Reduce technology’s temptations with rules, software before new school year begins

Students have always procrastinated when it comes to homework, but new technology has elevated distraction to ever higher levels. Even though the Internet can be a powerful educational tool, more often than not it moonlights as a powerful tool for goofing off. Cellphones provide instant connections, but students can spend hours texting friends or watching YouTube videos instead of reading the assigned reading for tomorrow’s literature class.

Technology’s temptations and constant stimuli can make it a challenge for students to focus on learning and lead to a decline in grades. Parents don’t have to sit idly by and watch their children struggle. This fall, back-to-school preparations should include setting parameters around your child’s mobile device usage. Following are some tips to help children set limits on some of technology’s major distractions.

If your child doesn’t already have a smartphone, he or she will probably want one. Your child should understand that responsible online behavior is a condition for getting or keeping the device. That not only means limiting time on the gadget, but visiting only appropriate websites. Parents can monitor online behavior with Safe Eyes, available at internetsafety.com.

Set rules for responsible online behavior. Visit internetsafety.com to download The Gameplan, which is a free set of rules for safe and responsible online behavior. The entire family should agree to the Gameplan with a signature, promising to follow the recommended rules, including limiting online time so that it doesn’t interfere with other activities – especially homework. Just going over the Gameplan is a great way to start conversations about why online safety is important, and what the dangers are.

Many schools prohibit texting and unstructured Internet surfing in classrooms. Check school policies regarding the use of Internet-connected devices and discuss them with your child. Help them understand that breaking school policies will lead to a loss of their phone.

Apple’s iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch have extensive parental controls built in. Until parents are sure children will use their devices responsibly, they should consider restricting the app store (where adult apps can be found), YouTube, iTunes, and Safari (which should be replaced with a browser with filtering capabilities, such as Safe Eyes Mobile). If the child is addicted to texting, consider restricting or limiting text and related apps that allow chat, such as Google, Facebook, etc.

The Android operating system does not have native parental controls; you can get a filtered browser on the device by installing McAfee Family Protection for Android. It filters content within the native browser and prevents other browsers from running as a workaround. Parents also should consider downloading McAfee WaveSecure, which can remotely locate, lock, and wipe clean a phone if it is lost or stolen. The features can prevent cyber bullying situations, such as peer messaging everyone in a contact list.

—Stanley Holditch

Stanley Holditch is an online safety expert for McAfee.  He has worked in Internet content management and marketing since 2002, and has been the Internet Marketing Manager for InternetSafety.com since April 2009. (InternetSafety.com was recently acquired by McAfee.)  Stanley is a father and is passionate about responsible online parenting and Internet safety. He believes that while the Internet certainly poses new challenges to parents and children, both parties must confront the challenges by mutual education, open communication, and using the right tools.