How to set up parental controls on phones and tablets

Technology · 6 min read

Handing a child a phone or tablet opens the door to games, videos and learning, but also to content they are not ready for and hours of scrolling that nobody planned. The good news is that both Android and Apple devices include solid parental controls for free. This guide walks through the setup, and why the conversation matters as much as the settings.

Decide the rules before touching settings

Controls work best when they match a few clear family rules. Spend ten minutes deciding:

• How many hours of screen time on school days and on weekends?
• Which times are screen-free, for example meals, homework and the hour before bed?
• Which apps are allowed, and which need your approval first?
• Can your child buy anything, including in-game purchases?

Younger children need tight limits. A teenager needs more freedom and more explanation. Whatever you choose, tell your child what is being set and why. Kids who feel spied on will look for workarounds, while kids who understand the reason usually cooperate.

Set up Google Family Link on Android

Family Link is Google's free app for managing a child's Android phone or tablet. You need your own Google account, and your child needs one too (you can create it from within the app if they are under 13).

1. Install Google Family Link on your phone from the Play Store.
2. Open it and choose to set up supervision, then follow the prompts to create or link your child's account.
3. On the child's device, sign in with that account and follow the on-screen steps to link it to yours using a code.
4. In the Family Link app, select your child and open Controls.
5. Set a daily limit and a bedtime, and choose which apps to block or time-limit.
6. Under Google Play, set a content rating filter and require approval for downloads and purchases.

From your own phone you can see how long each app was used, lock the device remotely and approve or deny new app requests. Menu names change a little between versions, so if something looks different, look for the same word (Controls, Screen time, Content restrictions).

Set up Screen Time on iPhone and iPad

Apple's version is built into the device. The easiest route is Family Sharing, which links a child's Apple ID to yours.

1. On your iPhone, open Settings, tap your name and choose Family Sharing, then add a child account.
2. On your child's device, go to Settings and choose Screen Time, then Turn On Screen Time and select "This is my child's iPhone".
3. Set Downtime, the hours when only allowed apps and calls work.
4. Set App Limits by category, such as Games or Social, or for single apps.
5. Under Content & Privacy Restrictions, set age ratings for apps, films and websites, and turn on "Ask to Buy" so purchases need your approval.
6. Create a Screen Time passcode that is different from the phone's unlock code. Do not share it.

Screen Time also lets you set "Always Allowed" apps, such as Phone, Messages and a learning app, so limits never block calls to you.

Tip: Choose a Screen Time passcode your child cannot guess, such as not their birthday, and never type it where they can see. Kids have been known to watch over a shoulder and learn it in seconds.

Make YouTube and browsing safer

Videos are where many children spend most of their time, so give them extra attention.

• YouTube Kids: A separate app with filtered content, a timer and options to block channels. It suits younger children well.
• Supervised experience on YouTube: For older children, a supervised account offers content settings from "Explore" to "Most of YouTube" and can be managed through Family Link.
• SafeSearch: Turn it on in Google settings to filter explicit results. On Chrome through Family Link you can also block sites or allow only a list.
• Safari on iPhone: In Content & Privacy Restrictions, choose Web Content and select "Limit Adult Websites" or "Only Approved Websites" for younger kids.

No filter catches everything, and a determined child can find gaps. Treat filters as a safety net, not a guarantee.

Lock down purchases and privacy

Many parents get surprised not by bad content but by a bill from in-game purchases. Require approval for every purchase, or better, do not link a card to the child's account at all. Gift cards or a fixed monthly amount are safer.

Also check the privacy basics:

• Turn off location sharing in apps that do not need it, but keep it on for family tracking if you agree on it.
• Limit who can contact your child on games and chat apps, and keep their profile private.
• Disable in-app chat with strangers in online games where you can.

Handle common problems

Problem	What to do
Child says a limit blocks homework	Add the learning app to the always-allowed list or give a one-time extension
Child changes the date and time to cheat limits	Set time to automatic and restrict date changes through your controls
Child uses a friend's phone or school computer	Rely on conversation, since technical controls only cover your devices
Teen objects to being monitored	Move from restrictions to agreements, and review activity reports together

Keep talking and review the settings

Review the controls every few months, because a nine-year-old and a twelve-year-old need different rules. Ask your child what apps they enjoy, and sit with them occasionally while they play. Tell them clearly that they can come to you if they see something upsetting or a stranger messages them, and that they will not lose their device for telling you. That promise protects children better than any setting.

If you notice signs such as sleep problems, sudden secrecy, falling grades or distress after being online, speak with your child gently, and consider talking to a school counsellor or paediatrician. Cyberbullying and online exploitation can be reported to the national cyber crime portal (cybercrime.gov.in) or helpline 1930 in India.

Final thoughts

Pick the tool for your device, set limits that fit your family, and explain them kindly. Controls reduce risk, while trust and open conversation keep children safe as they grow more independent.