Safer Internet Day in 2024

Safer Internet Day 2024 sees young people effortlessly embracing technology, displaying a refreshing familiarity. Their curiosity for novelty drives them towards gadgets and the Internet, enabling them to explore, connect with the world, and acquire knowledge at an unprecedented pace, unimaginable just a decade ago. Nevertheless, the presence of technology also brings certain risks, prompting manufacturers like Apple to develop protective measures to safeguard the well-being of children and families, both physically and mentally. In light of this, families have various options available to them to take proactive steps. Here are a few suggestions:

Screen time

Screen Time gives users a better understanding of the time families and children spend on apps, visiting websites and devices in general. They can get weekly reports or see specific app usage, notifications and device searches. Screen Time also allows users to set the amount of time they and their children can spend on specific apps and websites each day.

1. Downtime: Families can take much more drastic action, and it’s through downtime. This feature allows users to set a specific time, such as bedtime, when apps and notifications are blocked. Users can choose which apps are available or completely off limits.
2. App Restrictions: This feature allows users to combine individual apps and websites and even entire categories into a single, easily manageable restriction. They can set a limit for apps and websites like games or their kids’ favorite apps.
3. Communication Restrictions: This feature allows parents to choose who their children can communicate with throughout the day and during downtime to ensure that children are always reachable.
4. Communication safety: If children are handling sensitive images, this feature will detect it and take action. If Communication Safety detects that a child is receiving or attempting to send content that may contain nudity, it alerts them, gives them options to stay safe, and provides helpful resources.
5. Use restrictions: Parents can prevent their children from installing new apps and making in-app purchases. Parents can configure their children’s devices to restrict adult content or only open websites selected by parents. They can even turn off the Safari web browser.
6. Screen Distance: This feature uses the TrueDepth camera to detect when a user is holding their iPhone closer than 12 inches for a period of time and encourages them to move it further away.

In addition to these, families can turn to some other features to better handle the devices in their children’s hands.

This includes iCloud Private Relay, which helps protect users’ privacy while browsing the web in Safari. It ensures that no party – not even Apple – can see who the user is and what sites they visit.

Expanded guidance from Siri, Spotlight, and Safari Search provides additional resources to help kids and parents stay safe online and get help in dangerous situations.

And then there’s Family Setup, which allows members who don’t have their own iPhone to enjoy the features and benefits of Apple Watch.

In fact, if handled properly, like any other mechanical object, the devices are easily controlled by children’s hands. However, it requires families to be proactive in making sure they don’t let their responsibilities slip, as it gives kids free rein and can have very unpleasant consequences.