Weekends are treasured by teenagers, they have a whole list of plans and they look forward to it all week. Whether they include going for movies, chilling with friends, attending a concert or a party at some friends place. One thing will be present there for sure, alcohol. Alarmingly children as young as the age of 11 start drinking. But what is more frightening is that pre-teens and teens these days are not just drinking alcohol, they are Binge drinking.

Binge drinking is consuming 4 or 5 drinks in a matter of 2 hours, which means teens are not sipping; they are just gulping down alcohol like soft drinks. Parents do whatever they can to stop their children from accessing binge drinks. From just talking to them about good and bad to putting rules and restrictions. Many tech savvy parents of this age use family locator apps apps to keep track of their teens’ activities. But the question here is, how can these apps help parents in restricting the abuse of alcohol in their children’s lives?

7 Signs to help you identify underage drinking:

The first step is to determine whether your children are a part of this activity or not. A study by by SAMHSA gives 7 signs from which parents can tell if their child is binge drinking.

1. Mood changes: Binge drinking can cause severe mood swings such as, temper outburst, touchiness, and getting defensive in situations. They are on a roller coaster of emotions.
2. School problems: Low attendance, bad grades, and discipline issues are also caused by binge drinking.
3. Rebellion: Teens are inclined to become disobedient and do rebellious. 
4. Change of friends: Witness a change in your child’s company? They are switching friends and are reluctant to let you get to know the new ones? It’s time to be alert. 
5. Nothing matters attitude: They don’t show interest in everything. They appear slack; are not involved in previous interests, and generally have low energy.
6. Alcohol presence: Finding alcohol in your child’s room or bag or smelling alcohol on their breath is a definite sign.
7. Physical or mental problems: Alcohol abuse has severe effects on one’s mind and body, such as memory lapses, bloodshot eyes, lack of coordination, poor concentration or inaudible speech.

How parental apps can help?

Once you have established that your children abuse alcohol, there are certain steps you can take to ensure their good health and safety. Some tech-savvy parents use family locator apps like FamilyTime to keep a track of their child’s location history and knowing their whereabouts instantly. With FamilyTime you can:

• Keep track of the places your children visit.
• Know the whereabouts of your children as it updates their location every 20 minutes.
• Geo-fence the address of a pub or bar and get alerts every time your children visit the place.
• Look at their call logs to see who they call and how many times.
• See their contact list.
• Watch-list a suspicious number and get alerts every time they contact it.
• Look into their web history and bookmarks to observe their search patterns.

And much more. You can give this app a free try by downloading it now from the app store on your phone. So, visit the app store on your phone. You can also get the app in a jiffy from the buttons given below:

DO MONITORING APPS FOR PARENTS REALLY HELP IN PROTECTING KIDS ON THE WEB?

The usage of smartphones among kids as young as 10-11 years of age has become extremely common. Even if you do not give your child a smartphone to use at a younger age, there is a chance their friends might have one and your teen may explore different digital apps along with their friends. It is a parent’s responsibility to guide their children how to be safe while using digital media. This means parents have to teach their kids about the do’s and don’ts of digital media, whether or not their child has the privilege of using a cell phone. But, once you buy an electronic gadget for your child, monitoring them digitally becomes inevitable. 

The Importance of Monitoring Apps in Today’s World

Even before you buy a cell phone for your child, make them agree on the usage of a monitoring app. Your teenager needs to understand that monitoring apps for parents available on the Google play store or iTunes do not aim on spying on kids, but they are used in order to protect children from dangers on the Internet. A monitoring app assists parents in staying in the loop with their kids. When you prepare a smartphone contract, make sure you include digital monitoring in that contract. A parental monitoring app makes your children follow the rules written in the contract more religiously. 

The monitoring apps for parents empower them to ensure a healthy digital life of their kids. One such app which is quite popular among parents these days is the FamilyTime app. By using this monitoring app, parents can:

• Monitor App Usage: View the list of the apps on your teen’s device along with the date of installation of every app. You can have a look at the usage frequency of multiple apps as well. FamilyTime enables parents to block the addictive or questionable apps on their teen’s smartphone.
• Monitor Web History: Have a look at the frequently visited URLs along with the date and time stamps, bookmarks and compete location history on your child’s cell phone to make sure they are not exploring inappropriate content on the Internet.
• Monitor Smartphone Conduct: Track the sent or received text messages on your teen’s mobile phone to know whether your teen is becoming a texting addict or not. Parents can also monitor the call logs and the contact list on their teen’s phone.

These are not the only features provided by the app. There is a lotmore that can help parents in their parenting. If you want to explore several more features of the app, go to Google play store or iTunes to download the app. You can also have a quick look by clicking the buttons below!

SELF-HARM IN ADOLESCENTS AND HOW TO TREAT IT?

There are few things more disturbing for parents who learn that their daughter is things intentionally hurting. Unfortunately, it is very common, especially in girls. Experts call it "self - harm", and one in four teenagers do.

The most common forms of self-injury are cuts or scratches on the skin with anything that can draw blood, such as razors or even paper clips and pens plugs. However, there are people who are also hurt by burns, skin hitches and injuries or shock. Usually they begin around puberty.

When a girl starts habit of cutting arms, it may seem suicidal behavior, but actually it is not. People who self-harm are not trying to kill himself, but trying to alleviate the emotional distress they are feeling. However, this behavior indicates a depth of psychic pain that can lead to a suicide attempt. The behavior itself is also inherently dangerous because people who self-harm can be done more damage than intended, or develop infections or other medical complications.

Understand the impulse

It is hard to understand why someone would intentionally hurt, or why the injury is a relief, as described by many people who practice self-injure. Some people say it serves as a distraction from some other intense emotional pain, says Ron Steingard, psychiatrist Child Mind Institute.

In some cases, self-injury can also become a way of communicating. When you discover that a child is cut, it is likely to arouse empathy and concern of their parents and other adults. The next time they feel desperate, they may use it as a way to communicate their emotions.

One way to deal

Self-injury is not always a form of communication. Some children do in secret, and focus only on easing their pain. While self-injury is not the best way to deal with a problem, it can be a temporary relief.

Unfortunately, this relief reinforces self-injurious behavior, so that children come to depend on it to meet their painful feelings. And the more they do it, the more it strengthens.

Tip for Parents – How can they treat it?

To treat this habit of self-harm in teen, it is advised that the parents start communicating with their teens and make them feel comfortable to the limit they can. In addition to that, keeping an eye on their activities – online and offline – can make a huge difference. Or this monitoring, you can take the assistance of the Android family locator apps such as FamilyTime that lets parents see the places, their kids’ visit, contacts they save and talk to, websites they browse, applications they use and much more. With this information in hand, they can get to know about the mindset of their kids. And this is not all. There is a lot more that parents can do with the app such as contact monitoring, SMS tracking, call log monitoring, Contact Watchlisting, Web history monitoring, Location tracking, Geo-fencing place, Alerts and much more. There as a parent, you may find a variety of valuable features once you download FamilyTime app. You can download the app from Google play store, from iTunes or just by clicking the buttons below:

Be close to your teen as much as you can. This way, you can bring them out of this traumatic condition. With that, talk about things they like.

SARAHAH APP – CURB ITS USE WITH THE PARENTAL CONTROLS ON IPHONE?

If your teen has an iPhone, there is a strong chance that they have already installed Sarahah app and are getting addicted to it. It is basically an anonymous commentary app that refers to “honesty”; it encourages the users to be honest with each other while leaving them anonymous messages, criticism and probing questions. Here are a few reasons that explain how dangerous this app can be for younger minds:

1. Sarahah provides a convenient way for bullying for teenagers

Whether or not, the app is developed to send positive anonymous messages to each other, the fact is that this app has become a threat because so many teenagers are using it on daily basis. Teenagers take out their resentment and frustration quite conveniently behind the name of anonymity.

2. The app supports one-way communication only

Once your teen shares his/her profile link with peers, they will start receiving messages from the other users. However, they cannot respond to the messages directly which means anyone can use the app to troll your teen and can get away with their words without receiving any fitting response. This one-way communication initiates frustration in teenagers.

3. Your teen’s information is at risk

Many security concerns are related to the app. There is no guarantee that any message sent as anonymous cannot be hacked to reveal the identity of the poster. Sometimes, teenagers share personal information via messages impulsively, but there is no guarantee that their data cannot be leaked.

4. Sarahah leads teenagers to dubious website

The craze of this anonymous app has become too high on teenagers, they dedicate their energy to anticipate who is behind a particular message they have received and for that they go to different websites including sarahahexposed.com and Sarahah Spyer. These websites may give a hint to teenagers about the sender but they are not particularly authentic.

Parental Controls on iPhone

Considering the negative influence of the app, it is important for parents to apply parental controls on iPhone. With digital monitoring, parents can make sure which apps are suitable for their teenagers and which apps are causing damage for them. Parental controls on iPhone such as FamilyTime allow parents to view the list of the apps installed on their teen’s iPhone along with the date of installation and usage frequency of every app that is being used by their teen. Parents can block the addictive, questionable or dangerous apps such as Sarahah from their teenager’s iPhone with the help of the FamilyTime app.

Want to have a look at the parental controls provided by the FamilyTime app? Go to iTunes or click the button below!

Web enabled devices carry a big risk factor for your kids. Believe it or not, kids are kids and they can trust anybody wearing a sweet expression. Unfortunately, that is the tool of predators, so the idea of saving kids without appropriate precautionary measure seems next to impossible. Before going into the details of how you can save your kids, have a look at some of the possible risks attached to web-enabled devices: 

1.  Online Predators and Criminals 

The digital world is full of predators and criminals who stay in search of innocent kids to trap. When you give your kid their own smartphone there are chances that your child will get online and naively communicate with unknown people without knowing the possible consequences of doing so. Now, can you make sure that the people they communicate with are all innocuous? Certainly, you cannot. These can be criminals who may try to take the smart secrets out of your child and use those against them to extort money or for some other dangerous things.

2.  Cyber ​​Bullying

Access to the smartphone makes it easier for bullies to reach their victims which can be your kid. Parents generally get to know what their children are doing when they access the Internet or play games on their computer sets, but the mobile nature of the smart phones make it difficult for parents to know what their child is doing. This allows bullies to play far dirtier tricks more easily than ever before.

3.  Sexting and Exposure to Inappropriate content!

Sexting is the term used to describe the act of sharing explicit photos. We all know how crazy teenagers can go, but sometimes their crazier moves like sexting make them vulnerable and put them in trouble, such as ruining their entire reputation which make things go out of control. Same goes for the inappropriate content such as pornography, violence and racism. Exposure to these ideas can influence the mental health of your kid and can educate them the concepts you may not want them to know even. But here I give you a suggestion. It is better that you talk to your kid about everything so they don’t find any topic mysterious and the element of curiosity in them doesn’t take them in the wrong direction.

How Parental Cell Phone Monitoring Apps can Help?

Cell phone parental monitoring apps such as FamilyTime play a significant role in keeping kids safe from these risks given above. With the app in hand, parents can:

• Track websites they browse and check the number of times they have visited a specific site
• Check their bookmarks and favorites
• Check the complete list of apps installed 
• View the app version, date of installation and other related details 
• Analyze the app usage frequency and see how much time do they spend on each app
• Block harmful or questionable apps and games
• Schedule auto screen locks on their devices
• Put remote locks as well

And this is not all. There is a lot more that parents can do with the app such as contact monitoring, SMS tracking, call log monitoring, Contact Watchlisting, Location tracking, Geo-fencing place, Alerts and much more. There as a parent, you may find a variety of valuable features once you download FamilyTime app. You can download the app from Google play store, from iTunes or just by clicking the buttons below:

TEENAGERS AND DATING APPS - TAKE HELP FROM MOBILE PHONE PARENTAL CONTROL

The dating apps cater people of every taste, age, interests, and hobbies. Among teenagers, online dating is considered as something which everyone does. Therefore, being a parent, it is essential to talk to your teen about the whole scenario of online dating before they actually start taking part in online dating.

Talking to Teenagers about Online Dating

Most parents hesitate in starting a conversation with their kids about online dating. However, it is crucial to have a discussion about dating with teenagers because online dating comes with a number of probable dangers for young minds including sexual predators, blackmailers, online harassers or stalkers.

One way or another your teen is going to explore online dating which is why it is better if you are the one who gives them the information about risks of online dating.

Here are a few points parents need to remember while nurturing the teenagers:

1.  Be Open and Clear

Just because you feel it awkward to talk to your child about dating apps, you cannot be excused. Instead, a parent needs to let their kids know that they are there for them. Make sure your teen understands that they are not allowed to secretly meet someone they only know through online dating apps.  Be open with your teenager, so that they won’t hesitate in discussing their problems with you.

2.  Make Them Realize that They Are Still Teens

It is essential for parents to make their kids realize that they are young and dating comes with its own baggage such as exchanging explicit photos or getting involved in other erotic activities. Such things are not only unsuitable for their mind but also come with legal consequences.

How Can Mobile Phone parental Control Help?

Apart from having a through conversation with your teenager regarding dating apps and their risks, there are many other probable solutions to ensure the well-being of your child. Using mobile phone parental control is one example that empowers parents in a number of ways.

Want to keep an eye on your child’s digital activities? Take help from FamilyTime which works as an absolute mobile phone parental control. Using FamilyTime parents can:

• View the list of apps installed on their teen’s mobile device.
• Have a look at the date of installation of any particular app.
• Get to know about the app usage frequency of every app.
• Block any app they consider inappropriate for their child including dating and gaming apps.

Aren’t these features great to restrict kids from online dating? These certainly are. There are bundles of other features of FamilyTime that help parents deal with their parental concerns. So, don’t waste your time any more and try the app yourself. To get the app, go now to iTunes or Google Play depending upon your phone’s operating system and download FamilyTIme app for free 3 days trial. Go there or simply click the buttons below:

4 DANGERS THAT OBLIGATE USE OF SMS MONITORING APP!

It is said that the digital world is full of dangers for young kids. The statement stands legitimate, especially if your kids are in the teen years of their life. Reason being the change in their personality that occurs during the teen years and the exposure that digital devices offer to them. Today, we are going to talk about the top 3 dangers that kids’ get in contact with after having a digital device in hand along with the tool that can help you ensure the safety of your kids i.e the SMS monitoring app! Have a look at the risks first!

Digital Eye Strain:

Excessive use of digital devices, especially the hand-held gadgets such as mobile phone, tablets or iPads causes digital eye strain in kids that leads to other physical ailments in the long run.

Sleep Deprivation 

Having a device of their own makes kids use it the way they want. In many cases, kids abuse the use and get prey of sleep deprivation. Admittedly, digital gadgets have so many attractions that one gets addicted to its use, hence, kids sacrifice their sleep to enjoy its attractions.

Sexting:

Kids in their teen age usually get into relationships and at this initial stage, they don’t mind sharing sexually explicit content through a text or SMS with each other which is called sexting. Mind that sexting is not just a sin; it’s a crime!

Cyberbullying

Another danger that prevails in the digital world for kids is cyberbullying that gets fostered because of the use of digital gadgets. You never know that someone, from some corner of the world is pinching your kid and hurting their self-esteem. Just to make you informed, there are many cases where cyberbullying led kids to commit suicide.

How SMS Monitoring App Can Help?

Now that you know the dangers of digital devices for your kids, you should also be aware of the prevention that is using the SMS monitoring app such as FamilyTime. With the use of the app, parents can:

• Check the contact book of kids to know who their kids are friend with
• Monitor SMS history to see who do they talk to and what do they talk about at what time
• View the call log to see the dialled, received and missed calls and the timing of all the entries
• Put suspicious contacts to their Watchlist and get notified if the connection is established either through SMS or call. 
• View list of apps installed on their devices and see what apps are used for chatting
• Block unwanted apps for as long as they want
• Scheduling auto screen locks on their devices for specific time intervals
• Remotely lock their phone to limit access to their device whenever they want.

And this does not bring the list of FamilyTime features to an end rather, there is a lot more that parents can do with this SMS monitoring app in hand. To know what are other offered features, get the app now. You can install FamilyTime app on your phone by downloading it from the app store on your phone. So, either visit the app store or simply click the button given below: