Removing phones from schools: what if the solution was simply to install a parental control app…

As 11,914,700 primary, secondary and high school students enter public and private schools under contract, according to figures from the Ministry of Education, 200 establishments will experiment with the “digital break” which completely bans mobile phones during school hours. This ban aims to “prevent online violence, limit exposure to screens and enforce the rules governing the use of digital tools”. In particular, it helps to limit “online harassment” and the “dissemination of violent images”, as well as any source of distraction in class.

The initiative is commendable, but it may be a bit complicated to implement. Especially since it is supposed to be generalized to all establishments in January 2025, so there is little time to materialize and organize the recovery and storage of phones, their security and their return at the end of the day…

Wouldn’t the simplest method be to take advantage of the widespread installation of a parental control application by default due to the new law of July 2024, to educate parents and explain to them the implementation of a strict blocking of digital activities during school time. Indeed, this new law imposes “the pre-installation of a free parental control device on connected devices sold in France” and aims to inform parents about these devices allowing them to control their children’s screen time and digital activities.

The duo of security suites with parental controls:

What does a parental control app offer?

Most of the time, parental control apps have 2 main features: screen time management and digital activity monitoring. This way, parents can not only schedule a screen time limit with specific time slots, but also control which apps the child uses the most, and even the calls and messages exchanged.

So, it is possible to simply program that during the week, the child will not have access to the internet or games during school time.. No social media, no WhatsApp, and no downloading apps.

And if he has installed games that can be accessed offline, some parental control applications can specifically block applications during a specific time period. Others even integrate a pre-configured feature, often called “school fashion” which blocks all forms of distraction, notifications, alerts and others, during school time.

And if the child uses the camera on their smartphone to film their friends or take photos for online harassment, it is possible to block the Camera application on their smartphone. Some more advanced applications are even able to determine a time limit for using an application during a specific time slot. For example, the child can only use the Camera application for 10 minutes between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. And this can be applied to all applications.

Here are the 3 most popular free parental control apps:

Google Family Link, for all Android devices

Google Family Link is part of the Google ecosystem and works in symbiosis with other Google tools. This parental control allows you to manage the essential functions of screen time and access to applications, but also activates filters for web content, authorizes or not the sharing of photos, via Google Photos, checks the history of YouTube Kids, blocks applications inappropriate for the child’s age on the Play Store, locates the child via Google Maps and allows parents to consult usage statistics.

Microsoft Family Safety, for Windows PCs, mobiles and Xbox consoles

If your child has a Windows 10/11 PC, an Xbox console and a smartphone (Android or iOS), then you should turn to Microsoft Family Safety. It is no longer the Google ecosystem, but Microsoft’s that is popular. And especially for the Xbox video game console, linked to your Family account. In terms of smartphone-related features, Microsoft Family Safety uses 3 main features: limiting screen time and blocking applications, filtering inappropriate content and geolocation.

Microsoft Family Safety

Microsoft Family Safety is parental control software that also includes a tracker to geolocate the members of your household, and an instant messaging system to communicate more quickly with your whole family!

• Version :
  1.24.1.958
• Downloads:
  237
• Release date:
  20/03/2024
• Author :
  Microsoft Corporation
• License:
  Free License
• Categories:
  

  Security

• Operating system:
  

  Android, Online service, Windows 10/11, iOS iPhone / iPad
  

ESET Parental Control, for precise application management

Available only for Android devices, ESET Parental Control offers more precise control over the time spent using applications. In fact, it is possible to manage individually, for each application, whether it should be blocked, unlimited or limited in time, with the additional possibility of determining a time range. This parental control also acts on web browsing by blocking sites with inappropriate content, and authorizes the geolocation of the child with an alert system if the child leaves a defined geographical area.

ESET Parental Control

ESET Parental Control is a parental control application for Android that allows you to set usage times and create app categories for your child(ren)’s device.

• Version :
  5.2.1.0
• Downloads:
  3
• Release date:
  03/07/2024
• Author :
  ESET
• License:
  Free License
• Categories:
  

  Security

• Operating system:
  

  Android, Online Service
  

This is already a first approach that should significantly reduce the use of screens, especially during school hours. Parents still need to be informed and trained in this type of tool.

For those who want to go even further in controlling their children’s screen usagebut above all who wish to offer more comprehensive protection on both the smartphone and the tablet, the computer or the Mac, it is possible to download and install a security suite.

Indeed, Security suites provide comprehensive protection against web dangers, whereas parental control apps are limited to app and screen time management.Unlike Google Family Link, which simply applies an internet filter or manages web access, the security suite adds protection modules against dangerous sites, prevents the child from accessing games inappropriate for their age, geolocates the device and therefore the child, locks the smartphone, protects their browsing against phishing, etc.

And these security suites also have the advantage of protecting your computer and all the family’s devices with subscriptions for 1, 5 or 10 devices, thus ensuring antivirus protection, offering a secure VPN connection and many other protection tools for your online privacy.

Norton 360 Advanced, the most complete

Norton 360 is one of the most comprehensive and popular security suites. And when it comes to parental controls, It includes a School mode which restricts the child’s online activities during school time. Of course, parents will have a screen time management system, a calendar to easily manage time slots for accessing applications, a geolocation system and much more.

And when it comes to antivirus, Norton 360’s reputation is well established. With its real-time protection, VPN, webcam blocking system and numerous tools for monitoring and protecting your online identity, it’s the ideal tool for securing up to 10 devices (computer, tablet and smartphone).

BitDefender Total Security, with structured routines

BitDefender Total Security also has a whole range of tools to ensure the protection of the whole family. For parental control, the essentials are ensured with controls that are particularly easy to set up for parents and especially a “routines” module which allows you to set up structured plans. For example, it will be possible to determine the authorized applications and the time of use for a School routine which will not allow any internet connection, no notifications, etc.; a “Bedtime” routine with access to music and podcasts for example.

For antivirus protection, you can count on an attack prevention system, antispam, safecam, VPN, anti-tracker (for targeted advertising), anti-ransomware and many others.

Whether the digital break becomes widespread in January 2025 or not, it is always good to monitor children’s digital activity, to teach them moderation in their use of screens, and to provide them with a protective framework with a parental control application or a security suite. It is the role of parents to ensure their digital well-being with kindness and pedagogy, using these computer tools.