It’s July 4th: Does your child have too much online independence?

July 4th is a time to gather with friends and family, gorge ourselves on BBQ or hamburgers, and hopefully take a moment or two to reflect on the hard-won freedoms we enjoy as Americans. It may also be a good time to think about whether your child has too much freedom when it comes to his or her Internet use. Consider these three signs that your child has too much online independence.

### You rarely see him without a device in hand

There’s been much debate about how much Internet time is too much. Experts say 1-2 hours a day is enough, and that includes television time. Don’t want to spend all summer arguing over time limits with your child? Use Qustodio to set daily and weekly allowances, so you’ll both know when time is up.

### She doesn’t talk about her online activities

“Mom, I just saw this hilarious video online. Want to see? “Dad, there’s this cool new computer game I found. Can I show you? Please!” If your child is bugging you to join in his online fun, that’s a good sign. If you find yourself wondering what he’s doing with his Internet time, though, there may be an issue. It could be that your child is just the quiet type or is so immersed in a game that he doesn’t think to involve you, but it could also mean that your child has discovered online porn, violent video games, or dangerous sexting apps. Do you really want to leave it to chance?

### You don’t have parental control software on all Internet-ready devices

If your child has unrestricted access to the Internet, then he has more independence than he’s ready for. Although it certainly has its benefits, the Web can be a dangerous place populated by cyberbullies and online predators among a host of other dangers. Most parents these days don’t let their kids walk down the street alone; why send them into cyberspace with nothing to protect them? Make sure you install Qustodio onto every Internet-ready device within your child’s reach. Don’t forget Smartphones and other unsuspecting devices such as the iPod Touch.

This Independence day, remember that with much freedom comes much responsibility. Qustodio allows you to customize your child’s Internet experience, so that you can give him as much or as little access as you feel he can handle.