Safe Internet During the School Holidays: Parental Controls & Kid-Friendly Streaming
As the school holidays roll around, many families find themselves looking for ways to keep kids entertained. With more free time on their hands, children often turn to the internet for entertainment, learning, and socialising. While this can be a fantastic opportunity for fun and education, it also presents challenges in terms of ensuring safe, responsible internet use.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to set up parental controls for secure browsing and share the top five kid-friendly Australian streaming services that will keep your children entertained without any concerns about inappropriate content.
Why Parental Controls Matter
The internet is an incredible tool for learning and entertainment, but it also contains content that may not be suitable for children. From inappropriate websites to accidental online purchases, the internet can sometimes pose risks. Setting up parental controls is an essential step to creating a safer online environment for your kids, especially during the school holidays when their internet usage is likely to increase.
Parental controls help you:
- Monitor screen time: Limit how long your child can spend online.
- Filter inappropriate content: Block websites and apps with inappropriate or harmful material.
- Control in-app purchases: Prevent accidental or unauthorised purchases from online stores or apps.
- Limit social interactions: Manage who your child can communicate with via messaging, video, and social media apps.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Set Up Parental Controls
Each platform and device has its own parental control settings, but we’ll cover the basics for the most commonly used devices: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and your home router.
1. Setting Up Parental Controls on Windows
Windows offers built-in tools to manage your child’s screen time and monitor online activity.
- Step 1: Create a Child Account
Go to “Settings,” then select “Accounts” and “Family & other users.” Here, you can create a child account under “Add a family member.” - Step 2: Access Family Safety Settings
Once the child account is set up, go to the Microsoft Family Safety website or app to set up restrictions for browsing, app use, and screen time. - Step 3: Enable Web Filtering
In the Family Safety settings, activate the web filtering option. You can block adult content or specific websites. - Step 4: Set Screen Time Limits
Adjust daily screen time limits for each device your child uses through their Microsoft account.
2. Setting Up Parental Controls on macOS
For Apple users, macOS has an excellent built-in parental control system.
- Step 1: Create a Child Account
In “System Preferences,” go to “Users & Groups” and create a new user account for your child. Select the option to set it as a “Managed with Parental Controls” account. - Step 2: Adjust Restrictions
Under “Parental Controls,” you can set limits for website access, restrict certain apps, and block adult content. - Step 3: Monitor Activity
You can enable logging to monitor your child’s browsing and app usage. This helps keep track of what they’re viewing and any attempts to access restricted content.
3. Setting Up Parental Controls on Android Devices
Android devices offer multiple ways to ensure safe browsing and app use for children.
- Step 1: Use Google Family Link
Download Google Family Link from the Google Play Store and link your child’s account. Family Link allows you to manage apps, set screen time limits, and lock the device remotely. - Step 2: Restrict Content in Google Play
Open Google Play, go to “Settings,” and under “Parental Controls,” turn them on. From here, you can set age restrictions for apps, games, movies, and TV shows. - Step 3: Use SafeSearch
Make sure SafeSearch is activated in Google Chrome. Go to “Settings,” then “Privacy and Security,” and turn on “SafeSearch” to filter inappropriate web content.
4. Setting Up Parental Controls on iOS Devices (iPhone & iPad)
Apple’s iOS devices provide parental control features through the Screen Time function.
- Step 1: Activate Screen Time
Go to “Settings,” then “Screen Time,” and select “Turn on Screen Time.” Choose “This is My Child’s iPhone/iPad” to customise settings. - Step 2: Restrict Apps and Websites
Under the “Content & Privacy Restrictions” section, you can block adult websites, restrict certain apps, and limit content by age ratings. - Step 3: Manage Screen Time
Set daily screen time limits for individual apps or categories, such as games or social media.
5. Setting Up Parental Controls on Your Home Router
Many modern routers come with built-in parental control settings that allow you to manage all devices connected to your home network.
- Step 1: Access Your Router’s Settings
Enter your router’s IP address in a web browser to access the control panel. Log in using your router’s credentials. - Step 2: Enable Parental Controls
Look for a section labelled “Parental Controls” or “Access Restrictions.” You can set specific times for internet usage, block certain websites, or restrict individual devices. - Step 3: Use DNS Filtering
Consider using a family-friendly DNS service like OpenDNS. These services automatically block websites known for containing inappropriate content.
Top 5 Kid-Friendly Streaming Services for the School Holidays
Once parental controls are in place, you’ll want to fill your child’s screen time with safe, age-appropriate, and fun content. Below are the top five kid-friendly Australian streaming services that are perfect for the school holidays.
1. Disney+
Disney+ is a top choice for families, offering a variety of movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. The platform has a dedicated kids’ profile that filters content to ensure age-appropriate viewing.
- Why It’s Great:
- Extensive library of family-friendly content
- No ads on the platform
- Educational content like documentaries from National Geographic
- Recommended Shows:
- Bluey (perfect for younger audiences, and it’s Australian-made)
- Frozen II
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars
2. Netflix Kids
Netflix offers a kids’ profile that filters content based on the child’s age. The Netflix Kids section includes movies, shows, and educational programming suitable for a younger audience.
- Why It’s Great:
- Wide variety of animated series and family-friendly movies
- Ability to download content for offline viewing
- Parental control features within the app
- Recommended Shows:
- Carmen Sandiego (educational with a focus on geography and culture)
- The Magic School Bus Rides Again
- Pokémon Journeys
3. ABC Kids iView
For Australian families, ABC Kids iView is a fantastic, free option that focuses on educational and entertaining content. The platform is designed specifically for kids and offers a wide range of shows produced in Australia.
- Why It’s Great:
- Free to use, with no ads
- Australian-focused content
- Age-appropriate programs for preschoolers and primary school-aged kids
- Recommended Shows:
- Play School
- Bluey
- Giggle and Hoot
4. YouTube Kids
YouTube Kids is a version of YouTube designed for younger audiences. It filters out content unsuitable for children and provides a safer environment for video viewing.
- Why It’s Great:
- Content is specifically curated for kids
- Parents can set time limits and approve channels
- Easy-to-use interface tailored for children
- Recommended Channels:
- Blippi (fun educational content for younger kids)
- Cosmic Kids Yoga (yoga and mindfulness videos for kids)
- Crash Course Kids (educational videos covering science topics)
5. Amazon Prime Video (Kids Section)
Amazon Prime Video offers a range of family-friendly movies, shows, and animated series. Parents can create a kids’ profile to filter out content unsuitable for young viewers.
- Why It’s Great:
- Large collection of classic children’s movies
- Parental controls for managing what kids can watch
- Ad-free experience
- Recommended Shows:
- Peppa Pig
- Shaun the Sheep
- Tumble Leaf (an award-winning animated series for preschoolers)
Creating a Safe and Fun Online Environment
The internet offers great possibilities for entertainment and education, but as a parent, it’s essential to ensure that your children are using it safely. By setting up parental controls and choosing kid-friendly streaming services, you can create a secure and enjoyable online environment for your children.
Take the time this school holiday to explore the streaming options listed above and enable parental controls on your home devices. This way, you can rest easy knowing your kids are having fun online while staying safe from harmful content.