Limit Internet Time for Your Kids

The Battle over Screen Time

Nowadays, roughly every teen out there has a smartphone or tablet or both. Of course, they are Internet-enabled. For modern children, these gadgets became the primary mean of communication with the peers. Add here PCs and TV and you’ll get the number of up to 9 hours per day – that’s how much time kids spend on different types of screens. It’s probably more than many parents spend on their working places! This resulted in the real war between parents and children over screen time with the fight to limit Internet access time being one of the major battles.

Naturally, parents worry about how youngsters use their time. They often consider online games, social media, Internet messengers, and all similar activities a waste of precious time resource. Children, on the contrary, see those things as vital part of their lives. Admittedly, it is at least partly true, because interaction via the Internet lets them stay connected with friends and even helps to socialize. But you will hardly find mom or dad who would put up with their kids being literally glued to mobile phones every spare minute.

92%

teens preferably use smartphones to surf the Internet. Furthermore, 24% of them say they are online almost constantly, even at night.

33%

parents find it very problematic to supervise how their children use the Internet and behave online because of smartphones and other mobile devices.

46%

parents do limit kids’ Internet time. Mostly this is done with a hands-on approach, but the use of blocking and limiting apps is on the rise.

The issue of Internet overuse is closely connected to the problem of children’s online safety. Simple logic: the more time a kid spends browsing the Web, the more probability is he or she may fall victim of various online threats. Cyberbullying, inappropriate content, sexual predators, identity thieves – this list of the Internet hazards can be very long. Together, they make a substantial reason for parents to pay close attention to their kids’ online activities. This goal is easiest to achieve by utilizing monitoring and limiting software that became today arguably the best way to prevent web dangers as well as the development of Internet addiction.

Tips & Tricks to Limit Browsing Time

Averting multiple online perils is just one of the reasons parents should limit their kids’ screen and Internet time. Spending too much online can also cause sleep and attention problems, anxiety and depression, behavior changes and even obesity. Sooner or later, it will negatively impact school performance as well. Among warning signs of pathological Internet use, there are: irritation or rage when online time is interrupted; lying about the amount of time spent on the Net; losing interest in activities that the kid enjoyed before; disobedience, etc.

If you notice these symptoms, it’s apparently time for you to take action and limit screen time along with the time your child spends online. Yet, remember: the mission will be much easier to accomplish, and the results will be much better if you manage to show your kids specific benefits they would get if they browse less.

Here are several essential tips that will help you together with your little ones reduce the time they spend surfing the Internet:

Help them find a hobby. There are so many exciting things you can do together with kids – you will definitely find something more interesting than scrolling Facebook timeline.
Go outside and exercise. From joint morning physical drills to joining a club – sport is one of the best ways to keep youngsters fit and sparkling.
Play games – non-computer-based ones. Board games, cards, puzzles – there are so many ideas of how to have an evening fun with the family!
Set “no gadget” times. Dinner, family time, bedtime, etc. – make an agreement with kids not to use any electronics during these events. Follow the rules yourself, too.
Keep gadgets out of sight. Storing computers, tablets, phones, and even TV in a cabinet is an effective way to break the habit of automatically turning them on.

So here you have time-tested tips to help limit access to the Internet for your kids. At the same time, keep in mind that not all of screen time is bad for children. For example, video chatting with grandparents via Skype or using approved and certified learning apps (math, language, music, etc.) is not something you should restrict your kid from. Also, don’t go cold turkey and reduce Internet time gradually, first going with some smaller changes.

But above all, remember that kids learn from adults. You, as the closest grown-up, are the most prominent example for your child. Thus, if you show restraint and watch your own habits, your requests would be much more respected and followed with less opposition.

Manage Your Kids’ Internet and Device Time with Pumpic

Limit Internet use

Restrict access to browsing apps
Block device remotely
Filter out inappropriate content

Monitor online activities

View browsing history and bookmarks
Follow social media and chats
Check emails and multimedia

Control device and location

Manage onboard and installed apps
Use SMS commands to manage device
Track current location and routes history

Advanced Monitoring with Pumpic’s Outstanding Features

Pumpic parental control app is a state-of-the-art monitoring software. Its two dozen comprehensive tracking features help concerned parents ensure their kids’ safety both online and offline. The app’s functionality provides broad device management options so that parents can go far beyond “Turn it off!” request. Pumpic is available for Android and iOS mobile devices; for the latter ones, you can choose a solution with or without jailbreak. In any form, this parental app will let you detect and avert possible dangers that threaten your little loved ones.

Supported OS Versions:

IOS
— IOS 6.0 - 11.2
iCloud password required
— Android 2.2 - 6.0.1
Some features require root

Monitor SMS and MMS

IOS
Monitor Calls History

IOS
View Calendar

IOS
View Contacts

IOS
View Emails

root
View Photos

IOS
View Videos
Remote Control Panel

IOS

Control Browser

IOS
Control Applications
View Bookmarks

IOS
View Notes

IOS
Block Device
Location Tracking

IOS
Geo-fences
Keylogger

Monitor WhatsApp

IOS

root
Monitor Skype

IOS

root
Monitor Facebook IM

root
Monitor Viber

root
Monitor Instagram

root
Monitor Kik

IOS

root
Monitor Snapchat

root
SMS Commands

All Features

Over 10 000 Thankful Customers around the Globe

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Important notice

Limit Internet Time
Give Kids' Brains a Break

The Battle over Screen Time

Tips & Tricks to Limit Browsing Time