Setting Up Parental Controls on Popular Devices: A Step-by-Step Guide

What Parental Controls Can (and Cannot) Do

Parental controls are software tools built into devices, operating systems, and apps that allow parents and carers to restrict content, limit screen time, manage app purchases, and monitor online activity. When configured thoughtfully, they provide a meaningful safety layer, particularly for younger children who are not yet equipped to navigate the internet's full complexity.

However, it is essential to be realistic about their limitations. Parental controls can block known harmful websites, but the internet changes faster than filter lists can update. They can restrict screen time, but a determined teenager may find workarounds. They can prevent purchases, but they cannot prevent a child from sharing personal information in a private chat.

The most effective approach combines technical controls with ongoing, honest conversations about online safety. Controls bought your child time and reduce accidental exposure; conversations build the understanding and judgement to stay safe when controls are eventually removed.

iOS and iPhone (Screen Time)

Apple's Screen Time feature, available on all iPhones and iPads running iOS 12 or later, is one of the most comprehensive built-in parental control systems available.

To set up Screen Time: Go to Settings, then Screen Time, then tap Turn On Screen Time. If setting it up for a child's device, tap "This is My Child's iPhone." Create a Screen Time passcode that is different from the device passcode. This prevents children from changing the settings themselves.

Content and Privacy Restrictions: Within Screen Time, tap Content and Privacy Restrictions and toggle this on. Under Content Restrictions, you can set age ratings for apps, films, TV shows, books, and music. Under Web Content, choose "Limit Adult Websites" to activate Apple's content filter, or "Allowed Websites Only" to create a whitelist for younger children.

App Limits: Set daily time limits for specific app categories (social networking, games, entertainment) or individual apps. When the limit is reached, the app becomes inaccessible unless the Screen Time passcode is entered.

Downtime: Schedule a period during which only specific apps (such as phone calls) are available. This is useful for enforcing no-screens periods at night or during family time.

Communication Limits: For younger children, restrict who they can communicate with via phone calls, messages, and FaceTime, limiting contact to family members or contacts you have approved.

Family Sharing: Use Apple's Family Sharing feature to manage a child's device remotely from your own. Go to Settings, then your Apple ID, then Family Sharing. Add your child's Apple ID. Once connected, you can manage their Screen Time settings from your own device and approve or decline their app download requests.

Android Devices (Google Family Link)

Google Family Link is available on Android devices running Android 7 or later and provides remote supervision and content management from a parent's device.

To get started: Download the Google Family Link app on your device (the parent or supervisor). On your child's Android device, the child needs a Google account. If they are under 13, you will create a supervised Google account for them during the Family Link setup process. Follow the in-app setup instructions on both devices.

App approvals: When your child wants to download a new app from the Google Play Store, you will receive a request on your device that you can approve or decline. You can also browse the Play Store on their behalf and download apps for them.

Content filters: Within Family Link, go to Controls, then Content Restrictions, then Google Play. Set the age rating for apps, games, films, and music that can be downloaded or purchased. Set SafeSearch on Google to filter explicit search results.

Screen time and app limits: Set daily screen time limits, schedule device lock times (such as bedtimes), and set per-app daily limits to manage time on specific apps.

Location: Family Link allows you to see your child's device location on a map, which can be useful for younger children using their first smartphone.

Note on older children: When a child turns 13 (or the relevant age of digital consent in your country), Google requires them to agree to take over management of their own account. From this point, Family Link transitions to a more advisory role. Discuss this transition with your child in advance.

Windows (Microsoft Family Safety)

Microsoft Family Safety is integrated into Windows 10 and Windows 11 and can be managed through the Family Safety website or app.

Setting up: Go to Settings, then Accounts, then Family and Other Users. Select Add a Family Member and choose Child. Create or add a Microsoft account for your child. Once connected, manage settings at account.microsoft.com/family.

Content filters and web browsing: Enable content filters to block adult websites in Microsoft Edge. You can also create a custom list of blocked or allowed websites. Note that content filtering in Microsoft Family Safety applies to Edge; if your child uses Chrome or Firefox, additional steps may be needed to restrict access to those browsers or to apply filtering via your home router.

Screen time limits: Set daily limits and scheduled hours for using the device. When the limit is reached, the device can be locked or the child can request additional time.

App and game limits: Restrict apps and games by age rating and block specific applications.

Spending limits: Set a weekly allowance for Microsoft Store purchases to prevent unexpected charges.

Mac (Screen Time and Family Sharing)

Apple's Screen Time feature is available on macOS Catalina (10.15) and later and functions similarly to the iOS version.

Setting up: On your Mac, go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older systems), then Screen Time. If you are managing a child's Mac remotely through Family Sharing, ensure Family Sharing is set up as described in the iOS section. On the child's Mac, sign in with their Apple ID. Enable Use Screen Time Passcode to prevent the child from changing settings.

Content and web filtering: Under Content and Privacy, enable content restrictions. Under Web Content, apply the same filtering options as iOS. On a Mac, this filtering applies within Safari; for other browsers, additional tools may be needed.

App Limits and Downtime: Function identically to iOS, allowing you to set daily limits by category and schedule device-off periods.

Communication and privacy: Restrict which apps can access location, camera, microphone, and contacts to reduce privacy risks.

PlayStation (PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4)

Sony's PlayStation consoles have built-in family management tools accessible through a PlayStation Network (PSN) family account.

Setting up: Create a Family Manager account at psn.playstation.com. Add your child as a family member with a child account (for children under 18). Once set up, manage controls from the Family Management section of your PSN account or through the PlayStation app on your mobile device.

Content age ratings: Set the maximum age rating for games, Blu-ray and DVD content, and restrict access to PlayStation Store. Age ratings used on PlayStation include PEGI ratings in Europe and ESRB ratings in North America.

Monthly spending limit: Set a monthly spending cap on the child's PlayStation wallet to prevent unauthorised purchases.

Play time management: Set a monthly playtime limit or schedule playtime hours. When the limit is reached, the console will display a notification and you can remotely restrict access.

Communication and user-generated content: Restrict whether the child can communicate with other players, share screenshots, or access user-generated content. For younger children, limiting communication to friends only is advisable.

Xbox

Microsoft's Xbox console family uses the Xbox Family Settings app for parental controls, which can be managed from a parent's smartphone.

Setting up: Download the Xbox Family Settings app on your phone. Sign in with your Microsoft account. Add your child's Microsoft account to your family group. If your child does not have a Microsoft account, you can create a child account through the app.

Content filters: Set an age filter that restricts which games, apps, and content can be accessed on the console, based on PEGI (Europe) or ESRB (North America) ratings.

Screen time: Set daily screen time limits for Xbox and schedule screen-free times. You can also set different limits for weekdays and weekends.

Communication and multiplayer: Control who your child can communicate with (everyone, friends, or no one) and whether they can play multiplayer games online.

Spending: Approve or decline purchase requests from your child in real time and set a spending limit.

Nintendo Switch

The Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app for smartphones is well-regarded for its simplicity and effectiveness.

Setting up: Download the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app on your smartphone. Follow the in-app instructions to link the app to your Nintendo Switch console using a one-time code. Set a PIN that prevents changes from the console itself.

Content restrictions: Choose from pre-set restriction levels (Child, Pre-teen, Teen, or None) or customise settings manually. Content restrictions are based on CERO (Japan), PEGI (Europe), ESRB (North America), or other regional rating systems depending on your region.

Play time limits: Set a daily playtime limit and choose what happens when the limit is reached (an alarm notification or the console suspending). You can also schedule a bedtime hour at which the console will display a notification or suspend play.

Communication features: Restrict or disable online gameplay, communication with other users, and sharing screenshots and videos to social media.

YouTube (Supervised Experience and YouTube Kids)

YouTube presents specific challenges for families because its vast content library cannot be fully controlled through automated filtering alone. There are two main approaches for different age groups.

YouTube Kids: For children under approximately 10 years old, YouTube Kids (available as a separate app) provides a curated, filtered environment. Within the app, parents can choose a content setting (Preschool, Younger, Older), block specific channels or videos, and disable search entirely to restrict viewing to pre-approved content. A parent-only area protected by a passcode allows configuration.

Supervised Experience on YouTube: For older children (approximately 9-12), Google offers a Supervised Experience that allows children to access YouTube through a Family Link account with enhanced filtering. Three settings are available: Explore (suitable for ages 9+), Explore More (suitable for ages 13+), and Most of YouTube. This is managed through the Family Link app on Android or, for supervised accounts generally, through families.google.com.

Restricted Mode: For older teenagers using YouTube on their own account, enabling Restricted Mode (found at the bottom of any YouTube page or in account settings) filters out videos flagged as potentially inappropriate. Note that Restricted Mode is not a perfect filter and can be turned off by the user unless it is locked via a supervised account.

Netflix

Netflix allows families to create profiles with maturity rating limits for each viewer, which is a simple and effective way to manage content access.

Setting up profiles: From your Netflix account settings on a web browser, go to Manage Profiles. Create a separate profile for each child. When creating or editing a child's profile, set the maturity rating appropriate for their age. Available levels typically include: Little Kids (ages 0-6 equivalent, G-rated), Older Kids (ages 7-12 equivalent), Teen (ages 13+), and All Maturity Ratings.

Profile PIN: Set a PIN on your adult profile and on any profiles with higher maturity ratings to prevent children from switching to a profile with fewer restrictions. You can set this in Account Settings under Profile Lock.

Kids Profile: Selecting the "Kids" profile type creates a visually distinct experience with age-appropriate content prominently featured. Parental guidance content and above is automatically excluded.

Limitations: Netflix content filters work per profile but do not have a global time-limit function. Use the device-level screen time controls described above for managing time spent on Netflix.

Age-Appropriate Settings by Stage

Under 6: Maximum restriction on all devices and platforms. Only use curated children's apps and YouTube Kids. No unsupervised internet access. No social media. Device use in shared family spaces only.

Ages 6-9: Maintained strict content filtering. Supervised internet use with approved sites. No social media. Gentle introduction to search engines through supervised sessions. Daily screen time limits appropriate to age.

Ages 9-12: Continue content filtering and screen time limits. Begin supervised introduction to broader internet use with ongoing conversations. No social media platforms that require users to be 13+. Review apps together and discuss any concerns.

Ages 13+: Transition from hard controls to advisory approaches where appropriate. Maintain conversations about online safety, healthy screen use, privacy, and critical evaluation of content. Discuss rather than simply restrict.

The Importance of Combining Controls with Conversation

No technical control is foolproof, and as children grow, most will eventually encounter content or situations that controls did not prevent. The families that navigate these challenges most successfully are those where digital safety has been an ongoing topic of open, non-judgemental conversation rather than a set of rules imposed without explanation.

Talk to your children about why certain controls are in place. Explain that the internet contains content designed for adults, that some people online do not have good intentions, and that you are using these tools to keep them safe while they develop the skills to make good choices independently. As they demonstrate trustworthiness and growing maturity, adjust controls accordingly and involve them in decisions about their digital life.

Review settings regularly. Technology platforms update their features frequently, and parental control options can change. Set a reminder every six months to review all active parental controls and ensure they remain appropriate for your child's current age and maturity.