Parental Control Software - Part 1

This is a pretty interesting element to add to a dynamic - one that requires copious amounts of trust, vetting, and negotiations.

Let’s start with two very important questions:

Why on earth would we introduce this into our dynamic? And how has it impacted the dynamic?

Firstly, it adds to the power exchange: even though we cannot go 100% into a TPE dynamic, due to the limitations of a professional online dynamic, this sure is a step in that direction. My brat feels a deeper sense of protection, care, and submission. This contributes to making their inner child feel safe and cared for, especially when I do random check ins. On one weekend when they were grounded, they decided to pack a little backpack and head out… they barely got a couple hundred meters from the house before I messaged to ask where they’re going and sent them right back home.

There’s a touch of humiliation: my brat has previously enjoyed so much freedom on a device that is instrumental to their daily life, and now I’m in charge of that too. I can see what they do, when they do it, for how long, and where they do it. I can so easily implement an earlier bedtime too…

It is hugely for their own good and makes practical sense: this particular brat has behavioural issues, such as gambling and pornography addiction and unnecessary screen time and app usage, that we wanted to address. We could do this by placing various restrictions on the connected devices.

Lastly, it’s actually helped this brat work through trauma from being blackmailed. Last year, this brat was blackmailed by one of those scammer doms on a website. This experience was understandably terrifying and traumatising. Despite numerous panic moments the app has triggered, it’s also helped them overcome it.

So, now that we understand the why and how it’s affected the dynamic, let’s explore some of the features that works really well for this dynamic.

Screen time & app usage: 

I can view screen times, including by the hour (so I know when they’re up past bedtime), I can check which websites and apps are visited, I can view web searches.

Geolocation tracking: 

I get notifications when they leave or enter the house, I can see where they go. This works really well to keep an eye when they’re grounded or have curfews.

Daily time limits: 

I can set a screen time allowance for each day of the week and give bonus time as a reward. I can also choose what happens when the time is up (lock device, lock navigation, or get a notification).

Restricted times: 

I can set time periods during which they’re allowed to be on their phone. This follows the bedtime & wake-up rules.

Web filtering: 

I can place restrictions on general categories of websites (eg gambling, adult content) and also restrictions on specific websites (eg blocking a favourite website as a punishment).

Games & apps: 

I can set time limits on apps or block the use of specific ones, such as gambling apps, or fast food delivery apps to encourage home cooking.

There are a few other features on this particular app that we don't use, as it doesn't serve our dynamic in any way.

So, there you have it: why we started implementing parental control software and how it affected the dynamic.

You're more than welcome to comment more questions, as I will make another few posts about this. You're also more than welcome to add your thoughts about features or experiences with different apps.