{"id":153231,"date":"2022-05-16T16:28:14","date_gmt":"2022-05-16T23:28:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/?p=153231"},"modified":"2024-06-21T07:40:33","modified_gmt":"2024-06-21T14:40:33","slug":"can-parental-controls-can-help-you-create-good-habits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/family-safety\/can-parental-controls-can-help-you-create-good-habits\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Parental Controls Can Help You Create Good Habits?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Molding and shaping our kids while we can is every parent\u2019s dream. When kids are young \u2013 and sweet! \u2013 they are far more inclined to take on board our advice and lovingly imposed rules. Oh, how I miss those days!! And in a nutshell \u2013 that\u2019s what a good set of parental controls<\/a> can do for you and your kids. In my opinion, parental controls can absolutely help you create good habits but it\u2019s essential that they are accompanied by an invested parent who\u2019s keen to help their kids navigate the online world.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What Can Parental Controls Do?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

With Aussie kids spending <\/span>at least 5 hours online a day<\/span><\/a>, it\u2019s no secret that they can be exposed to a broad range of people, websites and themes \u2013 some potentially quite disturbing. And with most kids sporting an internet-connected phone plus a laptop, there\u2019s no limit to what they can access \u2013 and usually when you aren\u2019t around.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I like to think of parental controls<\/a> as another way of helping establish healthy habits and good decision-making strategies with your kids. For example, if you have told your kids there is no screen time before bed, then you are able to use Parental Controls to make that a reality. And if you have agreed that they are able to use only certain apps or social media platforms then Parental Controls can also make this happen by blocking access if they deviate. I believe that over time, these routines, and boundaries simply become part of your child\u2019s day-to-day life and become good habits.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

McAfee\u2019s Parental Controls, called <\/span>Safe Family<\/span><\/a>, can also let you view your kids\u2019 activity online and let you know where your kids are at all times. How good??\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Doesn\u2019t It Take Just 21 Days To Form A Habit?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

While it\u2019s commonly believed that it takes just 21 days to form a habit, <\/span>courtesy of Dr Maxwell Maltz in the 1960\u2019s<\/span><\/a>, more up-to-date research shows that it could take considerably longer. In fact, research conducted in <\/span>2010 by Health Psychology Researcher Philippa Lally at The University College in London<\/span><\/a> shows that it takes around 2 months or 66 days to be precise to make a new habit stick!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And while I love the idea that we could help our kids adopt new positive habits in just 2 months, I think we need to keep it real. Fear of missing out (FOMO) coupled with the lure of their shiny devices might mean that it takes a little more than 66 days to make a change, particularly if you are trying to modify their current usage as opposed to starting from scratch.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Nothing Replaces The Role Of Being A Proactive Digital Parenting<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

There is no-one that better understands just how time poor parents can be. Having spent the last 20 plus years rearing 4 boys and working, I feel like I\u2019ve earnt the time poor t-shirt! So, understandably, many parents feel like they just don\u2019t have the \u2018band with\u2019 to take on much more so digital parenting is often put in the too hard basket. And I totally get it!\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But using parental controls without some knowledge of your kids\u2019 digital world, is a little like filling your car with petrol but not worrying about the oil. It will eventually be a problem!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

My Top 3 Digital Parenting Non-Negotiables<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

So, I\u2019m going to break it down for you. Digital parenting doesn\u2019t have to be overwhelming, particularly if you break it down. So, in a quest to keep it simple, here are 4 things you can do to up your digital parenting game:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1. As Soon as Your Kids Start Using Devices, Start Talking Cybersafety<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

The day your child picks up a device is the day you start talking about cybersafety. If this is when they are 18 months of age, then that\u2019s when you start. Always ensure the messages are age-appropriate and keep them simple. You could start with: <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n