Parental Controls
I don't have any young children at home anymore, but I remember well the struggle with the various devices and games. We needed to somehow monitor use and make sure that they didn't spend too much time when they were supposed to be doing homework, etc.
There is also the problem of mobile devices. We managed to get protection on all devices that connect through our home network, but what about cell phones and data plans? Can we offer protection on that as well?
A friend of mine, Paul Shaddick, also works in IT and has recommended an excellent package that is free for one device, and has reasonably priced packages for 5 devices ($55 annually) and 10 devices ($97 annually) as of 9/2017. It is called Qustodio. In addition to filtering, it has the following services:
- View Social Network Activity
Monitor time spent on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Whatsapp and more. - Set multi-device time limits
Easily set a time schedule or limits for how much internet time is allowed each day. - Control Games & Apps
Set time limits for games & apps or block apps you don’t want from running altogether. - Track SMS Messages & Calls
See who your child calls or texts most, read text messages, and set a list of blocked contacts. - Location Tracking & Panic Button
Track your child’s location. In an emergency your child can use the Panic Button to call for help.
I've heard of other services, but at less than $5 per month for the average family, this sounds like a bargain, and comes to me highly recommended.
The linked articles below provide additional information from other sources. I've included them after reviewing them and can recommend them to you as well.
The Ultimate Parent Guide for Protecting your Child on the Internet