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Do my kids spend too much time online?

Our Broadband Expert says...

Hi Craig,

As a father myself I understand your concerns. The internet is an excellent resource for children’s learning, but if they log on at the expense of doing homework it can start to be a problem. Luckily, there are simple ways of limiting the time your family spends online.

Many of the UK’s main broadband providers - the likes of BT (www.BT.com), Virgin Media (www.Virginmedia.com), TalkTalk (www.Talktalk.co.uk) and Sky (www.Sky.com) - now offer free software to all of their customers to help them manage their children’s online activity. As well as antivirus, there are parental controls to help you keep the kids safe as they surf. You can also limit their browsing to certain times of day. But there are other practical steps you can take to reduce computer time. Try getting them involved with more “offline” activities, or draw up some rules with suitable punishments if broken.

With some guidelines in place, and the right software installed, there’s no reason why your kids’ use of the web should cause problems. Remember, a broadband connection should improve family life. Don’t allow it to be a disruption.

Do my children use the internet too much?

How much is too much? That’s impossible to say. It’s up to you as a parent to decide how often and for how long your kids should use the internet. A recent ChildWise survey found that British children aged five to 16 years spend an average of 1.6 hours online each day.

Unsurprisingly, children’s web usage peaks in the after-school hours, with a typical 60% logging on at this time. It’s reasonable to allow more surfing time at weekends, but if the family’s broadband consumption is spiralling, there are ways of regaining control.

While parental controls are important, there are other tactics you can use and a combination of these can be a very effective approach.

How can I limit their surfing time?

There are two main ways to restrict your children’s internet time. Firstly, there’s the software approach, and secondly the “house rules” technique. The following guidance should help you stay in the driving seat and prevent what you consider excessive use of the web.

Software
As well as keeping kids safe online, parental controls allow you to limit the amount of time your children spend on the net. You might want to give them a maximum number of hours or restrict their access to certain times of day. Many UK broadband companies now provide these services with all their home broadband products. If you’re unsure what’s available, try contacting your supplier. Alternatively, you can compare the different options online if you’re looking to switch provider.

House rules
Parental controls are important, but there are extra steps you can take if you’re concerned about how long your kids spend surfing the web. You might want to draw up a list of internet rules appropriate to your children’s ages. These could include only being allowed online once homework is complete, or as a reward for good behaviour. You may also want to “ban” certain activities and dole out appropriate punishments when if the household code of conduct is breached.

Top Tip - If you’re worried about your children spending too much time on the computer, try thinking of “offline” games and activities to tempt them away from their screens. Youngsters sometimes use the internet simply because they’re bored or feel they have nothing better to do.

Keeping kids safe on the internet

Most parents agree that it’s important for children to experience the web and the countless benefits it can offer. But we’re all aware of the dangers that lurk in cyberspace, from viruses to internet predators, and it’s important to keep your family safe. There are ways your broadband provider can help and there are also measures you can take yourself.

How can I keep my children safe?
Installing up-to-date antivirus and spyware software, such as Bullguard or McAfee, is a very good place to start. If you have younger children, it’s a good idea to have parental controls and a search engine filter set up. It’s also important to communicate the dangers to your children from the moment they start using the web.

What are the risks?
Educating your children in the dangers they face when using the internet can be an effective method of keeping them safe online. Parents are advised to discuss the following points with all of their web-surfing offspring:

• Not everything you read on the internet is true
• Some online material is not suitable for children
• Personal information should never be shared on the web
• Emails from an unknown sender should not be opened

These are just a few examples of what topics to cover. Kids also need to know that it’s never too late to tell someone if anything they experience online makes them feel uncomfortable. For more guidance, visit the Thinkuknow website.

Can my broadband provider help?
The majority of internet service providers (ISPs) now give their customers security software, often at no extra cost. For example, BT (www.BT.com), Sky (www.Sky.com) and Virgin Media (www.Virginmedia.com) each offer parental controls and antivirus software with all home broadband packages. In its current advertising, TalkTalk (www.Talktalk.co.uk) claims to offer the UK’s safest broadband connection with its free online security service HomeSafe.

How else can I monitor my children online?
From time to time, you might want to check the history on your child’s web browser. If you have a fixed broadband connection, you might also want to place the family computer in your living room or another communal space. It’s usually best to show an interest and talk openly about what your kids are doing online. Ask them about their favourite websites and keep an eye on their surfing.

Source: Norton Online Family Report (2011)

Should I let my children use Facebook?

As with most of this advice, there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution. The sites and online services your children should be allowed to access depend on their age, maturity and your personal views as a parent. But it’s worth noting that Facebook’s user agreement states: “You will not use Facebook if you are under 13”. If you’re happy for your child to use sites like Facebook, it might be a good idea to create an account yourself and “friend” them for peace of mind.

Remember...

There are practical steps any parent can take to keep their kids safe online. Simply talking to your children, informing them of potential dangers and establishing clear internet rules can be a very effective approach. Installing parental controls and up-to-date antivirus software is also important. These are now included by most UK broadband providers as part of a family package.

For more help with internet safety for kids, visit the Thinkuknow website or read government advice online. To find the best broadband package for your family, visit Broadbandchoices.co.uk and use the postcode checker to compare deals in your area.

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