Jean M. Twenge has rightly said that the complete dominance of smartphones among teens has had ripple effects across every area of their lives, from their social interactions to their mental health. Those between the age of 16 and 24 are the most intense users of social media nowadays. While the internet, social media, and technology, in general, have contributed a lot to this demographic, there is also enough evidence linking their usage to an increase in mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, and suicidality.
All of this emanates from online (mis)behaviors such as bullying, sextortion, abuse, and aggression. But do not worry, you can now protect your kids from being exposed to these harmful elements by using a simple app called SafeToNet. Yes, you read it right. Challenges propping up as a result of technological advancement often have their solutions in the latter only. Using the latest Artificial Intelligence Technology, SafeToNet protects your child by monitoring their keyboard activity while they are online and searching for content or texting their friends. Download the app from Play Store for free to start safeguarding your child’s digital life.
To get started, you have to set up the parent’s account by selecting the Parent’s Device option when you open the app. Hereafter, you can proceed to set up the child’s account for their devices. The user interface is quite simple and fairly easy to use.
Let’s take a closer look at its features:
- Filters malicious messages: using AI technology, the keyboard acts as a real-time assistant who is constantly on a lookout for untoward behavior– it changes color to highlight the risks and gives suitable advice to educate your child. It may even filter the outgoing messages if the risks run high, thereby protecting your child from later regrets.
- Your very own well-being assistant: SafeToNet has a list of audio guides to help your kid in times of trouble. These guides focus on several problems such as cyberbullying, anxiety, stress, anger, depression, and so on. The coolest part is that the app automatically detects the signs of these problems from your kid’s online behavior.
- A journal for your feelings: it gives your kids the ability to verbalize their problems in the Emotions Diary. By writing about their online and offline life, they are more likely to successfully confront the anxieties facing them.
- Respects privacy: rather than revealing to the parents what the child is sharing online, SafeToNet only notifies about the child’s safety level changes. Using the Explore the Signs feature, parents can either self-diagnose the problem or consult a suitable therapist. It also has specific advice for several other safety topics. Most importantly, SafeToNet has partnered with Microsoft to store your data, but even the latter cannot access it.
- Provides relevant insights: it extrapolates the changes in your kid’s safety levels over time, while also listing the top areas (such as apps) where the signs of risk are most prominent. These insights help in reorienting your kid’s behavior by addressing these high-risk areas.
- News and tips: it provides the parents with information on the latest online trends, including the details of harmful apps and other risks.
- Location button: so that you can always be aware of your child’s whereabouts without being constantly on your heels.
SafeToNet is a highly effective app that safeguards your kids from digital malice. It is neither too heavy on your pocket, unlike other high-end software. It offers a 1-month free trial period for either an auto-renewing monthly subscription of $9.99/month or an auto-renewing yearly subscription of $99.99/year. But the downside is that you cannot get a free trial without subscribing first. Although you may cancel it any time before the month ends, some may not be comfortable with paying upfront. The AI also takes some time to learn your child’s behavior and may not work optimally in the beginning.
However, it is crucial these days to keep an eye on your child’s online life without being too nosy. There is also a gender imbalance here. Heavy social media usage increases depression risk by 27%, with girls being disproportionately affected– boys’ depression increased by 21% between 2012 and 2015, and girls’ increased by 50%, according to Twenge. As parents, it becomes our responsibility to make sure that the online environment is safe for youngsters, especially girls. SafeToNet helps in ensuring that.