Show me a child with a phone/tablet and no limitation, and I’ll show you a child that struggles with some type of addictive behavior. But, come on, even us adults will struggle if we don’t understand our limitations. That being said, let’s talk about Apple’s Screen Time.
If you haven’t set up Screen Time on your Apple devices, you’re missing out on one of the best functions of Apple’s iOS. Indeed, one of the best features of Apple’s iOS is the Screen Time program. This easy-to-set-up feature is one of the best tools for parents to help manage their family’s access to the web, apps, and just general parental controls. Granted, it’ll only work with other Apple devices. For example, if you’re trying to work Screen Time from your iPhone on your kid’s Android device, it won’t work. With Screen Time, you can keep an eye on how your kids spend time on their devices, and you can also set limits to help them get the right balance. It’s not a high-level, intrusive program but a workable alternative if you’re looking for something to help manage your family’s time on their devices.
What It Does. What It Doesn’t.
Screen time will allow you to place restrictions on apps, schedule downtime, create content restrictions, give you reports on how you’re using your devices, and a bunch of useful functions to help manage your screen time. What it won’t do is monitor who your kids are calling (although you can place restrictions on contacts). It won’t monitor what they’re saying in text messages. If you’re trying to use Screen Time to do those kinds of functions, you won’t find it. Instead, you’ll need something like Bark, OurPact, Circle, or MMGuardian.
Setting Up Screen Time
To set up Screen Time on your kid’s device, they will need to have their own Apple ID. You both need to be part of the same Family Group in Family Sharing as well. You also need to turn on Screen Time on your child’s device, which you can do from your iPhone (or your iPad). We prefer doing it all from the iPhone. The next steps are super simple. Then, add a Screen Time passcode to access certain features. Do not share this passcode with your children. Another important tip is this passcode should be different from your main device passcode. Below, we’ll briefly show you how to review your kid’s device use (and yours), add app limits, and schedule downtime.
Monitoring Your Child’s Device Usage
How your child uses their device is something you should have a firm understanding of. We have weekly discussions about our screen time use. On your device, go to Settings, then scroll and tap Screen Time. From here, tap your child’s name. You’ll see their weekly activity summary. Tap See All Activity to learn more, like which apps they use the most, how many times they pick up their device, where they go on those pickups, and which apps are sending the most notifications. You can view these stats based on a full week or just focus on today. Reviewing these stats each Sunday has led to many interesting and constructive conversations with the family.
Limiting Time With Certain Apps with Screen Time
What if you do want to put some time limits on some apps? If you want to limit how much time your child spends on certain apps, you’ll love Screen Time. You can set time limits on individual apps or on app categories, like games, entertainment, and social media. It’s really easy to set up.
To create these time limitations, you’ll need to do the following:
Tap App Limits.
Tap Add Limit.
Then enter your Screen Time passcode if prompted.
Now select the app category you’d like to limit. Or tap a category and select apps to set individual limits.
Then, tap Next. From here, set a daily time limit.
You can also customize app limits for specific days of the week and block the app for the day once the limit expires.
When you’re done making changes, tap Add.
Additional Scheduling Features With Downtime
If you don’t want your child using their device at certain times of the day, like bedtime or during school, you can schedule what is called “Downtime”, which will block selected apps and notifications. This is probably one of the most effective parental controls with Screen Time. To do this, tap Downtime, enter your Screen Time passcode if prompted, and tap the switch to turn it on. From here, you’ll want to choose which days you’d like to schedule downtime and pick a start and end time. We’ve customized downtime, so the kids have a little later start on the weekends vs. weekdays. During downtime, they’ll still have access to phone calls and the apps you select on their Always Allowed list. You can edit this list anytime back in Screen Time settings. Of course, you’ll have to customize that list to what fits your family’s needs. The three Always Allowed list apps we use are Phone, Podcasts, and Audible. There are some pretty cool podcasts out there to help kids calm down and get ready for bed. We’ve leveraged that.
When they’ve reached the limit, this screen will appear and block them from using the app. It happens instantly, and it’s wonderful. Your kid will have the option to ask for more time (which they will…over and over again), and you will receive a notification on your Apple device. To let them use the app a little longer (approve for 15 minutes, an hour, all day, or don’t approve), swipe down on the notification and extend their time. Or tap “Don’t Approve” to keep the app locked. One benefit of the Apple iOS ecosystem is all your Apple devices work in unison and communicate flawlessly with each other. If you’re working on your Mac and get an “Ask For More Time” alert, you can approve it right there on your Mac. If you’re on your iPad, it’ll come through on your iPad. Most of these requests will show up on your Apple Watch (if you have one) and that makes it really nice to have that functionality (and power) right on your wrist.
It’s Not About Control. It’s About Empowerment
All too often, we are seeking out solutions for maximum control on how our kids use their devices. And that’s up to you as a parent to decide if that’s the right course of action. Some parenting styles are more full-control and others are a little laxer in nature. With these screen time guidelines in place, you can help your family make the most of the time they spend on their devices. Of course, it’s not the BEST solution if you want a lot of control, but what screen time can deliver is unique in the way that it can lead to conversations about how your family is interacting and using technology. Even for yourself, to be able to see usage stats and how you’re spending time on apps can and will be an eye-opener at first. We think Screen Time is a clever way to make you and your family more aware of their tech habits and how you can use technology in a way that benefits and empowers your life instead of becoming beholden to the devices we are so close to.
The Chrome browser is very popular with users because it is the most stable and secure browser, in my opinion. However, this security comes at a price; it requires constant updates. The most recent example was when Google had to fix a significant vulnerability that allowed attackers to hijack your machine even after closing out all your tabs.
Recently, Google rolled out an emergency update that included fixes for two zero-day vulnerabilities that were being actively exploited in the wild
Zero-day means that the antivirus companies haven’t created a way to detect or keep you safe from that particular vulnerability.
According to a recent study, it’s estimated that 26.27% of active users are using outdated versions of Google Chrome. I know what you are thinking: “Wait, what? I have to update Chrome?” Yep. Any browser including Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Safari, Brave, etc., all need consistent updates to stop hackers from gaining access to your system. Updating Google Chrome on-going will be essential to ensure you are protected. Technically, many browsers are based on a version of Chrome, and they’re called “chromium-based browsers” (Microsoft Edge, Brave, Opera, etc.).
Google releases multiple updates every month to improve the security of Chrome.
So if you want to stay safe online, keep your browser updated. However, it’s important to recognize that browsers do not send notifications to remind you to update. Odd, but true. I check mine for updates at least once a week.
How do you update your browser?
To update most browsers, click on the hamburger menu or the three dots on the upper right side of the browser window.
Then select “About Chrome” or “About Edge” or “About ‘whatever your browser name is,'” and if updates are needed, they’ll start installing automatically.
Yes, this action does require a restart, but your browser will reopen any tabs that you had open at the time of the update.
Which browser should you use?
This question is often debated between my wife and me. I use Brave as it’s known to use less memory than Google Chrome. Some reports say up to 66% less, allowing your computer to run other programs in the background effortlessly. Brave is also known to beat out Google chrome in battery usage. Brave also works across all devices. The real benefit of using Brave is its automatic ad-blocking feature, which results in faster browsing speeds. Whereas Google Chrome automatically loads all the content on the webpage, content I don’t need to or want to see. My wife is faithful to Google Chrome as it’s a comfortable and familiar browser for her.
As with most of the technology we use, spend time reviewing features, then choose a browser that works best for your needs. Browsers like Firefox, Opera, Vivaldi, and Microsoft Edge all have useful features and easily sync across platforms. I am keeping an eye on DuckDuckGo, as it is a browser that doesn’t track you and has a feature that automatically elevates web connections to the highest security possible. Dale here, doing what I can to help all of us browse just a bit safer.
Why would you use a paid VPN service when there are free services available? Well, as a cyber security expert most known for my popular ‘Certified Ethical Hacking’ and ‘Penetration Testing’ training courses, I’m the person neighbors, friends, relatives, and even strangers on the plane ask for IT security and privacy help. I can confidently say, my most repeated phrase during these conversations is – ‘Please, trust me, and use a VPN.’ When you pay for a VPN service, you get enhanced features. The popular adage ‘you pay for what you get’ certainly applies here. Here are a few of my favorite features that I get for my paid service provided by ExpressVPN:
Access to servers in many different countries.
Unlimited bandwidth and fast servers.
Ability to connect multiple devices at once.
There are many advantages to using a paid VPN service, including unrestricted access to their entire server networks, speed optimization, and military-grade encryption. Plus, they have a no-logging policy, which means they never log your online activity so that you can stay anonymous at all times.
A VPN protects your data from hackers and third parties as everything is encrypted and cannot be decoded even if hackers intercept the transmission.
A VPN provides an encrypted tunnel between your machine and a data connection.
This tunnel secures your data from outside parties by routing your internet traffic more securely, ensuring optimal privacy and security. It also allows you greater flexibility by connecting to a server in another nation and accessing content that is only available in that country.
In my opinion, a paid VPN is an excellent investment to ensure you have unrestricted access to all of your favorite websites and services.
One major player in the paid VPN services is ExpressVPN is a major player in the paid VPN provider group. They have servers located in over 90 countries, unlimited bandwidth, good application support, and are easy to install. ExpressVPN also has a 30-day money-back guarantee, making it easy to test out the service to see if you like it. ExpressVPN works with platforms like Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. You can even use it on your home router! While ExpressVPN is very popular, it certainly isn’t the only kid on the block.
Another great VPN is Norton Secure VPN which is also very easy to install, has unlimited bandwidth, and doesn’t keep logs of your activity. Cyber Ghost and Surfshark are two other reliable and popular providers. As with all things, do your research to see what will work best for you. A great VPN option is to use a home router that has a VPN service built into them. I use a Synology router (RT2600ac and MR2200) as it too adds extra protection, especially when I’m traveling. While on the road, my devices connect back to my home router via its embedded VPN and then back out to the internet, making it look like I am surfing from home. Dale here, sharing what I know to help keep families safe and smart with the technology they use.
What Is a VPN? A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is software that allows users to create a secure connection over a less-secure network between their computer and the Internet. VPNs are used all over the world and have been popular with those looking to circumvent censorship.
VPNs work by creating a virtual encrypted tunnel between your computer and the VPN server, which helps ensure your browsing and internet traffic is not seen by those who have no business in your business.
VPNs are most commonly used by businesses to allow employees to access a safer, encrypted connection to the companies network when working remotely. In addition, a personal VPN will enable you to connect remotely to your home network’s protected data and resources while you’re away from home.
Let me dumb it down a bit further, when you connect to a website, the website only knows the VPN’s IP address and not your actual IP address.
A VPN helps to protect your privacy by encrypting all of your data and browsing history from hackers and third parties tracking your browsing traffic. So should the average internet user use a VPN? My answer is always, yes! Preferably a paid VPN service, due to the extra security features they provide. but there are many free VPN service providers available.
A few of the most popular free VPN providers are:
Hide.me is a relatively small VPN company based in Malaysia and has been growing exponentially.
Hotspot Shield is an American-based VPN service that offers both free and paid subscriptions.
ProtonVPN is a new service that has been gaining a lot of popularity recently.
Free VPN’s are a good choice for those who want the security and privacy that a VPN provides but don’t want to pay a monthly subscription fee. Free VPN services come with limited data plans, and their servers aren’t usually fast enough to stream video or play online games. As my dad used to say, “You get what you pay for,” so don’t expect a lot of extra features on the free services.
I use ExpressVPN, which isn’t free but is well worth the cost. Norton Secure VPN is another paid provider I recommend. Cyber Ghost and Surfshark are also good providers with fees associated with them and have many benefits to offer as well. Keep in mind that free services don’t usually provide the same level of service as paid ones. So, if you’re in the market for a VPN service, make sure to check out multiple places before deciding on one. I prefer the extra features and security I receive with my paid service from ExpressVPN. If the decision Is to use a free VPN service or not use a VPN service then use a free VPN provider.
Paid VPN services start around $5.00 a month. I prefer the extra features the paid versions have, so when I’m in the Batcave, the authorities will think I’m at Wayne Manor. Dale here – doing what I can to keep families safe and smart with the technology they use.
There are many reasons why you might want to use a VPN. However, the most important reason is privacy. Privacy isn’t always about keeping information from those who shouldn’t have it; it’s also about keeping that information away from prying eyes even if they’re allowed to see it, like your ISP. Many ISPs claim they don’t snoop on customer browsing habits, but many of them do. We are seeing more and more ISPs compile anonymous browsing logs and sell them to marketing companies. A VPN will keep your browsing history safer and less visible to those who have no business in your business.
When you’re on the road and connecting to Wi-Fi spots at the airport or even your local coffee shop, a VPN encrypts your data and protects your connection and device if, by chance, the free Wi-Fi network is compromised. A VPN encrypts the traffic flowing to and from your connection. It’s difficult for the average user to tell whether a Wi-Fi network is what it appears to be. Just because it’s called Mcdolands_WiFi doesn’t mean the hamburger giant will be responsible for or even care if it’s a safe connection.
Many people use a VPN to pirate or bypass geographic limitations in order to see content from another region. In its most basic form, a VPN connects your PC, smartphone, or tablet to another computer (referred to as a server) located someplace on the internet, allowing you to browse the internet using that computer’s internet connection. So, if that server is in another nation, it will appear as if you are from that country, and you may be able to access things you wouldn’t ordinarily be able to. For example, when using a VPN while traveling and I wanted to watch my favorite Netflix or Hulu series, but that particular country blocks that particular content, I would still be able to view the shows despite the restrictions. A couple of years back, while traveling in Australia, I accessed Amazon, and the Wi-Fi I was on connected me directly to Amazon.com.au. When I reconnected via my VPN, I connected to Amazon.com to ensure the product I was ordering would be delivered from the Amazon distribution center closest to my home address instead of from an Amazon distribution center in Australia.
Browsing online without a VPN is never safe. Just like putting your buckle on in the car, using a VPN provides a layer of additional protection. I always use a VPN, and so should you.
My recommendation is ExpressVPN; they’re the best, at this time, with hundreds of servers worldwide and reputable customer service. They also have a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you don’t need to pay if you’re not satisfied with their services. The Batcave VPN enables me to communicate and share information as the Dark Knight online securely, as well as anonymously when using my laptop in crowded places like coffee shops and airports. Dale here, leaning in to encourage everyone to use a VPN provider
Parental controls for the Oculus Quest? They don’t exist, but we have a few steps to make sure your family is protected while using this VR device.
If you just purchased your family an Oculus Quest One or Two, you could have just handed them a web browser and device with absolutely zero content filtering options and no parental controls. What could go wrong? We searched and searched for parental controls built into the software for the Oculus Quest, and…they don’t exist. The Oculus Quest doesn’t currently have any built-in web filter or parental controls by default, and for parents, that’s gotta be a little concerning. We wanted to create this guide to show you the best available methods for blocking and filtering explicit content on the Oculus Quest. We’ll cover what you can do as a parent in the browser settings, Facebook settings, the Oculus app, and your home environment.
Oculus Quest Browser Parental Settings
One of the most important and crucial parental control settings is the Oculus web browser. Every Oculus Quest has a fully functional web browser that cannot be disabled. There are some ways to uninstall it with SideQuest, but it is not recommended and can wreck your entire system. Worse, the web browser has no content filtering by default. To implement this content filter, you’re going to have to jump into the Oculus headset and change a few settings. If you’ve never jumped into a VR headset before, we recommend you play around in the VR environment to get familiar with the way the VR ecosystem works. It can be tricky at first, but you should be able to pick up on it fairly quickly. Once you’re inside and feel comfortable with the headset, you’re going to be met with a virtual environment. Don’t hesitate to ask your kids for help if you need it.
From here, on your RIGHT controller, you want to hit the button that has the Oculus logo on it. This will bring up the Oculus menu.
Once you’re in the menu, you will want to click on the Apps tab and go into Browser. This will pull up the Oculus browser.
You’re going to change some settings here to make it safe. First and foremost, you’re going to go over to the triple dots, click on those and go into settings.
Leveraging Your Google Account For Parental Control
As a side note, you may have to sign in to your Google account to perform this content filtering option.
Once you’re inside the settings in the Oculus browser, you’re going to make sure the default search engine is set to Google.
Exit out of this tab by clicking little X. Go into the Search settings in your Google account and make sure you have “Safe Search” checked on.
What does this do? You do this because “Safe Search” is Google’s default content filter, which filters out explicit content like pornography. If you have this checked on, it should filter out many pornographic sites and graphic content. So, anyone that uses the Oculus Quest headset won’t be able to access questionable content. Again, this is not a perfect content filter. There are obviously a thousand other ways to access explicit content, but this is literally one of the best ways we could find to keep the bad things off of your Oculus web browser. Once you have “Safe Search” turned on, go down to the very bottom of the page and hit “Save.”
Oculus Quest Parental Control At The Wi-Fi Router Level
Leveraging Google is most likely not enough protection, so there are a couple of other workarounds you can do to prevent your child from being exposed to explicit content on the web via the Oculus Quest device. If you have a Wi-Fi router that was set up using an application on your smartphone, then most likely, that router has some sort of content filtering method built right into it. For example, on a Google Nest Router, there is a setting that, when toggled ON, blocks all adult websites and as much explicit content as Google could possibly think of. But if your Wi-Fi doesn’t have a setting like this, you can always call your internet service provider and ask them about the content filtering options they have available. You can get similar parental control features as the Google Nest Router by also using Firewalla or the Eero Mesh Wi-Fi. As a general best practice for parenting controls for your internet and devices connected to your network, we highly advise investing in one of these awesome mesh Wi-Fi routers. Not only do you get an optimized signal throughout your home, but you can also set up some effective filtering settings.
Enhanced Facebook Settings For Oculus Quest Parental Controls
Another key component to parental controls for the Oculus is the settings on the Facebook profile you’re using for your Oculus Quest headset. You are required to sign in with a Facebook account with your Oculus device. And again, it is possible to see explicit content on Facebook. We’re going to cover a handful of settings and recommendations we’d suggest making that could potentially help prevent your children from seeing explicit content on Facebook and will add another layer of protection when using this VR device. Aside from protecting your family from explicit content, these recommendations are also going to prevent your child from being preyed upon by people who use platforms like Facebook and VR chat rooms to find vulnerable children. It’s sad, but it happens.
Use Oculus Quest to sign in with your Facebook account.
Unfortunately, you will need to have a Facebook account with your Oculus Quest. This means either you or your child will have to create a Facebook account and sign in to use your Oculus Quest. Again…if you’re smart, as a parent, you will use your own Facebook account so you can monitor and control access. Warning: Do NOT make a fake Facebook account. There have been some reports that people who do this have had their Oculus Quest disabled. When this happens, you lose all of your purchases with no chance of getting a refund or getting them back. When games you purchase range from $15 to $30, that’s a hefty price tag just to create a fake account, which doesn’t provide any privacy advantages anyway. The best recommendation would be to use your personal Facebook account when setting up the Oculus Quest. Make sure the following settings are implemented. You can either do this through the Facebook mobile app or on the desktop. Navigate to the Privacy Settings tab and make sure as many things as possible are either set to “Only Me” or “Disabled.” The most important section to make sure everything is set to “Only Me” is the “How People Find and Contact You” section. You should definitely spend a bit of time looking through these various settings and getting to know what they mean and how they affect your account.
Enhanced Parental Control Settings In The Oculus App
In the Oculus Quest app, go to the settings by clicking on the top left-hand corner. Once you’re in the privacy settings, make sure that “Activity” is set to “Only Me,” your friend’s list is set to “Only Me”, your Facebook name is set to “Only Me”, and Activity Status + Push Notifications is set to “Only Me.” Now, you’re probably thinking, ‘I’m going to be a ghost on Facebook after making these adjustments.’ And you’d probably be right. But until we get built-in parental settings in the Oculus Quest environment, we will have to resort to these secondary measures to make sure we get optimal or adequate parental controls. And don’t forget, you can change these settings later. But if you’re looking for the safest and most private settings on the Oculus Quest, you’ll want to implement these.
Research Gaming Content Before You Buy
Games are another access point for potential threats and explicit content on the Oculus Quest. First off, there are a ton of great games available through the Oculus Quest store and even some indie stores like App Lab and SideQuest. We are just beginning to scratch the surface of possibility and wonder when it comes to VR gaming. But that also means enhanced threats from the dangers lurking. As of now, most of the major sources for Oculus Quest games all have a very strict no adult content policy. But who are we kidding? You need to be aware that there are game ratings for VR games as well (Mature, Teen, Everyone 10+ and Everyone). Even with those strict no adult content policies, there are still games and apps which allow people to share explicit content in-game. To keep your family safe, be sure that when you set up the headset, you install the Oculus App on your mobile device and enable the “Purchase Pin.” What this does is all purchases will require that a pin be used. Not only will this save you money from unwanted purchases, but it’ll also allow you to know all the apps and games being installed on the Oculus Quest headset. Again, a simple and quick additional layer of control. If you don’t currently have the pin setup or you didn’t set up the headset using your smartphone, don’t worry just download the Oculus app and set up the headset with it.
Be Smart. Be Aware
There are a couple of other things you can do outside of an app or some setting in the software. Talk to your kids about how they’re using the Oculus Quest device. You’ll be surprised by what revelations and intuitions you have just by simply talking to your kids about their tech habits. Another level of protection is to dedicate an area in your house where the Oculus Quest can be played. Now, this might be a little difficult at first because your family may want to watch some movies or engage in educational VR content (thank you Amazon Prime VR!). It can be uncomfortable or difficult doing that with a lot of people around. But…having a dedicated space in the home (like a commons area) where the Oculus Quest VR can be played or used is an effective parenting hack.
What Does DDID Use?
Great question; I finally came up with a system that is the best solution for our home. Not only did I use the above settings for my teen son, but I also use a Firewalla device. This device allows me to control when a device has internet access (I have rules to turn off the Oculus at 10 pm on weekdays and 11 pm on weekends), I’m able to block YouTube, Netflix, any video streaming, and I can either drop all social media connections or get specific. The Firewalla is used for all our devices to help keep our network protected and safe. The Oculus Quest also has a feature that will cast what the player is playing/doing to a TV. The DDID family requires that this feature be turned on so;
We can watch what our kids are playing/doing.
We can watch what our kids are playing/doing It’s psychological. People, in general, will make better choices knowing that someone might be watching.
Again, no content filter is perfect. Kids are smart. Kids can find a way. They can be really good at circumventing any measure you put in place to protect them. Even in the safest VR apps, your child could still be exposed to vulgarity or inappropriate actions of others. That is why one of the best things you can do as a parent to keep your child safe in a VR environment is to jump in and play with them.
Engage in their world. Be part of it. Be an active parent. Not a helicopter parent, but one who is smart and aware of what’s happening in their child’s lives. This is the best and safest method for you as a parent to know exactly what your child or loved one is experiencing in virtual reality.
