Parenting in today’s world where technology has taken over everywhere and nearly everything has its own set of problems and one of the biggest is keeping kids safe online. If you know how to set up parental controls on Android devices, you will to a greater percentage put your children at safety.
With smartphones and the internet at their fingertips, controlling what they see and do on their devices is crucial. One way to do this is by setting up parental controls on Android devices. These controls will filter content, limit downloads, block in-app purchases, and make sure they’re only accessing age-appropriate stuff.
Why Are Parental Controls Important? The internet is a great tool for learning and entertainment but it can also expose kids to harmful content, from violent games to inappropriate websites. Parental controls allow parents and guardians to limit what their kids can access online and help create healthier tech habits.
With Android parental controls you can control which apps can be downloaded, filter out age-inappropriate content, and even block specific apps altogether. You can also use these settings to monitor screen time so your kid doesn’t spend too many hours stuck to their device.
In this article, we’ll show you how to set up parental controls on Android devices. You’ll learn how to restrict content on the Google Play Store, manage apps, block inappropriate content, and even set time limits. We’ve gone further to cover everything you need to know to keep your kid safe online.
Read on to get peace of mind while your kid explores the digital world.
How to Set Up Parental Controls on Android Devices
1, Make Use of Parental Controls on Google Play
Parental controls on Android can be set up through the Google Play Store which is the central hub for all apps, games and content.
Step 1: Open Google Play Store
Tap on the Google Play Store on your Android device. This is where you’ll find the settings for app access, purchase restrictions and content filtering.
Step 2: Go to Profile
Once in the Google Play Store, tap on your profile icon (usually top right of the screen) and go to Settings.
Step 3: Go to Family and Parental Controls
In the Settings menu, go to Family. Here you’ll find Parental Controls. Tap on it.
Step 4: Turn On Parental Controls
When you first get to the parental controls they will be off. To turn them on, toggle the switch to the on position. You will be prompted to create a PIN. This will prevent anyone from changing the controls. Choose a good PIN and remember it—without the PIN you won’t be able to change or turn off the parental controls.
Step 5: Set Content Restrictions
Once you’ve turned on the parental controls you’ll be asked to set restrictions for different types of content. This includes:
- Apps & Games: Restrict based on age ratings.
- Movies: Limit to movies for certain age groups.
- TV: Filter shows by content ratings.
- Books: Restrict books for younger readers.
Each category has different maturity levels and you can choose the one that’s right for your child.
2. Use The Google Family Link
If you want more control over your child’s device Google Family Link is a great option. This app allows parents to manage their child’s Google account, monitor app usage and even set daily screen time limits.
Step 1: Download Google Family Link
First you need to download the Google Family Link app from the Play Store. The app can also be used on iOS devices so you can control across platforms.
Step 2: Create a Family Group
Once the app is installed create a Family Group by inviting family members with Google accounts. If your child is under 13 you can create a managed Google account for them through Family Link.
Step 3: Manage Apps and Settings
With Family Link you can block or allow individual apps, set time limits for usage and even hide apps you don’t want your child to use. The app also allows you to track your child’s location so you can keep them safe.
Step 4: Set Daily Limits
One of the best features of Family Link is the ability to set daily time limits for your child’s device. You can set bedtimes so the device becomes unavailable after a certain time or restrict screen time during the day.
3. Make Use of In-App Purchases
One of the biggest worries for parents is that kids will make in-app purchases without realizing they are spending real money. To prevent this, you can require approval for all downloads through Google Play’s billing system.
Step 1: Purchase Approval
From the Google Play Store settings, go to the Authentication section. Here you can set up purchase approval so all paid content requires a password before it can be downloaded.
Step 2: Transactions
Even with controls in place, it’s a good idea to check your child’s account and transaction history every now and then to catch any unauthorized purchases.
4. Set Screen Time
Too much screen time can cause eye strain and sleep disruption. Android has tools to help you limit the time your child spends on their device.
Step 1: Digital Wellbeing
Android devices have Digital Wellbeing features to track and limit screen time. You can find this in the Settings menu.
Step 2: App Timers
In Digital Wellbeing, you can set daily timers for specific apps. Once the time limit is reached, the app will be paused and your child won’t be able to use it until the next day.
Step 3: Focus Mode
Focus Mode is another feature that temporarily disables distracting apps so your child can focus on homework or reading.
5. Blocking Websites
While Google Play Store’s parental controls filter out inappropriate content, they don’t block websites. For web browsing you can use other tools to block specific sites.
Step 1: Safe Browser
Install a child-safe browser that has built-in filtering. These browsers can block adult content and prevent your child from accessing harmful websites.
Step 2: Third-Party Apps
There are third party apps like Net Nanny or Kaspersky Safe Kids that can block websites and monitor your child’s internet usage across all apps and browsers.
What Parental Controls Can’t Do
Parental controls are great but not foolproof. Here’s what to keep in mind:
- In-Game Purchases: Parental controls on Google Play won’t stop your child from buying stuff in certain apps. Make sure in-app purchases are also restricted.
- Social Media: Parental controls don’t block content in social media apps. You’ll need to monitor your child’s social media manually or use Family Link to restrict access.
- Cyberbullying: Parental controls can’t stop cyberbullying. Talk to your child about their online interactions.
Conclusion
Setting up parental controls on Android devices is easy and effective to control what your child can access and keep them safe online. With Google Play parental controls, Google Family Link, and Digital Wellbeing you can create a balanced and safe tech environment for your child. Though these features are great, they are not a substitute for regular monitoring and talking to your child about online safety. Be proactive and help your child develop good digital habits and enjoy technology.
I’m Edidiong Ekpo, an experienced SEO content writer who writes well-researched articles to educate the public on various niches across the web.