Parental Controls Apps: What You Can Control

Parental controls help you set rules for your children’s devices. With these tools, you can limit screen time, filter out explicit content, check your child’s location, and stop unwanted spending or downloads.

What You’ll Need

You need a few key items to start setting up parental controls that will help you guide and monitor your child’s screen time. It’s important to have the right devices and accounts ready before you begin.

A Child’s iPhone Or Android Device

You will need access to your child’s device. This means having the actual iPhone, iPad, or Android smartphone that they use daily. Make sure you know the device’s password or unlock code.

• For iPhone or iPad: Check that it is up to date with the latest iOS version.
• For Android phones or tablets: The device should ideally have Android 10 or newer.

Having the device in hand lets you adjust settings like apps, internet access, and downtime schedules right from your child’s phone or tablet.

A Parent Account Or Device

You’ll need a parent account to manage and confirm changes. On iPhones, this usually means your own Apple ID. On Android, it’s your Google Account linked to Family Link.

If you want to control settings remotely, you should also have your own device, like your own iPhone or Android smartphone. This device will help you monitor activity, set time limits, approve downloads, and receive reports.

Optional: Smart Home Device Or Parental Control App

You may want to use other tools to give you extra control. Smart home devices, like Amazon Echo or Google Nest, have their own parental settings. These can block music, calls, or shopping.

Parental control apps like Qustodio, Net Nanny, or Norton Family add more options. These apps run on both Android smartphones and iOS devices.

Parental Control Features

Screen Time Limits

Screen time controls let you decide how long your child can use their phone or apps each day. You can set daily limits for total device use or for certain apps like games, social media, or video streaming services.

Some devices allow you to set a specific “downtime” when the whole device is blocked, like during homework or bedtime. For example, you might set the iPhone to lock most apps between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m.

You can track reports to see which apps your child uses most. If your child needs more time for schoolwork or a project, it’s easy to change the limits for that day.

App And Game Restrictions

You can block apps or restrict access to certain types of apps and games based on their age rating. On iPhones and Android devices, you can prevent your child from installing new apps or delete apps that are not right for their age.

You can also restrict in-app purchases, so your child cannot spend money without your permission. Some controls let you approve or deny app downloads and updates through an “Ask to Buy” feature.

Here’s a quick list of what you can restrict:

• Downloading or deleting apps
• Age-rated games and apps
• Explicit content in music, podcasts, and videos
• In-app purchases

Web Filtering

Web filtering lets you block adult websites, violent content, and pages that may not be safe for kids. On iPhones, there is a built-in setting to block explicit content in Safari, and you can add websites to a blocked or allowed list.

Many Android devices have Google Family Link, which helps you manage which websites your child can visit. You can use safe search to block inappropriate search results.

Some apps, like YouTube Kids, filter out adult and unsafe videos automatically. Filters are not always perfect, so it’s good to check what your child is seeing now and then.

Purchase And Permission Approvals

Parents can stop children from making in-app purchases or buying apps without asking first. On iPhones, use Ask to Buy to review each purchase request before it goes through.

On Android, Google Play allows you to set approval settings for every purchase or just certain types. You can block all purchases, allow only free apps, or review every request.

This helps you avoid surprise charges. It also gives you time to talk to your child about which apps or games are okay to buy and use.

Step-By-Step Setup By Platform

iPhone (Screen Time): How To Create A Child Account, Set Limits, Block Content, Approve Downloads

• Go to Settings and tap Screen Time.
• Select Set Up Screen Time for Family and choose Create Child Account if your child does not have their own Apple ID.
• Follow the prompts to enter their birthday and information.
• Once the child’s account is ready, you can set daily app limits, downtime hours, and content restrictions.
• Set a Screen Time Passcode so only you can change these controls.
• To review new downloads, turn on Ask to Buy in Family Sharing.

Android (Google Family Link): How To Link Devices, Block Apps, Set Time Limits, Location Tracking

• Download the Family Link app on your device and on your child’s Android.
• Open the app, create a Google Account for your child, and link both devices.
• You can block or approve apps, set screen time limits, and lock the device remotely.
• Turn on location tracking to see your child’s device location.
• You can also block explicit content in YouTube and Google Search.

Home Devices: Setting Parental Controls On Smart TVs, Alexa, Wi-Fi Routers

• On most Smart TVs, go to settings or parental controls to set rating limits, block apps, or create a PIN for purchases.
• For Alexa devices, use the Amazon Parent Dashboard or Alexa app to set up child profiles and limit voice purchases.
• With Wi-Fi routers, log in to your router settings and look for Parental Controls or Access Restrictions. You can set internet use schedules, block websites, or pause Wi-Fi for specific devices.

Optional Tools To Make Life Easier

Bark: AI Alerts And Social Media Monitoring

Bark uses artificial intelligence to scan texts, emails, and over 30 social media platforms for signs of cyberbullying, inappropriate language, or threats. It sends alerts only when it finds something risky.

Qustodio: Detailed Usage Reports And App Blockers

Qustodio offers reports showing how much time your child spends on each app or website. You can block apps, set screen time limits, and monitor use across multiple devices.

Net Nanny: Real-Time Filtering

Net Nanny offers live web filtering, blocking harmful content as your child tries to access it. It includes a Family Feed and a screen time scheduler.

Parental Controls Advice by Age Group

Ages 5–9

• Use strict app and content blocking
• Set total device time (e.g. 1 hour/day)
• Use kid-safe apps like YouTube Kids

Ages 10–13

• Add website filters and app-specific controls
• Monitor messaging apps
• Introduce time tracking with input from the child

Ages 14–17

• Focus on trust and transparency
• Reduce direct monitoring; enable usage reports
• Encourage joint decision-making on app access

How to Respect Privacy While Staying Involved

How to Involve Your Child in Setting Limits

Start by having an open conversation with your child about why you’re using parental controls. Reassure them that these tools are for protection, not surveillance.

You might even create a shared agreement:

Involving your child helps them feel respected. Parenting experts often say that when kids help set the rules, they’re more likely to follow them. You’ll also learn what matters most to your child online.

When to Be Transparent About Monitoring

Tell your child exactly what you’ll be monitoring—and what you won’t.

“I’ll be able to see which apps you download and how long you use them, but I won’t read your private messages.”

If you’re using tools like Family Sharing (Apple) or Google Family Link (Android), walk your child through how these tools work. Make it clear you’re looking out for risks like cyberbullying, online predators, or explicit content—not spying on their private life.

Transparency builds trust and keeps the lines of communication open.

Tools with Less Invasive Approaches

• Apple Screen Time and Google Digital Wellbeing offer gentle, age-appropriate restrictions.
• Avoid invasive apps that read texts or log calls unless there’s a genuine safety concern.
• Choose tools that align with your child’s age and maturity level.
• Use nudges like pop-up reminders or scheduled breaks instead of constant monitoring.

By choosing respectful, well-balanced tools, you’re more likely to foster open conversations and responsible behavior.

Ongoing Support and Monitoring

Recommend Regular Check-Ins With Your Child

Set up a time each week or month to talk about device use and online experiences. Ask your child what apps, games, or content they use most. Remind them why you set parental controls and discuss any issues they’ve had.

Check-ins help you learn what your child enjoys and any problems they might face online, such as bullying or unwanted content. This builds trust and helps you spot new challenges. Let your child know they can come to you if they see something worrying or suspicious.

Try to keep these talks relaxed. Listen to your child and be open about your reasons for rules. If your child is active and social, you may need to adjust limits or find new solutions together.

Review Device Settings Monthly

Check settings on phones, tablets, and home devices at least once a month. Look for new apps, changing privacy features, and updates that could affect controls.

• Go through screen time limits
• See which apps your child has installed
• Review blocked sites and allowed contacts

Manufacturers like Apple and Google often update parental control features. Changes can turn off some protections or add new options. To keep up, review your “how to set up parental controls” steps often, especially after a device update.

For active kids who share devices or travel between homes, double-check settings and make adjustments as needed. Revisit passwords and PINs as your child gets older.

Suggest Combining Tools For Layered Protection

Use more than one tool to increase safety. Combine built-in parental controls with settings on individual apps like YouTube, TikTok, and gaming platforms. Take advantage of your internet provider’s safety filters for Wi-Fi at home.

Layered protection works better than relying on one method. For example, blocking apps at the device level and also using safe search filters on browsers helps catch what one tool might miss.

Don’t forget about physical controls: keep devices in common areas when possible and set bedtimes for electronics. Use strong, separate passwords for each tool so kids can’t easily change settings.

Kind, Confidence-Building 

You don’t need to know everything about technology to keep your child safe. Taking action- no matter how simple -is an important first step.

Your care makes a real difference, especially as your child learns to use devices wisely and safely. If you ever feel unsure, reach out to other parents or support services for help.

With regular check-ins and a few safeguards, you can guide your child through the online world as they play, learn, and grow. Each small step helps your family stay protected and connected