Ensuring Your Child’s Online Safety: Securing Their New Laptop

Safeguard your child’s online safety with the correct preventive measures. Use antivirus software, VPNs, and friendly browsers to protect information and secure online usage. 

The Internet is widespread and unfiltered, requiring parents to ensure their child’s online safety, particularly if they have a new laptop. The Internet usually has no buffers except when you opt for them, so parents should be very particular about what their child is doing online. Your child could be a victim of bullying, harassment, talking to strangers, or watching inappropriate content if left unsupervised online. As a parent, you should take preventive measures to ensure ‘child online safety’, look for parental controls for laptops and general ways for ‘protecting kids on laptops’. 

How to Protect Your Child and Their New Laptop Online 

Create A Separate User Account

When your child gets a new laptop, you must create a separate user account with different settings and restrictions. An individual user account provides personalised service and helps monitor your child’s online activity. 

Protect The Laptop by Setting Parental Controls 

Parents should enforce parental controls like website controls to secure their child’s online usage. You can easily download parental controls and install them. Additionally, we advise making a clear list of websites, apps, and games you must block; block them and set screen time limits.  

The most recommended parental control apps for 2024 are “Aura, the complete privacy suite”; “Net Nanny, the best parental control app for filtering”; and “Qustodio, the best free parental control app”. 

Talk To Your Child

Talk to your child about safe online practices, build trust and honesty, and encourage them to practice safe browsing techniques like using reliable websites to avoid pop-up ads or other malware or phishing activity. Tell them never to share personal information, download unknown files, or click on suspicious links. Educating your child beforehand will give them a clearer picture of what to do and not to do on the Internet, ensuring safety and control. 

Use Child-Friendly Browsers 

Your child should use child-friendly browsers like Kiddle to avoid offensive material. Try to turn on safe search settings on your child’s web browser to ensure they don’t bypass any security measures or practice unsafe online practices. 

Keep A Check on Their Online Activity 

One healthy practice to protect your child’s online safety on their new laptop is monitoring their online activity regularly. Check their browsing history, downloaded files, and installed apps to maintain check and balance and for responsible use. 

Add An Extra Layer of Security with Firewall Protection 

You can activate the built-in firewall control on your child’s new laptop to monitor and control internal and external network traffic. Firewalls are an excellent way to enhance security and privacy, stop virus attacks and spyware, protect against malware, and keep your data safe and secure. 

Enable VPN

VPN acts as a protection tool, encrypting and routing Internet traffic through different servers globally. It keeps your child’s data safe from hackers, government tracking, and your Internet service provider. The best VPNs for 2024 are NordVPN, CyberGhost, Surfshark, Atlas VPN, and Hotspot Shield. 

Use Antivirus Software

Use antivirus software to detect and stop cyber threats, as viruses promote malware, slow laptops down, and make them unusable. Antivirus software protects your information, guaranteeing authorised access. The top antivirus software programs for 2024 are Norton, Intego, TotalAV, McAfee, and Bitdefender. 

Choose the Perfect Location for Laptop Use 

Limit your child’s laptop use to a specific central location to monitor activity, encourage careful use and prevent unwanted incidents. 

Regularly Update Software

One healthy practice to keep your child’s new laptop safe is to update its software regularly. Keep the laptop’s OS, antivirus software, and other applications up to date to protect against vulnerabilities. 

Turn on “Ask a Parent” 

Securing your child’s new device involves using features like “Ask a Parent,” which initiate the need for adult approval for buying on the Microsoft Store. It helps safeguard your child from purchasing irrelevant games or software, stopping them from wasting time and money. 

Using a Secure Wi-Fi Connection 

Use a strong password for your Wi-Fi connection and use WPA3 for enhanced security. A secure Wi-Fi network prevents unauthorised access to your network and upholds the information transmitted over it. It assures your child’s online safety and the data they share online. 

Top 5 Laptops for Children 

Here are the top five laptops from Laptop Outlet if you are a parent looking for a new laptop for your child. 

HP 250 G9 (6Q8B9ES#ABU-Variation-1-16GB) 

Specifications 

• Intel Core i3 12th Gen. Processor 
• 15.6-inch Full HD Display, 1920 x 1080 Max. Resolution 
• 16 GB RAM / 256 GB SSD 
• Intel UHD Graphics 
• Windows 11 Home 
• HDMI, USB 3.2 
• Black Colour 
• 1-Year Warranty 
• New Condition 

Features 

The HP 250 G9 is a budget-friendly laptop with an Intel Core i3, 12th generation processor, and Intel UHD graphics. It features 16GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, and a 15.6-inch, full-HD display with a 1920 x 1080 resolution. It operates on Windows 11 Home and supports HDMI and USB 3.2 ports. 

Enjoy power and productivity with the HP 250 G9, packed in a thin, light design and a large display. It carries fast memory and storage, an HD camera for seamless video conferencing, and dual-array mics with AI-based noise reduction for clear sound. Parents will feel secure with the security of this HP masterpiece, as it features a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) for hardware-based encryption. If your child is currently studying, they will enjoy the flexibility of this highly portable HP laptop that supports Wi-Fi 6 for fast Internet connectivity. It lets you stream your favourite content quickly and is unsurpassed for daily tasks. It has a 3.30 GHz processor speed, supports Bluetooth 5.2, and weighs 1.74kg. 

ASUS ExpertBook B1 (B1500CEAE-BQ1823R) 

Specifications 

• Intel Core i5 11th Gen. Processor 
• 15.6-inch Full HD Display, 1920 x 1080 Max. Resolution 
• 8 GB RAM / 512 GB SSD 
• Intel Iris Xe Graphics 
• Windows 10 Pro 
• HDMI, USB 3.2 
• Black Colour 
• 1-Year Warranty 
• New Condition 

Features 

ASUS ExpertBook B1 is a high-performing device ideal for students because of its military-grade durability. It features an Intel Core i5, an 11th-generation processor, and Intel Iris Xe graphics. Runs on 8GB of RAM, 512GB SSD, and has a 15.6-inch, full HD display with a 1920 x 1080 resolution. It features Windows 10 Pro and supports HDMI and USB 3.2 ports. 

This ASUS laptop allows children to customise extensively and supports multiple I/O ports for connecting to external peripherals. It is recommended for streamlining work and features Wi-Fi 6, ASUS Wi-Fi Master3 Technology, and innovative noise-cancelling for flawless connectivity and unmistakable sound. It supports ASUS Intelligence Performance Technology for premium laptop performance and carries phenomenal cooling measures for calm and quiet operations. You can use it in Performance Mode, Balanced Mode, and Whisper Mode to suit your preferences. Additionally, it features high security with an integrated fingerprint sensor, TPM 2.0, and a physical webcam shield. It is a powerhouse packed in a sleek package, has a 2.4GHz processor speed, supports Bluetooth 5.2, and weighs 1.73kg. 

HP EliteBook 630 G9 (5Y3P9EA#ABU) 

Specifications 

• Intel Core i5 12th Gen. Processor 
• 13.3 in. Full HD Display, IPS, 1920 x 1080 Max. Resolution 
• 8 GB RAM / 256 GB SSD 
• Intel Iris Xe Graphics 
• Windows 11 Pro 
• 42 Wh Battery Capacity 
• USB, HDMI, and Thunderbolt 4 
• Silver Colour 
• 1-Year Warranty 
• New Condition 

Features

The HP EliteBook 630 G9 is a secure device with an Intel Core i5, 12th generation processor and Intel Iris Xe graphics. It features 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and a 13.3-inch, full-HD, IPS display with a 1920 x 1080 resolution. It runs on Windows 11 Pro and supports USB, HDMI, and Thunderbolt 4 ports. 

If you want to enjoy clear audio, this laptop is for you, as it features HP Dynamic Audio and HP AI Noise Reduction. It is easy to service and carries top-of-the-line security with HP Wolf Security, HP Sure Start, and HP Privacy Camera for resilience and protection. You can enjoy seamless connectivity with this highly secure HP laptop, with Wi-Fi 6 support for unrestricted Internet access and an HD camera for free video calls. It holds a 1.30 GHz processor speed, supports Bluetooth 5.3, and weighs 1.28kg. 

Lenovo V15 (82YU00FVUK+Backpack) 

Specifications 

• 15.6-inch Full HD Display 
• 8 GB RAM / 256 GB SSD 
• Windows 11 Pro 
• Black Colour 
• 1-Year Warranty 
• New Condition 
• 82YU00FVUK 

Features

The Lenovo V15 features a large display with a 15.6-inch full HD screen. It has an AMD 7000 Series processor, 8GB RAM, and a 256GB SSD. It runs on Windows 11 Pro and supports multiple I/O ports like USB-C, HDMI, and USB Type-A. 

This Lenovo laptop is suitable for on-the-go productivity as it is lightweight and sleek. It carries specific built-in capabilities for business-grade performance. It is appropriate for mobile productivity and has AMD Radeon graphics for sharp visuals. Its long battery life allows children to enjoy multiple hours of uninterrupted activity. It combines LPDDR5 memory with SSD storage to provide ample storage and has been evaluated to military-grade standards for ensuring durability.  

Parents do not have to worry about their child’s laptop breaking every few years with this robust, resilient device that will last many years. It supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5 and has an excellent camera for video conferencing. Additionally, it features top-tier security with TPM, a Kensington lock, and a camera privacy shutter. The laptop has a 2.40 GHz processor speed and weighs 1.65kg. 

ASUS VivoBook 15 (M1503QA-L1072W) 

Specifications 

• AMD Ryzen 7 Processor 
• 15.6 in. Full HD Display, OLED, 1920 x 1080 Max. Resolution 
• 16 GB RAM / 512 GB SSD 
• AMD Radeon Graphics 
• Windows 11 Home 
• HDMI, USB 3.2 
• Silver Colour 
• 1-Year Warranty 
• New Condition 

Features 

The ASUS VivoBook 15 is a compelling laptop with dynamic specifications. It exhibits an AMD Ryzen 7 processor and features AMD Radeon graphics. Carries 16GB of RAM, 512GB of storage, and a 15.6-inch, full-HD OLED display with a 1920 x 1080 resolution. It runs on Windows 11 Home and supports HDMI and USB 3.2 ports. 

Enjoy realistic visuals with a cinema-grade DCI-P3 gamut with this upscale ASUS laptop, which is optimal for children looking for portability. You can take it anywhere and use its 180-degree lay-flat hinge for flawless viewing angles. 

See clearly with the 16:9 aspect ratio of this durable laptop with a NanoEdge display for lifelike visuals. It is PANTONE validated for delivering professional colour accuracy and is TUV Rheinland certified for safer viewing by lowering blue-light emissions. Makes an impressive choice for parents looking for a laptop with a high-quality display, as it has a 120Hz refresh rate and 0.2ms response time, ensuring lag-free performance. It is ultimate for gaming, editing, rendering, and has a long battery life. The ASUS VivoBook 15 is thin and lightweight, weighing just 1.7kg, has a 70 Wh battery capacity, and supports Bluetooth for uncompromised audio support. 

Conclusion 

Parents should establish laptop security for kids by exercising precise preventive methods for safe Internet access. 

Are you securing your child’s device, and do you want to add extra security? Looking for the ‘best child online safety laptop ‘for seamless computer and Internet access? Browse Laptop Outlet to find the perfect device.