I'm looking for help with my 80-year-old mother, who has moderate dementia. She loves using her phone for games and coloring apps, but she often confuses real notifications with potentially harmful pop-ups. I have to clean her phone every few days, and recently I had to do a factory reset because the ads were overwhelming. I need a recommendation for antivirus or security software that can warn her when she tries to access a risky website or app, ideally blocking anything harmful before she can download it. Additionally, is there a way for me to control app downloads from my own phone? I don't want to take her phone away since it's her connection to the world and helps her stay engaged mentally. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
4 Answers
Installing a DNS-based adblocker can significantly reduce malware risks since most of it comes from in-game advertisements. Here's a link that explains how to set it up: [DNS AdBlocker Tips](https://hackbototechtips.github.io/mobile_tips/dns_adblocker.html)
If she's using the phone for games and as an actual phone, I suggest using Family Link. You can create a child account for her from your phone, allowing you to approve any downloads from the Play Store directly.
Consider getting her an iPad! They’re generally more secure with app segregation, so it’s tough to get viruses. Plus, the screen size is better for her eyes and the battery lasts longer. Although, I get that you might have challenges with her remembering the tablet.
I don’t disagree, but she keeps losing the tablet. It’s strange because she remembers her phone. Dementia is really both weird and cruel.
You should really consider looking into PiHole. It's a great solution that acts as a DNS adblocker and can help filter out harmful ads that often come through during games. You might find it super useful!
Thank you, I'll take a look!
Thank you, I'll look into this!