Hello Reader,

I know you’ll agree that sometimes we make mistakes despite our best intentions. Gift-giving can be one of them.

So, to keep the holidays happy, don’t make the mistake of giving your child an unopened box on Christmas morning.

Here’s what I mean.

Without the right setup (filters, parental controls, etc.), giving tech devices can bring more than fun—it can open a Pandora’s box of risks like pornography, online predators, and endless screen time battles.

A little preparation now can save you a lot of headaches later. Plus you’ll be setting them up when tech support is more available.

Here’s a quick guide to setting up your tech gifts for safety, plus links to in-depth articles if you want to dive deeper.

Router

Get your router ready: use it to filter gaming systems, Smart TVs, computers, and mobile devices.

Consider gifting yourself a system like Gryphon, NetGear, or Bark Home that can provide a base layer of protection to your home’s internet use. Router-level protection can block pornography and malware across all your family’s devices, plus turn off the internet when it’s bedtime.

Again, get it all set up before your child even opens their new device.

Device level parental controls

Gaming systems

Take advantage of the parental controls available on your gaming system. Before wrapping it up, unbox the device and customize the settings to fit your family’s needs. Not sure where to start? Look up your specific system for detailed instructions—YouTube is a great resource for step-by-step tutorials!

Here are some common controls you can customize:

• Time limits
• Age restrictions for games, BluRay discs, and DVDs
• Web browsing restrictions
• Spending limits
• VR restrictions
• Chatting and messaging restrictions
• Viewing or sharing videos, images, and text
• Bedtime settings

Smart TVs

Smart TVs are a gateway to endless entertainment—and adult content. Before you hand over the remote, take a moment to set up the parental controls.

Here are a few common settings you can adjust:

• PIN codes: Lock specific apps behind a secure PIN. This is especially useful for apps like YouTube, which you may want to limit unless you’re in the same room.
• Web browsing: Disable any browsers to limit access to online content.
• Streaming apps: Set up parental controls within streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, Paramount+, etc.

If you’re not sure how to set these up, look up instructions for your specific TV model. As with gaming systems, YouTube is your friend with many tutorials to guide you through the process.

Smartphones

Smartphones may be the largest source of anxiety for parents—but with the right preparation, they don’t have to be. Gift yourself peace of mind by setting up controls before handing the phone over. The setup process will depend on the type of phone you choose. Here are a few key steps:
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​Built-in controls: Start with built-in options like Apple’s Screen Time or Android’s Family Link. While these are a good baseline, I don’t find either comprehensive enough and highly recommend installing a more robust app (see next bullet point.) If you’ve chosen a phone option like Gabb, Bark, Pinwheel, Troomi, or MMGuardian, take time to set up the controls early.

Don’t wait until the last minute—do it while tech support is available in case you need assistance.

Monitoring and alerting apps: Save your sanity by installing apps that monitor phone usage and send you alerts for alarming activity. Bark and MMGuardian are great choices for this and can also filter content.

Filter nudity: If you give your child access to a browser, consider using Canopy, which uses AI to block nudity. Keep in mind Canopy only works on browsers, so you’ll want to block apps and direct your child to access content on a browser. Use code DEFENDYOUNGMINDS to get 15% off.

Tablets and computers

Here’s what you can do to get those tablets and computers ready:

Built-in parental controls: As with previous mentioned devices, search for your specific device model to learn how to install base-level controls.

Monitoring, alerting, and filtering software: Just like phones, be sure to add software like Bark, MMGuardian, or Canopy.

Family rules

No matter the device—or who gifted it— your family’s tech rules should still apply. Consider giving the gift of access instead of ownership. Be clear about your rules, and stick to them. You may even want to post them. Don’t be afraid to set up new boundaries or re-establish rules when the need arises.

Pro tip: If a device can be carried around, define where and when it can be used. Public spaces like the kitchen table are better than bedrooms for phones, tablets, computers, and portable gaming systems.

Unbox the fun, not the risks

With a little preparation beforehand, your kids can unbox the fun and not the risks. For even more tips on making devices kid-safe, check out these helpful resources:

• ​Holiday Gift Guide: Top Tips for Safe Tech​
• ​Filtering 101: Protect Kids from Porn on New Devices​
• ​7 Essential Rules for New Tech to Safeguard Your Child​
• ​Digital Safety Planner (Free Download)

Here’s to a magical and safe holiday season for you and your family!

Kindly,

Kristen

P.S. See you after Christmas! I usually email you on Tuesday—but the holidays are shaking things up. Next week, I’ll email you on Thursday, 12/26, instead of our usual Tuesday, and the following week you’ll hear from me on Thursday, 1/2, since that Tuesday is New Year’s Eve. Happy Holidays!🌲