Technology is everywhere in our lives, and it can be a powerful tool for learning, entertainment, and communication. But it can also pose some risks and challenges for parents who want to protect their children from harmful or inappropriate content, cyberbullying, or online predators. You may think that your kid is not tech savvy, or that he doesn’t know how to access certain websites or apps, or that he will never be able to bypass the parental controls you have set up. But you may be surprised by how smart and resourceful your kids are when it comes to technology.

Let’s talk about some common misconceptions we have about our children’s abilities, and how technology is made.

For the sake of not disclosing the specific tools and techniques we will use vague language. Here’s the hope that those who want to pick up the right ideas will do so. And kids won’t learn the methods to circumvent safe grounds.

Your Kid is Not Tech Savvy

You may think that your kid is not tech savvy because he doesn’t seem interested in technology, or because he struggles with some basic tasks like typing or using a mouse. But that doesn’t mean that he can’t learn quickly and easily from his peers, online tutorials, or trial and error. As a life coach, I repeatedly tell my clients “It only takes one kid in a class to tell all others.”

According to a study by the Pew Research Center, 95% of teens in the US have access to a smartphone, and 45% say they are online almost constantly. That means that your kid has plenty of opportunities to explore and experiment with technology, even if he doesn’t show it to you.

Your Kid Doesn’t Know How

You may think that your kid doesn’t know how to access certain websites or apps that you have blocked or restricted on his device. But that doesn’t mean that he can’t find ways to circumvent the barriers you have put in place. For example, your kid may use specialized software to hide his online activity from your monitoring software, or he may connect to another computer to access websites that are blocked by your internet service provider. He may also use alternative browsers, incognito modes, or private tabs to avoid leaving any traces of his browsing history on his device. Or he may simply borrow a friend’s device or use a public computer to access the content he wants.

Your Kid Will Never be Able to

You may think that your kid will never be able to hack into your password-protected accounts, or create fake profiles on social media, or download illegal or pirated content. But that doesn’t mean that he won’t try or succeed. Your kid may use tools or techniques to guess or steal your passwords, or he may use scams or other tricks to obtain your personal information . He may create fake accounts on social media platforms . He may also use software or sharing sites to download or watch illegal or pirated content .

So ask yourself: did you use the same or very similar pin from your ATM machine on your phone’s parental controls? It is a common practice to reuse passwords, and this makes them very much guessable.

The Truth

Picture this: a tech-savvy kid possesses a remarkable set of digital skills that can often leave us adults surprised. They can effortlessly uncover passwords for simple filters and bypass locks using built-in emergency features, reminding us that in the digital world, even locks have a backdoor.

Just like you’ve tried to recover a forgotten password, these tech-savvy youngsters can do it too, showcasing their intuitive grasp of technology. What’s more, they have the ability to crack the code for Wi-Fi access or your phone parental control without even needing a physical access to the device.

Whether it’s through another previously connected device or creative problem-solving, their resourcefulness knows no bounds. A simple example, have you ever hidden a Wi-Fi password sticker on your router? Well, these young minds can still connect using alternative methods, like a button on the device itself. They turn seemingly harmless apps into full-fledged internet browsers, demonstrating their knack for making the most out of the digital tools at their disposal. It’s a testament to their ingenuity that they can transform a device that’s app-centric into an internet-surfing powerhouse.

(By the way, if you want to read more about securing your router, head here, we have another article just on the topic!)

What Can You Do?

The reality is that your kids are smarter than you think when it comes to technology, and they may be able to outsmart you if they really want to. That’s why it’s important to educate yourself about the latest trends and developments in technology, and to keep an open and honest dialogue with your kids about their online activities.

You should also set clear and reasonable rules and boundaries for their technology use, and enforce them consistently and fairly. And most importantly, you should trust your kids and respect their privacy, but also monitor their online behaviour and intervene when necessary. Technology can be a useful thing, but only if you use it wisely and safely.

In Conclusion

If you want to address it correctly, encourage collaboration with your entire family. Building proper boundaries works when it’s is done based on trust, mutual respect, and understanding.

Remember that your kid is smarter than you think when it comes to technology, and they may be able to bypass or hide some of their online activities from you. That’s why it’s important to have an open and honest relationship with your kid, and to educate them about the benefits and risks of using technology.

Most importantly, don’t go at it alone. If you are clear about your goals and everyone is collaborating well, reach out to your local TAG office to help you fine-tune the setup or do it from scratch.

And if you need extra support, reach out to your friendly technology life coach!