top of page
Aussie Dadding Logo

The Dad’s Tech Check: How to Make Sure Every Device in Your House Is Actually Safe

Father and son sitting on the couch, laughing as the child explains how he uses his laptop—illustrating engaged digital parenting, screen time conversations, and tech-savvy kids in a safe online environment.

You know the Xbox has parental controls. You vaguely remember setting something up on the iPad once. But when your youngest starts live-streaming from the fridge or your smart TV recommends “Skibidi Toilet 3: Nuclear Flush”... you realise: maybe it’s time for a proper check.


Digital safety isn’t about being paranoid. It’s about being realistic. And unfortunately, “realistic” now includes fridges with apps and toasters that talk to Wi-Fi. Here’s how to stay on top of your family’s tech — no IT degree required.



“The best online safety isn’t about knowing every setting—it’s about staying engaged and making regular check-ins part of family life.”

- Susan McLean, cyber safety expert and former police officer



It’s Not Just About One Device


It’s tempting to focus on the family iPad or the Xbox and call it a day. But kids are resourceful, Kids don’t just use a device. They use all of them. The tablet, the school laptop, the hand-me-down phone, the Nintendo Switch, and the friend’s iPad. It’s a digital hydra — cut off one app, and three more take its place. Online safety for kids is about the whole digital ecosystem— and yes, even the Smart TV you only use for footy and Bluey marathons.



The Quick Tech Safety Checklist for Dads


You don’t need to understand code. You just need a cup of coffee and 20 minutes with this list.


  • Parental controls: Are they set up on every device your kid uses? Yes, even the dusty tablet from 2017.

  • App downloads: Are they restricted with a password or your approval?

  • SafeSearch: Is it switched on in Google, YouTube, and any browser they use?

  • Game and chat settings: Have you checked who they can talk to on Roblox, Fortnite, or whatever they’re playing this week?

  • Smart TVs and tablets: Are privacy settings adjusted? Do they need to be signed in to use certain apps?

  • Auto logins: Are accounts staying logged in that shouldn’t be? (Check guest accounts too.)

  • Updates: Have you actually installed the latest updates, or have you been ignoring that reminder since the last Olympics?


Don’t aim for perfection. Aim for awareness. If you’ve done most of the list, you’re doing better than 90% of the lounge rooms in the country.



Real-World Habits That Matter More Than Settings


Settings help. But they’re not the whole story. Here are the day-to-day habits that make the biggest difference:


  1. Shared screen time

    Sit down next to them once in a while. It sends a message: “I care what you’re doing online,” without needing to say it like a cop.


  2. Spot checks

    Not a random raid. Just a normal thing: “Hey, can I have a look?” Like checking if their lunchbox didn’t come home full of uneaten fruit.


  3. Common area devices

    Not always possible, especially with older kids — but the younger they are, the more you want screens happening where you can casually walk past.


  4. Boundaries, not battles

    Set screen time limits that feel fair. Enforce them calmly. Arguments don’t help — clarity does. “No screens in bedrooms after 8” beats “Put it away!” yelled from the kitchen.



The One Rule That Keeps It All Grounded


Here’s the truth: tech safety isn’t about total control. It’s about consistent presence.


Model the stuff you want to see. Be open about why the rules exist. If your kid breaks one, don’t go nuclear. Talk. Repair. Try again.


This isn’t about winning. It’s about raising someone who knows how to make better choices when you’re not hovering.



“Online safety starts with relationships. Kids need clear boundaries — but they also need to feel safe coming to you when things go wrong.”

- Martine Oglethorpe, cyber safety educator



DADDING IN ACTION

This weekend, grab your kid’s device and say, “Want to show me your favourite app?” Watch with curiosity, not suspicion. Five minutes later, you’ll know more — and they’ll know you care.



Resources



Comments

Explore More...

bottom of page