Parental controls can keep your kids safe from the dangers of the internet. Here are the best free software options out there that can help you manage them.
Everything in this world has gone digital, and that includes homework (if you have kids). If your children are young, you’re probably not giving them laptops or free rein of the family computer yet. You’re also probably not always able to monitor their screen activity, either.
That’s where parental control software comes in handy. Such software helps keep your kids safe from the dark web, and there are usually free options available for all operating systems. Keep reading to find out more.Built-in OS features
Giving your kids technology designed for their age group is an excellent first step toward keeping them safe online. When they have access to more general computing devices, you can leverage parental control features built right into the operating system. The parental controls for both Windows and macOS provide a convenient and acceptable means for restricting web access and chat functionality, and give parents the ability to view detailed logs and monitor email exchanges.Microsoft Family Safety
For Windows, you need to sign up for a Family Safety account. You can then add a specific child account (or more than one) to your family account that your kids can use.
This approach may be a little complicated, but it comes with a variety of benefits. You get activity reports, and you can have content filters for apps, games, and websites.
You can also set screen time limits for apps, games, and devices for your child. There are some real-world safety features, including the ability to track your kids’ location via the Microsoft Family Safety app (on iPhones and Android phones).MacOS built-in parental controls
Apple’s macOS touts more than a few options for parental controls. In the latest version of macOS, Ventura, you can set up restrictions for things like movies, apps, web content, and privacy using the Screen time section of your Mac’s System settings. The parental controls in macOS also allow you to set limits on a child’s gaming habits, such as whether or not they can have private messaging and whether or not they’re allowed to play multiplayer games.
