As a parent, navigating the digital age has never been more difficult with all the threats that prey on your children. From cyberbullying to being able to roam the internet freely on their personal smartphone, access to both good and bad around them has never been easier.  Understanding the ever-changing risks and knowing what to do about it can be terrifying.

The key is to assess your child’s readiness to handle the responsibility. Smartphones are not just tools for communication—they open up the vast, often risky world of the internet. Children need to demonstrate they can follow rules, manage their screen time, and avoid inappropriate content before they’re given such a powerful device. For younger children or those who are still developing independence, it may be better to start with a simple phone for emergencies rather than a full-featured smartphone.

The Pros and Cons of Giving Your Child a Smartphone

Smartphones can empower your children as they are coming into adulthood and discovering who they are and will become. With that, a social sphere is developed by your children and you may find them away from home on a regular basis either with after school programs or with their friends. The ability to stay in contact with your child either through a phone call or text message can be a huge relief off your shoulders. 

With smartphones, you can track your child’s location and know with a surety of their whereabouts. If they say they are going to the movies, you know exactly when they arrive and where they are without alerting them you’re checking in. Your child can also connect easier with their friends and social groups where otherwise they would be left out and potentially alienated due to not having the apps that their friends are communicating with.

Digital addiction is a real issue that is plaguing teenagers and adults. The disconnect from the real world to chase the endorphin filled endless scrolling of social media and video apps can have a lasting and damaging effect on those addicted. 

Cyberbullying is also a growing issue and parents may have zero idea their children are experiencing it on their personal devices. Whereas when we were growing up, our home was a safe haven from the outside world yet these days that very well could no longer be the case with how connected your children are with the digital world. 

Your child on their smartphone can connect with strangers and freely talk with them not knowing who they truly are. The confidence that they can navigate the real world on their own without parental supervision  can end up in a dumpster fire of trouble with grooming, sextortion, or worse meeting up in person with a stranger they met online. All of this no parent wants their children to ever encounter. 

So how do you balance giving your child this newfound freedom of a smartphone while also trying to keep them safe from the persistent dangers and threats on their devices?

Protecting Your Child From Their Smartphones

If you decide your child is ready for a smart device, there are several steps you can take to ensure they use it safely and responsibly. 

Limit Your Child’s Access by Creating a PIN and Setting App Time Limits

Setting up parental controls and content filtering on your child’s smartphone is a crucial step in protecting them from online risks and managing their screen time effectively. Both iPhones and Android phones have child protection settings you can use.  

One of the first things you should do is set up a parental control PIN that only you know, preventing them from downloading apps or making purchases without your permission. This ensures that you have control over the types of apps or games they’re exposed to, keeping out age-inappropriate content or potentially harmful social media platforms.

Setting up app time limits is another essential feature to consider. Most smartphones offer built-in parental controls that allow you to restrict how long your child can use specific apps, helping prevent excessive screen time. Whether it’s limiting the use of social media or games, this feature ensures that your child is not spending too much time on potentially distracting or addictive apps. 

Create a Set of Rules to Follow

Rules with smartphones  can seem to your child that they are getting tied down and restricted from something they should be freely able to use as they please, but this could not be more important. Creating rules can allow the boundaries to be clearly set such as no phones in the bedroom. Charging stations only in the kitchen. No devices an hour before bedtime, and you have their pin and can check their phone anytime.

When you are ready with your rules, sit down and talk to them about these safety rules you are going to set. Get their feedback and feel free to adjust where it makes sense in order to help get them more on board with your rules. 

Create an Open Door For Your Children to Talk to You

Creating an open door for your children to talk to you about what happens on their smartphone is crucial for their safety and emotional well-being. Let them know that no matter what happens—whether it’s cyberbullying, inappropriate content, or uncomfortable interactions—they can always come to you without fear of judgment or punishment. 

It’s important to teach your children about “stranger danger” and the risks of sexting in the digital age. Online interactions with strangers can lead to exploitation or cyberbullying, and sharing explicit content can have lasting consequences. By discussing these dangers, parents can help kids understand the need to protect their privacy and encourage them to seek help if they feel threatened.

Encourage ongoing conversations about their online experiences, and make sure they feel supported, not just monitored. By fostering trust, you can help your child navigate difficult situations and make informed, responsible decisions when faced with challenges online. This openness strengthens your relationship and ensures they feel comfortable seeking your help when they need it most.

Make Their Social Media Accounts Private

Making your child’s social media accounts private is a critical step in safeguarding them from online predators and unwanted interactions with strangers. Your child is going to be on their social media accounts on their phones constantly, so to have their accounts private is paramount. 

When accounts are public, anyone—including those with malicious intent—can easily access your child’s profile, view their posts, and initiate conversations. Predators often create fake accounts to pose as peers, using grooming tactics or even sextortion to manipulate young users into dangerous situations, including meeting up in person. By setting their accounts to private, you greatly reduce the chances of these predators finding or contacting your child.

In addition to privacy settings, parental controls within social media platforms offer another layer of protection. These tools allow you to monitor who is adding your child, who they are talking to, and what kind of content they’re exposed to. Keeping a close eye on their connections helps ensure that they’re interacting with people you trust and reduces the risk of them falling prey to online threats.

Create Phone-Free Zones

Creating phone-free zones in your home is an effective way to establish boundaries and encourage meaningful, distraction-free interactions. Designate areas like the dining room, family room, or bedrooms as phone-free to promote quality time, better communication, and healthier habits. These zones can help reduce screen time and encourage kids to engage in activities like reading, playing games, or simply spending time together as a family. 

Setting these limits not only fosters a more balanced relationship with technology but also teaches children the importance of being present in the moment and developing a healthy digital-life balance.

Overwhelmed? iDefend Can Help!

Setting up and maintaining parental controls, online monitoring, and content filtering can feel overwhelming when trying to protect your children on their smart devices. Thankfully, iDefend is here to make it easier. Our team of expert advisors is ready to guide you through every step of the process. With our research and expertise, we’ve done the heavy lifting so you can focus on keeping your children safe online without the stress.

Learn more and get protected today. Try iDefend risk free and save 30%.