Expert says one phone setting protects children better than any app
Expert says one phone setting protects children better than any app
Steven Gannon says the setting on iPhone and Android phones will help keep your children safe online
A parent and child discussig their phone use
Parents have been urged to change one setting on their children's phones to keep them safe, as experts say it is more important than any app. An online content expert says changing the setting on a phone will help ensure your children are protected.
'Most parents I talk to are completely stressed about what their kids might access online, but they don't know where to start with all the technical settings,' said Steven Gannon, Co-Founder of FollowersPanda . Steven said there's one setting that stands above all others when it comes to protecting children online: Content & Privacy Restrictions.
'Changing this single setting does the work of three separate parental controls,' Steven said. 'It blocks explicit content across browsers, prevents dangerous app downloads, and gives parents real control without needing to be tech wizards.'
How To Set Up Content & Privacy Restrictions
Setting up Content & Privacy Restrictions takes just a few minutes but provides powerful protection across your child's entire device.
For iPhone users, Steven said: 'Go to Settings, then Screen Time. If it's not already on, turn it on. Then tap 'Content & Privacy Restrictions' and toggle it on. From there, you can select 'Content Restrictions' to block explicit content in Safari, music, and more.'
Android users follow a similar path through Digital Wellbeing settings. 'Open Settings, tap Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls, then set up parental controls. You can restrict apps and content based on ratings from the Google Play Store,' says Steven.
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The power of Content & Privacy Restrictions lies in its wide-ranging impact. Unlike other controls that might only address one aspect of online safety, this setting creates multiple layers of protection. 'The beauty is that it works across the entire device,' Steven said. 'Your child can't just switch to a different browser to access blocked content. The restrictions apply system-wide.'
Three Major Risks The Setting Helps Prevent
1. Exposure to Adult Content
With content restrictions enabled, browsers automatically filter out websites with adult content, protecting children from stumbling across inappropriate material.
'Kids are curious by nature. Even with the best intentions, they can accidentally end up on websites with explicit content,' Steven says. 'This setting creates a buffer that significantly reduces those accidental exposures.'
2. Dangerous App Downloads
The setting prevents children from downloading new apps without parental approval, stopping potentially harmful applications before they can be installed.
'There are countless apps designed to hide content from parents or that expose kids to inappropriate interactions,' warns Steven. 'By requiring your approval for downloads, you maintain control over what enters your child's digital world.'
3. In-App Purchases
Content restrictions also help prevent unexpected credit card charges from in-app purchases, which can quickly add up.
Steven said: 'A lot of games today are designed to tempt kids into making purchases. This setting requires authentication, preventing surprise bills that can run into hundreds or even thousands of dollars."
He added: 'What makes this setting so useful is its simplicity. You don't need to be a tech expert or spend hours figuring out complicated parental control apps. With just a few taps, you've dramatically improved your child's online safety. As someone who works in tech and sees the online world's risks daily, I can tell you this setting gives you the biggest safety bang for your buck.
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'Parents get overwhelmed trying to monitor every app individually or installing complex monitoring software. But often, it's this basic built-in feature they overlook. I've seen families spend hundreds on third-party solutions that don't work nearly as well as this free, built-in option.
'Remember though, no technical solution replaces open conversations with your kids about online safety – this setting just gives you valuable peace of mind while those conversations continue.'
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