{"id":47955,"date":"2023-05-09T12:59:15","date_gmt":"2023-05-09T12:59:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.qustodio.com\/?p=47955"},"modified":"2023-06-29T14:50:08","modified_gmt":"2023-06-29T14:50:08","slug":"guide-parental-controls-under-8s","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.qustodio.com\/en\/blog\/guide-parental-controls-under-8s\/","title":{"rendered":"A guide to using parental controls for under 8s"},"content":{"rendered":"

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An upset toddler becoming instantly calm when handed a device is a scene familiar to many parents. With their bright colors and satisfying sounds, <\/span>devices quickly attract young kids\u2019 attention<\/b> and put them, temporarily at least, in a good mood. When it comes to developing language, social, and motor skills though, there\u2019s nothing quite like hands-on, real-life interaction – away from the instant gratification of screens.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For that reason, many families are turning to <\/span>parental controls<\/span><\/a> to help balance their child\u2019s screen time. But what\u2019s the best way to get started? Pulling together recommendations from experts and <\/span>our own research<\/span><\/a>, this guide will help you get set up quickly and begin building the healthy habits you want for your family\u2019s youngest members.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Have open discussions about the pros and cons of technology<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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Before installing parental controls on your kids\u2019 devices, it\u2019s a good idea to talk to your children about them first. Involving them in the process will help them to understand why their device use is being regulated, causing fewer arguments in the future. <\/span>Qustodio\u2019s <\/b>digital agreement<\/b><\/a>, especially created for under 8s, is a useful tool that you can use as a springboard for discussion<\/b>. With conversation starters that encourage your kids to reflect on how they use technology and how it makes them feel, it smoothly leads to agreeing on how devices can be used in your household, while explaining to them why boundaries are important.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Protect screen-free moments and set screen time limits<\/b><\/h2>\n

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Experts recommend a <\/span>maximum of 2 hours of screen time each day<\/b><\/a> for under 8s – including any time used for educational purposes. For kids under the age of 5, no more than one hour is recommended, with the less the better. Parental control tools like Qustodio offer a number of ways to ensure your kids don\u2019t surpass this maximum.<\/span><\/p>\n

To begin with, Qustodio comes with <\/span>restricted times<\/span><\/a> already set up – you just need to activate them. When you do, your kids\u2019 devices will be blocked between 8 pm and 7 am every day, helping them to get <\/span>quality sleep without distractions<\/span><\/a>. Customize these restricted times as much as you want to suit your family\u2019s schedule: it\u2019s best to also<\/span> protect other moments that should be screen-free<\/b> too, such as dinner time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition, we recommend you set <\/span>daily time limits<\/span><\/a> of 2 hours or less each day. If your kids need extra time for educational purposes, you can easily adjust the limits. Creating this <\/span>regular routine<\/b>, and blocking devices automatically without having to ask your kids to turn them off, is a great way to build good habits and prevent arguments.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Qustodio quick setup: Restricted times and Daily time limits<\/span><\/h5>\n

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  1. From the <\/span>Rules<\/b> page, select <\/span>Restricted times<\/b><\/b><\/b><\/b><\/li>\n
  2. Switch on the toggle. Your child\u2019s device will now be blocked from 8 pm to 7 am every day<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Block other time slots by highlighting them in red. <\/span>Studies from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine<\/span><\/a> conclude that under 8s should get between 9-13 hours of sleep every night, and that devices should be blocked at least one hour before bed. It\u2019s therefore best to extend the default restricted time to start by at least 6 pm or 7 pm.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Now, go back to <\/span>Rules<\/b><\/li>\n
  5. Select <\/span>Daily time limits<\/b><\/li>\n
  6. Use the dial to set a screen time limit of 2 hours or less each day<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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    Create a safe space to explore online<\/b><\/h2>\n

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    It\u2019s easy for very young kids to stumble upon inappropriate content without meaning to, making it particularly important to shield them from more mature parts of the internet. That\u2019s why <\/span>Qustodio comes with baseline <\/b>web filters<\/b><\/a>, automatically preventing access to sites with content that includes things like:<\/span><\/p>\n