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Kids Safety

Create safe, age-appropriate display experiences for children with content filtering, privacy controls, and parental oversight.

Overview​

FamilyCast provides comprehensive safety features to ensure children see only appropriate content on their displays while giving parents complete control and visibility.

Key Safety Features:

  • Age-appropriate content filtering
  • Safe mode for kids' displays
  • Private calendar event filtering
  • Photo content moderation
  • Message approval
  • Access restrictions
  • Activity monitoring

Safe Mode​

Enabling Safe Mode​

Per Display:

  1. Go to Displays
  2. Select child's display
  3. Enable Safe Mode
  4. Set age range
  5. Save settings

What Safe Mode Does:

  • Filters calendar event details
  • Hides private/sensitive events
  • Shows only approved photos
  • Filters inappropriate messages
  • Simplifies interface
  • Age-appropriate visuals

Age Levels​

Ages 3-5 (Preschool):

  • Very simple interface
  • Large icons, minimal text
  • Only parent-curated content
  • No calendar details
  • Basic routines only

Ages 6-8 (Early Elementary):

  • Simple schedule display
  • Own events highlighted
  • Family events simplified
  • Age-appropriate photos
  • Basic messages

Ages 9-12 (Upper Elementary):

  • More detailed schedules
  • Can see more family events
  • Filtered calendar details
  • Broader photo access
  • More message types

Ages 13+ (Teens):

  • Full calendar access (can be restricted)
  • All appropriate family content
  • Message sending enabled
  • Photo contribution
  • More independence

Calendar Safety​

Private Event Filtering​

Auto-Filtered from Kids' Displays:

  • Parent work meetings
  • Medical appointments (detailed)
  • Financial/legal events
  • Adult social events
  • Sensitive family matters

Display Options: Show As:

  • "Mom Busy 2-3 PM" (no details)
  • Time block only (no title)
  • Hide completely
  • Custom message ("Parents' time")

Event Details Control​

What Kids See:

  • Their own events (full details)
  • Family events (appropriate details)
  • School events (full details)
  • Activities and sports (full details)

What's Hidden:

  • Event descriptions (optional)
  • Location details (if sensitive)
  • Attendee lists (privacy)
  • Private notes

Photo Safety​

Safe Photo Albums​

Creating Kid-Safe Albums:

  1. In Google Photos, create separate album
  2. Name it "FamilyCast - Kids Safe"
  3. Add only G-rated, appropriate photos
  4. Assign to kids' displays

Content Guidelines:

  • No embarrassing photos
  • Age-appropriate content
  • Happy, positive memories
  • Include the child themselves
  • Family-friendly events

Photo Filtering​

Automatic Filters:

  • Adult-only events hidden
  • Private moments filtered
  • Work photos excluded
  • Sensitive content removed

Manual Curation:

  • Parents preview all photos
  • Approve before display
  • Remove inappropriate images
  • Regular review of content

Message Safety​

Message Moderation​

For Young Kids (under 10):

  • Parents pre-approve all messages
  • Only parent-sent messages shown
  • No user-generated content
  • Fully supervised

For Tweens (10-12):

  • Parents review messages
  • Can approve/reject
  • Limited sending ability
  • Monitored communication

For Teens (13+):

  • Can send to approved displays
  • Parent notification of messages
  • Optional review
  • More independence

Appropriate Messaging​

Encouraged:

  • Love and encouragement
  • Schedule reminders
  • Chore lists
  • Positive reinforcement
  • Family announcements

Not Allowed:

  • Discipline or punishment
  • Embarrassing content
  • Private family matters
  • Inappropriate language
  • Negative messaging

Display Placement & Physical Safety​

Bedroom Displays​

Safe Placement:

  • Visible to parent when checking in
  • Not behind closed doors for young kids
  • Screen visible from doorway
  • Appropriate height for child

Content Guidelines:

  • Calming, positive content
  • Bedtime-appropriate
  • No stimulating content at night
  • Personal schedule only

Shared Space Displays​

Kitchen/Living Room:

  • All family content appropriate
  • Kids can see these displays
  • Filter adult content
  • Family-friendly at all times

Privacy Protection​

Personal Information​

Never Display Publicly:

  • Full names (use first names only)
  • Addresses (no "Home" full address)
  • Phone numbers
  • School names (can use "School" generically)
  • Personal identification

Calendar Event Privacy:

  • Doctor appointments: "Doctor appointment" (no details)
  • Therapy/counseling: Generic "Appointment"
  • Financial: "Parents' meeting"
  • Hide sensitive details

Guest Mode​

When Guests Visit:

  • Temporarily hide kids' personal schedules
  • Show only public family calendar
  • Disable personal messages
  • Switch to photo-only mode
  • Privacy-first approach

Access Controls​

Dashboard Access​

Young Children (under 13):

  • No direct dashboard access
  • Parents manage everything
  • View-only on displays
  • No editing capability

Teens (13-17):

  • Limited dashboard access
  • Manage own calendar
  • View family calendar
  • Send messages (approved displays)
  • Cannot modify family settings

Device Access​

Lock Down Displays:

  • Kiosk mode (fullscreen only)
  • No browser navigation
  • Can't access other websites
  • Password-protected settings
  • Prevent tampering

Monitoring & Oversight​

Parent Monitoring​

What Parents Can See:

  • All content on kids' displays
  • Message history
  • Calendar view (what kids see)
  • Photo albums shown
  • Display activity logs

Activity Reports:

  • Weekly summary email
  • What content was viewed
  • Schedule compliance
  • Message interactions
  • Display uptime

Alerts and Notifications​

Parent Alerts For:

  • New content on kids' displays
  • Message sent to/from kids
  • Display goes offline
  • Schedule changes
  • Unusual activity

Best Practices​

Start Restrictive:

  • Begin with maximum safety settings
  • Gradually relax as child matures
  • Trust builds over time
  • Age-appropriate expansion

Regular Reviews:

  • Monthly: Review display content
  • Quarterly: Adjust age settings
  • Annually: Major permissions review
  • After birthdays: Update age level

Open Communication:

  • Explain why safety matters
  • Involve kids in appropriate ways
  • Build trust through transparency
  • Teach digital responsibility

Privacy Respect:

  • Don't embarrass kids publicly
  • Keep discipline private
  • Respect their developing privacy needs
  • Balance safety with autonomy

Age-Specific Guidelines​

Preschool (3-5 years)​

Display Content:

  • Simple daily routine
  • 3-5 activities max
  • Large pictures/icons
  • Bright, happy visuals
  • Parent-narrated schedule

Safety:

  • Parent views first
  • Nothing scary or sad
  • Very limited content
  • Close supervision

Early Elementary (6-8)​

Display Content:

  • Daily schedule
  • Chore chart
  • Simple family calendar
  • Kid-safe photos
  • Positive messages

Safety:

  • Filtered family events
  • No adult content
  • Approved photos only
  • Monitored messages

Upper Elementary (9-12)​

Display Content:

  • Detailed personal schedule
  • Chore tracking with rewards
  • Family calendar (filtered)
  • Broader photo selection
  • More message freedom

Safety:

  • Some event details shown
  • Photo guidelines set
  • Message monitoring lighter
  • Teaching responsibility

Teens (13-17)​

Display Content:

  • Full personal calendar
  • Family schedule access
  • Photo contribution
  • Message sending
  • More independence

Safety:

  • Privacy respected
  • Some oversight remains
  • Trust with accountability
  • Prepare for adulthood

Troubleshooting​

Child Sees Inappropriate Content​

Immediate Action:

  1. Remove content immediately
  2. Enable stricter filtering
  3. Review all display content
  4. Adjust safe mode settings

Prevention:

  • Audit content monthly
  • Test on kids' display first
  • Use whitelist approach
  • Get second parent opinion

Display Shows Wrong Content​

Check:

  • Safe mode enabled?
  • Age setting correct?
  • Right layout assigned?
  • Album appropriate?

Fix:

  • Enable/adjust safe mode
  • Update child's age
  • Assign kid-safe layout
  • Switch to kid-safe album

Teen Wants More Access​

Evaluation:

  • Age appropriate?
  • Demonstrated responsibility?
  • Discussed boundaries?
  • Gradual increase?

Approach:

  • Start with small increase
  • Monitor closely
  • Reward good judgment
  • Adjust as needed

Next Steps​

Family Setup:

Features:

Setup:

Questions? Contact [email protected] or check Common Issues