Childproof mobile phones

For children, the smartphone is the gateway to the world. However, parents don't want their children to click everywhere and discover frightening things or make purchases without realising it. A short guide to technical aids.

The «fragFINN» app is ideal for child-friendly surfing on the Internet. You may already know this site as a search engine for children. The app now gives you an entire browser. Your child can only access sites that have been approved by media educators. There are currently around 11,000 websites.
The «My homepage» app also accesses these approved sites, supplemented by the URLs of the children's search engine «Blinde Kuh» and websites with the age indication «up to 12 years».
On iOS devices, however, you should also block Internet access via other browsers such as Safari. The app itself explains how to do this. For Android devices, you should only allow your child to use the device with closed applications so that they cannot leave «My homepage». You should also password-protect applications that are not suitable for children and, if possible, deactivate services such as push notifications.

Also talk about the fact that they should and can turn to adults if they end up on a scary site despite all precautions.

On iPhones and iPads, you can specify which apps your child can use and whether they can download content from iTunes and the App Store under Settings « General » Restrictions with a password. This means that your child can only access music, films, books and apps that are appropriate for their age; websites are also filtered according to age.
Does your child love games and should be allowed to play them without using other apps? This is easy to do via Settings « General » Accessibility « Guided access. Here you can set the app that your child is allowed to play with. You can cancel the protection function by pressing the home button three times and entering a 'Parent password». On Android tablets, you can create a restricted account for children and specify which apps your child is allowed to start. Google is automatically deactivated. You should therefore also set up one of the recommended children's browsers.
Would you like to restrict access to YouTube videos? Create video lists. The «Videomonster» app is ideal for iOS. Incidentally, the videos can be downloaded in advance and saved offline for a car journey. A similar app with fewer functions is available for Android: «Children TV».
My personal tip: create the lists together with your child and talk about what makes films suitable for children. This way you can explain to your child how to recognise harmless films. Also talk about the fact that they should and can turn to adults if they end up on a scary site despite being careful.

Swisscom Internetbox
Use the parental control function to define when your children's tablets and computers are connected to the Internet. You can set individual surfing times for each day of the week and each device.

Internet Security and Mobile Security
Parental control blocks access to websites with adult content - on PCs and mobile devices. The protection is also effective if your children use a public WLAN.

On Medienstark you will find tips and interactive learning modules for the competent use of digital media in everyday family life.