5 ways to make technology use safer for children

Mobile phones and tablets are everywhere nowadays, and it’s no longer just adults that are using them. Children as young as 2 are regularly using tablets and phones to watch movies and play games. The trouble with that, of course, is that although they are great for keeping your kids occupied, amused, and can be a great educational tool, there are negative sides too. Predators are everywhere and use the internet as their playground, so it’s more important than ever for parents to protect their children from them.

Gaming consoles are also more popular than ever before. It’s suggested that many children are addicted to gaming and can spend more than half of their day playing. This can produce its own set of issues as children get older, so it’s up to us all to monitor usage times and look after our children’s health.

Here are 5 ways to make technology use safer for children.

Restrict screen time

This may be easier said than done, but restricting gadget and gaming time is beneficial for everyone. Not only can too much screen time have a detrimental effect on a child’s behavior, but it can also affect family dynamics and cause issues with a child’s sleeping pattern.

Many tablets allow you to set a daily maximum in terms of usage, so if your child’s tablet or iPad has this function, it’s worthwhile implementing. It will give you peace of mind that your children’s screen time is being controlled and will also teach your child to decide how best to use the time they have allocated.

Protect their eyes

Digital devices such as tablets and smartphones produce artificial blue light. This light can reach the back of the eye and caused retina damage. Our eyes are unable to block this light on their own, so where possible, it’s important to protect them.

If your child spends a lot of time online or gaming, it’s worthwhile looking into blue light glasses such as the ones at Payne Glasses. These are made with specially crafted lenses that can block or filter harmful blue light and are especially recommended for children as their eyes are still developing. So, whether your child uses a tablet at home regularly or spends much of their day in school on a computer, getting a pair of these glasses could help to protect your child’s eyes.

Talk to your children

If you feel your kids are old enough to understand issues surrounding internet safety, it’s a good idea to have age-appropriate chats with them from time to time. Explain the dangers, and let them know that they must come to you immediately if they ever feel uneasy or in any way threatened online.

Talking about the risks is one of the best ways to keep your child safe from predators and bullies, so keep the lines of communication open. It could make all the difference, particularly as they get older and the potential risks increase.

Check their browsing history

Although there needs to be a certain level of trust between you and your children, it is also important that you check their browsing history once in a while. If they regularly take part in online conversations, it is also worthwhile having a brief look at the content.

There comes a time when it is no longer appropriate to do this, but if your children are at an impressionable age, then it’s perfectly acceptable. If needs be, tell your children that you intend to do this and explain your reasons for it. If you are honest with them, it shouldn’t be a problem.

Age-appropriate content

Some of the content on the internet is enough to make an adult squirm, so ensuring that your child is watching age-appropriate content is another way to keep them safe. If your kids love watching YouTube, for example, there is a children’s version which, depending on their age, should be far more appropriate. Many websites will allow you to filter content by age, which should also make it easier for you to gauge what may and may not be suitable for your child.

In terms of social media apps, they have their own recommended age guidelines, so if your child doesn’t fall within these parameters, the easiest thing to do is not let them use it. This may not go down well of course, but the bottom line is that you must do what you feel right for your child. Follow your gut, and you can’t go wrong.