In today’s times, children are being exposed to the internet at very young ages. It’s extremely important for parents to keep an eye on and limit their children’s smartphone use because of the abundance of information, games, and social media sites available to them.
If you are an Android user, know that Android smartphones include a number of features to assist parents in setting limits and making sure their children have secure online experiences.
With our blog, you can help your kids have a secure internet environment by setting up Android parental controls.
Learn about Android Parental Controls
The Android operating system has features called Android parental controls that let parents keep an eye on and limit what their kids may access. It helps the parents in controlling screen time, preventing exposure to unsuitable information, and guaranteeing that your kid engages in safe and developmentally appropriate online content.
Android parental controls can be set in a few different ways: through the device’s built-in settings, through third-party app installations, and through Google’s Family Link. You may select the one that best meets your needs.
Step 1: Setting Up Google Family Link
One of the best solutions for controlling your child’s Android smartphone is Google Family Link. It lets you keep an eye on how your kids use applications. You can set screen time limits. Moreover, you can allow or deny them access to apps they wish to download. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Download Google Family Link
– For Parents: Install the Google Play Store app on your smartphone and download the Google Family Link for parents.
– For Kids: On the smartphone of your child, download the Google Family Link for kids.
2. Create a Google Account for Your Child
You may set up your child’s Google account during the Family Link setup if they don’t already have one. Until your kid becomes of age, you will be the account manager for this child. After then, they will be free to handle their account on their own.
3. Link Your Child’s Device
To link your child’s smartphone, open the Family Link app on your device and follow the directions on the screen. Once you’ve entered your child’s Google account details, Family Link will start synchronizing with their device.
4. Establish Screen Time Restrictions
Go to the “Screen Time” on the Family Link app. This is where you can monitor how much time your child spends using certain applications. Set daily screen time limits here.
5. Control Applications and Content
With Family Link, you may authorize or disapprove the apps your kids wish to download from the Google Play Store. To make sure that your child only sees stuff appropriate for their age group, you may also filter content by age.
6. Follow Your Child’s Location
Family Link lets you track your child’s location, so you can feel secure about their whereabouts if their smartphone has location services enabled.
Step 2: Making Use of Android’s Built-In Parental Controls
Android smartphones also come with built-in parental controls that may help you monitor your child’s phone usage if you wish to not use Google Family Link. When it comes to setting limits on applications, in-app purchases, and content, these controls are very helpful.
1. Go to the Google Play Store to access parental controls:
– On the gadget owned by your kid, open the Google Play Store app.
– In the upper-right corner, tap the profile symbol, then choose “Settings.”
– Go to “Family” and choose “Parental Controls” after that.
2. Parental Control Configuration:
Turn on the parental controls. To change these settings, you will be asked to generate a PIN. Here, you can adjust the limits for games, applications, books, TV series, and movies after the PIN has been set. To stop spending unnecessarily, you may limit in-app purchases and filter content accordingly.
3. Control Access to Specific Apps:
Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > App details to limit access to particular apps on the device. Choose the app you wish to block access to, then choose “Disable” or “Uninstall” to stop your kid from using it.
4. Lock Settings with a PIN:
You may use a PIN to lock down the device’s settings and stop your kids from adjusting the parental control settings. This ensures that the limits you have set can remain unchanged as there is an additional degree of protection.
Step 3: Researching Parental Control Apps from Third Parties
While Google Family Link and the parental controls that come with Android are powerful tools, third-party applications can be extra helpful in some situations. Below, we are going to mention some well-liked choices:
Qustodio
With features including online filtering, app banning, screen time management, and location monitoring, Qustodio is a feature-rich parental control tool. For parents who would like to keep a track on their child’s online activities thoroughly, this is an excellent alternative.
Norton Family
Norton Family offers time management, app monitoring, and web supervision capabilities. Additionally, it provides you with immediate information on your child’s online activity by sending you real-time notifications whenever they try to access anything that is forbidden.
Net Nanny
It is A Popular App For Managing Time, Filtering Content, And Keeping An Eye On Android Users’ Online Activity.
Kaspersky Safe Kids
It offers Control Over Your Child’s Screen Time, Filters Out Harmful Content, And Locates Their Device
Step 4: Teaching Your Kids About Internet Safety
Teaching kids about proper internet use is equally important. Talk about the risks of disclosing private information online, the value of protecting others’ privacy, and the best ways to spot and steer clear of offensive material.
To ensure that your child feels safe approaching you with any worries or inquiries regarding their internet experiences, create an environment of open communication. In addition to fostering trust, this gives your child the ability to make more informed decisions online.
Read more: 7 Best Parental Control Apps
Conclusion
For today’s parents concerned about their kids’ safety online, Android parental controls have become essential. You may set limitations on your child’s internet usage with Google Family Link, using the built-in Android controls, or looking into third-party apps.
Your child may benefit much from the internet if you take the time to set up these settings and have honest discussions about online safety.
FAQs
How to put parental control on Android?
Go to the Google Play Store, click on the profile symbol, and choose “Settings” to configure parental settings on your Android device. Select “Parental controls” under “Family” and turn them on. Create a PIN and set limitations on content, games, and apps according to age restrictions.
How do I childproof my Android phone?
Google Play Store allows you to install apps on your Android phone to restrict your child’s activities. To get further control, think about creating a different user profile or using Google Family Link. You can also use “Screen Pinning” to restrict the phone to a specific app.
Can you put parental controls on smartphones?
Yes, you can set up parental restrictions on your Android smartphone. Use Google Family Link or the parental controls in Google Play on Android. Parents can now limit content access, screen time, and app installs on their child’s phone.
