The study followed 1,471 children, half male and half female, and measured their viewing of television or video at 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months of age. This was followed up with a measure of sensory processing at around 33 months, when caregivers filled out surveys about each toddler’s reaction to sensory inputs like lights, textures, and noises.

Babies who watched any television or videos at 12 months of age were twice as likely to experience challenges in processing sensory information appropriately, as compared with their peers. At 18 months, kids with higher levels of screen exposure were found to have both difficulties in processing sensory information as well as a higher motivation to avoid sensory exposure. By 24 months, the researchers saw higher screen time linked to sensation seeking, sensory sensitivity, and sensation-avoiding behaviors.

This comes on the heels of another recent study linking screen time to developmental delays in children. However, the causal relationship between screen time and these negative developmental and sensory outcomes can’t be proven at this time. “Further research is needed to understand the relationship between screen time and specific sensory-related developmental and behavioral outcomes, and whether minimizing early-life exposure can improve subsequent sensory-related outcomes,” says the JAMA Pediatrics study. It’s also important to gather more updated data, since this research started a decade ago when kids were more likely to be watching TV or DVDs rather than tablets or mom’s phone.

“Considering this link between high screen time and a growing list of developmental and behavioral problems, it may be beneficial for toddlers exhibiting these symptoms to undergo a period of screen time reduction, along with sensory processing practices delivered by occupational therapists,” lead author Dr. Karen Heffler, an associate professor of psychiatry in Drexel’s College of Medicine, said in a statement.

Now, we know what some of you may be thinking: Oh great, another study telling me I’m messing up and can’t rely on screen time? But even study researchers wouldn’t take that away from you. The bottom line is, if you think you’re relying on TV time a bit too heavily, try to dial it back. And make sure to mix in lots of family time playing with your baby face-to-face, showing them a wide range of emotions and expressions, reading to them, and engaging with toys. It’s all about balance.

While there are plenty of educational, social, and creative benefits to digital screen time, care must be taken to ensure that a child’s digital footprint and online activities are age-appropriate and commensurate with their level of maturity and understanding.

The key to developing healthy online practices is having open and frequent conversations about safety and using the internet responsibly—and initiating these conversations early. “Start talking about online safety with your kids at a young age because it gets harder when they are in their teens, and it becomes more difficult to get between them and their phones,” said Yaron Litwin, digital safety expert and Chief Marketing Officer at Canopy, an AI-powered smart filter that helps protect kids online.

Most experts and parents agree that children shouldn’t have unfettered internet access until at least age 10, but that’s often easier said than done, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Despite the challenges of monitoring your kid’s myriad online activities, some behaviors should be strictly forbidden. For a list of internet safety tips for kids, here are 10 things they should never do online, based on their ages.

Internet Safety Tips for Kids Ages 5 to 8

Don’t have social media profiles: Apps like TikTok and Snapchat may be irresistible to young kids because of the fun social media trends like dance challenges and viral music clips they see older kids creating and participating in, but public social media profiles can open up young children to inappropriate contact, harassment or targeting. The expert consensus is for kids to wait until ages 14 or 15 to create public-facing social media accounts.

Don’t talk to strangers: This advice we often give our kids IRL applies doubly so online because of the dangers of catfishing, trolling, and spoofing. Children should never talk to strangers online, even if the stranger seems friendly. Let your child know in an age-appropriate manner that anyone online can pretend to be someone else, and that predators often target children because of their innocence and openness.

Don’t use the internet without limits or supervision: Screen time has increased exponentially in recent years, especially for young children. Kids need to experience a healthy balance between online and offline activities, and parents can help by establishing clear limits on screen time as well as supervising young children’s online activities.

Related: 10 Reasons Why You Need to Teach Internet Safety to Your Kids

Internet Safety Tips for Kids Ages 8 to 12

Don’t give or share any personal information: In an always-on, digitally connected world, privacy can be challenging to maintain. Children need to learn that personal information—whether it’s their own or family member’s personal information—needs to be held strictly confidential and not shared or given to anyone online. This includes full names, home addresses, phone numbers, school names or locations, passwords, etc. Personal information can be used by predators and criminals to track down children or to commit identity theft. Parents also may want to avoid posting identifiable images of their children online.

Don’t meet up with someone you met exclusively online: Whether it’s on gaming platforms like Roblox or Minecraft, or social messaging apps like WhatsApp, it’s not uncommon for children to develop friendships that are entirely virtual; however, even if your kid has been talking to someone online for a long time and they feel as if they know them well, it’s not safe for kids to meet up in person with online strangers on their own. There’s no way to know for sure who they really are or what their intentions might be.

Don’t cyberbully others: Cyberbullying is just as harmful as bullying in person; it can have a devastating impact on victims. Children should never bully others online, and they should report any cyberbullying they see to a trusted adult.

Related: What to Do When Your Kid Wants a Social Media Account

What to Teach Tweens and Teens About Using the Internet Responsibly

Don’t click links or open attachments from people you don’t know: Unwanted spam that arrives via e-mail or text can be annoying, but trojan horses sent via links or attachments from unknown senders can contain malware and other bugs designed to infect your child’s computer or mobile device and steal personal information or worse. When it comes to stuff that comes from an unknown sender, kids should simply delete it.

Don’t download pirated music, movies, or games: While it may be tempting for your child to download “free” pirated materials from the internet, doing so is illegal and can lead to serious consequences. Copyright holders can pursue legal action, and penalties often are severe. Teach your child how to use legitimate sources to download and purchase movies, music, and games.

Don’t post inappropriate content: Older kids may think posting inappropriate content online is no big deal, but they should be taught never to post anything they wouldn’t want their family, friends, classmates, or teachers (not to mention future employers) to see online. This can include photos, videos, or texts that are sexual in nature, violent, or hateful. It’s useful to remind your tween and teen that everything on the internet is forever.

Internet Safety Tips for Everyone

Don’t believe everything you see or read online: Just because it’s on the internet doesn’t mean it’s true or even real. In our current time, when the digital ecosystem is rife with misinformation, children need to be taught to think critically about the information and materials they find online, and parents can help promote digital media literacy by helping our kids understand what are trusted and reliable sources of information and what’s not.

Related: 10 Cyberbullying Tactics Parents Might Not Know About

And then I discovered something that 100 million families worldwide had already caught onto: Lingokids! Even though I was late to the game, I was pumped. It’s the #1 early learning app for kids aged 2-8, using more than 1,600 engaging and fun activities to low-key teach important life skills. Toddlers can easily interact with the many games, videos, digital books, and songs, while bigger kiddos will barely realize how much they’re brushing up on their math and reading skills. One of the things that caught my eye was how inclusivity and kindness are themes that run throughout their well-rounded programming. After all, today’s kids need engineering and empathy; reading and resilience; math fluency and mindfulness. And Lingokids delivers all of that and more, so kids can thrive in an ever-changing world.

When I find something I love, I can’t wait to tell every parent I know! So here are six reasons I fell for Lingokids.

Your Kiddo Calls the Shots

The app’s unique Playlearning approach lets children choose their own adventure as they navigate the Lingokids universe independently—and parents never have to worry that they’ll see something they shouldn’t while moving between activities, games, songs, and books. Plus, let’s be honest, kids love any opportunity to be in control.

A Well-Rounded Curriculum (But Make it Fun!)

Kiddos love the adorable cast of Lingokids characters, and their parents love how much they actually learn from those little critters like Billy and Elliot. On the surface it’s all fun and games, but there’s a solid curriculum of interactive learning adventures that teach math, literacy, science, arts, and more—and even get kids moving. It’s the perfect blend of traditional and modern skill-building that engages and motivates kids around the globe.

Over 1,600 Activities to Level Up Learning

Like so many kids, mine learn best when they’re fully engaged, and with more than 1,600 fun, expertly designed activities curated by the Lingokids education team and Oxford University press it was pretty much guaranteed that they’d find ones they love. They’ll keep your littles immersed for hours, grow their curiosity, and get them excited about the world around them. Plus, there are even “together games” where parents and kids team up and you can help them learn important skills while having fun together.

More than Just an App

Lingokids and its universe of captivating and colorful characters are everywhere your kids want to be. From the app to award-winning podcasts and new original content every month on YouTube, your child will love exploring and learning with Baby Bot, Cowy, Billy, Lisa, and Elliot. The hardest part will be choosing their favorite!

Parents Won’t Feel Left Out

Lingokids has an entire section devoted to parents. From great off-device ideas like scavenger hunts to parenting tips on how to foster essential life skills like personal hygiene, there was even a place for me—and the kid-friendly recipe tutorials totally got my two helping in the kitchen! No matter your age, Lingkids has a way of turning even the most boring activities into pure fun.

Ad-Free & Super Safe

Last but certainly not least, you can feel confident that your kids are safe cruising around the Lingokids app. The platform is advertising-free and there’s no way for children to veer into inappropriate territory (no YouTube-style rabbit holes here!). So, sit back and relax while they scroll.

Ready to try it for yourself and see what all the hype is about? Our friends at Lingokids are offering a free 7-day trial when you sign up. Plus, leading up to the Holidays, Tinybeans families will receive a 30% discount on a one-month subscription with code TINYBEANS30.

Unsolicited Friend Requests

Whether via social media or through an online gaming site, strangers with bad intentions may prey on kids by pretending to be something or someone they are not. This can take the form of an unsolicited friend request that’s designed to create a false connection that can lead to more nefarious behavior. For kids and teens, it’s important to verify friend requests, even if the request comes from a “friend of a friend.”

Phishing E-mails and Texts

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s 2023 Internet Crime Report stresses that young people are especially vulnerable to the current rise in cybercrime, especially since they’re often less aware of cybersecurity risks. As adults, we’ve become immune to the seemingly daily barrage of spam e-mails or text messages, which often go unopened, deleted, or simply ignored. But for kids and teens who may be new to having a personal e-mail address, every e-mail and text message still feels unique and special. Scammers will exploit this curiosity by sending e-mails or texts that appear to be from legitimate sources, such as popular social media or gaming platforms, schools, or even friends and family. These e-mails and text messages can contain links or attachments that, when clicked, can download malware or steal personal information.

“Legitimate communications will not ask for sensitive personal information or payment details upfront, and they typically come from verified sources,” says Yaron Litwin, digital safety expert and Chief Marketing Officer at Canopy, an AI-powered smart filter that protects children from inappropriate content. Red flags include poor grammar, urgent language, unfamiliar sender addresses, and links that don’t match the legitimate website.

Fake Contests and Giveaways

Who doesn’t appreciate a good deal or an occasional freebie? Truth is, nothing in life is free, but scammers will create fake contests or giveaways using the lure of a big prize—cash, electronics, or access to gaming platforms. These scams frequently require participants to provide personal information or complete a series of tasks for the chance to “win” a prize or receive a giveaway. Except the promised prize is never delivered and personal information is then sold or exploited for nefarious purposes. “​​If you didn’t enter a contest, you probably didn’t win one,” explains Ron Kerbs, founder of Kidas, an AI-powered technology platform that helps keep kids safe online.

Gaming and Quizzes

Similar to phishing, scammers sometimes use online games or quizzes to fraudulently gather personal information from kids and teens. Tactics can include asking location-based questions (Where do you live? Where do you go to school?) or soliciting personal information that can be used to discern other information (What is your favorite restaurant?). Questions and quizzes can show up on social media, gaming websites, or via chats, like on Discord.

Kerbs cautions, “Children are often tricked into purchasing fake in-game currency or items through illegitimate websites.”

Talent Scouting

Kids and teens need to be wary of adults who express too much interest in them online. This can take the form of an adult who claims to be an online talent scout and reaches out directly to a child via social media, e-mail, or text. Posing as talent agents or scouts, scammers will contact young people via social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok, offering to represent them or providing opportunities for auditions or modeling gigs. 

Scammers may even set up fake talent agencies to target young people aspiring to become models or actors, then charge exorbitant fees for services that are never delivered or may require victims to send explicit photos. “Verifying offers through official channels is always a good practice,” says Litwin.

Financial Scams

Many older, college-bound teens will end up on plenty of e-mail and text lists. A growing ruse that scammers use is claiming to represent colleges or universities offering financial aid or pretending to be brokers to capture personal information, then extorting money. Plus, with the rising popularity of cryptocurrency, kids interested in exploring financial investing are being targeted in cryptocurrency scams with the promise of fraudulent financial windfalls.

Online Dating and Romance

Scammers will create fake online dating profiles to target young people seeking romantic relationships. They often build trust over time before asking for money or personal information.   

Increasingly, young boys are being exploited by predators pretending to be girls, who then exploit their trust. Scammers will threaten to release explicit images or videos of a victim if they don’t comply with their demands.

Requests to Meet in Person

Online scammers often create a sense of connection and intimacy with their victims. A common red flag is an online request to meet in real life. Sometimes the scammer will claim to live nearby or know a friend of a friend. They may share personal information, express romantic feelings, or offer support to establish a strong rapport, much of which is untrue. By targeting young people who may be vulnerable because they are lonely, isolated, or experiencing personal challenges, scammers prey on victims’ emotional needs and insecurities to manipulate them into meeting in person.

Related: 8 Solid Parental Control Apps & Safety Programs Worth Considering

So, what can parents do to protect their kids?

• Report online scams immediately. If your child falls victim to a scam, help them by reporting the incident to the service provider (i.e., social media, gaming platform, etc.) or the appropriate criminal or local authorities.
• Change and diversify passwords. If any accounts were compromised, passwords should be changed immediately. Additionally, it’s good practice to diversify passwords rather than using and repeating the same password for different accounts.
• Warn peers. Letting friends and family know about the scam can help prevent others from falling victim.
• Encourage kids to be skeptical. Help your kids recognize red flags and be wary of unsolicited messages or offers.
• Use parental controls. Plenty of tools are available to help you monitor your kids’ online activity.

Most importantly, our digital safety experts say parents should regularly discuss internet safety and digital literacy with their kids to ensure everyone recognizes the red flags for online scams.

“Digital literacy helps kids understand the online landscape,” explains Kerbs. “By developing critical thinking skills and teaching kids how to assess the legitimacy of websites, e-mails, and messages, we reduce their vulnerability to scams. Digital literacy also empowers children to ask questions, recognize red flags, and make informed decisions.”

The study looked at more than 10,000 adolescents (ages 12–13) and their parents to get a sense of their screen habits (e.g., are parents using devices in front of kids, are kids allowed to be on screens at bedtime) and their feelings about it (e.g., were screens interfering with school, was it hard to tear themselves away from their devices). They also set out to see how parental practices were associated with child outcomes, like how much time kids spend on their devices playing video games, texting, watching videos, browsing, and scrolling social media. A baseline was recorded when the study participants were 9-10 years old, and researchers followed up with them three years later.

Parents were asked about screen usage through a self-reported questionnaire that analyzed six categories—screen time modeling, mealtime screen use, bedroom screen use, parental control of screen use, parental monitoring of screen use, and parental limiting of screen use—while adolescents self-reported total screen time usage on weekdays and weekends. Those who reported having social media, playing video games, or using a mobile phone were asked to complete follow-up questionnaires.

The study found that parents are key in helping to build healthy screen habits in their kids. When parents modeled good usage, kept tabs on their kids’ screen time, and set limitations, overall screen time decreased. On the flip side, when parents were more lenient with screens, both with themselves and their kids, screen time went up. “These results are heartening because they give parents some concrete strategies they can use with their tweens and young teens,” says Dr. Jason Nagata, one of the study’s authors and a pediatrician at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals. The authors concluded the study with a few suggestions for parents looking to curb their big kids’ screen time use:

1. Nix the devices during mealtime and at bedtime.

Millennials may have been raised on Must See TV at dinnertime, but one pretty easy way to help keep screen time in check is to say so long to devices during meals and at bedtime. Researchers concluded that leaning on screens at these times correlated with increased overall usage and more addictive behavior in kids. Citing other studies, they noted that “watching screens during meals has been linked to overeating, distracted eating, and weight gain/obesity,” while screen use at bedtime can result in sleep disturbances and less overall sleep, possibly as a result of blue light effects, disturbances from notifications, and higher arousal at bedtime.

2. Don’t use screen time as a reward or punishment.

When our kids misbehave or test our patience, taking away their devices is a quick way to get them back in line—but it’s actually a really bad idea. When parents used screens to control their kids’ behavior, either as a reward or punishment, it was associated with an increase in overall screen time and more problematic video game use. The same way we try not to use dessert as a means of disciplining our kids because it can lead to an unhealthy relationship with sweets, we don’t want to turn screens into something they lust after even more.

3. Include your kids in setting boundaries around screens.

Yes, modeling good screen time hygiene is always important, but one way to take this idea to the next level is to engage your kiddos in conversations about setting limits. Researchers suggest implementing a family media use plan, which may be even more successful when parents and children agree on clear and consistent rules. “This is particularly important for early adolescents who may spend longer portions of the day away from home and are developing more autonomy,” they added. So empower your kids to help create the boundaries, because then they’ll be more likely to actually follow them.

The message here isn’t that parents should blame themselves, stop using screens, and never pull out a device in front of their kids. That’s just not realistic. And screens can help us stay connected with family, friends, and our communities. But there are some positive changes we can all make to try to ensure that we keep our kids’ (and our own) screen usage in check. After all, we’re just as susceptible to the allure of a social media feed as our children. We just have to lead by example and establish some boundaries to set up our families for success.

Related: Study Shows Which Types of Screen Time Hurt Language Development

So what can we do? How do we as parents not only help our kids learn healthy media and tech usage but also protect them from potentially harmful content?

According to Catherine Teitelbaum, Head of Family Trust at Amazon, and a former educator, industry veteran, and recognized pioneer in online safety, a parent’s first step is communication. “My advice is to start having conversations about technology use and internet safety early. Parents and guardians can help kids learn to set up healthy digital habits for life. Think about working together to establish family ground rules. When is technology use allowed? What do kids need to ask permission for? Then establish checkpoints for those conversations, like heading into summer or the beginning of the school year, so you can update those ground rules as your kids grow,” she says.

So, yes, we should monitor what they watch, talk to them about screen time, and ensure they don’t have certain apps, but guess what? Kids today are tech-savvy in a way most of us can’t imagine, and there may come a time when you need a little extra help.

If you’re looking for additional parental control services beyond built-in device settings, Teitelbaum stresses that it’s not a one-size-fits-all situation. “It’s important to keep in mind that all children are unique, and safety is personal. Parents know their children best and are the most informed to make decisions tailored to their kids. When it comes to parental controls, look for the ability to customize based on your family’s needs and each unique child,” she says.

Below, we break down some of the most popular and best parental control apps, including those free or built-in device options.

The Best Subscription-Based Parental Control Apps

Bark

Bark has features like managing screen time and web and app blockers; it monitors text, social media, apps, saved video, and photos; and it’s extremely customizable. You can choose different times of day to block apps: school time, free time, bedtime, etc., and create exceptions like allowing no streaming except for sites you approve.

You can also set up alerts for things like depression, self-harm, profanity, and nudity, and the AI technology will not only scan internet use for those topics but also identify the context in which phrases and slang are being used. If it senses a pattern, you’ll get an alert. It also has a 24/7 GPS monitoring feature; you can check your child’s location anytime.

What makes it different? Bark’s specialty is social media: it monitors almost 40 apps and websites. Plus, they have a special smartphone—the Bark Phone—for kids and teens with all of Bark’s features built right in.

What else should you know? Bark can’t send instant alerts to parents, and it’s easier than other apps for kids to delete.

Compatible with: iOS, Android, Amazon Fire, laptops, and computers, but purchasing separate systems for smartphones and computers is required

Cost: Bark Home ($6/mo), Bark App ($14/mo), Bark Phone ($39)

Find out more: bark.us

Family Time

This is another popular parenting control app and safety program for families. Along with being able to set screen time and individual app usage limits, it has different modes: bedtime, homework, dinnertime, and fun time.

You can approve apps and games from your phone, it has web, app, and game-blocking capabilities, monitors texts and calls, and has content filters. It also has features similar to Life360: a TeenSafe drive tool lets you know when your kid is speeding, you can get “Pick-me-up” requests in real-time, and there’s an SOS panic button for emergencies.

What makes it different? You can get alerts when someone on your watch list contacts your child, the TimeBank feature allows your kid to earn extra screen time, and the family pause feature locks their phone immediately.

What else should you know? Family Time does not monitor emails and has limited social media monitoring capabilities.

Compatible with: iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, and Kindle Fire

Cost: $2.41/mo for one device, $4.08/mo for three devices, $5.75 for five devices

Find out more: familytime.io

Net Nanny

Net Nanny was one of the first parental control programs available. It has basic features like website blockers, screen time management, an internet filter, and weekly usage reports. It can also block certain apps and alert you when your child attempts to download a new app. It uses real-time analysis to detect issues on websites your child is trying to access and has a profanity filter that will block out inappropriate words in text your child is trying to read.

What makes it different? It has one of the best YouTube monitoring systems out there, and, unlike other parental control safety programs, its real-time pornographic content scanning checks comments and ads for potentially harmful content.

What else should you know? It doesn’t monitor phone calls or texts, does not block unknown phone numbers, and has limited social media monitoring.

Compatible with: Windows, Mac, and iOS, with compatibility for Android, Chromebook, and Kindle Fire pending a new update in 2024

Cost: $49.99/year for one desktop or laptop, $79.99/year for five devices, $129/year for 20 devices

Find out more: netnanny.com

Qustodio

Qustidio also blocks apps, websites, and games and offers features like content and app filtering, screen time limits, app download alerts, YouTube monitoring, text and phone call monitoring, and contact blocking. It has a panic button option, location alerts, and a customizable apps and content routine you can set up for each kid. It also has a “pause internet” function. It’s easy to install and gives parents a real-time dashboard, and detailed activity and browser history reports.

What makes it different? It has some of the best web and app filter functions and is compatible with multiple devices, including Chromebook and Kindle.

What else should you know? It does not have social media monitoring and is easily bypassed by VPN evasion.

Compatible with: Windows, iOS, Android, Chromebook, and Kindle

Cost: $54.95/year for the basic plan, $99.95/year for the complete plan

Find out more: qustodio.com

Aura

While Aura is better known as one of the best programs for preventing identity theft, it recently launched a parental control program in partnership with Circle. It has all the features of a standard safety program including app and web restrictions and blockers, screen time limits, phone pause options, a virtual private network, and customizable filtering. It offers basic social media monitoring for Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube, and offers an identity theft service for kids: parents will be alerted if their child’s social security number or online accounts have been detected on the dark web.

What makes it different? Besides the identity theft features, it also has an online gaming safety feature that offers 24/7 in-game voice and text monitoring for over 200 PC games to help combat cyberbullying.

What else should you know? Kids can easily delete the app from their phones, and the content monitoring isn’t as in-depth as other services as it only filters content based on age, not necessarily harmful content itself. It also doesn’t have geo-tracking options, and the setup can be challenging.

Compatible with: Android, Chromebook, and iOS

Cost: Kids ($10/mo), Couple ($22/mo), Family ($32/mo)

Find out more: aura.com/parental-controls

Related: What to Do When Your Kid Wants a Social Media Account

Free or Built-In Parental Control Programs

Family Link by Google

This parental control app is from Google, and one of the best things about it is that it’s free. You can set screen time limits, it blocks and filters web and app searches, and the web filter includes SafeSearch, which blocks explicit content from Chrome browser searches. You can supervise your child’s YouTube usage and get activity reports that include a breakdown of screen time, apps used, installs, and more.

What makes it different? You can approve or deny purchases and restrict downloads in the Google Play Store.

What else should you know? Family Link can’t monitor social media sites, and if your child is 13 or older, they can turn off the safety features.

Compatible with: Android and iOS (although it must be iOS 11 or higher)

Cost: Free

Find out more: families.google/familylink

Amazon – Parent Dashboard

If you use a Fire tablet, Echo, Kindle, or Fire TV, you can manage the type of content your child can access by adjusting age and daily time limit settings.  You can view usage history with the parental control app and use the “Learn First” feature to set up educational goals for kids (like reading or watching something educational) to meet before they can access shows and games. The Amazon Parent Dashboard can manage content for up to four kids, and it’s free, even if you don’t have a Prime account.

What makes it different? You can set up your Echo device to recognize your child’s voice and it’ll block explicit music, disable the shopping option, and offer age-appropriate information and content. Plus, if you have an AmazonKids+ account, you can use the dashboard on other devices.

What else should you know? The age filters don’t work with outside apps.

Compatible with: Amazon Devices and iOS if you have an AmazonKids+ account

Cost: Free

Find out more: amazon.com/parentdashboard

Apple Screen Time

Apple’s built-in parental control system can be used with iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, and iMacs. It allows you to restrict Apple store purchases and Siri web searches and prevents explicit or age-inappropriate content like music, podcasts, TV shows, and more. It also automatically filters web content to limit access to adult content in Safari. You can add specific websites to a blocked or approved list, restrict game center options like private messaging, add friends, and screen recording, and prevent the ability to play multi-player games.

What makes it different? These parental controls are built into Apple devices, so it doesn’t require you to download an additional app to make it work.

What else should you know? Kids can bypass web restrictions using a third-party browser app unless you restrict access to the Apple store. Also, kids over 13 can have their own Apple ID, so you might not be able to use these features effectively.

Compatible with: iOS, Mac

Cost: Free

Find out more: support.apple.com

When you’re considering the safety of your kids online, there’s no better time to download the Tinybeans app. The secure platform allows you to share special moments with friends and family near and far and puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their littles.

But what should parents do when teens stay up late texting with friends or scrolling social media? The expert advice: Take the teen’s device at bedtime and charge it in your room or someplace where they cannot get to it. This tip was shared by parenting expert Dr. Lucie Hemmen in a recent TikTok, and it really resonated with parents.

@dr.luciehemmen

#parenting #parentingteens #boymom #girlmomlife #mentalhealthtips

♬ original sound – Dr.LucieHemmen

The benefits of taking your teen’s device at night are manifold, Dr. Hemmen explains. “First and foremost, it protects routines and sleep. Teens are much more emotionally regulated. They do better in school, they’re better in the home, and they’re better socially when they get their required sleep—and most teenagers get far less than their required sleep.” Removing the device at night sets a natural endpoint to the day and lets kids wind down screen-free.

Related: We’re Going to Try This Teacher’s Cellphone Policy at Home

Another benefit of taking away your teen’s device at night is that “the later at night it is, the poorer the choices on social media or texting,” Dr. Hemmen says. “So you’re really protecting your teen from making the kinds of decisions that create drama for them the next day and a ton of anxiety.”

Chances are, setting this boundary will initially result in pushback from your teen. But standing firm and having a united parenting front will show your child that you mean business and no amount of arguing will get you to give in. And honestly, what parent doesn’t need their own device taken away at night as well? We could all use a little less tech and a little more sleep.

Does your kid obsess over YouTube gamers and videos like they’re the only thing on a screen worth watching? It’s only a matter of time before they want to know how to create a YouTube channel themselves. But what does that mean, exactly? More importantly, is it OK? The answer, says Common Sense Media, is mostly yes—as long as parents keep a watchful eye over their kids’ online endeavors and follow a few basic guidelines to help safeguard their kids’ privacy. Here’s everything you need to know about how to create a YouTube channel for kids.

Why the Obsession with YouTube?

It may seem foreign to parents, but making a YouTube video isn’t all that much different from wanting to stage a talent show for friends and family; it’s just the audience that’s bigger.

“Even though you may have concerns about the risks of broadcasting on the web—and they are legitimate,” says this article from Common Sense Media, “your kid may see it as a way of expressing herself, learning digital video skills, sharing with friends and experimenting creatively. It’s important to balance your concerns with the benefits she can reap.”

“With your guidance and support, she can do it safely, and it might be a fun project that may be useful down the road. In fact, more and more kids are using their online channels—whether it’s a Tumblr blog, an Instagram photo collection, or a Snapchat story—as digital portfolios to showcase their work to employers, colleges, and potential collaborators.”

At What Age Can You Start a YouTube Channel?

Officially, YouTube forbids children under the age of 13 from creating their own accounts, and children between ages 13 and 17 are only allowed to open accounts with parental permission. Of course, these rules don't say anything about parents opening an account for their child; this is allowed. Ryan, the eight-year-old star of Ryan's World, is one of YouTube's biggest stars, with over 24 million subscribers tuning in to watch him play and review toys, do science experiments, and more. It's no paltry gig—Ryan earned a reported $24 million in 2019, which includes revenue from not only his YouTube Channel but also his line of toys that can be found at big box stores everywhere. 

"Ryan was watching a lot of toy review channels—some of his favorites are TheTubeFamily and Hulyan Maya—because they used to make a lot of videos about Thomas the Tank Engine, and Ryan was super into Thomas,” his mother said in an interview with TubeFilter. "One day, he asked me, 'How come I’m not on YouTube when all the other kids are?’ So we just decided—yeah, we can do that. Then, we took him to the store to get his very first toy—I think it was a LEGO train set—and it all started from there.”

How to Make a YouTube Channel for Kids

1. Create a Gmail account for your child if they are under 13 years old. This will give them a YouTube account but not a YouTube channel.

2. Create a YouTube Channel by clicking "Select My Channel" on the sidebar on the left of the YouTube homepage. This is where users can select the name to be associated with their YouTube channel. For kids, do not use their real/whole names since these names will be broadcast to anyone watching the videos.

3. Set the privacy settings so that everything is private or unlisted. Private means that only those you invite to view the channel can watch the videos; unlisted means only those with the particular video links can see them. Also, turn off comments so your kid won't have to read unkind or inappropriate remarks from other users. Note: These privacy settings mean that only friends and family can view your child's page, which is great when it comes to keeping them safe; not so great if they're trying to build a following.

For more details on creating a YouTube channel, click here. For points to consider before doing it, click here. 

Tips for Keeping Kids Safe Online

Edit for Privacy Purposes
Since putting up videos on YouTube essentially allows anyone (depending on your channel's privacy settings) to see and hear your child, parents must keep a close eye on what their kids are doing to make sure they aren't accidentally revealing any personal information. We recommend that you don't allow your children to show their faces in their videos. This means OK to narrating Minecraft games, sporting events and stop-motion animation shows, and yes to a stuffed animal or puppet performances where they do the voices.

Also, YouTube has new safety measures when it comes to kids. Parents will be able to create a supervised Google account, which will come with content settings and limited features. You can see all the details here. 

Be Their #1 Viewer
Be sure to watch all of the videos your child posts. This can be tedious, but you have to make sure your kids aren't accidentally revealing any personal information (where they go to school, where they live, etc.).

Put Limits on Recording Time   
Like any other screen time activity, it's best to limit your child's recording sessions to 30-60 minutes. 

Make Videos with Them
It can be a fun family activity if you help your kids make a video to publish online. They'll love getting YouTube time, and you'll love being able to add some grown-up finesse to the project. Here's our step-by-step tutorial that'll give you all the details, plus the best gadgets to buy. 

If your kids (and you, it’s OK to admit it) are feeling a little lost without new episodes of Bluey, we have some great news! A video game based on the adorable heeler, her family, and friends is coming this fall. You and your kids will be able to step into Bluey’s shoes (paws?) to experience a new level of learning through play when Bluey: The Videogame drops on Nov. 17 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC.

“It’s very important for us to capture the essence of fun and games that is central to the series,” Kevin Jorge, Head of Games at BBC Studios, said in a statement. “We know fans will be excited to explore Bluey’s world and join in with the Heeler family’s antics.”

Up to four people can play at a time as Bluey, Bingo, Chilli, or Bandit. You’ll be able to navigate through scenes from the show, including the Heeler’s home, the playground, the beach, and more while completing challenges and activities. Rewards include fun costumes for your characters, stickers, playable episodes, and new locations. Minigames and challenges are inspired by the show—yes, that does mean you’ll get to play Keepy Uppy and Magic Xylophone. And because Bluey: The Videogame is made for players of all ages, you can set the difficulty level. The idea is that younger players should be able to explore at their own pace and feel accomplished as they play, but older fans should still feel challenged.

Related: 15 ‘Bluey’ Episodes That Absolutely Nail Parenting

“It is always our goal to create games that can act as an entry point to the world of video games and to some of the most important entertainment franchises on the planet like Bluey,” Stephanie Malhan, COO of Outright Games, said in a press release. “It’s a thrill for us to bring Bluey’s world to life with a level of interactivity that has never been seen before, and by ensuring that the game is accessible and enjoyable for all ages we know fans across the globe will be delighted.”

Since we haven’t had any new Bluey episodes to watch since July, this news couldn’t come at a better time. Now to make our rewatch last the two months until the game comes out.