Here’s how to enable parental controls on an Android device

Giving your child an Android device freely could lead them to encounter less desirable content or experiences sooner or later. Limiting or locking access to certain apps, like the browser, makes sense, and on most devices you’ll use parental controls to do this. Google approaches this differently with Android. There is a comprehensive app dedicated to managing and monitoring your children’s devices called Family Link. It offers a wide range of features to achieve this, such as the ability to set screen time limits, manage and restrict access, apply content filters and even keep tabs on their location. If you’re wondering how to set everything up, it’s pretty simple, but there are some things to know first.

To use Family Link, the app must be installed on all devices, including your primary device, that you will use to monitor. If your child has multiple devices, you’ll want Family Link on all of them. Plus, while you probably already have your own Google account, your child will need to create one as a member of your family. Newer Android devices give you the option to set up Family Link and a child’s account during the initial process, but if you have an older or older device, you may need to install the app manually.

Once Family Link is ready and the Google accounts are linked, you will need to set up controls from the child’s device. Go to the main Android Settings > Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls > Parental Controls and press Configure parental controls. Choose To start and follow the instructions. Eventually, you’ll need to enter your child’s Google account information, and after that, you can manage everything remotely from your own device via Family Link.

There are many things you can do to keep your child(ren) safe in Family Link, but there are also some things you can’t do. For example, you can’t see what’s on your child’s screen or check their search and web browsing history. It seems the idea is to keep them safe without completely encroaching on their privacy.

However, you can manage which devices your child signs in with their account, which apps they can install (with a full approval process before anything is downloaded), limit screen time, and lock devices remotely. You can also set content restrictions for Google SafeSearch, Google services and apps, and YouTube. In other words, you can limit the content they have access to, such as adult offerings. In addition, you can control the app’s permissions and check the device’s location at any time, so if it’s with the child you’ll also know their location. Location services use real-time sharing through Google’s Find Hub platform, one of the few useful features added to Android for free in 2025.

Family Link will also give you a quick summary at the top of the app for each child, telling you how long they’ve been using their device recently (screen time) as well as other relevant information. However, you will need to manage all application, content and access restrictions and come back regularly. If you’re looking for a device better suited to kids, the Amazon Fire Kids Tablet might be safer than other Android options for this reason.

Pound for pound, teens seem to overwhelmingly want an iPhone over Android – but there are a few notable reasons why parents might choose Android instead, especially when it comes to the overall experience. For starters, Android devices are incredibly varied in cost and performance, which means parents have many more options when shopping for budget devices for young children. It doesn’t necessarily make sense to give a young child a brand new iPhone for their very first device, or an expensive Android flagship, for that matter. Budget phones are a solid option, however.

Besides accessibility, iOS and Android both offer parental controls, but Android’s options are generally more robust. This could be because the system is better suited to the types of parental monitoring solutions needed. Additionally, there are other options besides Family Link if you want to explore, such as Bark, Qustodio, and Verizon’s Family app. iOS devices use Screen Time for parental controls, and this has been reported as buggy. However, there are alternatives, mostly identical to Android, available on the Apple App Store.

Parental control platforms, which have a protected design built in from the start, also tend to favor Android. Bark is one of the best examples of this with its modern smartphone for children. But also, devices like Amazon Fire for Kids, the Gabb phone for kids, and HMD phones for kids are all built on Android. It’s not that one is better than the other, but in reality Android offers so many options and opportunities that it usually makes more sense.