The Benefits of Parental Controls 

While no parental control tool is perfect, it's equally important to teach your child good online safety habits. The internet-connected devices in your home offer numerous benefits, but it's crucial to understand the associated risks and protect your family. 

eSafety provides a helpful guide for parents to understand parental controls and their role in keeping children safe online. They offer a short video introducing various parental control options and recommend settings that suit your family's needs.

Streaming services

Streaming services like Netflix, Disney, Stan, and Amazon Prime offer parental controls to prevent children from accessing inappropriate content. YouTube Kids provides family-friendly content with features to set time limits on apps and disable search functionality. Among catch-up TV platforms, ABC iView stands out by offering parental filters and controls, along with a dedicated platform for younger viewers called ABC KIDS iView.

Apple Devices

For Apple devices like iPhones, iPads, and iPod touches, you can utilise Apple's parental controls. With Content & Privacy Restrictions in Screen Time, you can block or limit specific apps and features on your child's device. You can also restrict explicit content, purchases, downloads, and privacy settings.

Android Tablets and Smartphones

For Android tablets and smartphones, you can set up parental controls through Google Play to restrict the content your child can download or purchase.

Finding the right balance with parental controls is key. It starts with open conversations and setting clear expectations about monitoring online activities and modelling healthy behaviour. It's about protecting your child while allowing them the freedom to explore and learn online. Gradually introducing age-appropriate freedoms is important. Collaborating with other parents and teaching your child essential online safety skills together can be beneficial. Ultimately, being a responsible and caring parent means prioritising your child's online wellbeing.

Parent Resource

1. esafety Getting started with parental controls in social media, games and apps
2. esafety Getting started with parent controls on devices and accounts