This paid piece is sponsored by Midco.
One of the big keys to your student’s success in class this year won’t be found on the school supply list.
Instead, it’s likely already in your house – the connectivity and tech tools that will power your student’s at-home habits.
“The internet generally is a very powerful tool, especially when it comes to supporting schoolwork, but it also can become distracting for kids,” said Teresa Lai, residential product manager for Midco.
“As a Midco customer, not only are you getting best-in-class internet service but we’re supporting you with the controls you need to make sure it’s actually working in your child’s best interest.”
Easy access
Connectivity is everything when it comes to supporting at-home schoolwork.
“Our internet service is going to give kids of all ages the service they need,” Lai said.
“It’s fast, and it’s optimized. It’s going to support their learning needs, including if there’s ever a need for remote learning, and will support all the tech platforms used in classrooms today.”
Midco Wi-Fi’s whole home coverage ensures that no matter where in the home your kids choose to connect, the service stays with them. Say goodbye to “dead spots” in coverage, even if you have a large or unusually shaped home.
“Your kids can be moving around the house on laptops or tablets, and the service is going to be there,” Lai said.
“Our software is continually working to optimize your network and provide you the best coverage based on your home layout, usage and even the usage patterns of your neighborhood.”
Set to disconnect
Of course, there are going to be times and places you’d rather your kids not be online – and Midco’s service accommodates that too.
“You can set device-specific controls based on various filters,” Lai said. “Maybe after a certain time each night, you want to make certain content or apps inaccessible, or you want the entire device to disconnect. Those are easy and intuitive options for parents using the Midco Wi-Fi app.”
Apps can be blocked at certain times or altogether, she added.
“This gives you more control over your kids’ screen time,” Lai said. “We also have preset filters for kid-appropriate content, teen-friendly and adult content.”
There also are options to require approval to view websites or to block up to 50 websites manually.
“People who use our parental controls love them, and we think a lot of people would find value once they learned more about them,” Lai said. “Back-to-school season is an ideal time to make sure we’re minimizing online distractions for kids, and this is an ideal way to do that.”
TV time
Every household has its own approach to TV time – but if you’d like to limit access, Midco’s streaming-based television can make it happen.
“If your television service is delivered over the internet, you can turn off the internet whenever you’d like – or schedule it – so then your child won’t be able to watch TV at that time,” Lai said.
“It won’t work with traditional cable or an antenna, but it’s a definitely an option for MidcoTV users.”
Key safeguards
Of course, any level of connectivity can bring the risk of compromised security. So it’s key to work with a provider that brings significant protection to your home network.
“This gets a little techy, but the software Midco uses through its app and Midco Wi-Fi Pods uses a kind of artificial intelligence to identify and safeguard against unusual behavior,” Lai said. “It will block intrusive, malicious traffic, including other connected devices.”
In other words: If your smart thermostat gets a virus, for instance, “the software will quarantine it, so it won’t spread to the rest of your network,” she said.
Midco Wi-Fi also allows you a detailed look at devices when they aren’t working. Want to see if there’s an issue with one device or the whole network? It’s easy to troubleshoot through your Midco online account or app.
“You have total visibility into your network,” Lai said. “It helps you troubleshoot better on your own.”
Ready to get in control in time for back-to-school season? Click here to get started.
