What are parental controls and what do they do?

There are a variety of control tools and monitoring tools available to parents. Some are software products or mobile apps that you buy or subscribe to. Others are free and some are already present on your phone, tablet or computer operating systems or available from your internet service provider. Some extensions work within popular browsers to limit access to certain types of content. There are internet routers and gateways that offer controls across your entire network. Some apps and sites have their own parental controls.

While some controls can be used with or without your child or teen’s permission, there are other controls, often called “supervision tools” offered by services including Instagram and Snapchat, that require your teen to opt-in.

Depending on the product, these tools can:

• Filter out (block) inappropriate websites & other content
• Limit the ability to download or purchase apps or certain types of apps
• Monitor and report on sites or apps a child uses
• Monitor what your child is posting or viewing on social media
• Monitor and/or limit what your child can type or is exposed to, such as cyberbullying or hate speech
• Limit total screen time or screen time of specific apps or types of apps
• Limit the ability to watch videos, movies or TV shows based on age ratings