- Oxford School District
- Parental Controls for Personal Devices
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Setting Parental Controls on Personal Devices
Dear Oxford School District Families,
With the holidays just around the corner, many of you might be planning to gift your children new tech devices like smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, or even smartwatches. These gifts can bring hours of fun, but we also understand how important it is to feel confident that your kids are using them safely.
To make things easier, we’ve put together some tips to help you keep your kids’ new devices safe and secure, so your family can enjoy them with peace of mind.
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Smartphones, Tablets, and Apple Watches
These devices often connect to the internet, making built-in tools for safety essential:
- Apple Devices (iPhone/iPad): Use Screen Time to manage app usage, block inappropriate content, and track screen time.
Learn about Screen Time. - Apple Watch: Pair the watch with your iPhone to set limits on app use, block explicit content, and manage communication.
Learn about Apple Watch parental controls. - Android Devices: Google’s Family Link app lets you set app limits, filter web content, and manage activity.
Learn about Family Link.
- Apple Devices (iPhone/iPad): Use Screen Time to manage app usage, block inappropriate content, and track screen time.
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Gaming Consoles
Gaming devices are popular gifts, and they offer built-in controls to help you set limits:
- Nintendo Switch: Use the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app to manage playtime, set content restrictions, and block purchases.
Learn about Nintendo Switch controls. - PlayStation: Set limits on communication, spending, and screen time directly through the console or app.
Learn about PlayStation parental controls. - Xbox: The Family Settings app lets you manage screen time, filter content, and oversee online activity.
Learn about Xbox parental controls.
- Nintendo Switch: Use the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app to manage playtime, set content restrictions, and block purchases.
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Laptops and Computers
If your children will use new computers, parental controls can ensure a safer experience:
- Windows PCs: Microsoft Family Safety allows you to filter websites, track screen time, and set age-appropriate limits.
Learn about Microsoft Family Safety. - Macs: Use macOS parental controls to block apps and manage online content.
Learn about macOS parental controls.
- Windows PCs: Microsoft Family Safety allows you to filter websites, track screen time, and set age-appropriate limits.
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Securing Your Home Network
For extra peace of mind, consider using Cisco Umbrella Family Shield. It blocks harmful websites and inappropriate content across all devices connected to your Wi-Fi.
- Setup is as easy as updating your router’s DNS settings.
Learn about how to set up Cisco Umbrella Family Shield.
- Setup is as easy as updating your router’s DNS settings.
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School Resources to Support Your Family
Here’s a great bonus! All Oxford School District students have access to Microsoft 365 and Apple iCloud accounts with cloud storage. These resources are perfect for keeping photos, school projects, and more organized and accessible!
