How to Set Up Parental Controls on Phones, Tablets and Consoles

Picture a world without the internet. It would mean no smartphones, no streaming and no Google. Our day-to-day lives would be very different. 

It's hard to imagine, even as an adult. But for kids who have grown up with screens in every corner of the home, it would be unthinkable.

That's why grown-ups must set a good example. Sure, children are glued to their gadgets nowadays. But by using parental controls and limiting screen time for kids, we can teach them healthy habits and help protect them from inappropriate content.

This guide will help you get started. You'll learn how to set up parental controls on phones, tablets and game consoles so your little ones stay safe online. We also share some of the best free parental control apps available in the UK, so you can have even more control over their content.

Please note: this guide focuses on setting up internet parental controls in the UK. The steps might be a little different in other parts of the world.

Why Parental Controls Matter

Inappropriate content

Let's face it – the internet can feel a bit like the Wild West. Your kid could be innocently browsing Google or watching kid-friendly videos on YouTube. But one misspelt search query or dodgy recommendation, and they might see something they really shouldn't see.

Online safety and privacy

Unfortunately, there are unsavoury folk out there looking to abuse your children's trust. It goes without saying that you'd want to protect them from these predators.

Online addiction

A bit of screen time can be a bit of fun. But too much scrolling can lead to behavioural problems, mood changes and even poor performance at school. That's why limiting screen time for kids is so important.

The Benefits of Parental Controls

Parental controls put you in control. By giving you power over what your kids see and do online, they help you:

• Promote healthy habits: gadgets are only going to become more common as your children grow. By helping them build healthy habits now, you set them up for a lifetime of good digital well-being. 
• Create positive experiences: content filters let you focus their attention on positive content and educational apps – not mindless games or worse.
• Relax: with parental controls in place, you'll have the peace of mind that your little ones can only engage with content you want them to see. Plus, some apps even let you track their location and receive SOS alerts, so you can help keep them safe in real life, too.

Setting Up Parental Controls on a Phone

How to Set Up Parental Controls on Android Phones

Step one: download Google Family Link

As a parent, your first move should be to download Family Link. Built and maintained by Google, it's among the best free parental control apps for Android available in the UK.

To find it, search 'Google Family Link' on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. You'll need to install it on your phone. It doesn't need to be installed on your child's phone.

Step two: set up your accounts

You and your child both need Google Accounts to use parental controls.

You can use Google Family Link to open a Google Account for your child if they're under 13. This is the only way to open a Google Account for a child under 13. Children over 13 can open their own Google Accounts.

Now, sign in to your phone with your Google Account and make sure your child is signed in on their phone.

Step three: choose your parental control settings

On your child's phone, browse to Settings and then click 'Google'. You should see a setting here marked 'Parental controls'.

Follow the steps on the screen to link your Google Account with your child's phone. Once that's done, you can tweak the parental control settings to your liking. That includes options like:

• Limiting the kinds of apps they can download and use
• Filtering websites and search results
• Setting screen time limits

Step four: use Google Family Link to keep an eye on things

Now that your accounts are linked and your parental controls are set up, you can use Google Family Link to:

• See how much time your children are spending on their phones
• Manage their activity from your phone
• Set new screen time limits and downtime periods

How to Set Up Parental Controls on an iPhone (iOS)

Step one (optional): set up Family Sharing

Family Sharing is Apple's version of Google's Family Link. It lets you monitor and manage your children's devices remotely and unlocks more parental control features. However, you'll need your own iPhone, iPad or Mac to set it up.

To get started, browse to Settings on your device and click 'Family'.

From here, you can follow the instructions to set up Family Sharing and invite family members to your group. This lets you share certain services (like Apple TV), track the location of your children's devices and set up parental controls.

You may have to create an Apple Account for your child if they're under 13. You can do this when you add them to your group.

Step two: customise their Screen Time settings

On your child's iPhone, browse to Settings and click 'Screen Time'.

Follow the instructions on the screen and tap 'This is My Child's iPhone' when prompted.

Now, you can choose your parental control settings. That includes:

• Limiting screen time and setting downtime periods
• Blocking certain types of apps
• Set limits on calls and messages
• Set up content and privacy restrictions to protect them as they browse

If you've also set up Family Sharing, you can manage these settings from your own Apple device.

Setting Up Parental Controls on a Tablet

Tablets are basically big smartphones. That means you can follow the same steps to set up parental controls on a tablet as you would on a phone.

• For Android tablets, follow the instructions above for Android phones.
• For iPads, follow the instructions for iPhones.

How to Set Up Restricted User Accounts on Android Tablets

One difference between tablets and phones is that tablets are often shared between family members.

That's why it's a good idea to set up user accounts for children on tablet devices. This way, you can let your kids use the family tablet while still having control over what they see and do.

You can't set up multiple user accounts on iPads. However, it's easy to do it on Android tablets. Here's how:

1. Go to Settings and select 'Users'.
2. Tap 'Add user' and select 'User (restricted profile)'.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to choose parental control settings.

Setting Up Parental Controls on Game Consoles

Don't forget that kids can access dodgy content on their game consoles, too. Thankfully, it's easy to limit the games they play and the things they get up to.

Nintendo Switch

1. Open System Settings from the HOME menu.
2. Select 'Parental Controls' then 'Parental Control Settings'.
3. Choose 'Use this Console', then click 'Next'.
4. Customise your parental control settings to your liking. You can also set up a PIN lock to stop kids from meddling with the parental controls.

If you prefer, you can use Nintendo's dedicated smartphone app to manage parental controls remotely. The app is called 'Nintendo Switch Parental Controls' and is available for iOS and Android devices.

PlayStation 5

1. Make sure you've set up PlayStation Network accounts for yourself and your kids. You can do this online or through Sony's PlayStation Family app on your smartphone.
2. Browse to Settings > Family and Parental Controls > Family Management.
3. Choose one of your children's accounts and set up the parental controls to your liking. You'll need to do this for each child's account.
4. Go back to the 'Family and Parental Controls' menu item and choose 'PS5 Console Restrictions'. Set up a passcode to prevent changes to your parental controls.

The process is similar on PS4. Browse to Settings > Parental Controls/Family Management > Family Management. You can set parental controls for each child from there.

Xbox

1. Download the Xbox Family Settings app on your Xbox console or visit the Microsoft Family Safety website.
2. Set up your family group. Add yourself as an organiser and your children as members. You can also set up a PIN at this stage to prevent changes to your parental control settings.
3. Sign in to your Xbox console with your account. Browse to Profile & system > Settings > Account > Family settings > Manage family members.
4. Choose one of your children's accounts, then select Privacy & online safety > Xbox privacy.
5. Choose one of the default settings (Child, Teen or Adult), or customise parental controls by selecting 'View details & customise'.

The Best Free Parental Control Apps for iPhone and Android

Good news: some of the best free parental control apps are first-party apps. In other words, they're maintained by the same company that designed the device's operating system.

For you, this has two advantages. First, you can trust the app to work well and look after your data. And secondly, it means they either come pre-installed on your device or are available to download for free.

But first-party apps aren't your only option. We've also highlighted a few third-party apps. These might suit tech-heavy households where it's essential to have complete control over multiple devices. However, they're rarely free.

Here are a few of our favourites:

How to Limit Screen Time for Kids (Without Relying on Apps)

Parental control apps can be useful tools when it comes to limiting screen time for kids. But they're not foolproof, and they can't do everything.

That's why it's important to teach healthy habits without relying on apps to do all the work. In other words, apps are there to enforce the rules. However, it's your job to set the rules and teach your kids how to build a healthy relationship with their tech.

Easier said than done, right? Yes – in our tech-filled lives, teaching healthy habits can be an uphill battle. But if you keep these techniques up your sleeve, you might just come out on top:

• Set a 'no devices at dinner' rule: this means making your dinner table a tech-free zone. That way, you'll set clear boundaries for when and where gadgets belong. (And avoid any mishaps involving delicate devices and spaghetti bolognese.)
• Encourage offline hobbies: gadgets provide instant gratification, which can be addictive. Make sure kids have opportunities to explore offline hobbies that keep them engaged, active and untethered from their tech.
• Reward good habits: screen time apps can stop kids from overusing their tech, but they can also build resentment. You might see better results if you also reward your children for sticking to good habits. A bit of extra pocket money or a small gift could go a long way.

How 4gadgets Can Help

At 4gadgets, our mission is to offer high-quality refurbished tech at a great price.

That's great news for parents. It means you can treat kids to their own devices – robust parental controls included. And you can do it without paying a fortune for brand-new tech.

When you buy second-hand phones or tablets from 4gadgets, you can expect:

• A choice of kid-friendly tech: that includes the ever-popular Apple iPad Mini 5.
• Huge savings: some of our refurbished tech costs a whopping 40% less than RRP.
• Peace of mind: every device is fully tested and confirmed to work. And, just to be sure, they come with a 12-month warranty as standard.
• Free UK delivery: with next-day delivery if you order before 3pm on a weekday.
• Good news for planet Earth: refurbished tech is more sustainable, so you'll be doing your bit for the environment, as well as your wallet.

The Bottom Line

No matter how much we might try to fight it, kids are going to use gadgets. Thankfully, there are plenty of trusted parental control apps that make it easier to keep kids safe and limit their screen time.

We hope this guide gives you the tools you need to feel confident about your children's tech usage. And remember, buying refurbished tech can be a great way to get hold of kid-friendly devices that don't cost the earth.

Discover refurbished iPhones, Samsung tablets and gaming consoles at 4gadgets. It's the perfect way to set up safe, affordable devices for your kids.