Kids today are growing up in a world where screens, apps and social platforms are part of everyday life. From homework to gaming to group chats, their digital lives can move faster than parents can keep up. But behind every app and device are settings and systems that can impact their privacy, safety, and focus.

Whether you’re trying to set healthy limits, track screen time or just understand what your child’s phone can do, knowing a few key tech terms can make parenting in the digital age a lot less stressful. Here’s a quick guide to help you stay informed, confident and in control.

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1) Screen time limits

The boundary that helps restore balance

Screen time limits let you manage how long your child spends on apps, games or devices each day. It’s not about punishment, it’s about setting healthy boundaries that help kids disconnect and recharge.

Why it matters: Too much screen time has been linked to reduced focus, sleep disruption and overstimulation. Setting limits helps your child create a better balance between online fun and real-world rest.

How to set screen time limits

On iPhone:

• Go to Settings
• Tap Screen Time
• Click App Limits
• Select Add Limit, choose categories or specific apps and set daily time limit

On Android:

Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer

• Go to Settings
• Tap Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls. If you don’t see it right away, try searching “Digital Wellbeing” in the Settings search bar
• Open the Dashboard or App Timers section. On some phones (like Samsung), it may appear as “App Timers”. On others (like Google Pixel), tap Dashboard to view your app usage list
• Tap the hourglass icon next to the app you want to limit
• Set a daily time limit, then tap OK or Done
• The timer resets every night at midnight

Pro tip: Make it a family routine. Review screen time reports together so kids feel involved in the process rather than restricted. 

TEENS HACK SCHOOL CELL PHONE BANS WITH CREATIVE WORKAROUNDS

2) Parental controls

Your built-in safety net

Parental controls are tools that let you manage what your child can see and do on their devices – from blocking explicit content to approving downloads and monitoring usage. Every major device, app and streaming service has its own version.

Why it matters: Parental controls can help prevent exposure to inappropriate content, manage purchases and set up age-appropriate experiences.

Built-in parental controls make it easier to guide what kids can see and do on their devices. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

How to turn parental controls on

On iPhone:

• Go to Settings
• Click Screen Time 
• Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions
• Turn it on so the toggle turns green.
• Within Content & Privacy Restrictions you can go to sections like Allowed Apps, iTunes & App Store Purchases, etc, to set filters and restrict what apps the device can do.

On Android:

Settings may vary depending on your Android phone‘s manufacturer

• Go to Settings
• Tap Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls
• Select Parental Controls, then follow the steps to set up a supervised account through Google Family Link, which lets you manage screen time on a child’s device remotely

Pro tip: Most streaming apps, like YouTube, Netflix and Disney+, also have parental settings, so make sure you adjust those separately.

3) Geolocation

The invisible map in your child’s pocket

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Geolocation allows apps and devices to track physical location in real time. It powers navigation and “Find My” features but can also share more than you intend if left unchecked.

Why it matters: While location sharing helps families stay connected, it can pose privacy and safety concerns if apps broadcast your child’s whereabouts.

How to manage location access

On iPhone:

• Go to Settings
• Click Privacy & Security
• Then, click Location Services
• Tap each app and change “Always” to “While Using the App” or “Never”

On Android:

Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer

• Go to Settings
• Tap Location (or “Location & security” or “Privacy → Location” depending on device)
• Tap App location permissions (or “Permission manager → Location”)
• Select an app from the list
• Change the app permission from, “Allow all the time” to “Allow only while using the app” or “Don’t Allow”

Pro tip: For younger kids, use “Share My Location” within Family Sharing (iPhone) or Google Family Link (Android) instead of third-party tracking apps to ensure safer monitoring.

4) Private browsing

The mode that hides – but doesn’t erase

Private browsing, also called Incognito Mode, lets users browse the internet without saving history, cookies or logins. While it may sound harmless, it can make it harder for parents to see what kids are accessing online.

Why it matters: Private browsing prevents history tracking on the device, but your internet provider, school or router may still record activity. It’s a reminder that no browsing mode is completely private.

TEENS FACE NEW PG-13 LIMITS ON INSTAGRAM

How to disable private browsing

On iPhone (Safari):

• Open Settings
• Tap Screen Time
• Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions
• If prompted, enter or set a Screen Time passcode
• Turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions (toggle to green)
• Tap App Store, Media & Purchases (or similarly named) and optionally set limits
• Click Web Content 
• Choose one of the options such as, Limit Adult Websites (this will disable Private Browsing in Safari) or Only Approved Websites 

On Android (Chrome):

Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer

• Open the Family Link app on your Android phone (or download it if it isn’t installed)
• Select your child’s profile
• Tap Controls
• Click Google Chrome & Web
• Choose Try to block explicit sites (or select “Only allow approved sites” for stricter filtering)
• This setting automatically disables Incognito Mode in Chrome for your child’s supervised account
• (Optional) You can also review SafeSearch and YouTube restrictions under the same section for extra protection

Conversations about online safety matter more than rules alone because openness builds digital trust. (iStock)

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Pro tip: Talk to your child about why transparency matters. Turning off private browsing is most effective when paired with open, ongoing conversations about online safety.

5) Digital footprint

The trail your child leaves behind

Every post, comment or photo shared online becomes part of your child’s digital footprint, a permanent record of their online presence. Even deleted posts can live on through screenshots, data archives or algorithms.

Why it matters: Colleges, employers and even peers can access public digital traces. Teaching kids to think before posting helps them build a positive and professional online reputation.

How to check what’s out there

• Search your child’s name on Google and image results
• Review old accounts or unused apps that may still contain personal info
• Help them make their social media profiles private and share selectively

Pro tip: You can also set up Google Alerts for your child’s name to get notified whenever new content appears online, a simple, free way to stay aware of their digital footprint as it evolves. 

Also, you may want to consider using a data removal service to help clean up your child’s personal information that may appear on people-search sites or data-broker platforms. These tools scan the web for outdated profiles, cached pages and databases containing sensitive details like addresses, phone numbers and photos. They can automatically submit takedown requests and continue monitoring for new exposures over time.

While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com

Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?

Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com

Kurt’s key takeaways

Parenting in the digital age doesn’t mean knowing every app or trend. It means understanding the fundamentals that shape your child’s online experience. From screen time limits to digital footprints, these five terms give you the language to set boundaries, foster trust and keep your family safer online.

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Want more help building healthy digital habits at home? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Found footage movies are tough to pull off. For every classic like The Blair Witch Project or Rec, there are 100 movies like Slender and Megan Is Missing that are, at best, forgettable, and at worst, an affront to the very concept of cinema. My personal favorite, though, is Lake Mungo, a slow burn mokumentary with found footage elements that manages to be both creepy and emotionally wrenching. Oh, and it’s gloriously concise at under an hour and a half.

Lake Mungo is, first and foremost, one of the most convincingly realized mokumentaries ever made. If you told someone it was a legit documentary about a supposed haunting, there’s a chance they’d believe you. The style is spot-on, the performances pitch-perfect, and it never overreaches. Other horror films in this style eventually go too far, resorting to bombast, like the BBC’s Ghostwatch (which is also excellent). But Lake Mungo remains understated, even when it shows purported footage of a ghost.

Director and writer Joel Anderson hasn’t helmed a feature film since. Though he has found work in the film industry recently, including on 2023’s Late Night with the Devil, after an over 10-year absence.

The story follows the Palmer family as they struggle with the loss of 16-year-old Alice Palmer, who drowns while swimming in a lake. Mother June wanders her neighborhood late at night, unable to sleep, father Russell buries himself in work, and brother Matthew throws himself into his art. As you’d probably expect from this type of horror film, the family starts experiencing strange things — sounds, mysterious bruises, and even a full-on confrontation with an apparition.

From here, the film takes several twists and turns that elevate it above your typical “pots and pans” horror, which I will avoid spoiling. But its grainy, haunting segments and emotional interviews with the family get under your skin. There’s no jump scares, no gore, just expert tension building that eventually reaches a terrifying conclusion. The image at the climax of the film is one of the most haunting single frames of cinema ever.

The choice of Palmer as the last name here feels like an intentional nod to Twin Peaks, which also deals with the death of a young girl in a small town with secrets. Along the way, you discover more about Alice and the life she lived. She struggled to be seen for who she truly was, both in life and death. And just as the family finally finds closure and decides to move on, the film makes its final big reveal.

Because the movie spends its limited run time getting you invested in the characters and building backstory, the ending hits hard. If you want a horror film that packs an emotional punch, this is it. It’s definitely a downer of a flick, but one you’ll want to rewatch immediately.

A security researcher found a serious weakness in the software that powers thousands of e-commerce sites. The platform, called Magento, and its paid version Adobe Commerce, has a bug that lets attackers break into active shopping sessions. Some attackers can even take control of the entire store.

The flaw is known as SessionReaper. It allows hackers to pretend they are real customers without needing a password. Once they are inside, they can steal data, make fake orders, or install tools that collect credit card details.

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Why is this attack so serious?

The problem starts in the part of the system that handles how a store communicates with other online services. Because the software does not properly check the information it receives, it sometimes trusts data that it should not. Hackers take advantage of this by sending fake session files that the store accepts as real.

Researchers at SecPod warn that successful attacks can lead to stolen customer data, fake purchases and even full control of the store’s server.

Once the attack method was shared publicly, cybercriminals began using it right away. Security experts at Sansec reported that more than 250 online stores were compromised within a single day. This shows how quickly attacks can spread once a vulnerability becomes public.

Why are many stores still unprotected?

Adobe released a security update on Sept. 9 to fix the issue. Weeks later, about 62% of affected stores still have not installed it. Some store owners are afraid an update might break features on their site. Others simply do not know how serious the risk is.

Every unpatched store remains an open door for attackers who want to steal information or install malicious code.

MAJOR COMPANIES, INCLUDING GOOGLE AND DIOR, HIT BY MASSIVE SALESFORCE DATA BREACH

How can you stay safe when shopping online?

While store owners are responsible for fixing the problem, you can still take smart steps to protect yourself when shopping online. These actions can help you spot danger early and keep your personal information safe.

1) Look for warning signs

Always pay attention to how a website behaves. If a page looks odd, loads slowly or shows error messages, it could mean something is wrong behind the scenes. Check for the small padlock symbol in the address bar that shows the site uses HTTPS encryption. If it is missing or the site redirects you to an unfamiliar page, stop and close the browser tab immediately. Trust your instincts if something feels off.

2) Be careful with email links and use a data removal service 

Cybercriminals often use fake promotional emails or ads that look like real store offers. Instead of clicking links in messages or banners, type the store’s web address directly into your browser to avoid phishing pages designed to steal your login details or card information. Since attacks like SessionReaper can expose your personal data to criminal marketplaces, consider using a reputable data removal service that continuously scans and deletes your private information, such as your address, phone number and email, from data broker sites. This reduces your risk of identity theft if your information has been leaked through a compromised online store.

While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com

Cybersecurity teams at SecPod and Sansec tracked more than 250 stores breached within 24 hours of the exploit going public, showing how fast these attacks spread. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

3) Use strong antivirus software

Strong antivirus protection is your silent guard online. Choose reputable software that offers real-time protection, safe browsing alerts and automatic updates. A strong antivirus program can detect malicious code that tries to run on your device, block unsafe sites and alert you to potential threats. This adds another crucial layer of defense when visiting online stores that may not be fully secure.

The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.

Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com 

4) Use safe payment options

Whenever possible, choose payment services that add an extra layer of protection between your bank account and the online store. Platforms like PayPal, Apple Pay or Google Pay do not share your card number with the retailer. This reduces the chance of your information being stolen if the store is compromised. These payment gateways also offer dispute protection if a purchase turns out to be fraudulent.

5) Shop with trusted retailers

Stick to stores with a solid reputation. Well-known brands usually have better security and faster response times when issues arise. Before buying from a new website, check its reviews on trusted consumer sites. Look for signs of credibility such as clear contact information, a professional design and verified payment options. A few minutes of research can save you from weeks of frustration.

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6) Keep your devices updated

Updates may seem annoying, but they are one of the most effective ways to protect your data. Make sure your computer, smartphone and web browser all have the latest security patches installed. Updates often fix the exact kinds of flaws hackers use to spread attacks like SessionReaper. Enable automatic updates if you can, so your devices stay protected without extra effort.

7) Use unique, strong passwords

If you create accounts on shopping sites, make sure each one has its own strong password. Avoid using the same password across multiple platforms. Consider using a password manager to generate and store long, random passwords. That way, if one account is compromised, your other logins stay safe.

Next, see if your email has been exposed in past breaches. Our No. 1 password manager (see Cyberguy.com) pick includes a built-in breach scanner that checks whether your email address or passwords have appeared in known leaks. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials. 

Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 at Cyberguy.com

8) Turn on two-factor authentication

If a site or payment service offers two-factor authentication, enable it. This adds a second security step, such as a code sent to your phone or generated by an app. Even if hackers steal your password, they will not be able to access your account without that second verification.

Even weeks after Adobe issued a critical patch for the SessionReaper vulnerability, nearly two-thirds of affected online stores remain unprotected, leaving customer data and payment information at high risk of theft. (CyberGuy.com)

9) Avoid public Wi-Fi for purchases

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Public Wi-Fi networks in places like cafés, airports and hotels are often unsecured. Avoid entering payment information or logging in to accounts while connected to public networks. If you must make a purchase while away from home, use a mobile data connection or a reliable VPN to encrypt your activity. 

10) Monitor your bank and credit statements

Check your financial statements regularly for any unusual activity. Small, unauthorized charges can be early signs of fraud. Report any suspicious transactions to your bank or credit card company right away so they can freeze your account or issue a new card.

11) Report suspicious activity

If you notice anything strange during or after an online purchase, act quickly. Contact the store’s customer service to report what you saw. You should also inform your payment provider or credit card company so they can block unauthorized transactions. Reporting early can help stop further damage and alert other shoppers to potential risks.

Kurt’s key takeaways

The SessionReaper attack shows how fast online threats can appear and how long they can linger when updates are ignored. Even well-known stores can become unsafe overnight. For retailers, installing patches quickly is critical. For shoppers, staying alert and choosing secure payment methods are the best ways to stay protected.

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Would you still shop online if you knew hackers could be hiding behind a store’s checkout page? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter 

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