Defending Against Predators

These resources are here to assist you in completing your Action Plan for Step 4 - Defending Against Predators. If you want additional information on this topic, please let us know in the Digital Parenting Community.

On this page, we will be addressing the following items:

• Reviewing the downloadable resources that accompany this step
• Securing Communication via Apps
• Securing Communication on Phones
• Securing Communication on Video Game Consoles

Downloadable Resources

The PDF file for the Discussion Guide on Predators can be found below.

Apps

You need to know the purpose of every app on your child's phone. Some apps are just not wise for your child to have, even if they aren't using them for anything inappropriate. Safewise has created a list of dangerous apps for kids. You can use this list to check the apps your child has installed.

Even if you have blocked contacts from texting or calling your child's phone or tablet, the device is not secure until you review all apps installed on your child's device. Many apps provide messaging, video chatting, and even utilities for storing secret data.

Dangerous Apps for Kids via Safewise

Phones

When using phones, it is important to control who has the means to contact your child through calling and text messaging. The following guide will walk you through different means of configuring these settings.

Controlling who can call or text your child is an essential step when it comes to limiting a predator's access to your child. If your child has access to a phone, you can control who has this access by leveraging a parental control platform, the device's built-in controls or a tool provided by the phone's network provider.

Using the Built-In Parental Controls

The built-in controls provide a means of blocking access to your child without paying for a separate service. Not all platforms offer the same functionality regarding this level of control.

iPhones

The Screen Time feature we have already discussed on iPhones (as well as Macs and iPads) also supports setting communication limits. This feature enables you to block or allow both calls and messages from specific contacts. It also includes the ability to block potentially sensitive images.

Communication Limits with Screen Time

Android Devices

Android's parental controls for calls and text messages are inadequate. We recommend using a solution like Bark or leveraging the parental control options provided by your phone network provider.

Using Phone Network Controls

Most of the major cell phone providers offer some level of parental control. Some of these controls are free, while others are an add-on to your existing mobile plan. The mobile networks can provide some unique features that other parental control platforms cannot. Most of the features provided by the networks are available through the other recommended parental control solutions.

Verizon

Verizon provides their Smart Family option to your existing wireless plan. This solution enables you to block numbers, text messages, ads, and emails. There are two different levels provided. The premium option provides some additional location-based controls.

Verizon Smart Family

AT&T

AT&T provides their Secure Family add-on to your existing mobile plan. This feature lets you set up screen time limits, track your child's location, and monitor their online actions.

AT&T Secure Family

T-Mobile

T-Mobile provides some parental controls, but these controls are not as extensive as those of other networks. Some features, like their Web Guard filter, are free but only work when using the cellular data feature.

T-Mobile Family Controls

Video Game Consoles

Predators are increasingly using video games as a communication channel to meet potential victims. As a parent, you should know the communication settings for each video game console you have in your home.

One of the most popular means of communication for gamers is Discord. Even if you have configured your video game console to turn off communication between players, your child may be able to use Discord if installed on a phone, tablet, or computer.

Microsoft Xbox

Microsoft provides the Xbox Family Settings app (available on iOS and Android) to enable you to configure the allowed communication types for your child. Click the link below and navigate to the Adjust Online Communication Levels option to get instructions for this setting. You can also configure filters to block inappropriate material.

You can also configure these settings on the Xbox console itself.

Controlling Xbox Communication

Sony Playstation

Sony provides a way to control how your child can interact with player communication and user-generated content. Click the link below and navigate to the How to restrict communication and user-generated content heading.

Setup Communication Limits on Sony Playstation

Nintendo Switch

You can limit and restrict the communication on your Nintendo Switch by using the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls mobile app.

Restricting In-Game Communication