Parental Controls

Parental controls are available on most Internet-enabled devices, like computers, smartphones, tablets, gaming systems. When enabling parental controls, use age-appropriate settings to filter, monitor and block your child’s activities.

As a parent, you’ll likely want to allow your children to use technology for communications, learning and more. You’re also going to want to be sure that your children use the Internet safely and securely. Parental controls are a great way to be proactive about your child’s online safety and activities. 

OnGuardOnline.gov gives a breakdown of different types of parental controls:

• Filtering and blocking: This limits access to specific websites, words, or images.
• Blocking outgoing content: This prevents your children from sharing personal information online and via email.
• Limiting time: This allows parents to set time limits for how long their children are online and the time of day they can access the Internet.
• Monitoring tools: This alerts parents to their children’s online activity without blocking access and can be used with or without the child’s knowledge. Some software records websites a child has visited. Others display a warning message when a child visits a certain website. 

Additional Resources: 

• AOL Parental Controls
• Entertainment Software Rating Board: Resources for Parents
• Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) Parent Resources
• Google Family Safety Center
• Microsoft:Family Safety Settings for Microsoft Products
• Microsoft Safety & Security Center: What are Parental Controls?
• OnGuardOnline.gov: Parental Controls

ISP Resources:

• AT&T Internet Parental Controls
• Comcast Parental Controls 
• Cox Parental Controls
• Mediacom Parental Controls 
• Time Warner Cable Parental Controls
• Verizon Parental Controls Center