blocks night chats. It is a safety measure but also prevents night chats.
Yes, the technology will not disappear in the future. Our phones are our tools to study and socialize. But, they distract us from our goals too. The usage of these options is not about tyranny. It is about creating a balance. It is about protecting your mind. You deserve to rest in the silence of the night without the screen in your hands.
So, why not trying it tonight? It takes about fifteen minutes to configure everything. You will feel the difference immediately. It is free, it is effective, and, frankly speaking, it is wise to use it.
0 Comments