Parental Controls Made Simple: Keeping Kids Safe Online
Kids are online younger than ever, for school, games, videos and chatting with friends. Parental controls can't replace conversations and supervision, but they're a helpful safety net. The good news: the tools you need are free and built in to most devices.
Start with the right setup: a child account
Most parental controls only work when your child has their own account, linked to yours as a parent. Avoid letting kids use your account, where there are no restrictions and your saved passwords and payment details are available.
Windows: Microsoft Family Safety
1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Family and add your child's account.
2. Manage settings at family.microsoft.com, or with the Family Safety app.
2. Manage settings at family.microsoft.com, or with the Family Safety app.
You can:
• Set screen time limits and schedules.
• Filter websites and searches (filtering works in the Microsoft Edge browser, and you can block other browsers).
• Approve app and game downloads and set age ratings.
• Require approval for purchases in the Microsoft Store and on Xbox.
• Filter websites and searches (filtering works in the Microsoft Edge browser, and you can block other browsers).
• Approve app and game downloads and set age ratings.
• Require approval for purchases in the Microsoft Store and on Xbox.
Mac, iPhone and iPad: Screen Time
1. Set up Family Sharing (System Settings → your name → Family) and add your child.
2. Go to System Settings → Screen Time (or Settings → Screen Time on iPhone and iPad) and choose your child.
2. Go to System Settings → Screen Time (or Settings → Screen Time on iPhone and iPad) and choose your child.
You can:
• Set Downtime (for example, no apps after bedtime) and App Limits.
• Turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions to limit adult websites, explicit content and app age ratings.
• Use Ask to Buy, so purchases and downloads need your approval.
• Turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions to limit adult websites, explicit content and app age ratings.
• Use Ask to Buy, so purchases and downloads need your approval.
Android and Chromebook: Google Family Link
Install the Google Family Link app on your phone and link your child's Google account. You can manage apps, set screen time and bedtimes, and filter content in Chrome and Google Search.
Protect every device at once: your home network
• Many internet providers offer free family filters that block adult content for every device in the home. In the UK, the big providers all offer one. Check your account settings.
• Some routers have parental controls built in, including pausing the internet at bedtime.
• Some routers have parental controls built in, including pausing the internet at bedtime.
Don't forget games and video
• YouTube Kids is a safer option for younger children. For older kids, a supervised YouTube account lets you choose a content level.
• Game consoles (Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch) have their own parental controls apps for play time, chat and spending.
• Check age ratings (PEGI in the UK and Europe, ESRB in the US) before buying games.
• Game consoles (Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch) have their own parental controls apps for play time, chat and spending.
• Check age ratings (PEGI in the UK and Europe, ESRB in the US) before buying games.
The most important control: talking
No filter is perfect, and determined kids find workarounds. Alongside the settings:
• Keep devices in shared spaces for younger children, and out of bedrooms overnight.
• Talk about what they do online, the games they play and who they chat with.
• Make sure they know they can come to you if something upsets them, without fear of losing their device.
• Agree on family rules together, such as screen-free mealtimes.
• Talk about what they do online, the games they play and who they chat with.
• Make sure they know they can come to you if something upsets them, without fear of losing their device.
• Agree on family rules together, such as screen-free mealtimes.
The bottom line
Give each child their own account, then use the free tools: Microsoft Family Safety, Apple Screen Time, Google Family Link, and your provider's family filter. Review the settings as your kids grow up, and keep the conversation going. That matters most of all.
