While your child might be super excited to explore their first devices, you might be a bit worried about their safety. Correct set up can help to keep your child and their device safe.
We've worked with Internet Matters to come up with a few pointers to help you.
Cat Sandion: Hello, I'm Cat Sandion, a TV presenter, performer, and also a mum!
BBC Own It have partnered with Internet Matters, who are experts in ensuring parents and kids have the best online experiences, to share tips to help you and your child make the most of their digital world.
You may be nervous about your child having their first devices, in this film we'll look at how to set them up safely.
Getting their first very own device is an exciting time for a child. Setting up your child's device as soon as they get it is key to keeping them safe and their device secure.
Correct set-up will prevent them from making mistakes, such as downloading inappropriate apps or accidentally spending your hard-earned money on things such as virtual coins, games or filters.
Whether the device is a brand new device or a hand-me-down, it's important to know how to use the settings on any device and make sure that it's set up correctly for your child.
Not all devices have the same features, but they do have some commonalities. So let's explore those!
Using the parental controls means that you set the parameters and limits for your child. But it's not all about what they can't do. By knowing what's on the device you've given them, you can rest easy, knowing that they'll have access to what they love in the online world, with none of the bad stuff.
Location services share the location of the device and potentially where your child is. To prevent sharing this data, it's a good idea to switch off this feature. Remember, there are apps and widgets that you can use so only you have access to this information.
You may have heard stories about, or experienced yourself, purchases made online by kids who perhaps didn't understand that they were spending real cash. The best way to prevent this is to change the settings for in-app purchases. You can disable or password protect this feature.
Whatever the age of your child, you can have a conversation with them about how to make good decisions and stay safe online. It's good for you and your family to be up to date on the key issues.
1. Parental controls
Parental controls help give you peace of mind by helping you to control what children have access to. They allow you to rest easy knowing that they’ll be able to do what they love on their device without being able to access things you don't want them to.
2. Location services
Location services are used by apps and websites to help tailor experiences to where users are at any given moment. This means that they could be sharing the location of your child's device, but consequently also showing where your child is too.
To prevent sharing this data, it’s a good idea to switch off this feature. Remember there are apps and widgets that you can use so that only you have access to this information.
3. In-app purchases
You may want to avoid your child spending your hard-earned cash on things like filters or game features.
The best way to prevent this is to change the settings for in-app purchases. You could disable or password protect them.
4. Talk to your child
Whatever the age of your child, you can have a conversation with them about how to make good decisions and stay safe online including when and how to share photographs.
Further information
Learn more about things you should consider when buying your child's first device.
Internet Matters have a helpful checklist for safely setting up our child’s tech as well as further advice on parental controls on smartphones and other devices.
They have also designed an on-site tool that provides parents with personalised online safety advice to help support their children online.
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