Being a mom in this digital age of technology is no easy feat. I’d like to think we have a good handle on limiting our children’s use of technology, being aware, and monitoring what they are doing so they are safe. My son created a club with friends at school. Last summer he wanted to create a website for his club. I was hesitant about it, but my husband said it would be ok and oversaw this endeavor. My husband is a bit more tech savvy than I am, so I figured it would be fine.
My son set up a basic website remotely with a friend. A few months went by and I received a phone call at our home from a woman who was looking to buy used books. I told her she had the wrong phone number. She proceeded to verify the phone number she called which was my home number. She told me that my number was associated with an online used bookstore. All of a sudden it hit me. The call was from my son’s website. He had set it up as an online used bookstore. I could not believe it! What seemed like an innocent project for my son to utilize his computer skills and knowledge had turned into something so much more.
This summer my son wants more access to the internet. We decided to let him use an old phone with WiFi capabilities in our home. We thought this would give him the opportunity while keeping our laptop free for our use. He learned my husband and I have shared calendars and wanted to be a part of it with his calendar. One morning before school, my husband texted me asking why my son was sending his birthday to a random woman named Michelle. I was completely confused. Before I had even gotten up, my son was on the phone and setting up events on his calendar. He had accidentally sent his birthday event invitation to an incorrect email address of someone also named Michelle. Once again, he caught us off guard by his internet activity.
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When I was offered the opportunity to try a Qustodio plan, I could not contain my excitement. This was a chance to try a parental control platform which would help me monitor my son’s internet usage and screen time. Since my daughter has started using technology as well, the timing could not have been more perfect. I needed an effective way to keep my children safe while using technology.
Qustodio works across operating systems and platforms to protect multiple devices at once including: Windows, Mac OS X, Android, iOS and Kindle. I will be monitoring both of my children on multiple devices, so this is perfect. There are plans for every family.
Available plans:
- Small plan ($54.95/year): Protects up to 5 devices
- Medium plan ($96.95/year): Protects up to 10 devices
- Large plan ($137.95/year): Protects up to 15 devices
There are many options and features for parents to choose from. You can customize based on your own priorities.
Product features:
- Complete visibility! Access to an online dashboard an exclusive Parents’ app where you’ll be able to see how your child uses devices, apps, social networks and search.
- Monitor time spent on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Whatsapp and more.
- No explicit content. Powerful filtering technology is automatically enabled to protect your child from harmful content.
- Blocks pornography
- Blocks apps you don’t want kids accessing altogether
- Set daily, weekly or monthly overall Screen Time limits, OR set limits on individual games and apps
- Text, call and location tracking
- In an emergency your child can use the Panic Button to call for help
Setting up my children’s accounts on each device was simple. I could customize settings on each device for each child. I don’t want my kids spending all day using electronic devices, so I set daily limits which eliminates arguments and having to watch the clock. I get daily reports that show what they have been up to and it has been amazing. I feel so much better with my kids using the internet! I can even monitor their activity when they are away with family for a couple of days. Qustodio has given me the confidence to let my children use the internet and be safe.
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I can’t say enough good things about Qustodio. My son and daughter are happy to have their screen time back in their normal rotation of activities, and my husband and I can breathe easier knowing they are safe. For more information and to sign up for a plan, click HERE.
I was compensated for purposes of this article, but all opinions are my own.
