Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader

Devices, Screen Time, and Parental Control Apps

“With cyberbullying, one press of a finger on an electronic device can shatter someone's reputation and what they think is their entire life. It's scary.” Justin Prentice

Dear Families,

Welcome back. It is so wonderful to see all our students settled into their new classrooms. I am amazed at how well they are doing in class and in the yard. It brings me joy to visit classrooms and see everyone playing in the yard smiling and having fun. They are a credit to our wonderful teachers and to you – their parents. Thanks for letting us take care of your children. 

Over the holidays I was talking to a friend about their child who had come into a spot of bother while online. She wasn’t doing anything intentionally wrong or looking for trouble, but accidentally found herself engaged in something that she didn’t want to be engaged in. My friend asked me if I had any recent knowledge of parental device control apps. My children are now of an age where they are not needed; they are responsible for their own actions, including while online. However, this got me thinking. 

On returning to work, I decided to do some research. What are the best free parental control apps? After spending some time, I found that there are many reportedly good apps, but unfortunately many of them only offer a ‘free trial period’. I eventually found an app that I used to use at home years ago and wondered if it was still a useful app. On further research, it appears that OurPact seems to still be a good app, that is also free. Of course, you can upgrade to the premium subscription, but the free version still seems to provide everything that I would need if I had primary school aged children. It may be useful for your family, or it may not. 

Saying all that, I reckon that the best device control apps is ourselves – the parents. I set boundaries and rules that my children found unfair at times; however, it was me who was the adult who had to take responsibility. I purchased the device and paid for the WIFI or internet. This was often difficult for me, as my kids always told me that their friends had more freedom and less rules. Over time, my children came to realise that it was me who was in control, not them. Luckily, they have grown up to display responsibility while online (as far as I know!). 

If you have any apps that you currently use and can recommend, please share them with your friends and family. It can be very tricky helping our children to be kind and responsible digital citizens. 

“The Internet is a great information tool, and can be a place where kids learn, but we must remember that when kids are online, they are in public.” Mark Kennedy

Thanks for your continued support.

Andy McNeilly

Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader