How to Set Up Parental Controls on Your Child's Phone, Tablet, and Computer

What parental controls do and where to find them

Parental controls are built-in settings on phones, tablets, and computers that let you restrict what your child can see, download, and spend time on. You don't need to buy extra software — the tools are already there. On iPhones and iPads, they're called Screen Time. On Android phones and tablets, they're called Family Link. On Windows computers, they're called Family options. On Mac computers, they're called Parental Controls. Each system works differently, so you'll set them up separately for each device your child uses.

The controls let you do things like block apps, set time limits, see what your child is watching or reading, require your permission before downloads, and turn off the device at bedtime. Some let you see your child's location. What you can actually control depends on which device and operating system you're using — an iPad gives you different options than an Android tablet, for example.

Key Takeaways

• Parental controls come built into every major phone, tablet, and computer operating system and don't cost extra money.
• You set up controls differently on each device type: Screen Time on Apple devices, Family Link on Android, Family options on Windows, and Parental Controls on Mac.
• Most systems require you to create a separate account for your child or link their existing account to yours before you can turn on restrictions.
• You'll need to remember the password or PIN you set for parental controls — if you forget it, resetting it usually requires proof of identity or wiping the device.

Setting up Screen Time on iPhone and iPad

On an Apple device, parental controls live in the Settings app under Screen Time. Open Settings, tap Screen Time, then tap "Turn On Screen Time." The system will ask whether this is your device or your child's device — choose "This is my child's." You'll create a Screen Time passcode (a four-digit number you'll need to remember) and then set up restrictions.

From the Screen Time menu, you can set app limits (how long your child can use certain apps each day), downtime (hours when the device locks except for calls and emergency contacts), and content restrictions (blocking certain types of apps, movies, music, and books based on age ratings). You can also require your permission before your child downloads anything from the App Store or makes in-app purchases. If your child has an Apple ID, you can link their account to yours through Family Sharing, which lets you see their activity and approve or deny their requests from your own device.

The Screen Time passcode is separate from your device password. Write it down somewhere safe — if you forget it, you'll need to erase the device and set it up again, which means losing everything on it.

Setting up Family Link on Android phones and tablets

On Android, parental controls are called Family Link. You'll need to set this up on two devices: your own Android phone or tablet, and your child's. Start on your device by downloading the Google Family Link app from the Google Play Store. Open it and tap "Create a family group." You'll sign in with your Google account and then add your child by entering their age and creating a Google account for them (or linking an existing one).

Next, go to your child's device and download the Family Link app there too. Sign in with your child's Google account. The app will ask you to confirm that you're the parent — you'll do this from your own device by approving the connection. Once linked, you can set screen time limits, block apps, require your permission before downloads, and see what apps your child is using and for how long.

Unlike Apple's system, Family Link also shows your child's device location on a map (if location services are turned on). You can remotely lock the device or restart it from your phone. Family Link works on phones and tablets running Android 7.0 and newer.

Setting up Family options on Windows computers

On a Windows computer, parental controls are called Family options and live in Settings. Open Settings, go to Accounts, then select Family & other people. Click "Add a family member" and choose "Add a child." You'll enter your child's email address or create a new Microsoft account for them. Once added, click on their name and you'll see options to manage their account.

From there, you can set screen time limits (how many hours per day they can use the computer), set a bedtime (when the computer automatically locks), block websites, and see reports of what they've been doing online. You can also require your permission before they download apps from the Microsoft Store. These settings sync across all Windows devices your child uses if they sign in with the same Microsoft account.

If you forget your password, you can reset it using your Microsoft account recovery options. If you forget the PIN you set for parental controls, you'll need to contact Microsoft support or reset the device.

Setting up Parental Controls on Mac computers

On a Mac, parental controls are in System Preferences (or System Settings on newer Macs). Click the Apple menu, go to System Preferences or System Settings, then look for Parental Controls (or Screen Time on very new Macs). Click the lock icon to unlock the settings, then click "Enable Parental Controls." You'll create a separate user account for your child if they don't have one already.

Once enabled, you can restrict which apps your child can open, set time limits, block websites, and require your permission before they install software. You can also set a bedtime when the computer locks. The controls are less detailed than on Windows or iOS — you can't see a report of what your child has been doing, only what they're restricted from doing.

On newer Macs (running Big Sur or later), parental controls have been moved into Screen Time, which works similarly to the iPhone version. You'll need to set up Family Sharing with your child's Apple ID to use it.

What to do if your child finds the password

If your child figures out your parental control password or PIN, the controls stop working. On iPhones and iPads, you can change the Screen Time passcode by going back to Settings > Screen Time > Change Screen Time Passcode. You'll need to enter the old passcode first, then create a new one. On Android, you can change your Family Link password by opening the app and going to Settings > Change password.

On Windows and Mac, the password is usually your account password, so changing it there will change it everywhere. However, if your child has physical access to the device, they may be able to restart it or use other methods to get around the controls. The most effective approach is combining parental controls with conversations about why the limits exist and what you're trying to protect them from.

Parental controls don't work the same way on all devices

If your child uses multiple devices — a phone, a tablet, and a school computer — you'll need to set up controls on each one separately. The settings don't transfer between devices or operating systems. An iPhone's Screen Time settings won't affect an Android tablet. Family Link on Android won't control what happens on a Windows computer. This means you may need to learn four different systems if your child has access to four different devices.

Some families find it helpful to start with the device your child uses most often, get comfortable with those controls, and then add the others one at a time. Others choose to focus on the devices they own and let schools or other institutions handle their own devices. There's no single right approach — it depends on your family's situation and what you're trying to accomplish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my child turn off parental controls?

Not if you've set a passcode or PIN correctly. However, on some devices, a factory reset (wiping the device completely) can remove parental controls. On iPhones, your child would need your Apple ID password to do this. On Android, they would need your Google account password. On Windows and Mac, they would need your account password. The best protection is a strong password your child doesn't know.

What happens if I forget my parental control password?

On iPhones and iPads, you'll need to erase the device and set it up again. On Android, you can reset your Family Link password through your Google account. On Windows, you can reset your account password through Microsoft. On Mac, you can reset through your Apple ID or your Mac account password. Each system has different recovery options — check the manufacturer's support page for your specific device.

Can my child see that parental controls are turned on?

Yes, they can usually see it. On iPhones, Screen Time appears in Settings. On Android, Family Link appears as an app. On Windows and Mac, parental controls show up in the account settings. You can't hide the fact that controls are active, but you can explain why you've set them up and what you're monitoring.

Do parental controls work if my child uses a different Wi-Fi network?

It depends on the type of control. App limits, downtime, and content restrictions work on any network because they're built into the device itself. Location tracking works only if location services are turned on and the device is connected to the internet. Website blocking may not work if your child uses a VPN or proxy service, which can hide their internet activity.

Can I see what my child is doing online with parental controls?

Parental controls show you how much time your child spends in each app and category, but not the specific websites they visit or the exact content they're looking at. If you want detailed reports of browsing history, you'll need to check the browser history on the device itself or use additional monitoring software. Parental controls are designed to restrict access, not to spy on activity.