Step-by-step guide to setting up Parental Controls

Captain Ratatype · 13 Feb 26 · 4 min read · 16523 views

Step-by-step guide to setting up Parental Controls

“Just five more minutes!” — a phrase most parents know all too well. Screen time has become one of the biggest sources of anxiety for mums and dads today. Smartphones, YouTube videos, Roblox, online games, social media and endless scrolling all compete for children’s attention, leaving many parents concerned about how constant screen use may affect their children’s mental and physical wellbeing.

So, it’s only natural to ask: “How do I set up parental controls on my child’s phone?”

How to set up Parental Controls on iPhone

There are several ways to enable parental controls on Apple devices.

Method one — using “Screen Time”

Step 1. Getting started

Open “Settings” on your child’s iPhone.
Scroll down to “Screen Time”.
Tap “Turn On Screen Time”.
Select “This is My Child’s iPhone”.

Step 2. Managing restrictions

Set up restrictions using “Downtime”.
Choose the hours during which phone use will be limited (for example, during bedtime).

Leave essential apps available — such as Phone and Messages. It’s important that your child can always contact you, so avoid blocking access completely.

Set app limits correctly

Limit usage time for selected app categories — games, social media and so on.
If needed, set a daily limit (for example, one hour for games).

Additional tips

You can set communication limits — for example, restricting calls or FaceTime.
You can also block inappropriate content.
Pay attention to App Store purchase restrictions.

Step 3. Set a passcode

Create a Screen Time passcode. ⚠️ Important: your child should not know this code. Otherwise, parental controls lose their purpose.

Add your Apple ID for passcode recovery.

Method two — using “Family Sharing”

For better control, create a child account through Family Sharing:

Settings → [Your Name] → “Family Sharing”
Tap “Add Member” → Create an Account for a Child
Enter your child’s details (name and date of birth)
Enable “Ask to Buy” — your child will need permission for purchases

“Family Sharing” also offers additional benefits, such as:

Managing settings from your own iPhone
Automatic purchase approval
Shared access to purchased content
Location tracking via Find My

What to do if you forget the Screen Time passcode

Go to “Settings” → “Screen Time”.
Select Change Screen Time Passcode → Forgot Passcode?
Enter the Apple ID and password used during setup.
Create a new passcode.

How to set up Parental Controls on Android

Android offers various parental control apps and third-party services, but the most effective method is managing your child’s screen time through Google Family Link.

Setting up Parental Controls with Google Family Link

You’ll need your phone, your child’s phone, and a Google account for your child. Please note: full device control is only available for children under 13.

Step 1. Installing the apps

Download Google Family Link for parents on your phone.
Open the app and tap “Get Started”.
Select “Yes”.
Download Google Family Link for children on your child’s phone.

Step 2. Set up your child’s phone

Create or connect your child’s Google account. Enter their date of birth, Gmail address and password.
Link the accounts. On your child’s phone, enter the code shown on your phone or scan the QR code.
Grant permissions. Family Link will request device management access — tap “Allow” for all prompts.
Choose settings: allowed apps, content filters, and screen time limits.

If your child is aged 13 or over:

They can opt out of supervision (but they will receive a notification).
You can enable supervision mode instead of full control, allowing you to view activity and set basic content filters.

What happens if Family Link is deleted?

The phone will automatically lock.
You will receive a notification.
Family Link will need to be set up again.

Respect for your child should come first

Parental controls are a helpful tool for protecting children from the negative effects of excessive screen use. However, they work best when combined with other parenting approaches.

Before setting up controls, discuss them with your child. Explain why you’re doing it and how it helps.
Spend quality time together — ask about their day, involve them in household activities, and offer alternatives to screen time.
Talk openly about online safety. Explain which sites may be risky and why.
Check real screen-time usage regularly to understand how much time your child actually spends on screens.

Better still, try stepping into your children’s world now and again. Play the games they enjoy so you can better understand what interests them.

We recommend games that are both entertaining and educational — for example, the keyboard games Rarace and Ratashooter.

Play the games