You don't have to hover over your children's shoulders, watching their every move, to keep them safe. Apple has several parental control features for the Mac to help protect them as they browse the internet, use apps, and play games. You can even set time limits for your little ones' computer activities, so they don't overuse their allotted screen time. Here's how to set up and manage Parental controls on your Mac.
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- Best Child Internet Protection Software
Jun 11, 2020 Mac Internet Security X9 provides top-notch antivirus protection against the latest threats, and is rated up there with the best (like Bitdefender and Kaspersky) when it comes to the independent. Nov 14, 2019 Apple has several parental control features for the Mac to help protect them as they browse the internet, use apps, and play games. You can even set time limits for your little ones' computer activities, so they don't overuse their allotted screen time. Here's how to set up and manage Parental controls on your Mac.
- KidSurf is a fun, easy-to-use Internet browser software designed especially for kids 3 to 8 years old. KidSurf is a great new way to keep your kids safe while on the Internet.
- Jul 19, 2017 Qustodio software can be quickly installed onto both parent and kid devices. You can monitor your child's activity in real time from the parental control app or the web based family dashboard. Wide reaching compatibility includes Android, iOS, Kindle, Mac,.
If you are looking for how to use parental controls on iOS, check out our ultimate guide to parental controls on iPhone and iPad.
How to create a new user account on Mac
If you currently only have one user account (your administrator account), you'll need to create a new account for your kids.
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- Select System Preferences from the Mac Dock.
- Choose Users & Groups.
- Tap the lock at the bottom left.Source: iMore
- Enter your administrative username and password to unlock your accounts.
- Tap the + at the bottom left.Source: iMore
- Toggle the type of account. Use Standard as your choice.
- Enter the full name of the child that will be using the new account.
- Create a password for the account.
- Verify the password.
- Add a password hint in case you forget it.
- Click on Create User to create a new account.Source: iMore
- Repeat Steps 5 to 11 for additional children accounts.
Once you create an account for your child, you must set restrictions by activating Screen Time in macOS Catalina. Best media server software for mac.
How to turn on Screen Time on macOS
Screen Time is located in System Preferences in macOS Catalina. To get started:
- Click Screen Time in System Preferences. Make sure the administrator account is selected at the top left. By default, it is.
- Select the Options button at the bottom left.
- Click the Turn On button at the top right.Source: iMore
You can now start using Screen Time on Mac. For further information on Screen Time for Mac, see:
- How to use Screen Time on your Mac.
The following steps are exclusive to establishing parental controls on Mac using Screen Time.
How to set restrictions across all devices
Thanks to Screen Time, you can establish restrictions for your children across all of your devices. As changes are made on one device, they'll carry over to the others. However, they must be set up to do so.
On Mac:
- Click Screen Time in System Preferences. Make sure the administrator account is selected at the top left. By default, it is.
- Select the Options button at the bottom left.
- Check the box next to Share across devices.Source: iMore
How to add a passcode to Screen Time on macOS
So your child can't change restrictions, it's best to set a passcode on the account.
- Click Screen Time in System Preferences.
- On the left, toggle the child account.
- Select the Options button at the bottom left.Source: iMore
- Check the Use Screen Time Passcode box.
- Add a four-digit passcode
- Re-enter the four-digit passcodeSource: iMore
How to schedule Downtime using Screen Time for macOS
During Downtime, only the apps you choose to allow will work for your child on Mac. To set up a Downtime schedule:
- Click Screen Time in System Preferences.
- On the left, toggle the child account.
- Select Downtime on the left side.Source: iMore
- Click the Turn On button to activate Downtime.
- Using the radio buttons, select Every Day or Custom depending on the schedule you'd like to set.
With Every Day selected, Downtime is enforced during the same time each day. With Custom picked, you can adjust the time for each day of the week or uncheck the box next to a day to turn Downtime off for that day.
You can also select Block at Downtime if you want the machine completely blocked to your child during Downtime.
How to set app limits using Screen Time for macOS
In Screen Time for Mac, you can also set app time limits.
- Click Screen Time in System Preferences.
- On the left, toggle the child account.
- Select App Limits on the left side.
- Click the Turn On button to activate App Limits.Source: iMore
- Select the + to add an app category.
- Next, check the box next to the app category you'd like to limit.Source: iMore
- Tap the expand icon to see the apps affected by this limit. The list will include apps across all devices, when applicable.
- With the app category highlighted, set the total limit using the radio buttons. You can set the limits Every Day or using a Custom schedule.
- Repeat Steps 5-6 for each app category you'd like to limit.
- Click Done to complete.Source: iMore
To remove app limits:
- In Screen Time for Mac, toggle the child account.
- Select App Limits on the left side.
- On the right, uncheck the box next to each app category you no longer want to limit.
- To turn off app tracking, click the Turn Off button.Source: iMore
How to set always allowed content in Screen Time for macOS
You might want specific processes available on the Mac at all the time for your child, regardless of other restrictions. This can include communication with certain people or apps.
To set always allowed content:
- Click Screen Time in System Preferences.
- Toggle the child account.
- Select Always Allowed on the left side.
- Check the box next to each of the items that you want always to allow.Source: iMore
How to set content and privacy using Screen Time for macOS
Finally, you can restrict content and privacy using Screen Time.
- Click Screen Time in System Preferences.
- Toggle the child account.
- Select Content & Privacy on the left side.
- Click Turn On to activate Content & Privacy.Source: iMore
- There are four sections here: Content, Stores, Apps, and Other. Under each, check the box to restrict content and add privacy. See samples below.Source: iMoreSource: iMore
Any questions?
Do you have any questions about setting up and customizing parental controls or enabling remote access to parental controls on a different computer? Let us know in the comments and we'll help you out.
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What is an Internet Filter?
Internet filter is a software that can sort online content depending on the age and needs of a user. For children and adolescents, filters can sift through websites that may negatively impact the psyche or behavior of a young. Each parent decides individually which web resources to restrict, but in general, pornographic sites, gambling, forums, and websites promoting violence, drugs, alcohol, and cults, must all fall under a ban.
10 Best Internet Filters of 2020
Parents should always talk with their children about online security and the impermissibility of viewing certain types of content. However, children tend to ignore the voice of reason and they often neglect the danger. Therefore, parents ought to monitor how well kids understood the instructions and whether they follow. As they say, trust but verify. Internet filters and content monitoring apps provide an excellent opportunity to find out which sites your children visit and block those that you consider suspicious and unsafe. Build xamarin app mac visual studio not apple developer download. If you are not sure what apps may be handy, we have prepared these internet filter reviews for you.
Let's look at the 10 best internet filter for parents.
1. FamiSafe - Internet Filters & Explicit Content Detection
FamiSafe is a relatively new product on the market but it has gained a reputation as one of the best monitoring solutions for caring parents. The app can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play with 3 free days trial.
FamiSafe comes with a great web filtering feature allowing parents to easily block any inappropriate content. Also, they can see deleted or private browse history on kids' Android devices. Don't have a clue of what sites to block? Just use a built-in filter and mark any category that you deem as potentially harmful. On top of that, you can add URLs of sites that slip through filtering or if they don't fit into any category. Alternatively, you can create a whitelist, add sites that you approve, and block everything else. If your kid tries to access any blacklisted site, you will get notifications on your device. Besides the content blocking function, you can examine a web history and find out what sites your kids tend to visit and at what time.
What's more, Explicit Content & Suspicious Photos Detection helps parents detect dangerous information of kids' SMS, WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger, Messenger Lite, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, KiK, Gmail on Android devices and detect Youtube suspicious content on iOS devices. Parents can also add inappropriate or offensive words to the word list, getting real-time automatic alerts.
A Reliable and Handy Parental Control App
- Web Filtering & Browse History
- Location Tracking & Geo-fencing
- App Blocker & App Activity Report
- Screen Time Limit & Schedule
- Explicit Content & Suspicious Photos Detection
FamiSafe boasts other useful functions as well. You will definitely appreciate the app blocker, location tracker, geo-fencing, and screen limits features. If that's not enough, the app comes with a 3-day free trial period, you can run a test before you decide whether to purchase or not. All in all, FamiSafe is a versatile tracking and controlling tool for modern families.
2. Norton Family parental control
You have probably heard of Norton Security, a popular antivirus brand. The same developer strives to make your kids' lives more secure by offering their Norton Family parental control software. The app is available on Google Play and App Store for Android and iOS devices respectively.
Norton Family parental control automatically installs a secure Norton browser and blocks all other browsers found on a child's device before. The app supplies a search supervision feature allowing parents to monitor the search queries. Web filtering makes it possible to set up rules of access to web resources. Blacklisted sites won't be seen in the Norton browsers search lists. Whenever a child wants to open banned sites, the app will send a notification. Norton Family also comes with activity monitors and instant lock function to control app usage. The paid version additionally allows geo-tracking and video supervision. Please note that the app requires an account with Norton Family portal.
3. ESET Parental Control
The app is available for Android-powered devices and can be found on Google Play. ESET Parental Control strives to teach kids Internet security in a friendly way. The app is convenient and user-friendly for parents as well. It comes with multiple settings and features but the developers offer some pre-set configurations to make your life even easier. For instance, you can specify a child's age and the Web Guard function will block all the age-inappropriate sites. Web monitoring feature also includes lists of the most frequently visited sites. A kid can send requests to unblock particular websites, which a parent can approve or reject. All the notifications will be instantly accessible on a parent's device.
In addition to the internet filtering, ESET Parental Control can monitor app usage, block specific apps, and indicate the current location of your child.
4. Qustodio Parental Control
The app is available on both Google Play and App Store, however, its functionality is much more robust on Android devices. Moreover, Qustodio can help to secure PCs and laptops running Mac and Windows.
The app offers free and paid versions. With a free subscription, you can monitor only 1 child's device while Premium plans allow using Qustodio on up to 15 devices at once.
Internet filtering feature will help you to blacklist adult content and other websites you disapprove of. You can also check search queries and browser history. Among other useful functions, you will find the ability to record a child's activity, monitor his/her calls and text messages, track a device's location, and apply limits for app usage.
5. Net Nanny
UNet Nanny is a dedicated web filtering app meaning it is focused on Internet protection, yet it also provided features like app blocker to help parents monitor their children's device usage.
The app boasts ample and flexible web filtering features. It enables parents to ban unsuitable websites or set up warnings when a child tries to access the content you frown upon. Pre-defined settings that use a child's age as a base significantly facilitate setting up of configurations. You are able to apply your own custom settings if you prefer.
Net Nanny installs its browser on a child's device that will be used by default. It offers 18 filtering categories to sift out content not intended for children's eyes. Custom categories are allowed as well. Any particular site can be blacklisted, whitelisted, or overridden on a device.
The app comes with a very useful profanity masking feature that replaces swear words with symbols on web pages. Net Nanny supplies web activity reports and a time control function to set up hours allowed and forbidden for web surfing. Currently, it supports Android, iOS, Kindle Fire, Mac, and Windows.
6. Kaspersky SafeKids
Internet filter reviews wouldn't be complete without this parental control app. You can protect not only mobile devices (both Android and iOS ones) but also desktop computers. To start working with the app, you need to create an account at My Kaspersky platform. You can configure the app right from the web console. Alternatively, you are able to install a Parent-end app on a parent's device.
Website monitoring is one of the main functions of Kaspersky SafeKids. The app distinguishes 14 categories of content. Depending on the child's age, the app applies the recommended settings.
The software displays warnings for sites related to other potentially unwanted categories. When a child tries to access such a web resource, SafeKids displays an alert and tells parents if an appropriate site was visited after all.
Among other useful features, you can find an app access blocker, time usage limits, and geo-location.
7. Boomerang - Parental and Screen Time Controls
The app is suitable for Android and iOS devices. This monitoring software can support up to 10 child's devices at one time. After installation, Boomerang will replace all other browsers with its own trademark safeguard SPIN browser. The app generates reports on the search history and provides information about all the videos viewed on a kid's phone or tablet. Boomerang makes videos safer thanks to the Restricted Mode feature for YouTube. SPIN is complemented with Google SafeSearch to help you filter out inappropriate content.
Besides web filtering instruments, Boomerang allows setting up screen times to control the device usage and block distractive apps.
8. Locategy
Locategy is similar to other parental controlling apps. As it is clear from its name, the app emphasizes the location function (it tracks current and past locations and enables parents to create safe geo-fenced zones). However, it offers other helpful features as well – app blocking, call reports, time control, and even remote wipe. As for web monitoring features, Locategy blocks 9 categories with harsh content by default (pornography, drugs, gambling, filter get-around, and others). Additionally, you can enable filtering on 30 more categories. If there is a site that wasn't banned somehow, you can manually blacklist its URL. Please note that web filtering works only with the Chrome browser, therefore you need to disable all other browsers with its app blocking function.
The app is available through Google Play and the App Store.
Best Child Internet Protection Software Mac Reviews
9. Bitdefender Parental Control
This app can be installed on PCs and Android-powered devices. Its interface is a bit complicated yet very functional. A free version provides only monitoring functions (device usage tracking, reports on incoming and outcoming calls and SMS, web history). All the restrictive functions are concentrated in the Premium subscription plan, including web filters and app blockers. Like many similar programs, Bitdefender Parental Control has the ability to block content by specific categories. You can also blacklist certain keywords and the app will exclude them from the search. If you want to restrict Internet access when a child is at school you are able to set up time limits.
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10. SafeKiddo Parental Control
The app thrives on its internet filtering functions but the developers tried to make everything as simple as possible. The easiest way to employ the app is by choosing a child's age and letting SafeKiddo adjust web content appropriately. You can customize these settings if you wish. The Safe Search feature is designed to protect your little ones from harmful content while they are using popular browsers. If any potentially dangerous site skirts around its filtering, you are able to manually block it by adding the offending URL to a blacklist. There is also an option to create whitelists thereby blocking every resource except the ones on that list. SafeKiddo supplies informative reports on your children's online activity (what sites were used, search words, surf times, etc.). Besides this, the app offers several functions to monitor and control app usage.
Best Child Internet Protection Software
SafeKiddo is available on Google Play and App Store.