Be selective
There are some great quality preschool and infant TV shows, games and apps available. Using dedicated children’s on-demand services can offer peace of mind when it comes to the quality of what your child accesses. Be sure to read the reviews and check age limits before viewing anything if you are concerned about the content.
Take control
Consider which devices your child will have access to and whether they are shared as a family or belong to your child. There are different parental controls you can apply at device level and on your home wifi. You can also make use of settings on the service itself. Visit the Safer Internet Centre or Internet Matters for support in setting these up.
Consider usage
Consider how your child will engage with online content and what it will allow them to do. This could be searching for content, viewing videos and images, gaming or chatting. Check app reviews and ratings or visit sites like Common Sense Media and NetAware for more information. Also be aware of any opportunities to spend real money within an app. Visit our hot topic on premium rate content to find out more information.
Be aware
If your children are accessing high-quality, age-appropriate media and their screen time activities are balanced with a healthy range of screen free ones, there should be little cause for concern. If you notice a change in your child’s attitude or behaviour, disrupted sleep patterns, waning interests in offline hobbies or you are worried about their social engagement with peers then review their online activities and make the necessary adjustments. This could be a condition that is covered by your family agreement.
