Parental Control Guide: Set Up Screen Time, Family Link, and More

Every device your child uses — phone, tablet, laptop, gaming console — comes with built-in parental controls. The problem? Most parents never set them up, or they do it once and forget about it as the child grows.

This guide covers the major built-in parental control systems, third-party options worth considering, and how to adjust settings as your child gets older.

Built-In Parental Controls by Platform

Apple Screen Time (iPhone, iPad, Mac)

Apple's Screen Time is the most polished built-in parental control system. Available through Family Sharing.

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings → Screen Time → Turn On Screen Time
2. Tap This is My Child's iPhone/iPad
3. Set Downtime (scheduled off-hours)
4. Set App Limits (e.g., 1 hour of social media per day)
5. Configure Content & Privacy Restrictions
6. Create a Screen Time Passcode (don't use your device unlock code)

Key features:

Feature	What It Does
Downtime	Blocks apps during set hours (e.g., 9 PM to 7 AM)
App Limits	Daily time caps per app category
Communication Limits	Controls who your child can call/text
Content Restrictions	Filters web content, restricts app store purchases
Always Allowed	Apps that work even during Downtime (e.g., Phone, Maps)

Pro tip: Set up Family Sharing first, then manage Screen Time remotely from your own device. You can approve or deny app download requests without touching your child's phone.

Google Family Link (Android)

Google's parental control solution for Android devices. Works with devices running Android 7.0+.

How to set up:

1. Download Family Link on your phone
2. Create a Google Account for your child (under 13) or link existing account
3. Install Family Link on your child's device
4. Sign in and follow the setup prompts

Key features:

Feature	What It Does
Screen Time Limits	Daily time limits and bedtime schedule
App Approval	Approve or block app downloads from Play Store
Location Tracking	See your child's device location on a map
Content Filters	Google Search and Chrome filters
Device Lock	Remotely lock the device when it's time to stop

Important note: When your child turns 13, they can choose to manage their own account. Have a conversation about digital responsibility before that transition.

Windows Family Safety (Windows 10/11, Xbox)

Microsoft's family system covers Windows PCs, Xbox consoles, and Microsoft Edge browsing.

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Family & other users
2. Click Add a family member → Add a child
3. Create or link a Microsoft account for your child
4. Configure settings at family.microsoft.com

Key features:

Feature	What It Does
Screen Time	Set hours and daily limits across Windows and Xbox
Content Filters	Web filtering in Edge, app and game age ratings
Spending Controls	Approve purchases, set spending limits
Activity Reports	Weekly email summaries of activity
Find My Child	Location tracking (mobile devices)

Nintendo Switch Parental Controls

Download the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app on your phone.

• Set daily play time limits with alarm or forced suspension
• Restrict online communication
• Set age-based content restrictions
• View daily play time reports

PlayStation Parental Controls

Set up through Settings → Family Management on the PS5/PS4.

• Create a child account under your family manager account
• Set monthly spending limits
• Restrict games by age rating
• Control online communication and messaging

Third-Party Parental Control Options

Built-in controls are good, but third-party tools can fill gaps — especially for cross-platform monitoring.

Tool	Platforms	Starting Price	Best Feature
Bark	iOS, Android, Amazon tablets	$5/month	AI-powered content monitoring for social media
Qustodio	iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Kindle	$5/month	Cross-platform dashboard
Net Nanny	iOS, Android, Windows, Mac	$4/month	Real-time web content filtering
Circle	Network-level (all devices on Wi-Fi)	$10/month	Filters all devices on your home network

When to consider third-party:

• You need monitoring across different platforms (Android phone + Windows PC + iPad)
• You want social media content monitoring (not just time limits)
• Your child's school doesn't provide device management
• Built-in controls aren't granular enough for your needs

Age-Appropriate Settings Guide

Age Group	Approach	Key Settings
Under 6	Full control, curated content only	No internet access, pre-approved apps only, strict time limits
6-9	Supervised use, limited access	Web filtering on, app approval required, 1-2 hours daily
10-12	Gradually expanding with oversight	Content filters, location sharing on, discuss what they encounter
13-15	Monitored independence	Reduce restrictions gradually, maintain location sharing, open conversations
16+	Trust-based with safety nets	Minimal restrictions, emergency features active, periodic check-ins

Common Parental Control Mistakes

1. Setting and Forgetting

Your 8-year-old's settings shouldn't be the same when they're 12. Review and adjust every 6 months.

2. Not Explaining Why

Kids who understand the reasoning behind restrictions are less likely to try circumventing them. "I'm protecting you" works better than "because I said so."

3. Over-Restricting Teens

Locking down a 15-year-old's device like a 7-year-old's creates resentment and teaches them to find workarounds. Gradual loosening builds digital literacy.

4. Ignoring Gaming Platforms

Screen Time and Family Link don't cover Xbox, PlayStation, or Nintendo. Set up controls on every platform.

5. Only Controlling One Device

If you restrict the phone but not the tablet, your child will just use the tablet. Apply consistent rules across all devices.

Sharing Parental Control Settings With Your Co-Parent

Both parents should have access to parental control settings and passcodes. If you're sharing these credentials securely, create a password-protected memo on LOCK.PUB with all the relevant settings and passcodes. Share the link with your co-parent and send the password separately.

This is also useful for babysitters and grandparents who need temporary access — you can set an expiration on the shared memo so it automatically becomes inaccessible after the visit.

What Parental Controls Can't Do

Parental controls are a tool, not a substitute for parenting:

• They can't prevent all exposure — your child's friend might show them something on their unfiltered device
• They can't teach judgment — only conversations can do that
• They can't replace trust — over-reliance on monitoring damages your relationship
• They can be bypassed — a determined teen with internet access will find workarounds

The goal is to create a safety net while building your child's ability to make good decisions independently.

Wrapping Up

Start with the built-in controls on your child's primary device today. It takes 15-20 minutes to set up Screen Time or Family Link properly, and it's one of the most impactful things you can do for your child's digital safety.

As your child grows, shift from restriction to conversation. The best parental control is a child who understands why online safety matters.

Need a secure place to store your family's device passcodes and settings? LOCK.PUB lets you create a password-protected memo that's safer than a sticky note on the fridge.

Create a secure family memo on LOCK.PUB →