How to set up parental controls on your phone

What is parental control software?

Parental control software allows a parent to monitor and control their child’s online activity. 

Each software is slightly different, but for the most part, you can:

• Block apps or websites
• Limit screen time
• Monitor their calls and texts, as well as what they search for and which apps they use
• Track their battery life

How does it work?

Usually, you install the parental control app on both your phone and your child’s phone. You can then use your device to configure, control and manage the software’s settings.

How to:

• Set up parental controls
• Set up restricted profiles
• Restrict apps
• Set up content filters and privacy

Set up parental controls

Here’s how to set up your parental controls on iPhones and Android.

For iPhones:

1. Go to Settings > Screen Time
2. Select Use Screen Time Passcode to create a private and secure passcode for you to use to start the controls
3. Enter the passcode again to confirm your choice

For Android:

1. Sign in with your Google account
2. Select the Google Play Store app
3. Tap the menu in the top left (three horizontal lines)
4. Select Settings > Parental controls 
5. Create a PIN code
6. Re-enter PIN code to confirm

Set up restricted profiles

Setting up restricted profiles means you can keep your child safe from online danger.

For Android:

1. Go to Settings on your child’s Android
2. Select Users
3. Select Add user or profile > Restricted profile
4. Set up a password, PIN, or pattern passcode
5. Select New profile to name the profile

Restrict apps

You can prevent your child from buying or downloading apps from the Apple Store and Google Play Store by setting up restrictions.

For iPhones:

1. Go to Settings > Screen Time
2. Select Content & Privacy Restrictions and enter your passcode
3. Select iTunes & App Store Purchases
4. Under Store Purchases & Redownloads, choose to allow/disallow: installing apps, deleting apps, and making in-app purchases

For Android:

1. Open the Google Play Store app on your child’s phone
2. Go to Settings > User controls > Parental controls
3. Turn Parental controls on by pressing the toggle button
4. Enter a four digit PIN
5. Select Apps & games 
6. Select which apps you want your child to have access to

Set up content filters and privacy

Manage which types of websites or content tags your child is allowed access to, to keep them away from potentially harmful content.

For iPhones:

1. Go to Settings > Screen Time
2. Select Content & Privacy Restrictions and enter your passcode. Turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions (turn the toggle from grey to green)
3. Tap Content Restrictions
4. Tap Web Content
5. Tap Limit Adult Websites or Allowed Websites Only

For Android:

1. Open the Google Play Store app
2. Select Settings > Family > Parental controls
3. Turn on Parental controls
4. Create a PIN
5. Select the type of content you want to filter
6. Choose how to filter or restrict your child’s access

Keep reading

You may also be interested in looking at our list of the best apps every parent needs to make life just a little easier.

Not sure what your child is texting? Keep up to date on the latest mobile slang.

Check out our recommendations for the best educational apps for all ages.

Don’t forget to follow Asda mobile on Facebook and Twitter!