H Limiting kids’ online activities sparks debate among parents
as it become impossible to get your child to give up their iPads, phones and other gadgets? Are they spending too much time on it? This is probably one of the important issues parents of 21st-century children are facing and it gets worse during school days when you want your child to focus on their studies.
In September, Apple will launch a built-in feature in their iOS12 that will allow parents to lock certain apps on their child’s iPhone or iPad, limit access to apps, monitor amount of usage of phone and each app, check how many times their child has picked up their phone and change their password.
The feature called Screen Time is meant to tackle phone addiction in not only adults but, also children.
There are parental control apps already available, such as Watchover and FamilyTime, however, these come at a costly monthly charge and monitor only online browsing activity.
Parents in the UAE have had mixed responses when it comes to monitoring their children’s phone and limiting access. While some have said it will help them ensure their kids aren’t forming an addiction to their phones and gadgets, others believe it will “damage the trust” between the child and parent.
A parent of two children, Prachi Sinha, said monitoring her kids’ phones can help her make sure that they aren’t partaking in dangerous activities or online games.
“As a parent, you want to be in the know of what your child is up to. I would like to know if they are using too much of WhatsApp or Instagram. The earlier I know that they are becoming addicted, I can help them limit how much they are using their phones,” Sinha said.
“As they get older, maybe, we won’t have to put limits on how much of their phone they are using because they will know good from bad. Monitoring their phones when they are young can help us keep them safe. This can also help during school hours and help me see if they are using their phones while in class. I can also lock their phones during homework time.”
However, one parent, Alifiya Sura, believes monitoring a
child’s phone is “unnecessary”. She said parents should be able to make an effective schedule for their offspring without having to take over their phones.
“It is the new age and it is important to adapt, as long as the kids use the devices for learning, research and educative apps, it is acceptable. In addition, parents should also ensure a balanced physical schedule of running games sports to keep them active,” she said.
A parent of one, Sameera Ibrahim, said she will not monitor her 15-year-old daughter’s phone as it will “hurt the trust” between the two.
“If I start locking her applications or changing her password, she will think that I do not trust her and that will create problems. If she has earned my trust, I want
Monitoring their phones when they are young can help us keep them safe. This can also help during school hours and help me see if they are using their phones while in class. Prachi Sinha, parent
It is important to adapt and as long as the kids use the devices for learning, research and educative apps, it is acceptable. They should also ensure an active physical schedule.” Alifiya Sura, parent her to have a little freedom. But, if she is not following the rules, then I will think about monitoring her phone activities,” she said.
sarwat@khaleejtimes.com