Parental Controls Aren't for Parents
5 hours ago
- #Tech Complexity
- #Online Safety
- #Parental Controls
- A parent discovered a grown man texting their 12-year-old son on a 'kid-safe' Gabb phone via GroupMe, an app listed as 'approved' by Gabb.
- Despite Gabb's blog warning about GroupMe's dangers, the app remained on their approved list with minimal, unclear warnings.
- The parent criticizes Gabb and other tech companies for marketing safety but delivering complexity, leaving parents to navigate risks.
- Setting up a Nintendo Switch revealed inadequate parental controls, forcing unwanted online access and eShop exposure for offline play.
- Minecraft's online play required loosening parental controls and subscribing to Nintendo Switch Online, which opens access to the eShop.
- The parent expresses frustration with convoluted parental control systems across platforms, feeling set up to fail.
- Desires a simple 'off switch' for child safety online, instead of navigating complex, unclear settings across multiple platforms.
- Highlights the tension between children's desire to play and communicate online and parents' need to ensure their safety.