Ah, summer! The season of sunshine, ice cream, and—let’s be honest—kids glued to their screens like moths to a flame. Before you know it, your little cherubs might be deep diving into the wild, wild web. But fear not! You can keep them safe with a little help from the magical world of parental controls. Let’s dive in and explore how you can balance screen time with safety—without turning into a total helicopter parent.

First things first, kick-off summer with “The Talk.” No, not that talk. The one about your family’s screen time rules and expectations. Once you’ve laid down the law (and maybe bribed them with some ice cream), it’s time to consider parental controls.

What’s Playing on the Screen?
Keep an eye on what shows and movies are captivating your kiddo’s attention. TV and movie ratings are your best friend here. They hint at what’s age-appropriate and what might be a tad too spicy for young eyes. Decide which ratings should get the “no-go” status.

Game On or Game Over?
Is your child a future eSports champion or just a weekend warrior? Either way, check the ratings and reviews for video games. This way, you’ll know if the games are suitable for your child or if they are better suited for adults who still live in their mom’s basement.

The Social Butterfly Effect
Kids love staying connected with friends, but you probably don’t want them chatting with every Tom, Dick, and Harry on the internet. Thankfully, many gaming and social media apps let you control who they can chat with. You can approve a list of friends or go full-on fortress mode and prevent online communication altogether. Stranger danger, begone!

Tech-Savvy Parenting Tools
Ready to set up parental controls? Start with free tools like Apple’s Family Sharing, Google’s Family Link, and Microsoft Family Safety. These nifty tools help you set screen time limits, restrict apps and content, and provide a digital magnifying glass into your kid’s app activity. Sherlock Holmes, eat your heart out!

Gamer Alert!
If your kid is a gamer, check out the controls on gaming platforms, apps, and websites. And for those with cell phones or connected watches, look for privacy settings to prevent them from sharing their location with people who aren’t on the family Christmas card list.

Password-Protect Like a Pro
For shared devices, add passcodes or PINs. Better yet, create separate profiles. This way, no little fingers can accidentally (or “accidentally”) stream your favorite shows, scroll through social media apps, or drain your bank account with in-game purchases. Crisis averted!

In the end, your goal is to keep your kids safe while allowing them to enjoy the digital world. With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to achieving that perfect balance between freedom and security.

For more tips on protecting your kids online, check out the original article at ftc.gov/kidsonline.

Original article: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/06/making-family-plan-summer-screen-time