Gadgets and Apps to Keep Your Family Safe This Summer

 As a parent, I know how important it is for you to keep your children safe, we are hardwired to do it. The problem is that many of the new threats are not the usual ones we grew up with. With access to the internet through phones, tablets, computers, TVs and even gaming devices, kids are putting themselves in unimaginable danger and in many cases, you don’t know it until it’s too late. 
 
We’re right around summertime, your children will have way more free time in their small hands to watch YouTube videos, play Roblox, scroll through social media, Snapchat on their smartphones, or check their favorite Twitch streamers do their thing. It seems completely innocent on its face but it can open the door to many potential hazards such as Grooming and Cyberbullying and that’s just to name a few issues.
 
I went on Despierta America to talk about some Gadgets and Apps you can get for $100 or less (and some for free!) that can help you make your kids more secure this summer and make you worry less as a parent. No solution covers this 100% but it’s a start.
 
These Are the Basic Tracking Apps You Need to Download for This Summer
 
Google Family Link
 
This app is a basic step in securing your child’s devices that does several things pretty well. One important thing to know is that you need to create a Gmail account for your kid for this to work.
 
For starters, you can set time limits and approve the apps being downloaded to the phone, which is a huge relief because you don’t know what kind of trouble, they can get into by downloading adult-oriented apps or communication apps to be talking to strangers and this is just the tip of the iceberg. Another thing it does well is that you can choose which YouTube experience your child can use like YouTube or just restrict it to YouTube kids if they are at the appropriate age.
 
Permissions are also a big deal; you can manage permission for websites and even Chrome extensions for the savvier parents. Ultimately, it gives you control over the downloaded apps so you can secure your account better.
 
Last but not least, you can see where they are located by tracking their phone and receive useful alerts such as when they leave or arrive at school, camp or even a friend’s house.
 
Cloudflare
 
Cloudflare is a juggernaut of internet security and availability that realized it can do something to help the common fold. They have DNS blocker solutions for companies that have now released a free family version.
 
Now you may wonder: ‘What in the world is a DNS blocker?’ In simple terms, a DNS blocker is a service that prevents access to those websites you don’t want your kids around by simply blocking out access requests.
 
With Cloudflare, you get efficient protection from websites that feature adult content or viruses.
 
It comes in two varieties for you to choose from: the 1.1.1.2 DNS, which blocks malware—AKA dangerous software—and the 1.1.1.3 DNS, which protects your household from malware and adult content, both for free. 
 
You can easily get this done in a couple of steps with a pretty easy setup guide you can find here.
 
Apple Parental Controls
 
This is a good option if you only have Apple devices like iPhones or iPads. It takes care of some of the basic functionalities such as protecting and configuring content restrictions, basic privacy settings, preventing kids from purchasing and downloading apps, and basic app permission controls and that’s just the beginning. You can also control explicit language and restrict content based on content ratings appropriate for your kids and of course, control screen time.
 
Now Let’s Get Into the Advanced Stuff…
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Canopy
 
In the world of parental control Apps, this one stands out from the rest! Its diverse functionalities and extensive—but very easy-to-use—features are what set this App apart.
These are some of its functionalities:



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• Real-Time Smart Filter: With this filter, you can protect your children’s virtual whereabouts, so that they can navigate the net safely. As a plus, you also cop a built-in complementary website manager tool
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• Removal Alerts: If your junior tries to outsmart you, you must fret not! Canopy sends you an alert if they ever try to erase or even disable the App from the device
  


• Sexting Alerts: While Sexting can be a taboo topic when it comes to children, it still doesn’t do them any good to sweep the matter under the rug. This App also aids in developing wise digital habits
  


• Location Tracker: You can know where your children are at all times with Canopy
  


• App Management: You can regulate how much time your kids spend on social media and other Apps
  


• Monitoring Alerts: Instead of actively having to snoop into the device, Canopy Does it for you! Receive alerts to your own devices that notify overall activity
  


• Encrypted Data: All of your data is safe in the hands of Canopy!
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Bark
 
What makes Bark so useful is that it makes it possible for you to single-handedly examine over 30 Apps closely from your device. You can keep an eye on all of your loved one’s activities by analyzing each App individually. 
 
Furthermore, you can also adjust the settings for each App, meaning that you don’t have to receive scores of useless YouTube notifications on your phone every 10 minutes while you’re at work!
 
What makes Bark so good is that it contains sophisticated algorithms that track what is going on in their devices. This means that if they get that meanie text from their schoolmate Jimmy you’ll be the first one to find out.
 
Some other features Bark has are these:
 
• Receiving customized alerts on your device
• Managing all alerts with a single dashboard 
• Establishing a screen time limiter based on your kids’ schedule
• Filtering web content and other Apps for safer web browsing with customizable features
• Location sharing




Removal Alerts: If your junior tries to outsmart you, you must fret not! Canopy sends you an alert if they ever try to erase or even disable the App from the device



Sexting Alerts: While Sexting can be a taboo topic when it comes to children, it still doesn’t do them any good to sweep the matter under the rug. This App also aids in developing wise digital habits



Location Tracker: You can know where your children are at all times with Canopy



App Management: You can regulate how much time your kids spend on social media and other Apps



Monitoring Alerts: Instead of actively having to snoop into the device, Canopy Does it for you! Receive alerts to your own devices that notify overall activity



Encrypted Data: All of your data is safe in the hands of Canopy!
 
Bark
 
What makes Bark so useful is that it makes it possible for you to single-handedly examine over 30 Apps closely from your device. You can keep an eye on all of your loved one’s activities by analyzing each App individually. 
 
Furthermore, you can also adjust the settings for each App, meaning that you don’t have to receive scores of useless YouTube notifications on your phone every 10 minutes while you’re at work!
 
What makes Bark so good is that it contains sophisticated algorithms that track what is going on in their devices. This means that if they get that meanie text from their schoolmate Jimmy you’ll be the first one to find out.
 
Some other features Bark has are these:
 
• Receiving customized alerts on your device
• Managing all alerts with a single dashboard 
• Establishing a screen time limiter based on your kids’ schedule
• Filtering web content and other Apps for safer web browsing with customizable features
• Location sharing
 

Qustodio
 
Qustodio is another great App that serves the purpose of taking good care of your children’s devices. 
 
It contains similar features as the others such as content filtering, screen time monitoring for Apps with optional time limiters, tracking systems, and remote alerts.
 
What distinguishes Qustodio is the number of operative systems it’s compatible with (Windows, iOS, Android, and Kindle are some of them), you have the added benefits of SMS and phone call tracking (you require a Mac computer for this, though) and even a panic button, being the latter only available for Android.
 
Meet Circle

Meet Circle
 
Meet Circle is another App that bestows these protective capabilities on all of your devices. This means that your kids’ computers to their cell phones will be taken care of with this wonderful App.
 
In terms of functionalities, Meet Circle is quite similar to the others, yet it provides a rather robust layer of protection for other websites and Apps like Netflix, Steam, and even Discord! This implies that these filters can be quite handy for supervising teenage web activity, provided your kids are older.
 
According to their official website, they offer protection to over 11 billion websites, of which 176 million are adult websites, and 44 million are malicious ones.
 
However, their services come with a monthly price tag of $7.49, but you get a 14-day free trial period provided you change your mind.
 
These Are Must-Have Gadgets for This Summer 
Cameras
 
Cameras are proven, effective devices for supervising any form of Offline activity.
 
It is a debunked myth that they demand lengthy set-up protocols, or require complementary fancy equipment. Most modern-day cameras are Android or iOS compatible, virtually require no complicated configurations, and even feature 1080p pretty high definition.
 
A cheap and popular option is Blink.

Air Tag

 Yes! Cameras have been around for some time, as they are amazing gadgets to keep your children at bay, especially when they are out and about in ‘the real world’. 
 
But, any run-of-the-mill security camera can be somewhat noticeable, and your kid will easily tell that you’re trying to see what they’re up to. This is where the Air Tag comes into play.
 
The Apple Air Tag is a very small item—about the size of a big pin—that you can attach to your clothing or backpack. It’s like a key chain with an incorporated tracking system. As a bonus, it emits a sound in case you need it. For example, if their backpack is lost.
 
You no longer have to guess about where they have been, and who they’ve been around. The Air Tag has got your back.
 
One caveat: it is only iOS compatible, as most Apple products.
 
Tile
 
Tile is a brand that provides tracking gadgets that look the part due to their sleek designs, and act the part as well! 
 
They function very similarly to Air Tags, but they have added upsides such as Alexa and Google Assistant integration and Android compatibility.
 
What is so awesome about Tile is that their products come in the form of key chains, and even QR Stickers! So, you can sneak one inside the kiddo’s backpack like any modern-day ninja parent would!
 
Kindle Fire
 
The Kindle Fire Kids comes with lots of features that keep your little one entertained, but safe at the same time. These are some of the following:



• Parental Control Filters
• Over 10,000 films and movies
• They are suitable for kids from 3+ ages
 
You can get yourself one here.
 
Why Is It Important to Keep All of Your Tech Devices in Check?
Your Kids Can Unintendedly Engage in Unsafe Internet Practices
 
Remember when you used to sneak into where your mother’s wallet was to grab some bucks to get yourself some candy or chocolates, or to buy the latest version of Mortal Kombat to play with your pals?
 
Well, now we have amazing resources like Steam, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Paramount Plus, so our young ones can watch any film—or play any game—of their choice with the swift click of a button from the comfort of their abodes.
 
But this accessibility can be a double-edged sword since they can virtually purchase anything on Planet Earth—regardless of the price tag—in a matter of seconds. And you are the one to financially respond to this!
 
Video game DLCs (paid additional downloadable content), Amazon products, Twitch donations, or games from dodgy websites just to name a few, can seriously drain your pockets—or worse, riddle your work          PC with trojans—if they go unsupervised. 
 
You should always keep an eye on them. Luckily, we now have all these tools to serve this purpose! The last thing you want is your banking details in the hands of cash-scavenging cybercriminals.
 
Explicit Content Around the Corner
 
Cool websites like Wikipedia, YouTube, and such are amazing tools that are quite handy for learning new concepts or just entertaining ourselves. 
 
On the flip side, explicit content such as pornography and even murkier content is more attainable than it has ever been before. 
 
With web filters and the other mentioned Apps, you can easily prevent this from happening.
 
Kids These Days Are Very Tech-Savvy!
 
Right at the same time toddlers begin uttering the words ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad’, you can see them navigating through mom’s phone without a problem! 
 
While this can be very beneficial for them in the long run, they might as well run into the material they shouldn’t along the way.
 
Yet, if you use these Apps and gadgets, risks can easily be mitigated.
 
Keep Your Children Safe This Summer!
Even though you don’t need every single item in this article to keep your children safe this summer, it’s always a good idea to have one or two in your repertoire to look after them properly.

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