What is the purpose of a tether with a forward-facing car seat?

A tether with a forward-facing car seat serves the critical function of limiting the forward movement of the car seat during a crash. In the event of a collision, a forward-facing car seat is designed to restrain a child and prevent excessive movement. The tether, which is typically anchored at a point in the vehicle, works to stabilize the car seat and reduce the distance it may travel forward. This helps protect the child from potential injury by keeping the car seat more securely in place, effectively minimizing the risk of the child being thrown forward or the car seat rotating excessively.

The other choices imply different functions that are not the primary purpose of the tether. For example, while the tether contributes to overall installation stability, it does not assist in tightening the seatbelt or connecting the seat to the vehicle seat. Moreover, it does not facilitate the buckling of the child; instead, its role is purely focused on enhancing safety during a crash scenario.