Built-in parental controls might not be enough. Here is why a layered approach matters.
I talk about digital parenting on TV. I test parental control apps the way some people test recipes. Even so, my kid landed on something they shouldn’t have. Not because I set up anything wrong, but because, when my kid’s phone did a software update, those on-device settings didn’t carry over.
This is exactly why we layer parental controls. One layer may miss something. In this case, Verizon Family Plus let us know our kid saw something they shouldn’t have, and that gave us the chance to handle it together.
Below is the process we’re using now and why.
The layered parental controls approach
Layer 1: Parental control settings on our Verizon Fios router
This is our whole-home safety net. Every phone, tablet, gaming system and smart TV in our home connects to the internet through our router. So, we set controls to block certain types of content right at that source, across all devices.
Layer 2: Built-in device controls block adult content.
This is the baseline. On our kids’ smartphones, we use the phone’s built-in filters to restrict content. These settings are found in the device’s settings menu. For an iPhone, the controls are under Screen Time. And for Android, parental controls are handled in Google Family Link. From there, you can block things like:
- sexual content
- drugs
- violence
Layer 3: Verizon Family Plus for my kids’ phone monitoring
Verizon Family Plus unlocks additional features in the Verizon Family app. We have the app settings toggled to block adult content. Those added features provide an extra layer of monitoring, covering areas like:
- text and call history
- content filtering for apps and websites
- location sharing
Layer 4: Ongoing family conversations
Tools matter but talking matters more. We often have purposeful conversations about online safety, and talk as a family about:
- online red flags and what to watch out for
- why certain apps aren’t right yet
- how to handle online content that’s confusing or upsetting
And we also have a ton of fun gaming together. Digital parenting isn’t just about limits.
After the Incident: What we changed and what we learned
After the digital mishap, we sat down together and talked about why kids can’t watch everything adults can. We used one of my favorite metaphors: parental controls are like floaties. They help you stay safe until you’re strong enough to swim on your own.
We led with reassurance, not blame. And while I wish I could have prevented the experience entirely, it reminded me of something important: Mistakes and how we navigate them are a core part of raising confident digital citizens.
We got you: You’re there for them with Verizon Family. Verizon’s there for you—including our 3-year price lock*.
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Screenshot this for later
Parental controls and conversations
- Keep all devices updated. Mismatched software can affect parental controls.
- Layer your safeguards. Use built-in settings for phones and routers as well as tools like Verizon Family Plus.
- Set controls to “Block,” not “Alert.” This can prevent exposure.
- Talk early and often. Open, calm conversations help kids build digital resilience.
Conversation Starter
Here’s how we started the conversation.
“Hey, something important popped up on our parental controls today, and I want to talk about it together. Sometimes devices make mistakes and show things that aren’t meant for kids, and that happened here. You’re not in trouble. I just want to make sure you feel safe, understand what you saw, and know you can always come to me with questions about anything online.”
