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Android Parental Controls: 3 Ways to Make A Phone or Tablet Safe for Kids

Smartphones and tablets have become an integral part of our daily lives, and for many parents, they're also valuable tools for keeping their kids entertained and educated. However, as much as we rely on these devices, they also pose a significant risk to our children's safety.

From inappropriate content to online predators, the internet can be a dangerous place for young users. But don't worry - there's a solution! In this tutorial, we'll show you how to make a Phone or Tablet safe for kids so you can have peace of mind knowing your child is protected while using their devices.

how to set android parental controls

Part 1. What is Android and Why Need Android Parental Control?

Android is an open-source mobile operating system developed by Google that runs on millions of devices worldwide. With its user-friendly interface and wide range of applications, Android has become an integral part of our daily lives. However, the ease of accessibility to the internet and mobile apps also poses a risk for children. Inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and excessive screen time are some of the potential risks that parents need to be aware of.

To address these concerns, Android parental control has become increasingly important. With the help of parental control parents can restrict their child's access to certain applications and content, set time limits on device usage, and monitor their online activities. they can have peace of mind knowing that their child is using their device safely and responsibly. By using parental control features, parents can give their children the freedom to explore their devices while still keeping them safe and secure.

Part 2. How to Put Parental Controls on Android?

As we mentioned earlier, setting up parental controls on your child's Android device can help you keep them safe and protect them from potentially harmful content online. Parental controls can give you more control over your child's device usage, including the apps they use, the content they access, and the amount of time they spend on their device. With the right parental control solution, you can set up filters to block inappropriate content, limit screen time, and monitor your child's device usage.

There are various ways to set up parental control on Android mobile phones and tablets, in this section we will discuss the three most reliable and secure methods to set up parental control on Android phones.

Way 1. Set Up Parental Controls on Google Play

One of the ways to keep your child safe on their Android device is by setting up parental controls on Google Play Store. This feature is an easy way to limit access to age-inappropriate content, apps, and movies, among others.

With Google Play Store parental control, you can set content filters, manage app permissions, and control in-app purchases. You can also prevent your child from installing or deleting apps without your permission. Additionally, you can set up a whitelist or blacklist of specific apps to allow or block access to certain apps.

To set up parental controls on Google Play Store, you need to follow these simple steps:

  1. Open Google Play Store on your child's Android device.
  2. Tap the three horizontal lines in the top-left corner of the screen to open the menu.
  3. Scroll down and tap "Settings".
  4. Scroll down and tap "Parental controls".
  5. Tap the toggle to turn on parental controls.
  6. Create a PIN code that only you know and confirm it.
  7. Choose the types of content you want to restrict by rating, such as "Everyone," "Teen," or "Mature.

Once you have set up parental controls, your child will need to enter the PIN code to access restricted content on Google Play Store.

set up parental control on google play

Way 2. Set Up Parental Controls on Android with Google Family Link

Another way to set up parental controls on your child's Android device is by using Google Family Link. This feature is a comprehensive solution that allows you to manage your child's device usage, including setting up screen time limits, approving or blocking specific apps, and monitoring device usage. With Google Family Link, you can manage your child's Android device from your own device and keep them safe online.

google family link

Google Family Link offers many features, including:

Screen time management: You can set daily limits on how much time your child can spend on their device.

App management: This enables you to approve or block specific apps on your child's device.

Content filtering: Set content filters to restrict access to inappropriate content.

Location tracking: Track the real-time location of your target device. Remote lock and erase: This allows you to lock your child's device or erase its data remotely.

To use Google Family Link, you need to follow these steps:

  1. Download and install Google Family Link from the Google Play Store on both your device and your child's device.
  2. Open the Google Family Link app on your device and follow the on-screen instructions to create a Family Group.
  3. Sign in to your Google Account and add your child's Google Account to the Family Group.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up parental controls for your child's device, such as screen time limits, app approval, and content filtering.

set up parental controls on android with google family link

Way 3. Use Android Parental Monitoring App FoneWatcher

While setting up parental controls on Google Play and Google Family Link are effective methods to monitor and manage your child's device usage, they do have some limitations. For example, Google Play only filters content within the Google Play Store, and it cannot control access to other apps or websites. Google Family Link, on the other hand, requires both the parent and child to have Android devices, and the child must be under the age of 13 to use the app.

If you are looking for a more comprehensive solution that provides a wider range of monitoring and control features, you may want to consider using an Android parental monitoring app like FoneWatcher. FoneWatcher is a third-party app that allows you to monitor and manage your child's Android device usage remotely, without requiring them to be under the age of 13.

set up android parental controls with fonewatcher parental control app

With its advanced monitoring technology, easy-to-use interface, and wide range of features, FoneWatcher can help you keep your child safe online and give you peace of mind. Most importantly, FoneWatche remains hidden on the target mobile phone so they can't get rid of it even if they want, making it one of the best parental monitoring apps. Also, the app doesn't require jailbreaking in order to access the target mobile phone, making it easier and safer to use.

How to use FoneWatcher for Android parental controls?

Step 1. Create an account: Start by creating an account on the FoneWatcher website. You will need to provide your email address and a password to create an account.

Step 2. Install the app: Next download and install the FoneWatcher app on your child's Android device from the FoneWatcher website, and the installation process is straightforward.

download and install fonewatcher

Step 3. Start monitoring: Once the app is installed, you can start monitoring your child's device usage remotely from your own device. Log in to your FoneWatcher account on your device and you will get access to a wide range of monitoring features on the dashboard.

start android parental controls with fonewatcher

Features of FoneWatcher for parental monitoring

Call logs and contacts: FoneWatcher allows you to view all incoming and outgoing calls and texts, as well as the contacts on your child's phone.

Social media monitoring: The app lets you monitor your child's activity on popular social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Snapchat, Viber, Vimeo, and more.

GPS tracking: With FoneWatcher, you can track the location of your child's phone in real-time, so you always know where they are.

App monitoring: The app lets you view all installed apps on your child's phone and set time limits for specific apps. You can even block access to specific apps on your child's device, such as social media or gaming apps.

Keyword alerts: You can set up alerts for specific keywords or contacts, so you can be notified if your child is engaging in risky behavior.

Time management: FoneWatcher allows you to set time limits on your child's device usage, so you can ensure they are not spending too much time on their phone or tablet.

Web browsing history tracking: FoneWatcher allows you to view your child's web browsing history, including search terms and visited websites.

Part 3. How to Turn Off Parental Controls on Android?

While parental controls can be helpful in keeping your child safe online, there may come a time when you need to turn them off. Here are the steps to follow for each of the two methods previously discussed:

How to Remove Parental Control on Google Play:

  1. Open the Google Play Store app on your child's device.
  2. Tap on the three horizontal lines in the upper left-hand corner to open the menu.
  3. Scroll down and tap on "Settings."
  4. Scroll down to "Parental controls" and tap on it.
  5. Enter your parental control PIN or password.
  6. Toggle the switch to turn off parental controls.
NOTE:

If you have forgotten your PIN or password, you may need to reset it by answering the security question or verifying your account information.

How to Get Rid of Parental Control on Google Family Link:

  1. Open the Family Link app on your parent device.
  2. Tap on your child's account.
  3. Scroll down and tap on "Manage settings."
  4. Scroll down to "Parental controls" and tap on it.
  5. Enter your parental control PIN or password.
  6. Toggle the switch to turn off parental controls.

Conclusion

In this revolutionized world, technology such as smartphones has become an integral part of our lives. Though they provide numerous benefits, they also pose threats to children's security and safety online. Fortunately, there are built-in parental control features and apps like Google's Family Link that help parents monitor and control their children's phone usage.

However, when it comes to comprehensive monitoring and tracking, FoneWatcher is the best choice. With its advanced features, easy-to-use interface, and excellent customer support, FoneWatcher ensures that parents can keep their children safe from online predators and harmful content.

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Tomson Brown

Tomson Brown is interested in researching parental control and monitoring technology, and he has been focused on sharing his discoveries for more than five years.

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