Parental Controls on Android: A Step-By-Step Guide to Protecting Children

You can set up parental controls on your Android by using Google’s Family Link. It can help monitor your child's phone usage, track their location, and also block apps.

Your child's phone is always within their arm's reach. Phones have many great features, but they can expose children to online dangers. Setting up parental controls can help mitigate those threats and ensure your child uses their phone responsibly.

In this article, let's explore how to use Family Link, other effective parental control apps, and what else you can do to protect your child online.

How to put parental controls on Android

There are two Google-affiliated parental controls for Androids. The first option is setting up parental controls through Google Play. It can restrict what content is downloaded based on maturity level and can block in-app purchases. However, Google Play can't filter content on search results.

To set up Google Play parental controls on your child’s device follow these steps:

1. Open the Google Play app.
2. Click on the profile image in the upper right corner.
3. Tap Settings then select Family.
4. Choose and enable Parental Controls.
5. Create a PIN that your child doesn't know.
6. Adjust the parental controls to your preference.

The more robust parental control option is to use the Google’s Family Link app. It has content filtering capabilities for Google Search, Chrome, and YouTube. It also has features like setting screen time limits and tracking the device's location.

You can download Family Link from the Google Play store. You need to download it on the parent's device and also your child's device. Once installed, here are the instructions on how to set it up:

1. Log in with your Google Account.
2. Add your child's Google Account. They must have their own Gmail account for Family Link to work. If you need to create a Google Account for your child, you can follow the instructions in Family Link.
3. Go to the Family Link app on your child's device. Open Settings.
4. On Android devices, go to Google > Parental Controls. For ChromeOS devices, go to People > Parental Controls.
5. Follow the steps to set up parental controls.
6. Go back to the parent's device and select Done when you're finished setting up your child's device.

Let's dive into how to set up parental controls within Family Link.

How to set screen time limits

Family Link lets you set daily time limits and weekly schedules. For example, you can set it to allow for additional screen time on weekends while limiting device usage during school hours.

Keep in mind that if you set the daily time limit for 1 hour, this will apply to each device. So if a child has an Android and a Chromebook, they will have an hour for each device.

Here is how to set screen time limits:

1. Open Family Link and choose your child's profile.
2. Select Controls.
3. Click Set Up under "Daily Limits" and choose the time limit.

To edit screen time limits, select Change for today under "Daily Limits." If you want to alter time screen limits for each day, select Edit weekly schedule under "Daily Limits."

How to restrict content

Family Link provides filtering options to help restrict inappropriate content. The app can help filter search content, as well as content on Chrome and YouTube. There is also an option to block apps. You can do this by:

1. Open Family Link and choose your child's profile.
2. Select Controls.
3. Tap App Limits and select the app you want to block.

How to control app purchases and downloads

You can create security settings to prevent unauthorized purchases on Google Play — especially in-app purchases and subscriptions.

With Family Link, a child needs to get parental permission to purchase app features. You can then approve or deny the request. To set this up, follow these steps:

1. Open Family Link and choose your child's profile.
2. Select Content Restrictions.
3. Tap Google Play.
4. Find Purchases and Download Approvals.
5. Choose Require Approval For.
6. Select purchase approval parameters such as all content, paid content only, in-app purchases only, or never.

How to track location

Family Link makes it possible to track a child's Android. It can offer some peace of mind to know where your child is at any time of the day. To track location with Family Link, you need to enable it:

1. Open Family Link.
2. Tap Location.
3. Choose Set Up Location.
4. Select the child's profile.
5. Click Turn On.

Are parental controls on Android any good?

Parental controls for Androids are generally effective tools for monitoring a child's online behavior and device usage. They are also useful for establishing boundaries online.

Children often face dangers online such as:

• Cyberbullying: Harassment or bullying online can often lead to poor mental health.
• Inappropriate content: Children are often at risk of viewing material that is too mature for them.
• Online scams: Sharing personal information online can lead to identity theft or other scams.
• Excessive screen time: Too much screen time can lead to an imbalance in life's daily activities.
• Online predators: Children may interact with strangers with harmful intentions.

Using parental controls can help ensure your child's overall well-being. It can also keep them safe from online scams and predators.

Other ways to keep your child safe

Children face a variety of threats online. While parental controls can help manage these issues, there are other ways parents can be on top of their child's online activities.

Check in with your child

Open communication is a great way to stay connected with your child. Regularly talk with them about their online experiences and encourage them to share with you. Then you can address any issues as they arise.

Teach good online habits

Educating your child about good online habits is also crucial to keep them safe online. You can teach them not to share personal information online, not engage with strangers, and avoid cyberbullying.

Install a parental control app

Parental control apps are a useful tool to protect your child online and ensure they are engaging in age-appropriate activities. Here are a few parental control apps to consider if you find Family Link isn't the right choice for you.

Parental Controls
Best for	Best overall	Best bundled identity protection	Best for bundled antivirus protection
Price	Plan costs $14.00/mo	Starts at $8.25/mo (billed annually)	Plans costs $49.99/yr
Learn more	Get Bark Premium	Get Aura Parental Controls	Get Norton Family

FAQs

Bottom line

Parental controls are just one tool to ensure your child can safely search the internet and use apps. You may also want to consider antivirus software or ad blockers. You also need to teach your child good online habits to ensure they don't overshare, participate in cyberbullying, or engage with harmful strangers.

Family Link is a good option for parental controls on an Android. It has many useful features, and it's also free to use. However, you may find that a standalone parental control app offers more robust protection.

We've done extensive research and testing to find the best parental control apps in the market. One may be the right fit for your family if Family Link doesn't fit your needs.

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Parental Controls

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• Robust parental controls to track, monitor, and limit device usage
• Machine learning catches the latest slang and keywords
• Screens content across 19 categories
• Activity can only be viewed if it’s triggered

Author Details

Sara J. Nguyen

About the Author

Sara J. Nguyen is a freelance writer specializing in cybersecurity. She aims to help people protect their data while enjoying technology. She has written about online privacy and tech for over 5 years for several organizations. When she's not writing about the latest cybersecurity trends, you can find her on LinkedIn.