“Technology is a useful resource to know, learn and connect with the world; However, misuse can bring serious consequences, especially in children, ”says Children’s Psychologist María Renee Ordóñez.
According to Ordonez, excessive use of mobile devices in children can cause concentration difficulties, language delays, technological dependence and a distortion of reality that affects their ability to manage emotions and relate to others.
“Children are like sponges, absorb everything around them. If times and content are not regulated, this interferes with its cognitive and social development, ”he explains.
In addition, of some side effects that can cause the excessive use of technology such as concentration difficult Tolerance to frustration, vision problems, posture problems, sedentary and so on.
What are parental controls for
Parental controls are fundamental tools to protect children in an increasingly complex digital world. According to Marco Antonio To, director of the Master in Cybersecurity of the Galileo University, these allow parents:
- Filter the content that your children consume, both on the Internet and in applications.
- Regulate the time use time.
- Monitor the location of the device.
- Prevent risks such as cyberbullying or access to inappropriate information.
To emphasize that privacy and online safety are other critical aspects. “Children, especially adolescents, are not aware of the risks that run by sharing online personal information. Parents must educate them on how to protect their digital identity and teach them to recognize possible threats such as cyberbullying, ”he says.
In addition, both experts agree to the importance of establishing clear limits and using parental controls to guarantee healthy interaction with technology.
How to activate parental control on mobile devices?
Large technology companies offer free tools to implement parental controls on minors’s devices, “but you have to spend time to configure it,” says To.
Next, we share a step by step to configure them:
Configure parental controls on Android using Google Family Link
- Download the Family Link application:
- On the father/mother’s device, download Google Family Link for parents from Google Play Store.
- On the child’s device, download Google Family Link for children and adolescents.
- Create or link existing accounts:
- If the child already has a Google account, be sure to be managed by Family Link. If not, believe a new account from the application.
- Configure the child’s device:
- Open the APP Family Link on the child’s device.
- Log in with the child’s account and follow the instructions to link it to the father/mother’s device.
- Establish restrictions:
- From the Family Link app on the father/mother’s device:
- Go to the child’s account.
- Adjust the restrictions for:
- Applications: Allow or block specific apps.
- Time limits: Configure how long you can use the device per day.
- Google Play content: Establish age restrictions per age for apps, games, movies and books.
- Sure search: Activate the option to block explicit content on Google.
- YouTube: Activate YouTube Kids for appropriate content.
- From the Family Link app on the father/mother’s device:
- Remote control:
- From Family Link, you can pause or block the child’s device at any time.
Configure parental controls on iPhone using time on screen
- Access on time on screen:
- Go to Settings> Time on screen.
- Touch “Activate time on screen” and select “This is my son’s device.”
- Configure a screen code:
- Configure a 4 -digit code so that only parents can modify restrictions.
- Restrict content and privacy:
- Go on time on screen> Content and privacy restrictions.
- Activate the option and configure restrictions:
- Apps: Restrict access to inappropriate apps according to age.
- ITunes and App Store content: Adjust the age qualification for films, music and books.
- Web navigation: Limit adult websites and add specific sites to block or allow.
- Shopping: Deactivate the ability to make purchases without your authorization.
- Configure use limits:
- Go on time on screen> Apps limits.
- Select categories (for example, social networks or games) and establish a daily limit.
- Remote control:
- Link the child’s iPhone to your family account in Icloud to manage restrictions from your device.
Microsoft, Nintendo Switch and PlayStation also have parental control applications to filter the content of minors.
Communication is key
Beyond technological controls, open and respectful dialogue is essential. Ordonez underlines the importance of explaining to children the reasons behind the restrictions. “Empathy, opening and active listening are key for dialogue to flow with respect and understanding. It is important that parents explain the real reasons on the consequences of excessive use and repercussions on mental and physical health, their social development, studies or hobbies, ”he explains.
To add that it is essential that parents develop critical thinking about the responsible use of social networks and the Internet, so that, when exposed to content without parental control, they can discern between good and bad.
Recommendations for parents
Ordonez provides some recommendations to reduce the screen time of minors:
- Establish clear and firm schedules for the use of devices, without interfering with school or family activities.
- Supervise and filter the content, since not everything that is available on the Internet is appropriate for children.
- Promote family activities to reduce screen time and promote healthy social interactions.
- Avoid the use of devices during meals or before sleeping, to guarantee adequate rest.