How to manage your child’s internet time

Most parents know that spending too much time online can be harmful to children. According to a recent study, it may lead to negative moods and depression*. This is why it’s important for parents to strike a good balance between the positive aspects and the potential dangers of the web, but it’s not easy.

### Too Many Devices, Not Enough Time

The average home has six connected devices, which makes it nearly impossible for parents to track how all of those PCs, laptops, tablets and smartphones are being used.

### Why You Shouldn’t Give Up

When it comes to your kids’ Internet use, it’s particularly important you hang in there. New apps make online mischief such as sexting and cyberbullying easier and less detectable than ever. Tweens and teens need instruction, guidance and supervision.

Thankfully, there’s some free help available from Qustodio. With Qustodio, you can manage your kids’ online activities, set rules about PC, laptop, tablet, smartphone or Internet use and define time limits.

### How Qustodio Helps Parents

Qustodio is the leading solution for parents in a multi-device, connected mobile and social world. It has a raft of features that help parents protect, understand and manage their kid’s online activities whether they’re using the PC at home or their smartphone at a friend’s house.

Here are some of the features you’ll find in Qustodio:

### Time Allowance

Need help keeping your kids’ Internet usage in check? To help you monitor your child’s screen time, Qustodio has a dashboard where you can set simple time allowances for your child during weekdays and weekends.

Perhaps you want your kid to have online access for two hours each evening to do homework and chat with friends. Qustodio allows you to do that remotely across all your devices without having to peer over your kids’ shoulder or shut down your router at night.

### Usage Schedule

Qustodio also understands that not all days are the same. That’s why the software gives you the option to set up weekly schedules for your kids’ Internet use.

Let’s say you want your child to spend time with the family on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings, for example. You can eliminate temptation by restricting Internet access to just one hour on these days while granting your child a little extra time on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Want to give your kid more time on Saturday and less on Sunday? Easy! Qustodio allows you to do that with just a mouse click. It’s simple and effective and works immediately across all your devices.

### Device Lock

So what happens when Internet time is up for the day? Well, it’s up to you.

You can configure Qustodio to restrict Internet access only while allowing offline applications, or you can direct the software to restrict the device entirely.

Want to know when your child has reached the limit? Simply select “Alert me” from the dashboard, and you’ll receive an email message as soon as the daily limit has been reached.

### Multiple Device Management

Need to set up time limits across multiple devices? Qustodio does just that!

The software lets you set up a schedule for each device, and you can set a total time allowance to keep Internet usage in check, whether your child is on the family PC or his personal Smartphone.

Qustodio really makes everything easier when it comes to managing the amount of time kids spend online. Yes, you could pull your hair out trying to go it alone, but why bother? You could also pay for a comparable filter, but with Qustodio, you don’t have to. The download is free, easy-to-use, and most importantly helps you do what you do best: be a parent again.

One word of advice though, do talk to your kids before setting up the time limits in Qustodio. Let them know why it is necessary to have this tool and agree on schedules together.

Include them in the dialogue; let them know that you’re in charge and that you and Qustodio are there to keep them safe.

Don’t delay, download now to start benefiting from this great tool.

* http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-22966536