How to Set Up Parental Controls on a Kids Phone
If you’re giving your child a normal iPhone or Android, the parental controls are excellent - but only if you set them up before handing the phone over. Here’s how.
Ready to choose?
We compared 10 kids phones on safety, parental controls, device price and the monthly-plan true cost - with picks for every age.
On iPhone: Apple Screen Time & Family Sharing
Set up Family Sharing and add your child’s Apple ID, then open Screen Time to: set a daily time limit and a Downtime (bedtime) schedule; require approval for app downloads and purchases; turn on content & privacy restrictions to filter the web and block explicit content; and share location. You approve new apps from your own phone.
On Android: Google Family Link
Install Google Family Link and link your child’s Google account. From your phone you can: approve or block every app; set daily screen-time limits and a bedtime; filter content in Chrome, Search, YouTube and Google Play; and see the phone’s location. New app installs need your approval.
The settings that matter most
- App approval - so nothing installs without you.
- Daily limit + bedtime - and keep the phone out of the bedroom overnight.
- Content filters - web, search and video.
- Contact limits for younger kids.
- Location sharing for peace of mind.
A tip before you hand it over
Do all of this while the phone is still in your hands, then sit down together and explain the rules. Controls plus a conversation beats controls alone.
Ready to choose?
We compared 10 kids phones on safety, parental controls, device price and the monthly-plan true cost - with picks for every age.