Child Safety in the Digital Age
Practical advice for parents navigating smartphones, social media, and the open internet. Written by the team behind The Blocker.
What Age Should My Child Get a Smartphone?
There is no question parents ask more often — and no question the research answers more clearly. The right age is later than most families think, and the consequences of going too early are more serious than most parents realize.
"Children who received smartphones before age 12 showed measurably higher rates of attention problems and lower academic performance compared to peers who waited." — JAMA Pediatrics, 2023
How to Talk to Your Child About Internet Safety
The internet safety conversation does not have to be scary or awkward. Here is how to have it in a way your child will actually hear — at every age.
Read more →Monitoring vs. Filtering: Which Does Your Family Need?
They solve different problems and require different tools. Here is how to know which approach is right for your family — and why most families need both.
Read more →Why DNS Filtering Is the Most Effective Way to Protect Kids Online
Not all parental control approaches are equal. DNS filtering operates at a level that app-based tools cannot reach — and it cannot be circumvented by determined children.
Read more →5 Signs Your Child May Be Accessing Inappropriate Content Online
Children rarely volunteer that they have seen something disturbing online. These behavioral signs can tell you what they will not say.
Read more →