Parental Control for Responsible Use of Internet by Children
Introduction The Internet is an essential tool for education and entertainment, but it also presents risks, especially for children. To ensure a safe and responsible digital experience, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, has mandated parental control measures under existing telecom regulations. This document serves as an awareness campaign to educate parents about the significance of parental controls and how to use them effectively.
Objective The primary goal of this awareness campaign is to equip parents and guardians with the necessary tools and knowledge to monitor and regulate their children’s online activities, thereby preventing exposure to inappropriate content, cyber threats, and excessive screen time.
Key Features of Parental Control Measures
- Content Filtering: Blocks access to age-inappropriate content such as adult websites, gambling, and violent media.
- Time Restrictions: Allows parents to set time limits for internet usage to prevent excessive screen time.
- Safe Browsing Mode: Enforces a child-friendly browsing experience by enabling restricted modes on search engines and video platforms.
- Monitoring and Alerts: Provides real-time notifications and activity reports to parents regarding their child’s online behavior.
- Application and Website Blocking: Restricts access to specific applications or websites deemed inappropriate for children.
- Proxy Server-Based Filtering: This uses proxy servers to filter and inspect web traffic, restricting access to banned URLs and inappropriate content.
- Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) and DNS Filtering: Monitors network traffic at a granular level to prevent access to harmful sites.
- Mobile Device Management (MDM): Allows parents to track, monitor, and restrict app usage on mobile devices.
How to Enable Parental Controls
- ISP-Level Parental Control: Contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to activate network-level parental controls.
- Router-Based Filters: Configure parental controls on your Wi-Fi router to block certain categories of content.
- Device-Level Restrictions:
- Windows & Mac: Use built-in parental control settings.
- Android & iOS: Enable ‘Family Link’ or ‘Screen Time’ features for content management.
- Third-Party Applications: Install trusted parental control applications such as Net Nanny, Qustodio, or Norton Family.
- VPN and Proxy Detection: Some advanced parental control systems can detect and block attempts to bypass restrictions through VPNs or proxy servers.
Importance of Digital Literacy
- Parents should educate children on the safe use of the Internet and encourage open communication.
- Teach children about cyberbullying, phishing scams, and responsible social media behavior.
- Promote awareness about reporting inappropriate content through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in).
Challenges and Concerns
- Some tech-savvy children may find ways to bypass parental controls using VPNs or alternative browsers.
- Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) techniques may have privacy concerns and performance limitations.
- Excessive restrictions can sometimes lead to increased anxiety and rebellion in children, emphasizing the need for balanced parental control settings.
Government and ISP Initiatives
- ISPs are required to provide parental control options and actively inform users about them.
- The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has introduced ‘SafeNet’, a parental control application tested for effective content filtering.
- Schools are encouraged to implement digital safety programs as per CBSE guidelines.