In today’s digital age, the internet plays a crucial role in our lives, offering both incredible opportunities and potential risks, especially for foster children. As foster parents, it’s essential to strike a balance between allowing exploration and ensuring a safe online environment. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the importance of internet safety and share tips on managing screen time for your foster child.
Understanding the landscape: Internet safety
The internet is a vast and dynamic space with countless resources, educational platforms, and entertainment options. However, it’s also a realm where privacy concerns and inappropriate content can arise. Here’s how foster parents can navigate this digital landscape:
1. Open communication:
- Foster an open dialogue with your foster child about their online experiences. Encourage them to share any concerns or questions they may have, fostering trust and transparency
2. Educate on online safety:
- Teach your foster child about the importance of protecting personal information and recognizing potential online threats. Discuss topics such as cyberbullying, online predators, and the significance of responsible online behaviour.
3. Set clear boundaries:
- Establish clear guidelines regarding the websites and apps your foster child can access. Utilise parental controls and privacy settings to create a safe online environment tailored to their age and maturity level.
4. Monitor online activity:
- Regularly check your foster child’s online interactions and the content they engage with. Be aware of their social media presence, friend lists, and the platforms they use. Monitoring is not about invading privacy but ensuring their safety.
5. Encourage critical thinking:
- Teach your foster child to think critically about the information they encounter online. Help them develop the skills to distinguish between credible sources and potential misinformation.
Balancing act: managing screen time
While the internet offers valuable resources, excessive screen time can have adverse effects on a child’s well-being. Here’s how foster parents can strike a balance.
1. Establish screen time guidelines:
- Set clear rules regarding the amount of time your foster child spends on screens. Create a schedule that allows for a healthy balance between online activities, homework, outdoor play, and other essential tasks.
2. Lead by example:
- Model healthy screen time behaviour. Foster children often learn by observing, so demonstrating responsible device use can positively influence their habits.
3. Encourage alternative activities:
- Provide a variety of non-screen activities to keep your foster child engaged. Encourage hobbies, reading, sports, or creative pursuits to offer alternatives to constant digital engagement.
4. Create tech-free zones:
- Designate specific areas in your home as tech-free zones, such as the dinner table or bedrooms. This can promote face-to-face communication and reduce the temptation to constantly check devices.
5. Establish a tech curfew:
- Set a specific time when all screens are turned off, promoting a healthy bedtime routine and ensuring quality sleep, crucial for a child’s development.
6. Apps for iOS and Android:
Both Android and iOS platforms offer built-in features and third-party apps to help families regulate internet usage and create a secure digital environment. Here’s a summary of the family internet control apps and screen time settings on Android and iOS:
Android:
Google Family Link:
Google Family Link is a comprehensive parental control tool for managing children’s devices. It allows parents to set screen time limits, remotely lock devices, and approve or block apps.
Key Features:
- Monitor app usage and screen time
- Set daily limits for individual apps
- Track the child’s location
- Receive weekly activity reports
Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls:
Integrated into recent Android versions, Digital Wellbeing provides insights into device usage. Parental Controls allow parents to set daily time limits and establish bedtime schedules.
Key Features:
- Set daily app time limits.
- Schedule device downtime.
- View app usage statistics.
- Create a bedtime routine to limit device access.
App-Specific Controls:
Android also allows for app-specific controls, where parents can set content filters and restrictions within certain apps, such as Google Play.
iOS:
Screen Time:
Built into iOS devices, Screen Time offers a range of features to help users manage their time on screens. For families, it includes tools for parental controls and monitoring children’s device usage.
Key Features:
- Set daily screen time limits.
- Schedule downtime for specific apps or the entire device.
- View activity reports and app usage data.
- Control content and privacy settings.
Family Sharing:
Family Sharing on iOS allows parents to create Apple IDs for their children and set up parental controls. This includes the Ask to Buy feature, which requires parental approval for app purchases.
Key Features:
- Share purchased apps and media.
- Approve or decline app downloads.
- Monitor location with Find My.
App Store Restrictions:
Overview: iOS enables parents to restrict access to certain content on the App Store, including age-appropriate app categories and explicit content.
Key Features:
- Set content restrictions for apps and games.
- Control in-app purchases.
- Restrict explicit content.
Third-Party Apps
Both Android and iOS platforms support various third-party parental control apps that offer additional features, such as geofencing, real-time location tracking, and advanced content filtering. Examples include Norton Family, Qustodio, and FamilyTime.
Useful links:
https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/iphone/iph7f15d92dd/ios
https://families.google/familylink/
https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/apps/family-settings-app
Staying informed and adaptive
The digital landscape is ever-evolving, and as foster parents, staying informed is crucial. Regularly update your knowledge on popular apps, online trends, and potential risks. Be prepared to adapt your strategies as your foster child grows and technology advances.
By fostering open communication, educating on online safety, and managing screen time effectively, foster parents can create a secure digital environment for their children. Striking the right balance empowers foster children to harness the positive aspects of the internet while minimising potential risks, ultimately fostering a healthy and thriving online experience.
Useful resources for further reading
The NSPCC has some great resources to further your reading on topics from managing social media use safely to talking to your foster child about online safety and the dangers of using the Internet.
