Mom with Child and Laptop

Gifting Tech To Your Kids This Season?

what every parent needs to know

Are you gifting technology to your kids for the holidays? If so, you may want to adjust the pre-sets before handing it over or at least review how to use the privacy and safety tools before letting them tear in to the wrapping paper. Most, if not all, devices now come with some tools to help you adjust the privacy settings to your comfort level. The confusing part is that there are so many different devices - iPhone, Chromebooks, Xbox, Playstation, Surface, Nintendo Switch, and each device has their own set of parental controls and privacy settings. It can be overwhelming but you should be able to find information and directions under Settings. If you are still lost, do a search on Google or YouTube step-be-step for instructions.

Are you gifting technology to your kids for the holidays? If so, you may want to adjust the pre-sets before handing it over or at least review how to use the privacy and safety tools before letting them tear in to the wrapping paper. Most, if not all, devices now come with some tools to help you adjust the privacy settings to your comfort level. The confusing part is that there are so many different devices - iPhone, Chromebooks, Xbox, Playstation, Surface, Nintendo Switch, and each device has their own set of parental controls and privacy settings. It can be overwhelming but you should be able to find information and directions under Settings. If you are still lost, do a search on Google or YouTube step-be-step for instructions.

Gaming Consoles: XBox, Nintendo, Playstation

You can adjust parental controls for each child in your home to set time limits, restrictions on communication capabilities, spending limits and content according to game age ratings. Some other things to note: When creating a screen name for your child (especially those under 13) do not include his / her last name or date of birth. Also, set a strong password but make it easy for your child to remember. Be sure to set some rules for connecting with others, discuss what you will allow in terms of communication and appropriate behavior. For younger players, I suggest  having them add in a few friends to their contact list. For older players, you can allow them to play with anyone but only communicate with those on their friends list. Some consoles, like Nintendo Switch, allow you to manage parental controls via an app on your phone.

For step-by-step instructions on many consoles visit the Electronic Software Ratings Board (ESRB) instructions on parental controls.

You can adjust parental controls for each child in your home to set time limits, restrictions on communication capabilities, spending limits and content according to game age ratings. Some other things to note: When creating a screen name for your child (especially those under 13) do not include his / her last name or date of birth. Also, set a strong password but make it easy for your child to remember. Be sure to set some rules for connecting with others, discuss what you will allow in terms of communication and appropriate behavior. For younger players, I suggest  having them add in a few friends to their contact list. For older players, you can allow them to play with anyone but only communicate with those on their friends list. Some consoles, like Nintendo Switch, allow you to manage parental controls via an app on your phone.

For step-by-step instructions on many consoles visit the Electronic Software Ratings Board (ESRB) instructions on parental controls.


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Laptops/ Chromebooks/ MacBooks

Again there are parental controls and safety settings on each of the devices themselves. I suggest using the instructions provided by the maker of the product. Each have similar tools for screen time limits, content filtering, spending and location sharing. You need to first set up a family account, then create profiles for each family member. To find out more visit:

One note, these settings are primarily for kids 13 and under. Once your children hit the teen years, you will not be able to rely on the tech tools as much. Managing a teen's tech use requires more conversations about appropriate use, personal responsibility and digital profile management.

Again there are parental controls and safety settings on each of the devices themselves. I suggest using the instructions provided by the maker of the product. Each have similar tools for screen time limits, content filtering, spending and location sharing. You need to first set up a family account, then create profiles for each family member. To find out more visit:

One note, these settings are primarily for kids 13 and under. Once your children hit the teen years, you will not be able to rely on the tech tools as much. Managing a teen’s tech use requires more conversations about appropriate use, personal responsibility and digital profile management.

Smartphones

Parental controls and safety settings for smartphones are included under the Family plans above. A few extra precautions:

Location sharing gets a little tricky when your child has a phone in his back pocket. For the youngest users you can set location sharing to just family members and disallow location tracking for everything else: camera, photos, games, apps and browsers. As they get older, allow apps that require a users’ location in order to function like maps, parking apps, ride share apps, weather, etc. When they hit the teen years many like to share their location within Snapchat and Find Friends, just make sure they are only sharing their location with people they actually know.

Next, use the Digital Wellness tools on their phones to limit distractions: adjust notifications to limit unnecessary updates, set time limits for specific apps, use do-not-disturb and down time so they can focus on school work and get enough sleep.

Finally, make sure they know how to use the privacy and safety settings on any social media platforms. They should have a private account, know how to block unwanted attention, control comments of their posts and photo tagging, and manage time spent on the app. Remind them again and again, even in the face of another eye-roll, to keep passwords and private parts private!

Parental controls and safety settings for smartphones are included under the Family plans above. A few extra precautions:

Location sharing gets a little tricky when your child has a phone in his back pocket. For the youngest users you can set location sharing to just family members and disallow location tracking for everything else: camera, photos, games, apps and browsers. As they get older, allow apps that require a users’ location in order to function like maps, parking apps, ride share apps, weather, etc. When they hit the teen years many like to share their location within Snapchat and Find Friends, just make sure they are only sharing their location with people they actually know.

Next, use the Digital Wellness tools on their phones to limit distractions: adjust notifications to limit unnecessary updates, set time limits for specific apps, use do-not-disturb and down time so they can focus on school work and get enough sleep.

Finally, make sure they know how to use the privacy and safety settings on any social media platforms. They should have a private account, know how to block unwanted attention, control comments of their posts and photo tagging, and manage time spent on the app. Remind them again and again, even in the face of another eye-roll, to keep passwords and private parts private!

No App exonerates you as a parent

Even with all the tools provided, you can not rely 100% on parental controls. There is no app that replaces your role as a parent. Be involved, keep the lines of communication open and know what apps, games, and devices your kids use and enjoy. For more help on how to establish healthy digital habits for you and your family book a Private Consultation or a Digital Wellness Workshop for your community.

Even with all the tools provided, you can not rely 100% on parental controls. There is no app that replaces your role as a parent. Be involved, keep the lines of communication open and know what apps, games, and devices your kids use and enjoy. For more help on how to establish healthy digital habits for you and your family book a Private Consultation or a Digital Wellness Workshop for your community.


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