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Help! Which (or any) Family controls/internet security for an android tablet for 11yr old DC

18 replies

Donki · 28/10/2013 12:49

Subject summary says it all really.

DC has a new Android tablet (Samsung Galaxy which he saved up for himself before anyone suggests that if I am worried I shouldn't have bought one). It has wifi, but not 3G. He mostly wants to play Minecraft and watch Minecraft youtube videos on it.

I have some controls on the computer, but mostly rely on being in the same room and keeping an eye on him (and use Windows parental controls to enforce time limits. He finds it harder to argue with the computer than with me when it is time to turn off!). This is not so easy with a tablet that he wants to take into his bedroom/use away from me at least some of the time.

How do other parents manage this? Are there any good apps/apps we really must avoid for parental controls?
Norton?
Bit defender?
What?

All suggestions/help gratefully (probably) read with interest!

OP posts:

Report

Donki · 28/10/2013 20:44

Anyone?
The reputation of MN with DH is at stake here...

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PoisonousCentipede · 29/10/2013 08:17

Sorry no answer but bumping because I'd like to know too.

Fragglewump · 29/10/2013 08:25

I think you can apply settings on your router? hopelessly crap myself

PiggyPlumPie · 29/10/2013 08:27

We have BT Internet and that has parental controls on it. DH has set it up so that the DCs internet access stops at 8 o'clock. Each tablet/pc has it's own rules iYSWIM.

niceguy2 · 29/10/2013 11:31

OP, which ISP do you have?

TalkTalk have parental controls that you can set centrally. Otherwise you may want to also look up OpenDNS

niceguy2 · 29/10/2013 11:33

mostly rely on being in the same room and keeping an eye on him

I'm an IT professional and I use this method. It's foolproof. Don't forget there's not just the usual porn etc you need to be vigilant about but also cyber bullying etc. Don't be one of those parents that just puts their faith in some software and lets their child vegetate in their bedrooms for hours upon hours.

sneezecakesmum · 29/10/2013 17:24

I suppose if its past when he should be asleep you could turn your router off so he cant get any wifi signal

Donki · 29/10/2013 17:57

ISP is plusnet - I will have a look at OpenDNS thankyou Niceguy - and I don't intend to rely on software, but it is a useful addition to the armoury. (I used to teach in a comp. And caught many kids doing stuff that was supposed to be blocked by "nanny" software... as one of the few staff who wandered around actually checking what students were doing.... they thought I was a royal pain in the arse.)

OP posts:

Donki · 29/10/2013 17:58

Anybody used Funamo?

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Donki · 29/10/2013 18:00

And if DS is supposed to be off the tablet, then I keep it in safe custody... but that will be harder as he gets older.

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Donki · 29/10/2013 18:04

And if DS is supposed to be off the tablet, then I keep it in safe custody... but that will be harder as he gets older.

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Donki · 29/10/2013 18:05

Damn... didn't mean to post that twice.

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sneezecakesmum · 29/10/2013 19:27

if you want to keep him off the tablet turn the router off. Its pretty easy to do unless he sneaks down and turns it on again!

Donki · 29/10/2013 20:51

Sneezecakes That might be a bit unpopular with DH! But I have suggested that we will have to consider it as an option for the future. I've got into trouble doing that in the past as the router is a bit temperamental if switched off and on. It sometimes refuses to log back in to the account.

OP posts:

sneezecakesmum · 30/10/2013 08:57

Yes. Ours is a bit temperamental too. The instructions say to turn it off when not in use, but talk talk told me to leave it on permanently

My dad used to turn the electric off if we watched our tv too late

andysellis · 09/01/2014 12:20

Hi

I have 4 kids - teenagers now and have been tackling this problem for some years, as they have grown and the number of devices accessing the internet has exploded!

The best and most practical solution that I have found is:

Password protect your existing router to allow only the adults devices to connect
Add a new separate router for the kid's devices to connect to - with a separate password. This is connected into the existing router.
Use OpenDNS to protect against adult/malicious sites (on both routers), It is basic but free and easy to set up.
Have a timed access control on the kids router - so you can choose and vary the "allowed times" to suit.

It's worked very well for me, and is low cost - just the cost of an additional router - I'd be happy to answer any questions on how you set this up - it does require a bit of networking knowledge.

Andy

Paleodad · 09/01/2014 13:03

that's very interesting andy. Can i ask, it is possible to use any old router (old being c.2006) as the secondary 'kids' router?

andysellis · 11/01/2014 15:15

Hi

Possibly - but the time controls tend to be on newer routers I think.

I 've used a TP Link WR740N successfully. Less than £20 for a new one I believe.

Andy

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