Modern smartphones give children access to a huge amount of information and entertainment, which can be both beneficial and risky. Parental controls on a child's phone are a tool that helps parents monitor and limit access to content that is inappropriate for younger users, as well as manage screen time. In this article, we will discuss how to implement parental controls on a child's phone, what features can be used, and what are the benefits of using them.
Why use parental controls?
There are many benefits to implementing parental controls on your child’s phone, including:
- Protection from inappropriate content: Parental Controls lets you block websites, apps and content that may be harmful to children.
- Limit screen time: Set limits on individual apps or your entire device, helping you maintain a healthy balance between online and offline time.
- Monitoring online activity: With monitoring features, parents can keep track of what apps are being used and how much time their child spends on the phone.
- Increased safety: Features like GPS location let you track your child's whereabouts, which can be useful when your child is away from home.
How to implement parental controls on your child's phone?
There are several ways to implement parental controls on a child's phone, depending on the device's operating system and parental preferences. Below are steps that will help you set up parental controls on the most popular operating systems – Android and iOS .
Parental Controls on Android
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Set up a Google account for your child
The first step is to create a Google account for your child or set up an existing account that will be managed by a parent. This account can be set up using the Family Link app .
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Install the Family Link app
The Google Family Link app lets parents control what apps their child can download, set screen time limits, lock the device remotely, and monitor the phone's location. Here's how to set up the app:
- Download and install the Google Family Link app on the parent's phone.
- On your child's phone, download Family Link for Kids and Teens .
- Connect both devices by following the on-screen instructions. The child's account will be set up for parent management.
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Set time limits and content filters
In the Family Link app you can set:
- Time limits for using individual apps or the entire phone .
- Sleep hours during which your phone will not be available.
- Content filters that block access to websites and apps with content that is inappropriate for children.
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Monitor your child's activity and location
Family Link lets you track the apps your child uses , as well as view reports on how much time they spend on each app. Parents can also check the location of their child's phone if the option is enabled.
Parental Controls for iOS
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Set up Screen Time
On iOS devices (iPhone, iPad), parental controls are available via Screen Time . To set it up:
- Go to Settings > Screen Time and turn it on.
- If you want to manage your child's device remotely, select Use Screen Time Passcode to set a four-digit passcode to control settings.
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Set app and content limits
In the Screen Time section you can set:
- App limits – specify how long your child can use specific apps.
- Communication Limits – Control who your child can contact by phone, message, or FaceTime.
- Content & Privacy – Set up content filters to limit access to inappropriate apps, websites, and videos.
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Manage screen breaks (Downtime)
Screen Breaks lets you set times when your child's phone has limited access to most apps, for example while sleeping or studying.
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Monitor your child's activity
Screen Time allows parents to view screen time reports to help them better monitor their child's phone habits.
Parental control via external applications
In addition to the features built into operating systems, there are many third-party applications that offer additional parental control capabilities. Some popular applications include:
- Qustodio – offers online activity monitoring, app blocking, time limit setting, and location tracking.
- Norton Family – allows you to filter content, monitor online activity, set time limits, and track your child's location.
- Bark – focuses on detecting dangerous content in messages, emails and social media and informs parents about potential threats.
What rules should I implement after setting up parental controls?
Once you have implemented parental controls, it is also a good idea to establish phone usage rules that will support healthy and safe use of technology.
Regular conversations with your child
Parental controls shouldn’t be the only way to keep your child safe online. Regular conversations about how to use the internet, how to recognize risks, and how to protect privacy are just as important.
Setting screen time limits
Too much phone use can negatively impact a child's health and development. Set limits on screen time and screen breaks throughout the day.
Privacy Policy
Teach your child how to protect their privacy online, avoid sharing personal information, and recognize suspicious messages or phishing attempts.
Benefits and Challenges of Parental Controls
Advantages:
- Increased security – protection against inappropriate content and threats.
- Screen Time Control – Helps prevent excessive phone use.
- Location Tracking – provides an extra sense of security when your child is away from home.
Challenges:
- Limiting a child’s privacy – too much monitoring can be perceived as a lack of trust.
- The need to regularly update settings – children may try to bypass security measures, which requires constant attention from parents.
Summary
Parental controls on your child's phone are an important tool to support digital safety and responsible use of technology. Implementing parental controls on Android and iOS is relatively easy and allows you to set time limits, filter content, and monitor activity. However, in addition to the technical tools themselves, regular conversations with your child and education on the principles of safe use of the Internet are key.
