Online safety is a concern for many parents, and fortunately, most of today's computers and portable electronic devices have built-in controls for better protection. There are also additional parental controls and safeguards that a computer repair professional can install for some added security and peace of mind. Here’s what you should know about parental controls and how a computer repair service can further bolster your security needs.

What They Are

Parental controls are software, apps, or other tools that allow parents to limit a child's access to electronic devices. In general, there are three different types of controls. A network control attaches directly to a router or hub and restricts usage to all devices connected to that source. Device controls are affixed to a certain device and will work no matter where the device is or where it is connected to the internet. Application-level controls limit viewing ability on specific web applications, like internet browsers and video streaming sites.

What They Do

A parental control can limit a child's access in a number of different ways. Some of the more common methods include:

• Blocking and filtering content you find objectionable
• Controlling when the child can log onto the internet
• Establishing limits on how long a child can be online
• Restricting what and how information is shared
• Setting up unique login profiles for each person in the household and assigning each a suitable level of access

How to Get Them

Most Apple^® products come with built-in parental controls. Utilizing them is typically as easy as visiting the Settings section, tapping on General, and then tapping on Restrictions; from there, you will see what features are available on your device. A computer repair service can add even more controls to your device, so if you have larger concerns about a child's safety online, it’s recommended to explore all of your available options with a professional.

Understandably, you want to do whatever is possible to keep your kids safe and protected when they're on the internet. The computer repair professionals at Experimac Orland Park in Illinois can help. In addition to parental controls, they offer computer hardware upgrades and pre-owned Apple products. Call (708) 949-8562 to schedule a consultation with a computer repair professional, or visit their website to learn more about their available products.