Parent Resources
Parenting in the Digital Age is a daunting task. There are new apps, games, and tools popping up every day and our kids know more about them than we likely ever will. Below is a list of websites designed for parents to stay up-to-date and informed.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Digital Parenting Websites
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization focused on assisting families in a digital world. They review movies, websites, apps, and more where they provide age-appropriate recommendations and guidance for parents.
Newswise is a collaboration between CIVIX and the Canadian Journalism Foundation with support from Google. It is a news literacy program for students from grades 5-12. They have sections on fake news, internet safety, and more.
Offspring is a tech-savvy parenting blog from the team behind Lifehacker. Not all of their posts are technology-focused, but there are some very interesting articles and suggestions given.
Center for Humane Technology (formerly TimeWellSpent) is an organization that is focused on making technology that works for us, and not making us for technology. Through TED talks and interviews, they try to teach the public about the ways that technology can “hijack” our senses without us knowing it. They also provide a few strategies for managing our technology usage.
Family Online Safety Institute is an international organization with an eye on Good Digital Parenting. Their website provides articles and videos with tips and tricks for parenting in the digital age.
Parental Controls
Most digital devices (cell phones, tablets, gaming systems, etc) have parental controls built-in to their software. Each manufacturer implements these in different ways, so it is recommended that you take some time to familiarize yourself with the available tools to keep your kids safe and happy online.
Apple:
Family Sharing - Allows you to connect your family’s Apple IDs (up to six people) to share purchases. Family Sharing required for some of the parental controls
Manage your child’s account - You can set up options where your child needs to request your permission to download apps, purchase songs, etc.
Manage Screen Time - Apple now allows you to monitor and control your child’s device usage. You can set time limits and even set downtimes when the device will only allow phonecalls and your approved apps.
Google:
Family Link - If you and your children use Android devices or Chromebooks, the Family Link app allows you to monitor and restrict your child’s device usage. You can see their location, monitor and manage their screen time by setting limits, and help keep them from inappropriate content.
SafeSearch - Google includes a built in filter to their Google Search results.
Xbox:
Family Controls - Microsoft provides options to set age limits for content, block inappropriate websites, and creating a child account which provides some added security.
Playstation:
Family Management & Parental Controls - Sony provides steps to create a child account and manage the parental controls.