The Xplora XGO3 is a smartwatch specially developed for children that combines safety and fun. With its multiple functions, it offers parents the opportunity to manage and monitor communication with their children while giving children a sense of independence. We explain what’s behind the smartwatch for children.
The Xplora XGO3 is designed to provide children with a degree of safety while allowing them to explore the world around them and develop their independence. For you as a parent, the smartwatch is a tool for monitoring and managing communication with your child. It is not a fully-fledged smartwatch, but is designed with children in mind and can be operated intuitively by touch.
Key features include GPS tracking to keep track of your child’s whereabouts, an SOS emergency call function in case of an emergency and a limited communication option to enable contact with trusted people. Making phone calls and sending (voice) messages is possible, surfing the Internet is excluded. You cannot enter your own texts for messages.
You can also use the parent app on your smartphone to set a school mode for your child’s school hours and a safety zone in which your child can move around freely without you being notified.
Children and teenagers love the opportunity to wear a smartwatch like adults, but one that is specially tailored to their needs. Functions such as answering calls from pre-authorized contacts and sending SOS messages offer security and a feeling of independence. The little extras such as games or the mini camera can also be fun. In addition, the integrated pedometer motivates children to stay active and promote their fitness.
The provider emphasizes the importance of data protection and provides data protection settings to protect the privacy of users. Parental control functions are also offered to monitor and restrict use. The provider emphasizes that the safety and protection of children is the top priority.
Many children surf the Internet independently from a young age. If you as a parent sit next to it, you get to see what websites and content your child sees. However, older children in particular – from secondary school onwards, for example – should also be allowed to use the Internet independently. Unfortunately, they may also come across content that is unsuitable or disturbing for them. Offers such as the filter program JusProg are designed to help better protect children and young people online.
The software filters web addresses and blocks non-age-appropriate sites on the Internet. JusProg runs in the background while you are surfing: If a website is listed in the system as not age-appropriate, it is blocked – a corresponding message then appears. JusProg bases its assessment of the pages on the age of the children, which the parents specify in advance. Unknown web addresses are automatically blocked for children aged 0 to 12. It’s a little different for children over the age of 12: For them, all pages that are not noted in the system are automatically unlocked. This makes the surfing space with JusProg very large for 12-year-olds and up.
JusProg can be installed on most iOS and Android devices. In addition to the listed web addresses, other pages can be manually blocked or unblocked. Multiple user profiles can be created on one device so that parents and children can surf on one computer and the level of protection is individually adapted to the age of the family member. For example, one child sees content for under-12s, while the older sibling can visit websites for ages 16 and up. The program was approved by the FSM’s expert commission and rated “good” by Stiftung Warentest.
JusProg ‘s system is based on negative (blocklist) and positive (passlist) lists on which various websites are noted. Of course, this does not offer one hundred percent security, as the Internet is very large and growing very quickly – non-German websites and content on social media channels in particular are difficult to track. Accordingly, problems have already been identified, such as a tendency towards overblocking, i.e. blocking too many sites rather than too few. JusProg promises to always check sites editorially in order to prevent overblocking or underblocking. Nevertheless, it makes sense for parents to use the option of individualization if certain pages are incorrectly classified from their point of view.
In addition, JusProg offers a reporting function on its website. Sites that are on the wrong list from the parents’ point of view can be reported here. According to the provider, these are then editorially reviewed and their assessment adjusted if necessary.
JusProg would like to point out that approved sites have only been classified as suitable for children and not harmful to development. Parents must assess for themselves or research other recommendations to determine if the content is appropriate for their child. You can find more information about the service and its functions on the JusProg parent page .
JusProg is a good offer and the only state-approved youth protection program in Germany that meets all requirements. It can support media education and youth protection online and is particularly useful for younger children. From the age of 12, the surfing area with JusProg is very large, so the protection is lower. Websites like Google , Facebook , X and Instagram are difficult for the system to filter and must be set manually. The sites themselves often offer security settings that can be easily activated. In this article, you will learn how to make safety settings on your child’s smartphone and apps.
As a parent, you should be aware that software cannot replace personal supervision of your child’s media use. Talk openly with your child about their media behavior and agree on rules for media use in the family. If you have supervised your child’s first steps online and explained to them what they should look out for, they will later be able to navigate online safely on their own and know how to deal with online dangers. Open, interested communication can also enable your child to turn to you or other trusted persons if they have problems. If you decide to use JusProg, do not give your child the feeling that you do not trust them. Explain to your child why JusProg blocks certain sites and decide together when your child is ready for more open Internet access.
There are children and teenagers who spend a lot of time on TikTok spend. They watch short videos from others or produce their own TikToks. What exactly they look at there and publish themselves, many parents do not know and worry – also about the fact that their child can come into contact with strangers .
In response to criticism, TikTok introduced the “accompanied mode” for parental control back in 2020, which was revised again in 2023. This allows you, as the parent or guardian, to control how long the app can be used, whether private messages can be sent and received, and what content is displayed on the “For You” page. Click here for a detailed presentation of the app.
It’s understandable that you, as a parent, are concerned when your child is on social media platforms. Therefore, before using such apps, you should calmly talk to your child about what they are interested in. Explain your concerns to him and make him understand what risks there are in using it. If you are okay with your child using TikTok, ask regularly and stay interested. Let them show you what your child is doing there.
The app is not suitable for children under the age of 13 – as stated in TikTok‘s terms of use. Parents up to 16 years of age must also consent to the use. Make sure that your child really gives his or her correct date of birth. Because this affects the default settings of the app and the accompanied mode. TikTok itself is automatically set to “private” there and has a maximum usage time of 60 minutes a day for the youngest users.
Often children are already interested in the app beforehand. If your child wants to use TikTok, consider whether they might watch TikTok videos without their own account first. Because this is possible via a browser!
If your child is allowed to create a TikTok account with your permission and you choose to use the Accompanied Mode set it up as follows:
TikTok must be installed on your child’s smartphone and on your own device. You can find the Accompanied Mode in the “Digital Wellbeing” settings under “Privacy and Settings”. On the parent’s device, clicking on it opens a QR code that is scanned with your child’s smartphone. By doing so, your child agrees that you, as the parent, may control its use. IMPORTANT: Talk to your child beforehand about the functions in accompanied mode and consider together what should be switched on and to what extent:
TikTok would like to establish a “TikTok Youth Advisory Board” during 2023 to engage with the community itself on how to further develop the app.
Note that there are other setting options in TikTok outside of Accompanied Modethat should definitely be enabled. For example, make sure the account is set to private so that your child’s videos can’t be seen by strangers. For users between the ages of 13 and 15, TikTok makes this setting automatically – but you should definitely talk to your child about what the advantage is and why they should leave it that way or set it that way themselves from 16.
As a parent, you cannot track what content is being viewed. They also cannot read messages or comments, so your child’s privacy is preserved as much as possible. If you trust your child and he or she is already able to use media consciously and safely, it is certainly nicer to be able to do without this control option. Regularly discuss with your child whether the settings still fit as they are, or whether you can change certain settings.
An hour on the Internet sometimes feels like a few minutes. Adults know this feeling as well as children. A new notification, a new post, now just finish the level and have a quick look at TikTok – but then it’s really over! Many apps are designed to keep us glued to the screen with constant new stimuli. This makes it increasingly difficult to simply put the device down. Special apps for regulating media time or setting options such as screen time aim to help people use media more consciously.
Screen time is available on the iPhone, iPad and MacBook. This allows you to see how much time you spend with which apps every day. Certain apps can be blocked for a certain period of time or after a predefined time has elapsed. It is also possible to block certain content (e.g. age-restricted movies or games). With the help of the
Family Sharing
– another Apple feature – the corresponding settings can also be made on other devices.
You set up screen time either directly on your own device or on your child’s. Alternatively, you can set screen time for each family member individually from your device in Family Sharing. You can also set the screen time for multiple devices in your household by tapping “Share across devices”. This allows you to transfer your specified settings to iPad and other Apple devices as well.
Apple’s support pages have step-by-step instructions on how to set up screen time.
On Android devices, Digital Wellbeing is integrated as a function in the settings as of Android 9. Here you can see at a glance how often the smartphone and the individual apps were used. Android offers three options for regulating media time at once:
Android provides step-by-step instructions on how to set Digital Wellbeing.
Screen time also offers the possibility of a so-called parental control on Apple devices. You can use it to regulate your child’s cell phone use and, for example, to control the number of incoming calls. Prevent purchases from the App Store or content with certain age ratings. Detailed instructions on parental controls are available from Apple Support.
The parental control functions are not directly integrated into the operating system of Android devices. With the free Google app Family Link, you can still keep an eye on your children’s media use. You can find more detailed information on this Google help page.
As a general rule, you should keep in mind that your child may feel controlled by you by regulating his or her media use. Therefore, talk openly with your child about the setting options and consider together which ones make sense. As your child becomes more independent over time, settings should be reconsidered regularly. Of course, the older your child is, the more he or she will know how to avoid certain settings. However, if you trust your child, there is usually no reason to do so. Also think together about how they can Media time and media-free time in the family.
Playing on the tablet, chatting with friends or watching videos – children are already out and about in the digital world at an early age. On the web, children may encounter content that is not suitable for them. It is therefore important to practice safe media use together with the child. Various apps can help protect children online.
Parental control apps come in a variety of flavors. You can block certain websites with content unsuitable for children, limit screen time or use GPS to track the location of the device and thus the child. The focus should not be on monitoring and control, but on protecting your child. The most recommended apps for this purpose are presented below.
Before choosing, discuss with your child which functions he or she would like to and is allowed to use on the cell phone: What does he or she prefer to use the cell phone for? What apps does the child want? Likewise, you should ask yourself what you want to achieve through the parental control app: Do you want to block certain apps, websites or functions? Do you want to monitor or limit your child’s activity? According to these criteria, you can choose from different apps.
The app rated best by Stiftung Warentest costs about 20 euros per year. It only runs on Android smartphones and Windows PCs.
Parents can set time limits and restrictions for each app and website individually. Also, a list of undesirable websites that you do not want your child to have access to can be created. The child’s activity can also be checked.
Usage data of your child will be forwarded anonymously. There is a possibility that third parties may gain access to this data through data leaks.
For more information on the app, check out our post here.
This app restricts certain device functions that are set in advance. You can use it to set up a child-friendly interface on the child’s device. The app is available for iOS and Android devices.
The app controls app downloads, in-app and online purchases, and sending messages and calls. The app can be used to set a time limit. One advantage for parents of multiple children is that they can set up different user profiles so that children of different ages can use a suitable profile.
The app is free to download, but costs a monthly usage fee. Settings can only be changed on the child’s device. More information about the app is available here.
This free app can be used on Android and iOS smartphones, tablets and PCs. The app is downloaded to the parent’s smartphone and linked to the child’s Google account.
App downloads and app access can be checked and set from the parent smartphone. In addition, certain content can be blocked in Google searches. Locking periods and time restrictions can also be set. The reporting function allows parents to view the child’s activities on the network.
A Google account is required to use it. In addition, the data of the child and the parents are stored on the Google server. Older children may be able to bypass security settings with instructions from the Internet.
For more information on the app, check out our post here.
There are also apps that simply allow you to surf the net safely. These include, for example, the fragFINN app or the Jusprog app. They work with the help of lists of websites that are safe for children. Other websites are automatically blocked. Unlike other apps, individual restrictions do not have to be set separately.
For more information on the fragFinn app, see our post here and on the JusProg app here.
Even with the use of parental control apps, children cannot be fully protected. Your child may still encounter cyberbullying or hate speech online. Parental control apps provide digital control of media use only. Always talk openly about dangers on the Internet with your child and agree on rules for media use in the family.
Children who have their own smartphone or game console use apps, games and websites independently from an early age. Parents can quickly lose track of how much time their child spends online and what content they engage with. Various digital parental control offerings are designed to help parents make their children’s Internet use safer – Microsoft, for example, also offers parental controls for various devices.
Microsoft Family Safety can only be activated via a Microsoft account. The administrator account allows you as a parent to set different parental control settings on your child’s account, such as screen time and age-appropriate access to different content, apps, and so on. The settings then apply to all devices on which your child is logged in with the Microsoft account. All settings can be flexibly changed and adapted to the age of the child.
Screen time can be used to create fixed schedules for an entire account or for specific apps, games, and pages: For example, if you want to spend an hour on YouTube your child can use a total of one hour of YouTube on the smartphone, Xbox, and PC. Or enable an hour of game time for Xbox and block adult games and content.
You have the possibility to block pages and applications yourself or activate filters . Filters enable or block media content depending on the set age limit. It is also possible to specify that only child-friendly websites may be visited. This setting works only when using the Microsoft Edge browser. To access pages or apps, your child needs your permission first. Your child can also ask you for more screen time using the “Ask parent” feature. You will be informed about it by e-mail and you can react.
You can also set your child to need your approval even for purchases of, for example, games on Xbox. This gives you control over your child’s spending in the Microsoft Store.
Each person needs their own Microsoft account. The parents’ accounts are linked to those of the children. This is necessary for protection across different devices such as game consoles or PCs, which can also be used by multiple users in parallel. It might happen that your child constantly sends you requests to share different content.
Some Microsoft Family Safety features rely heavily on the child’s control. For example, you can use regular activity reports to track how much time your child spends using which apps and games. Location tracking allows you to see where your child is right now. Family members can even share locations with each other and save places where they often stay. Even though the features are meant to help with safety, they also encroach on your child’s privacy and free space. Your child can activate or deactivate location monitoring and individual other control functions independently on their own device at Family Safety. As parents, you will be informed of this by message in each case.
The provider emphasizes not to forward the data of the users to third parties. Nevertheless, there is no absolute security, because data can unintentionally fall into the wrong hands, for example through data leaks.
You should therefore handle data such as the whereabouts or the exact activities of your child with sensitivity. Pay attention to what data is stored and how it is used. To determine the location, it is necessary to turn on the GPS function. This may allow other applications to unintentionally access your child’s location. Therefore, consider carefully whether it is necessary to activate this function. Talk to your child about it, too, so they don’t feel controlled.
Do not blindly trust the preset age limits of the filters, but check them. It can vary greatly what parents feel is appropriate for their child. You can read more about age restrictions for games here.
Parental control apps like Microsoft Family Safety can help improve your child’s safety when using media independently. But even more important is personal guidance from you as parents. Younger children especially need them. No parental control offers one hundred percent protection. Especially against risks such as digital violence, children cannot be adequately protected by such safeguards. This makes it all the more important to explain to your child why certain content and applications are not suitable and what you are concerned about. Agree on rules for media use together. A media usage agreement can also help here.
Especially with older children, privacy and digital independence is important and should be respected by you as parents. Avoid making your child feel like you are monitoring him or not trusting him. An open discussion atmosphere and the interest of parents are often more effective in protecting against certain risks on the net than simply controlling technical protective measures.
Since children have contact with media at an early age, many parents want there to be safe access to the net. Various so-called youth protection programs want to support parents in technically safeguarding their child’s media use. The Stiftung Warentest rated the following child lock Salfeld as “good”.
Parental control Salfeld allows parents to set certain time limits and restrictions on their child’s device. These can be set individually depending on the app and website. For example, as a parent, you can set your child to spend more time with learning apps than with social media or gaming apps. You can also create a list of websites that you don’t want your child to access because, for example, they may encounter content that is not age-appropriate.
Salfeld parental control also allows parents to view their child’s cell phone activity. Logs of websites visited and apps used by the child are made available via an Etern app. The app can be used to change time limits on the go and block or unblock websites.
Through so-called time vouchers, children can receive a time bonus if, for example, they take advantage of learning opportunities on their own. These can also be flexibly set and released.
The (German) providers of the Salfeld parental control system state in their current privacy policy that they handle personal data sensitively and take privacy protection seriously. Nevertheless, your child’s usage data must be forwarded to the provider (anonymized) for the application to function. This theoretically has access to them and could view them. Data can be leaked to third parties and thus fall into the wrong hands. Parents should be aware of this risk.
Parental controls also have limited protection when it comes to communication risks such as cyberbullying or hate speech. Even harmless apps can lead to unpleasant experiences. You should therefore talk to your child about his or her experiences online and make him or her feel understood when problems arise.
Parental controls can help to better protect children from potential dangers online. But don’t rely on such apps alone. No technology can guarantee one hundred percent safety. Also, you may make your child feel that you control them and do not trust them. There is a fine line between protection and surveillance. Avoid surreptitious control, but talk openly with your child about your fears and the possibility of using such an app. Above all, talk to your child about the dangers online and how to avoid them. You can read more about this in our article “Big and small should be safe on the net“.
Smartphones, tablets and other digital devices are fascinating for children. As a parent, you may be worried if your child plays with it and watches videos without any hindrance. Certain settings in apps and on devices are intended to help ensure that secure use is possible. The medien-kindersicher.de website provides compact, step-by-step instructions on how to make such parental control settings.
The online information service helps you to set the apps and services used by your child in a youth-friendly way. On the website, you can select the device used, the software of the device and the app used. Depending on the specified age, it will then explain which appropriate parental control settings are useful and how you can activate them. In addition to understandable short instruction texts, there are also small video clips that illustrate the settings. It also shows how to set up game consoles, voice assistants or routers, e.g. the age rating for games on the Nintendo Switch game console. On the website you will find additional helpful information on age recommendations.
Another offer, which is only available after free registration on the site, is the “Media Child Safe Assistant”: for this, you specify the devices, apps and applications used by your child, as well as the age of your child. You will then be offered suitable protection solutions and the necessary steps will be explained.
The site offers clear and easy-to-follow instructions for the most important and popular apps, but there could be more. After all, children and young people also use other services. Unfortunately, it is unclear whether the page will continue to be filled with information.
The page pretends that with the information you can make a safe setting of the devices. However, there can never be one hundred percent certainty! Youth protection settings can only be a supplement to your education and guidance. It is therefore all the more important that you accompany your child’s media use from the very beginning and set a good example . Take an interest in how older children and teens interact with media, too. Ask questions and be responsive to problems. Gradually trust your child to use media responsibly.
The ideas of child-friendly media use are not always the same. While some parents already let their children see certain content or allow apps, other parents think it’s too early for that. Therefore, you should be aware of the age limits and the restriction of content and usage by the parental control settings. It can also help to exchange ideas with other parents. Keep in mind that every child is different – also related to the individual developmental stage. Together with your child, agree on rules for safe media use in the family. If you like to make settings on devices and in apps, you should talk to your child about it and explain it so that your daughter or son doesn’t feel controlled.
To protect your children from dangerous content or cost traps, there are already some parental control apps. One of these apps is called Kids Zone. Here you set up a profile for your kids on the smartphone, with child-safe apps and limited screen time.
Kids Zone can be installed on your child’s device and is designed to enable safe cell phone use. Since you can create multiple profiles, you can set up the app on your smartphone even if your child doesn’t use their own device.
After creating the profile, select the apps you want to share with your child, such as music apps or children’s games. Some apps or certain settings can be locked. In the free basic version, you can block up to six apps. You then create a PIN for the profile so that you can activate (Lock Device) or deactivate (Unlock Device) it.
It is also possible to set a maximum usage time for the smartphone. After its expiration, the device locks automatically and can no longer be used.
Unlike other parental control apps, no data about the usage time and apps used is stored and cannot be viewed afterwards. In addition, no data is forwarded to the app’s manufacturer.
The usability of the device is very limited by the app and the time limits always have to be restarted. In addition, the app runs a bit jerky and locking the device happens with a time delay.
The app is not suitable for children who want to get to know the smartphone’s functions better, since it is not possible to access the settings.
The app’s Canadian developer, Ryan Park, wants Kids Zone to enable easy, safe and controlled smartphone use. There is no specified age for use, the age rating in the App Store is three years.
The fact that Kids Zone does not offer a monitoring option means that no data is passed on to the manufacturer. The app requests access to usage data, like any app of this type, to see what other apps are being used. The privacy policy is complete and easy to understand – but in English.
Kids Zone is especially suitable if you occasionally give your younger child their own cell phone to play with, or if your child gets their own smartphone at an early age.
Parental control apps are designed to protect the child, but you should still check which apps (games, music, etc.) are installed on the smartphone. Pay attention to the age information as well. Test the apps you want to unlock for your child and decide together which apps your child can use. Also, involve your child when it comes to the length of time they use their cell phone. If you set rules for smartphone use together and your child can understand them, he or she will be better able to stick to them. The older your child gets, the more he wants to try things out on his own. Adjust settings accordingly over time and give your child the space they need.
Want to share apps, music, and photos on multiple devices in a joint family account? For this, they can use Apple’s Family Sharing or Google’s Family Media Library . This way you can save costs and at the same time have a say in which apps your children use. This sounds practical at first, but there are also some things to consider.
… share media and apps: All apps you purchase are available to all family members. Photos, music, videos, books, and movies and series can also be shared. It is also possible to share your location with others.
… consent to your child’s app use: You can enable adult permissions with both a family account. If your child wants to download an app, you or other guardians will be asked to confirm.
… set up restrictions on app and in-app purchases: In the Google Family group, you can restrict in-app purchases for under-18s. With Apple screen time, you can set up more restrictions for your kids. You should refresh the settings when an app is re-downloaded. Don’t forget to discuss with your child what he or she can already decide for him- or herself and what is not yet possible, and set up rules for media use together.
On both iOS devices and Android devices running Google, guardians and their children can register as a family:
iOS: Up to six family members can be added on the iPhone, iPad or MacBook if they have an Apple ID. The minimum age to create your own Apple ID is 13. However, as a parent, you have the option to set up one or more child IDs. In addition, as the organizer of the family group, you can designate additional guardians.
Android: On Android devices, you can create and manage a family group with up to five members in the Google Play Store under “Account”. For children under the age of 13, only you as a parent can create a Google Account for your child. All family members must register for the family group via the Play Store. You can invite family members as an administrator and manage them.
You can find out how to activate family sharing on iOS and the family media library on Android and make other settings on DeinHandy magazine and on the help pages of Google and Apple.
Google’s Family Media Library or Apple’s Family Sharing is free, but you partially “pay” with your personal data. Some data are useful and necessary to use the functions, others are not. Therefore, use the possible settings for data protection. According to Google, the children’s data is not used for personalized advertising or passed on to third parties.
If you share your location within the family, for example, you should be aware that this also means that the company can follow your and your children’s everyday life at every turn. Consider together when it makes sense to use certain features, such as location sharing, and when it should remain disabled if you want to use a shared family account.
Without depositing a payment method, the family sharing or family media library function is not possible. Be aware that this gives Apple and Google access to your credit card, if applicable, your purchase history, and the online behavior of all family members.
If you use devices with different operating systems in your family, using the family function is more difficult. On an iPad and iPhone, you can log in to your Google Play accountvia the Internet browser and make settings under “Family Group”. Since Android devices with Google do not have an Apple ID, Apple Family Sharing cannot be connected to the device.
The presented features can be handy, but they also invade the privacy of you and your children. Consider carefully whether they need such help, or whether you can also achieve safe cell phone use for your child through conversation and clear rules.
To enable younger children in particular to use a Samsung smartphone or tablet safely and independently, there is the “Kids Mode” or “Kids Home” app.
Child Mode is a so-called Parental Control App and is designed to provide your child with a safe smartphone environment. (The successor is called Kids Home). You can download it from the Galaxy App Store for free. It runs on all Samsung mobile devices (from 2014).
When installing the app, a PIN is created, which can be used to activate or exit the child mode. If the app is active on the phone, you automatically use it with parental controls.
You can configure your own and child-friendly user interface. This is colorful and designed with fun characters that “accompany” your child during use. Depending on the setting, your child can access various content such as music, videos, and games, as well as an app store with free and paid children’s apps. The Galaxy Store also offers a number of children’s apps that run in child mode.
A variety of control functions are available to you as a parent. You can choose what content your child has access to. These can be apps, but also, for example, music, pictures and selected contacts from the address book. In addition, a time limit can be set, i.e. how long a day the smartphone or tablet may be used. To have an overview of how your child behaves with the smartphone, there is the “activity information“. How long apps were used, who your child was in contact with or what videos and photos were taken – you can see all that here.
When downloading, the app needs access to the camera, phone and SMS – the reasons for this are not comprehensible.
There is no information about what age the app is actually intended for or suitable for. From our point of view, the app is more suitable for younger children. However, you should keep in mind that this will bring your child into contact with hidden advertising at an early age. This is because the preloaded children’s app store in the child mode interface contains apps from toy manufacturers, among others. Downloading games is tempting for the little ones and just a click away, but some of them come at a cost.
Apps from other providers, such as Google Maps, cannot be used in child mode.
Samsung wants to enable “child-friendly use of your smartphone or tablet” with the child mode. Samsung explains the app’s operation in detail, but does not make any age or settings recommendations.
Cell phone manufacturers and app developers are launching more and more ways to help parents control their children’s cell phone use. Ideally, it is only about protecting children from content that is not age-appropriate and can impair their development. One should therefore be careful that well-intentioned control does not lead to surveillance. Because children also need free spaces in which they can try things out on their own, learn and develop.
Younger children in particular (up to elementary school age) should be closely supervised in their use of media and ideally should not use devices alone. If there is no other way, such apps may be an option. Before you install child mode for your child, you should also research alternatives to find the most viable and safe application for you and your child.
The fact that Samsung displays content from business partners in child-safe mode can be disabled with a click in the settings. Note, however, that the installation also includes many things that can no longer be deselected. Check apps or games that can be used in child mode before letting your child play with them.
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You can see them on more and more arms of adults, but also of children: smartwatches. Does your child have such a smart watch? If it also wears the watch to school, you should know what to look for.
Smartwatches designed especially for children can pose problems. In fact, some devices allow you to record sounds with the built-in microphone. Children or even parents can listen to and record conversations from a distance without being noticed. But you can’t just secretly make recordings of others! Smartwatches with such a function are even banned. If you or your child has a smartwatch that has apps on it that enable “voice monitoring,” “baby monitor” or “one-way conversation,” that watch must be destroyed. Those who do not comply face up to two years imprisonment or a fine.
But even watches that do not have this function can lead to conflicts. For example, they invite cheating or secretly taking photos of others in class. Because you can not always clearly distinguish them from “normal” wristwatches. This also increases the risk of cyberbullying, for example, when unflattering photos of others are circulated.
To protect fellow students and teachers, smartwatches are sometimes banned at schools. Teachers are allowed to collect them and do not have to return them until after class.
Not all watches with integrated cell phone or camera are banned, but only those with which you can make unnoticed sound recordings and show them to others. If you are considering purchasing a smartwatch, you should also pay attention to this – even though watches with listening capabilities are actually no longer allowed to be sold!
Even if your child has a permitted smartwatch, it’s important to talk to them about using it beforehand. Explain to him that, for example, you can’t just take photos of others without asking their permission first. Read more about this topic in our article: The smartwatch as an entry into the digital world?
Are you worried that your 14-year-old son is spending too much time on his smartphone and using apps that aren’t really appropriate for his age? With the Family Link app, Google wants to make a contribution to media education in families. But to what extent is this also useful for teenagers?
In our article Google Family Link for kids , we summarized what the app can do, explained the possible uses for children, but also explained the risks of the app. Not all functions are useful for teenagers who are at least 16 years old. Because according to Google, from this age onwards you are allowed to have your own account in Germany in order to be able to fully use various Google services, especially on Android devices. But even for young people under 16, not all control functions have to be active anymore. You should decide this based on your child’s level of independence with media.
If you have set up a child account for your child’s smartphone, this can be converted into a regular account from the age of 16, which your child will then manage completely on their own. You will be informed about it by mail. Your child can then decide whether to install and restrict apps themselves or continue to leave it up to you, the parent. Consider together to what extent this makes sense. Does your child feel mature enough to assess which app is age-appropriate and how much time they spend on their phone?
The older your child gets, the more independent he or she becomes. For example, you can leave parental controls – controlling how much time he or she spends using certain apps – enabled initially, but let your child manage his or her own phone. Note, however, that this may be an invasion of privacy if your child does not know about it. Also, your child can disable parental controls at any time with their own Google account.
Certain features, such as location tracking, are no longer age-appropriate, especially for teenagers. . Trust your child and talk openly about it if you are afraid that something may happen to him.
Agree on media use rules that should be revisited regularly. This includes whether it still makes sense to use Google Family Link.
As parents, you want to protect your children from all possible dangers and risks – whether on the way to school, in traffic or on the Internet. So-called parental control apps want to support you in this: With different functions, they want to ensure greater safety for your child. But: What is the truth behind the promises of these apps, which functions are useful and what risks do the apps themselves pose?
Some of these apps mainly rely on being able to determine your child’s location via GPS tracking. These must be installed on the parent device and on the child’s smartphone, GPS and “Mobile data” must be activated. Some apps also offer the option of setting virtual boundaries and zones: If your child leaves one of these zones, such as the schoolyard, your smartphone sounds a signal.
With other apps, you can additionally view incoming and outgoing phone calls, SMS, as well as picture, video and audio material. You can also control social media activities and the complete browsing history for certain applications. Certain functions can also be blocked remotely and content blocked.
Other apps, such as JoLo Parental Controls, focus on protecting your child instead of monitoring them. These are installed on the child’s smartphone. By setting a password, you can select those apps that your child is not allowed to use at all or only for a certain time on certain days of the week. Content can also be blocked by filters. For this purpose, for example, the iPhone app JusProg. Google Family Link also brings many of these features. We have taken a closer look at the app in this article.
Such apps promise you as a parent more safety for your child. However, the supposed security sometimes comes at a price and the control apps are not criticized again and again for nothing. In a recent study by the Fraunhofer Institute, many apps were tested. The institute has major concerns, especially with regard to data security. Your child’s data is usually stored unencrypted on unknown servers – location, sound recordings, but also pictures and videos can thus quickly fall into the wrong hands.
Plus, many of these apps represent a massive invasion of your child’s privacy. Your child also has a right to it and needs its freedoms and secrets. This is part of a child-oriented development. Would you have wanted your parents to know everything you share with your friends?
The app may give you a sense of security, but for your child, the constant monitoring can be very uncomfortable. It should not get the feeling that surveillance is something normal. Moreover, the question is whether the fact that you can see what your child is doing with the smartphone really leads to more safety.
Therefore, seek regular discussion with your child and sensitize him or her to possible risks. Ask and be shown what social networks your child uses and what photos he or she shares, for example.
Be upfront about this and let them explain their enthusiasm for certain networks and apps. But also give your child the freedom to keep things to himself.
If you want to try such apps, take a close look at the feature set. Talk to your child about it and decide which app would also make him or her feel safe.
If you want to protect your child from dangerous content or limit the time spent on the smartphone, smartphones themselves often come with setting options such as filters or screen time. Or use designated child and youth protection programs.
You will not see your child’s live location with these apps. Instead of monitoring, you should trust your child. In the morning, discuss when it is where. Your child can notify you if plans for the afternoon change at short notice – after all, even without GPS tracking, they can almost always be reached via their own smartphone. A long walk to school can perhaps be shared with a neighbor’s child. Make it clear to your child that you are concerned if you do not know where he or she is.
