this post was submitted on 23 Aug 2023

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Privacy

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How to make a phone secure for children without using "Spyware"? (feddit.de)

submitted 2 years ago by ReversedCookie@feddit.de to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

33 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Many parent control apps are more like Spyware and are often also exactly that, Spyware which spy on your Kids. Or Google Family Link is also a great example which you can't remove even if you want too (as parent). I already setup a non-child-friendly blocking DNS and set the Age Limit in the Google Play Store and did all the Privacy related stuff, but I'm still thinking how can I make a Android phone more secure for children? The threads I'm talking about are non-child-friendly content, malware, scams, etc.

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[–] entropicshart@sh.itjust.works 22 points 2 years ago (5 children)

This is unfortunately why I moved the kids devices to iPhone/iPad.

I was not able to find any native methods of locking things down without involving third parties collecting a ton of data.

In iOS I can set their account as a child account, which then lets me

limit what applications they can launch
what websites they can visit
how much screen time they spend in an app or category of apps
disable in app purchases
disable pop up advertisements in app
require approval from parent account for any app download (including free)
remove ability to delete apps or change specific settings

all with the native iOS settings

[–] TheYang@lemmy.ml 8 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

limit what applications they can launch
what websites they can visit
how much screen time they spend in an app or category of apps
disable in app purchases
disable pop up advertisements in app
require approval from parent account for any app download (including free)
remove ability to delete apps or change specific settings

Google family link gives you controls over:

Android app activity and limits
Filters on Chrome, including custom black and whitelisting for websites
SafeSearch to remove sexually explicit and violet results in Google Search
Usage limits, including individual app limits
Google Play purchases, content restrictions, approval for app installs
Google Assistant app access and voice matching
Location tracking to find your child's device
Account info
Google Photo sharing
Google account sign in controls across new devices
Activity control such as web and YouTube history

source Seems like rather similar options to me?
But I have to admit to never having used either anyway.

[–] Gnorv@feddit.de 2 points 2 years ago

I have used TimeLimit. It works completely local on the phone with the option to run it online if earned.

[–] narc0tic_bird@lemm.ee 1 points 2 years ago

Wait, this lets you disable pop up advertisements in apps? How does that work?

[–] ExtremeDullard@lemmy.sdf.org -1 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (2 children)

This is unfortunately why I moved the kids devices to iPhone/iPad.

I was not able to find any native methods of locking things down without involving third parties collecting a ton of data.

But creepy Apple collecting tons of data on your children is okay by you?

[–] entropicshart@sh.itjust.works 3 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

Yes - that data is already being collected regardless of which OS you choose; this is at least contained to the creator of your OS, not yet another entity.

Also, iOS being arguably less than Google’s collection and use.

[–] ExtremeDullard@lemmy.sdf.org 3 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

Yes - that data is already being collected regardless of which OS you choose; this is at least contained to the creator of your OS, not yet another entity.

Not if you install a deGoogled OS such as LineageOS, CalyxOS, Iodé or /e/,

Also, iOS being arguably less than Google’s collection and use.

Don't drink the kool-aid. Apple's reputation for being a privacy-respecting company is entirely fictional and created by Apple's marketing department. They collect as much data as Google does, make no mistake about it.

And even if they didn't, I don't consider "a little less" privacy invasion remotely good enough - especially when it's my children's privacy!

[–] entropicshart@sh.itjust.works 9 points 2 years ago (1 children)

We’re talking out of the box solutions; what you’re talking about is custom roms that will be above most people’s skill set and time to do so.

iPhones are a thing because they simply work - that is a much bigger selling point than anything else you and I could suggest.

[–] ExtremeDullard@lemmy.sdf.org 5 points 2 years ago

You have a point there.

[–] JackGreenEarth@lemm.ee -4 points 2 years ago (1 children)

But that locks you into apple's walled garden, and supports their predatory practises. It's no better.

[–] socphoenix@midwest.social 3 points 2 years ago

It's unfortunate but in some cases you do have to accept trade offs to get what you want. Not to mention apple has that built in, while much of what's being recommended here are custom roms and other things that are not exactly user friendly to run out of the box.