Android smartphones/tablets
Android does not offer a built-in parental control feature, you can set up parental controls on Google Play to restrict the content (apps, games, films, tv, music) your child can access, download and purchase on the store.
In addition, Google Family Link can be used to control Android devices with a number of features such as:
- Get app activity reports to manage and monitor screen time
- Set limits in terms of daily access, screen time, and certain apps and games.
- Manage app downloads and in-app purchases.
- When combined with Google Chrome as the default web browser, manage your child's access to websites and filter explicit search results.
Apple smartphones/tablets
iPads and iPhone with iOS12 or a more recent version offer parental controls by turning on Content & Privacy Restrictions from Settings > Screen Time. With these, it is possible to:
- Prevent your child from being able to install/delete certain apps, and make in-app purchases for apps from the App Store.
- Restrict the use of built-in apps and features.
- Prevent the playback of music, movies or TV movies with explicit content or specific ratings.
- Filter website content to restrict access to adult content on Safari, Siri, and the Game Center.
- Change the privacy settings, managing which apps have access to information stored on the device.
Smartwatches and fitness trackers
Children and young people nowadays use a range of other devices that might have access to an array of personal, sensitive data - such as fitness trackers. For example:
- Garmin fitness trackers have parental controls with the Garmin Jr. app - use it to assign parents or guardians who have full permissions to contact, locate or manage their child's Garmin Bounce (smartwatch for children).
- The Fitbit kids’ tracker, Fitbit Ace, allows parents and caregivers to set up a Family Account from Create Family Account > Create Family, and then My Family > Create Child Account from the device of the child.
Further information and resources
Android smartphones/tablets
Android does not offer a built-in parental control feature, you can set up parental controls on Google Play to restrict the content (apps, games, films, tv, music) your child can access, download and purchase on the store.
In addition, Google Family Link can be used to control Android devices with a number of features such as:
- Get app activity reports to manage and monitor screen time
- Set limits in terms of daily access, screen time, and certain apps and games.
- Manage app downloads and in-app purchases.
- When combined with Google Chrome as the default web browser, manage your child's access to websites and filter explicit search results.
Apple smartphones/tablets
iPads and iPhone with iOS12 or a more recent version offer parental controls by turning on Content & Privacy Restrictions from Settings > Screen Time. With these, it is possible to:
- Prevent your child from being able to install/delete certain apps, and make in-app purchases for apps from the App Store.
- Restrict the use of built-in apps and features.
- Prevent the playback of music, movies or TV movies with explicit content or specific ratings.
- Filter website content to restrict access to adult content on Safari, Siri, and the Game Center.
- Change the privacy settings, managing which apps have access to information stored on the device.
Smartwatches and fitness trackers
Children and young people nowadays use a range of other devices that might have access to an array of personal, sensitive data - such as fitness trackers. For example:
- Garmin fitness trackers have parental controls with the Garmin Jr. app - use it to assign parents or guardians who have full permissions to contact, locate or manage their child's Garmin Bounce (smartwatch for children).
- The Fitbit kids’ tracker, Fitbit Ace, allows parents and caregivers to set up a Family Account from Create Family Account > Create Family, and then My Family > Create Child Account from the device of the child.
Further information and resources
