How to Set Parental Controls on Your Child’s Devices
You can learn how to set parental controls by using built-in device or account settings to manage what your child can access and which content they can see. The exact steps depend on the device or service: Apple provides controls through its device settings, while Google offers controls for services such as Chrome, Play, YouTube, and Search.[1][2]
For example, you might use a device’s settings to restrict content, then use account controls for a service your child accesses separately. Check the options for each device and service your family uses, since menus and available settings can vary.[3][1][2] The controls work best as support for your household’s screen rules, not as a substitute for clear, consistent expectations. This guide covers how to find the relevant settings and use them as part of a family plan. For a closer look, read Screen Time Rules for Kids.
What to decide before changing settings
Before you change parental controls, make a quick inventory of the devices and accounts your child uses, decide what you want the settings to manage, and explain the plan to your child. This preparation helps you choose settings that fit your family instead of turning on restrictions without a clear purpose.
Make an inventory
List the devices your child uses, including a phone, tablet, computer, or shared family device. Note which account they use on each one, too. A child may have a personal account on a tablet, use a parent’s account to watch videos, and share a computer with siblings; each situation can call for a separate check.
Include the services your child uses, not just the hardware. Google offers parental controls for services such as Chrome, Play, YouTube, and Search, so think about which of those your child uses when planning what to review. [2] Your inventory can be as simple as a note with the device, account, and apps or services beside it.
Choose what the controls should do
Decide which concern you want to address first: time spent on a device, the content your child can access, or permissions for an app or service. Parental controls can be used for different purposes, including managing screen time and permissions. [4] For example, if your main concern is app access, start by identifying the apps that need a permissions review rather than changing unrelated settings. For more detail, see How to End Screen Time Without Tears.
You can also consider whether your child needs different settings on a shared family device than on a personal one. Keep the goal specific, such as limiting time on a particular device or reviewing access to a service, so it is easier to connect each setting to a household expectation.
Explain the plan
Tell your child what you plan to change and why, using a concrete example: “We’re setting a time limit for games so there’s room for homework and getting ready for bed.” Explain what the control will do, and invite questions so your child understands how the setting fits your family’s rules.
Parental controls can help families establish positive online habits, and the right choices depend on what fits your family. [5] A calm conversation before setup can make the rules easier to understand; treat the settings as one part of your family’s plan, not a surprise punishment.
How to set parental controls on an iPhone or iPad
To set parental controls on an iPhone or iPad, open your child’s settings in the Family section, then choose and configure the restrictions that fit your family’s rules.
Open your child’s settings. On the device, open Settings, tap Family, and then tap your child’s name. [1]
Open Content & Privacy Restrictions. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions; if asked, enter your Screen Time passcode. [1]
Review and configure the options. Look through the restrictions available on the screen and turn on or adjust the ones that match your family’s rules. For example, if you want to limit certain kinds of content, look for the relevant content restriction; if you want to manage access to a feature, review the available options for that feature. Choose settings deliberately so the controls reflect the limits you intend to use.
If you are unsure about an option, read its label before changing it. You can start with the restriction that addresses your clearest concern, then review the other options to see which ones fit. The goal is to set the controls that support your family’s rules, rather than turning on every restriction by default.
How to set parental controls on Android, Chromebook, or Google services
For a child’s Chromebook or Android device, Google Family Link is a practical place to set supported parental controls, including screen-time limits and permissions. [3][2][4] Use these steps to get started:
Set up Family Link for your child’s Chromebook, Android phone, or tablet. [3] For example, if your child uses an Android tablet for games and a Chromebook for school, begin with the device you want to manage.
Open Family Link on your phone and review the controls available for the linked device. [4] You can use supported settings to manage screen time and permissions. [2][4]
Choose the relevant control and adjust it to suit your household plan. For instance, you might set a screen-time limit for the tablet or review permissions for an app. Family Link’s available controls depend on the Google service or device you are managing. [2]
To limit content in Google Play, open the Play Store app and tap the profile icon in the upper-right corner. [6]
Tap Settings, then Family, then Content restrictions. [6] Follow the prompts to open parental controls and choose the Play content settings you want. [6]
If you want to manage other Google services, such as Chrome, YouTube, or Search, check the controls for each service in Google’s parental-control settings. [2] A Play Store restriction applies to Google Play content, so review the specific service your child uses when you need a different control.
Use Family Link for device-level options and Play Store content restrictions for Google Play; choosing the right place makes it easier to apply the limit you have in mind.
Check that the controls match the rules you agreed on
Check the controls on each device and in the apps or services your child uses, then review them together and revisit them as needs change. A setting on one device may not cover a separate app or service, so compare what is restricted with the rules you agreed on. Google, for example, offers parental controls for services including Chrome, Play, YouTube, and Search. [2]
Walk through the settings together
Choose a calm moment to check the controls with your child. For each restriction, explain what it changes in everyday terms—for example, whether a site is blocked or an app needs permission. Google’s Family Link controls can block inappropriate sites and set permissions, while controls are also available on some Google services. [2]
Invite your child to ask questions and point out anything that feels confusing. You can keep the conversation practical: “This setting limits access to this service, and we’ll check it again if your needs change.” Google describes its parental controls as a way to help families establish healthy and positive online habits. [5]
Check again when something changes
Revisit the controls when your child starts using a different device or app, or when a current restriction no longer fits your family’s agreed rules. Check the relevant device, app, and service rather than assuming one adjustment updates everything. Google lists controls across Chrome, Play, YouTube, and Search, illustrating why a separate service may need its own review. [2]
Keep the review low-pressure: ask what is working, what is getting in the way, and whether the current limits still make sense. If you change a setting, explain the reason and the expectation it supports. This gives you a shared routine for keeping controls aligned with your child’s changing needs without treating a setting as a substitute for conversation.
Common setup mistakes to avoid
A common mistake is assuming one parental-control setting will cover every device, account, and service your child uses. Controls may be available in Google services such as Chrome, Play, YouTube, and Search, so think about where your child actually goes online rather than treating one device setting as universal. [2] For example, a restriction you set for a device may not match the controls available in a separate app or service.
Another mistake is turning on restrictions without explaining the household expectation behind them. Google describes its parental controls as a way to help families establish healthy and positive online habits, which is a useful reminder to connect a setting to a reason your child can understand. [5] You might explain that a limit on a particular service is there to support the family’s agreement about what your child can access, not to surprise or punish them.
Device controls also should not stand in for clear family rules. Treat settings as one practical way to support expectations you have already discussed, rather than expecting a device to explain what is allowed in every situation. For instance, if your child knows a restriction is in place but not what the family expects when using another screen or service, the setting alone may leave that expectation unclear.
Keep the setup grounded in the conversation: say what a restriction does, why it is there, and what your child should do if they are unsure whether something is allowed. That gives your child a clear point of reference beyond the controls themselves, while leaving room to talk through situations the settings do not address.
Choose the Right Parental Controls
Use this table to match how to set parental controls with the device or service you want to manage.
Option | Where to start | What you can manage |
|---|---|---|
iPhone or iPad | Settings, then Family and your child’s name | Content and privacy restrictions |
Android or Chromebook | Family Link | Screen time and permissions |
Google Play | Play Store settings, then Family and Content restrictions | Play content settings |
Other Google services | Check each service’s parental-control settings | Controls for Chrome, YouTube, or Search |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I decide which parental controls to turn on?
Start by listing the devices, accounts, apps, and services your child uses. Then choose the concern you want to address first, such as screen time, content access, or app permissions. Pick settings that match a specific family rule, and explain the plan to your child before changing them.
How do I set parental controls on an iPhone or iPad?
On your child’s device, open Settings, tap Family, and select your child’s name. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions and enter your Screen Time passcode if asked. Review the available options and turn on or adjust the restrictions that support your family’s rules, rather than enabling every restriction by default.
How can I manage parental controls on an Android device or Chromebook?
Set up Google Family Link for your child’s Android device or Chromebook, then open Family Link on your phone and review the controls for the linked device. Choose supported settings for screen time or permissions. The controls available depend on the device or Google service you are managing.
How do I restrict content in Google Play?
Open the Play Store app and tap the profile icon in the upper-right corner. Go to Settings, then Family, then Content restrictions. Follow the prompts to open parental controls and choose the Play content settings you want. These restrictions apply to Google Play, so check other services separately.
Do parental controls cover every device and app my child uses?
Not necessarily. Check each device, account, app, and service your child uses, because a setting on one device may not cover a separate service. Google has controls for services such as Chrome, Play, YouTube, and Search. Review the controls with your child and revisit them when their devices or needs change.
Make device settings part of a clear family plan
Treat parental controls as one part of a family plan: choose the limits you want, set the matching controls, and review the plan with your child. [5] For example, if your household expects devices to be put away during dinner, decide what that means in practice and make sure any relevant device limits support that expectation.
Once the settings are in place, make the next step a calm check-in: explain what the limits are for, ask whether anything feels unclear, and agree to revisit the plan if your family’s needs change. [5] A setting is easier to understand when your child can connect it to a clear household expectation, such as finishing screen time before moving on to another activity. [4]