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.

How to record your screen on Windows, Mac and phones

Technology · 6 min read

Showing is often easier than explaining. Whether you want to send a quick how-to to a relative, capture a bug for tech support, save a video call or make a tutorial, you can record your screen without installing anything on most devices. Here is how it works on each platform, plus tips for getting a clean result.

Windows 10 and 11

Snipping Tool (Windows 11)

Newer versions of Windows 11 include screen recording in the Snipping Tool. Press Windows + Shift + S or open the Snipping Tool from the Start menu, switch to the video camera icon, click New, select the area you want, and press Start. When finished, click Stop, then save or share the clip. Availability depends on your Windows update, so if you do not see the video option, update Windows.

Xbox Game Bar (Windows 10 and 11)

1. Open the app or window you want to record.
2. Press Windows + G to open the Game Bar. If it does not appear, enable it in Settings, then Gaming.
3. Click the Capture widget, then the record button, or press Windows + Alt + R to start and stop.
4. Toggle your microphone with Windows + Alt + M.
5. Find videos in the Videos, then Captures folder in your user profile.

Game Bar only records one app window at a time, and not the desktop or File Explorer, which is why many people use other tools for full-screen recordings.

Mac (macOS)

Press Shift + Command + 5 to open the screenshot toolbar, which has two video options: record the entire screen or a selected portion. Click Options to choose where to save the file, set a timer, and pick the microphone. Click Record, and stop by clicking the stop icon in the menu bar or pressing Command + Control + Esc. A thumbnail appears in the corner, and clicking it lets you trim the video. The Mac does not record internal system audio by default, so for sound from the computer itself you need a free virtual audio tool like BlackHole, or an app that supports it.

iPhone and iPad

1. Go to Settings, then Control Centre, and add Screen Recording if it is not there.
2. Swipe down from the top-right corner (or up from the bottom on older models with a home button) to open Control Centre.
3. Tap the record button, which looks like a circle within a circle. After a three-second countdown, recording starts.
4. To record your voice, long-press the record button and tap the microphone to turn it on before starting.
5. Stop by tapping the red status bar or the record button again. Videos are saved in Photos.

The recording includes internal audio, such as game sounds, but not when a call or some protected apps are active.

Android phones

Most modern Android phones, from Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Realme, Motorola and others, have a built-in screen recorder. The steps are generally similar:

1. Swipe down twice from the top of the screen to open the Quick Settings panel.
2. Look for Screen Recorder or Screen Record. If hidden, tap the edit or pencil icon to add it.
3. Tap it, choose whether to record audio (none, media, or microphone) and whether to show touches, then tap Start.
4. Stop by pulling down the notification shade and tapping the stop icon, or via the floating control.
5. Find the recording in Gallery or Google Photos.

On older or very basic Android phones lacking the feature, a trusted free app from the Play Store, such as AZ Screen Recorder, can do the job. Check the permissions and reviews before installing.

Quick reference table

Device	Shortcut or path	Notes
Windows 10/11	Win + G, then Win + Alt + R	Single app only; Snipping Tool offers region capture
Mac	Shift + Command + 5	Mic audio supported; system audio needs extra software
iPhone / iPad	Control Centre record button	Long-press for mic option
Android	Quick Settings tile	Name and options vary by brand
Chromebook	Ctrl + Shift + Show Windows, then Screen record	Saved to Downloads or Screen capture folder

Free tools for more control

• OBS Studio (Windows, Mac, Linux): free and powerful, with multiple scenes, webcam overlay, system and microphone audio and no time limit. It takes some time to learn but is the standard choice for serious recordings.
• QuickTime Player (Mac): File, then New Screen Recording, a simple alternative to the toolbar.
• ShareX (Windows): free and capable, with region recording, GIF export and many shortcuts.
• Loom, Screencastify and similar browser tools: record, then share a link instantly. The free plans have limits on length or quality, so check the current terms.

Tips for better recordings

• Close extra windows and notifications first. Turn on Do Not Disturb so private messages do not pop up on screen.
• Clean the desktop and hide personal files, tabs and bookmarks.
• Check your audio with a short test clip. A cheap headset microphone usually sounds better than a laptop's built-in one.
• Move the mouse slowly and pause to let viewers follow, and zoom in when showing small text.
• Plan what to say in a few bullet points so you do not ramble. Shorter videos are easier to watch.
• Keep file size manageable. 1080p at 30 frames per second is enough for most tutorials. Higher settings give large files.
• Trim and compress before sharing. Built-in editors such as Photos on Windows, QuickTime on Mac or your phone's gallery can cut the start and end.

Privacy check: before sharing, scrub through the video for visible passwords, OTPs, bank details, personal chats or private notifications. Only record calls and meetings if all participants know and agree, and respect copyright and platform rules for protected content such as paid streaming shows, which often black out when recorded.

Troubleshooting

If the recording has no sound, check microphone permissions and which audio source is selected. If the video is black, the app may block capture for security or copyright reasons, so try a different method. If the recording is choppy, close heavy programs, lower the resolution or record to a drive with free space. On a phone, make sure you have enough storage, since screen videos grow quickly.

Final thoughts

Learn one shortcut for each device you use, test your audio, clean up your screen and keep recordings short. You will find that a thirty-second clip often solves what would take twenty minutes to describe in words.

How to make your phone battery last longer

Technology · 6 min read

Two different problems hide under "my battery is bad": it runs out too fast during the day, and it slowly holds less charge over the years. Different habits fix each one. Here is a practical guide to both, working on Android and iPhone, with no special apps required.

Understand how phone batteries age

Almost all phones use lithium-ion batteries. They wear out by charge cycles, one cycle being a total of 100 percent used, not necessarily in one go, and they dislike heat, staying at 100 percent for long periods and being run down to zero. Many manufacturers say batteries are designed to keep a large share of their capacity, often around 80 percent, after several hundred full cycles, though the exact figure depends on the model. Nothing stops ageing, but good habits slow it.

Part one: stretch your daily battery

1. Tame the screen

The display is usually the biggest drain. Lower brightness or use auto-brightness, and shorten the screen timeout to 30 seconds or one minute. Dark mode saves real power on OLED and AMOLED screens, which are common in modern phones, though not on older LCD displays. If your phone has a 90 or 120 Hz refresh rate, switching to 60 Hz (or adaptive) saves a bit more.

2. Find the app guzzlers

Open Settings, then Battery, to see which apps use the most power. Social media, video, navigation, games and apps refreshing in the background are common culprits. Restrict background activity for apps you rarely use, uninstall unused apps and update the rest, since updates often fix battery bugs.

3. Switch off what you are not using

• Turn off Bluetooth, Wi-Fi scanning and location when you do not need them. Set location access for apps to "while using" instead of "always".
• Disable always-on display, vibration for every tap and haptic feedback if you do not need it.
• Reduce push notifications and background refresh for non-essential apps.
• Close apps only if they are misbehaving. Constantly force-closing apps makes them restart from scratch, which uses more power, not less.

4. Mind your signal

In areas with weak mobile coverage, the phone works harder to hold a connection, draining the battery noticeably. If you are on a poor-signal spot, such as a basement or lift, use Wi-Fi calling where available, or enable airplane mode temporarily. If your area has patchy 5G, switching to 4G (or "5G auto") can help, since the phone then does not keep searching.

5. Use power-saving modes smartly

Battery saver (Android) and Low Power Mode (iPhone) reduce background activity, limit performance and dim the display. Turn them on automatically at around 20 percent, or earlier on long days away from a charger. They are useful tools, not just emergency buttons.

Part two: protect long-term battery health

Do	Avoid
Keep the charge mostly between 20 and 80 percent when convenient	Draining to 0 percent regularly
Charge in a cool place, taking the case off if it gets hot	Charging under a pillow, in sun or in a hot car
Use the original or certified charger and cable	Cheap, uncertified chargers that can damage the battery or be unsafe
Use optimised or adaptive charging if available	Leaving fast charging on overnight if the phone gets warm
Top up in short bursts during the day	Worrying about partial charges, which are harmless for lithium-ion

Heat is the real enemy

High temperatures do more damage to batteries than almost anything else, and that matters in Indian summers. Do not leave your phone on a car dashboard or in direct sunlight, and avoid heavy gaming or video recording while plugged in. If the phone feels very hot, stop using it, remove the case and let it cool naturally rather than putting it in a fridge or freezer, since sudden temperature changes and condensation can do harm. Cold weather can also temporarily lower battery performance, but it usually recovers when the phone warms up.

Smart charging settings

Many phones now include features that learn your routine and delay the last part of the charge until just before you wake up. On iPhone, look for Optimised Battery Charging and, on newer models, a charge limit option. On many Android phones from Samsung, Google, OnePlus, Xiaomi and others, look in Battery settings for Adaptive charging, Protect battery or Optimised charging. These reduce the time spent at 100 percent, which slows ageing. Names and options differ by brand and software version, so check your own settings menu.

Fast charging and wireless charging

Fast charging is safe when done with the correct charger, since the phone manages the speed, slowing down as it fills. It does generate more heat, so use it when you need it, and slower charging when you have time, such as overnight. Wireless charging is convenient but typically less efficient and warmer, so make sure the phone sits aligned on the pad and avoid thick cases.

Keep your software up to date

Operating system updates include power management improvements, and old software can leave apps misbehaving. Back up your data before major updates. If the battery suddenly drains much faster after an update, give it a day or two to re-index and settle, then restart the phone.

Check your battery health

iPhones show Maximum Capacity under Settings, Battery, Battery Health. Many Android phones show a battery health or capacity reading in settings or a diagnostics menu, and some offer it via a dialler code, which varies by brand. If capacity has dropped well below roughly 80 percent and the phone cannot last a day, consider a battery replacement at an authorised service centre. It is often much cheaper than a new phone and brings back near-new endurance. Be wary of unofficial shops using low-quality batteries.

Warning signs: a swollen battery, a back panel lifting, a burning smell or a battery that heats up alarmingly while idle needs immediate attention. Stop using and charging the phone and take it to an authorised service centre.

Habits that quietly help

• Restart the phone once in a while to clear stuck processes.
• Carry a small power bank for long days instead of pushing the phone to 0 percent.
• Use Wi-Fi rather than mobile data when possible, which is generally gentler on battery.
• Download maps and music for offline use before travel.
• Ignore "battery booster" and "RAM cleaner" apps, which often drain power themselves and mostly advertise.

Final thoughts

Reduce screen strain, rein in background apps, charge in cool conditions and avoid the extremes of 0 and 100 percent where you can. These tweaks should add noticeable hours to your day and years to your battery's life, so your phone stays dependable for longer.