Digital Parenting Made Easy – Because Safety Matters

In today's digital age, ensuring your child's online safety, managing their screen time, and guiding them toward positive digital habits is more important than ever.  Parental control tools are available to help parents manage and oversee their children's activities.

Parent control on Android devices

• Google Family Link: This is a dedicated app to manage and oversee their child's Android device. Some of the features that are prominent to configure are:

  • Set screen time limits and device bedtime.

  • Approve or block app downloads.

  • Track your child’s location (if the device is connected).

  • Manage content and filter inappropriate websites.

• Enable Built-in Android Parent Control - Go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls.

• Apply Google Play Store Restrictions - Go to Settings > Family > Parental Controls.

• Block Explicit Content in Google Chrome - Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Safe Browsing and Choose Enhanced protection or Standard protection.

• Apply Restricted Mode on YouTube to block inappropriate videos - Go to Settings > General > Restricted Mode and toggle it on.

• Third Party Apps offer enhanced features to control and manage Android devices such as real-time tracking, social media monitoring etc. (Apps: Qustodio, Bark, Net Nanny, Norton Family.)

Parent control on Android devices

• Turn on screen time and choose This is My Child's Device.

  • Go to Settings > Screen Time > App Limits > Add Limit.

  • Go to Settings > Screen Time > Downtime.

  • Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions and enable it.

  • Found under Screen Time > Communication Limits.

• Enable restriction on App Downloads and Purchase - Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases.

• Apply Content Restrictions - Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Content Restrictions.

  • Customize settings for - Web content (Limit Adult Websites or allow specific sites only), Movies, TV shows, and apps based on age ratings, Explicit content in music, podcasts, or books.

• Apply Family Sharing links family members' Apple IDs, enabling parents to monitor and manage their child's usage - Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Family Sharing.

• Use Safari Parental Controls and restrict website access on Safari - Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Content Restrictions > Web Content | Choose Limit Adult Websites or Allowed Websites Only (to create a whitelist).

• Restrict Siri and Dictation to limit Siri from searching inappropriate content - Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Siri and restrict explicit language and web search content.

• Use Third-Party Apps such as Bark, Qustodio, Norton Family, Mobicip.

• Enable monitoring your child's location - Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Find My > Find My iPhone and enable it.

This is essential to discuss with you child about the purpose of these controls to foster understanding and trust. And periodic review and adjust restrictions over time. Also be open and encourage open communication with your child about your child's online experience.