cross-posted from: https://lemmy.nz/post/16690486

I am thinking about getting a phone for my son.

There are some really cheap android phones around.

But I also want to restrict what he can do on it while he is still young.

I was thinking something like net guard but with a password, so the settings can’t be easily changed.

I could just get a dumb phone, but I also have some old android phones hanging around.

What options are there for this kind of app/network control?

  • Like the wind...@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    81·
    27 days ago

    You probably could use an app hider and hide play store and browser after downloading apps. Download some non-predatory games, buy no-ads on them, remove all payment information, maybe download some educational apps as well. I heavily recommend the Offline Games app, it’s a collection of mobile games that aren’t scummy.

    Honestly I think not being able to go online might be beneficial for the kid until they’re 16+. Spend time with your child so they won’t immerse themselves in social media for their missing human connection.

    • WhyJiffie@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      4·
      27 days ago

      Honestly I think not being able to go online might be beneficial for the kid until they’re 16+.

      or in a very controlled, supervised way, so that they may see the useful part of the internet and learn to use it, without getting dragged down by social media.

      • absGeekNZ@lemmy.nzOPEnglish
        1·
        27 days ago

        Agreed, the already has my old laptop which he uses at home sometimes.

        I really just want to be able call him when he and his friends are away from the house.

        But also have some apps like signal, and a chess game. The Wikipedia app… There really is a lot of good stuff available.

        No social media, no unsupervised internet.

    • Björn Tantau@swg-empire.de
      4·
      27 days ago

      Sometimes it’s a little overbearing in what it blocks. For that reason we also have the Aurora Store and F-Droid installed. But mostly it works well.