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Trying to keep children safe in this age of internet connectivity can be challenging. Everything seems to access the internet, and you can tweet, blog and post from anywhere, including your TV. Whilst this access is mind-blowing, it can be unsafe when you have young children. Although the older generations as children will not have been able to work a TV as technical as the modern-day smart TV, today’s generation Alpha can operate a smartphone quicker than their parents.
With this in mind, the TV can suddenly seem like a worrying device which can open up to a portal of dangerous communication and inappropriate content. However, as technologies develop, so does safeguarding, offering peace of mind by allowing your child to watch TV to their heart’s content without worry.
Age Restrictions for Content
Every smart TV, even cheap 4K TVs, will allow you to restrict your access to an age rating you deem appropriate for you and your family. To access the parental controls, you will need to find them within the device’s settings, and they will either fall under “privacy” or “broadcasting”. Of course, all devices are different, but most of the time, accessing non-restrictive content will require a PIN, which will keep your child safe from inappropriate films and TV shows.
Each TV brand offers different levels of protection. Some brands, such as Samsung, are known for a more robust defence and scrutiny. Finding which brand has the best child lock may be something to consider before buying your new TV.
Some devices may even allow you to set profiles of household members that may be watching the TV. This makes it easier to switch between age-restricted content by entering a single password instead of every time.
Streaming Services
Netflix has been commended for its user-friendly interface and security for inappropriate content, much like Amazon has. Each streaming service offers you the ability to set up profiles, and every profile can be tailored to the user’s likes and favourites. It will also ask for an age and limit the content to the child’s age.
With Netflix, you can set your child’s age restrictions with a pin, and their ages go up in reasonable stages:
– Small Children – U, Safe for Kids
– Older Children – PG
– Teens – 12+
– Mature – 15+, 18+, Mature, Adult
Setting each user can give you peace of mind that they will not be accessing content that may be deemed unfit or past watershed content. With Netflix, you can even block specific shows and movies through the settings, allowing you to have complete control over the kind of shows your child may be watching.
Block Apps
Apps can be a great feature on your smart TV. They can offer entertainment, music, movies, and so much more, but some apps could also provide access to a darker side of the internet. It has been an ongoing issue for years with the likes of YouTube and other platforms where anyone has access to uploading. Whilst there are policies about what content can be uploaded, there have been occasions where some mature or illegal content can slip through the net. Limiting or preventing younger children from accessing or downloading platforms used by adults is a great way to ensure that you have tried your best to protect them.
Child-friendly apps are always very secure for both younger and older children and are recommended as the safest apps for them to use. However, that shouldn’t mean you cannot download apps for your own enjoyment. Luckily every smart TV will allow you to block individual apps with a PIN, stopping them from being downloaded by clever little ones looking for a bypass.
Trust and Respect
Even if you have relatively young children, communication and regular monitoring is the best way to ensure their safety through your smart TV. Even as young as two, they will understand basic questions and instructions. Starting the awareness early on can open a line of communication that will soon become a habit.
If you have older children, coming up with a family agreement about what happens when you come across questionable content will allow them to feel trusted and respected as a part of the family instead of a child being told what to do. Finding a way of communicating with your children will offer a more direct and open line of communication. For example, some families have a question box where the children will write down shows they have watched or wish to watch that may be “questionable”. In contrast, other families aim to sit down together regularly to discuss things as a family.
Apps Designed for Young Ones
Within your smart TV, a range of apps will be designed specifically with children in mind. YouTube has a solution with their YouTube kids app. This app allows only approved content creators in the children’s entertainment industry. The likes of Ryans World and Cocomelon can be enjoyed safely without worrying about scary or inappropriate interruptions.
Sky, Amazon, Disney and other big entertainment industries have many apps designed exclusively for children, with age restrictions and parental control. Each of the apps will come with the child’s account, keeping track of their favourite shows and allowing you to restrict TV viewing to age-restricted content. Many of them will also come with their own avatars they can choose from themselves.
Safety Features Not Accessible on Your TV?
If your smart TV doesn’t appear to have access to these facilities, it may be likely that your TV does not have the ability to provide the latest software. It is not all bad news; however, it just means it could be time to upgrade with our cheap TV deals. We also offer a LED TV repair service for those little accidents which occur within busy family life. For all our TVs and services, browse our website and feel free to contact us if you have any further questions.
