Ultimate Guide: How to Put Parental Controls on iPhone & Android in Minutes

Welcome, fellow parents, guardians, and tech warriors! If you're here, it's likely because your kiddo has figured out how to unlock every level of Candy Crush faster than you can say “screen time passcode.” You’re in the right place!

In this Mysterium VPN blog post, we’ll help you take control of your child’s online experience with easy-to-follow steps on how to put parental controls on iPhone and Android devices.

And don't worry if you’re not a tech guru. We’ve got all the details covered, from the basics to advanced settings, with a side of dad jokes to keep things light.

Let's dive in—before they Google “how to turn off parental controls on Android”!

Why Set Up Parental Controls?

The internet is a fantastic place for kids to learn, play, and interact. But it’s also home to plenty of inappropriate content, adult websites, and places where cyber-bullies and hackers can lurk.

Setting up a parental control system isn’t just about blocking certain apps or limiting screen time; it’s about creating a safe, balanced digital experience for your child.

Various devices, like iPhones and Androids, offer built-in parental controls that allow parents to block websites, restrict app downloads, and monitor screen time, emphasizing the need for parental oversight in today's digital environment.

In this guide, we’ll explore various ways to set up controls on iPhone, Android, and a few other devices, and we’ll even include some general cybersecurity advice for parents and kids.

How to Put Parental Controls on iPhone

Apple’s iOS offers robust parental control options through Screen Time. Here’s how to control your kid’s iPhone (or iPad) with ease by activating and customizing the parental control settings:

Step-by-Step Guide to iPhone Parental Controls

1. Open Settings on your child's device and scroll to Screen Time.
2. Tap Turn On Screen Time. Here, you’ll set up a Screen Time passcode—make sure it’s something they won’t guess!
3. Choose This is My Child’s iPhone when prompted.
4. Under Content & Privacy Restrictions, toggle On and set privacy restrictions.
5. Set Screen Time Limits by tapping App Limits. You can restrict access to certain categories, like games or social media, or limit individual apps.
6. Tap Downtime to set specific time limits when only approved apps can be used.
7. Game Center: Control who can add friends, multiplayer games, and other features through parental settings.

Apple also allows family sharing, so you can create a Family Group. This lets you manage content across all family members’ devices, approve app downloads, and share purchased apps.

Managing App Store and iTunes Purchases

Managing App Store and iTunes purchases is an essential aspect of parental controls on an iPhone. With Apple’s Screen Time feature, you can easily restrict your child’s spending on iTunes and the App Store, ensuring they don’t rack up unexpected charges. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Open Settings on your child’s device and tap Screen Time.
2. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions and enter your Screen Time passcode.
3. Under iTunes & App Store Purchases, you can disable options like Installing or Deleting Apps and In-App Purchases.
4. You can also set it to Always Require approval for purchases, ensuring you have the final say before any money is spent.

By configuring these settings, you can control your child’s access to mature content and prevent unauthorized purchases, giving you peace of mind.

Preventing Explicit Content

Preventing explicit content is a crucial aspect of parental controls on an iPhone. Apple’s Content Restrictions feature allows you to block access to mature content, ensuring a safe online experience for your child. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Open Settings on your child’s device and tap Screen Time.
2. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions and enter your Screen Time passcode.
3. Under Content Restrictions, you can set limits on various categories such as Music, Movies, TV Shows, Books, and Apps.
4. For each category, select the appropriate age rating to block explicit content.

By setting these restrictions, you can keep mature content out of sight and create a safer digital environment for your child.

Can I Use Family Link on iPhone?

No, but Apple’s Family Sharing group essentially acts as an alternative. You can monitor app usage, set screen time limits, and block apps from your own device.

How to Get Around Screen Time Parental Controls on iPhone?

This is what your kids might be Googling! While they may find some workarounds, setting a strong Screen Time passcode and frequently reviewing restrictions will help keep them secure.

How to Set Parental Controls on Android

For Android devices, Google offers Family Link, a parental control app that lets you monitor and set limits on your child’s device. To properly set up these controls, you must access them through the Google Play App. Here’s how to set it up:

Step-by-Step Guide to Google Family Link App on Android

1. Download the Google Family Link App on both your phone and your child’s device.
2. Open Family Link and sign in to your child’s Google account (or create one if they don’t have it).
3. Link the Account and choose settings to customize restrictions on app downloads, screen time, and adult content.
4. In App Usage, you can set limits on individual apps and restrict access to apps not suitable for your child’s age.
5. Google Play Store: Use Family Link to limit downloads to Teacher-Approved Apps and block apps unsuitable for kids.
6. Set Time Limits: Control daily app usage or block specific websites.
7. YouTube Kids App: Restrict access to YouTube Kids or regular YouTube, and choose only age-appropriate content.
8. Restrict Content: Turn off features that allow multiplayer games, web content, or other apps that might allow unrestricted access.
   

Setting Up Game Centre and Google Play

Setting up Game Centre and Google Play is an essential aspect of parental controls on both iPhone and Android devices. Here’s how to manage your child’s gaming activities:

Monitoring and Managing Your Child’s Device

Monitoring and managing your child’s device is a crucial aspect of parental control. Both Apple’s Screen Time and Google’s Family Link offer robust features to help you stay informed about your child’s online activity. Here’s how to use them:

How to Turn Off Parental Controls on Android

Kids might try to disable Family Link or other parental controls on Android, but you can prevent this by setting up a strong password and periodically checking the parental control settings in the Settings App to ensure everything is as you configured.

How to Remove Parental Controls on Android?

To remove parental controls, simply return to the Family Link app on your own device and update settings as needed. However, keep in mind that changing controls could affect other Family Group members.

The parental control system is crucial for protecting children from inappropriate online content, so consider the implications carefully before making any changes.

Samsung Tablets and Samsung Parental Controls

Samsung offers its own parental controls through Samsung Kids Mode on Samsung tablets and phones. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Go to Settings, tap Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls.
2. Select Kids Mode to set up a child profile, limit app usage, and restrict adult websites using the parental control settings.
3. App Limits: Set time limits for different apps and customize the approved or blocked list.
4. Screen Time Limits: Control how long your child can be on their Samsung tablet each day.

General Cybersecurity Tips for Parents and Kids

While parental controls are essential, educating your child about online safety is even more critical. Here are some general cybersecurity tips to help protect your family:

• Use a VPN: A Virtual Private Network like Mysterium VPN protects your child’s privacy by encrypting their internet connection. This makes it much harder for hackers to access personal information and ensures that your child’s location stays private.
• Discuss Safe Browsing: Explain the importance of sticking to approved websites and not clicking on unknown links.
• Avoid Sharing Personal Information: Teach kids to keep personal information—like their full name, address, or school—private online.
• Install a Password Manager: Teach older kids to use a password manager to create and store strong passwords for various accounts.
• Limit Online Interactions: Encourage kids to interact only with friends they know in real life, especially in multiplayer games and social apps.

Why Parental Controls Are Important

The online world is vast, and kids can stumble across inappropriate content, adult websites, and even online scams.

Setting up a parental control system isn’t just about restricting access to apps or controlling screen time. It’s about creating a safe digital space where kids can learn and play responsibly.

Wrapping Up

Congratulations—you’ve made it through the Ultimate Guide to Parental Controls! Whether you’re using an iPhone, Android, or other device, setting up parental controls can give you peace of mind as your child explores the digital world.

With this guide, you can rest easy, knowing you’re taking the necessary steps to protect them—while sneaking in a little “dad joke” magic.

‍