Chromebooks have become increasingly popular over the years, thanks to their affordability, simplicity, and ease of use. With more and more students and families relying on these devices for online learning and entertainment, safety concerns have become a pressing issue. One way to ensure a safer online experience for children is to set up parental controls on Chromebook.
With Parental controls, parents can regulate the content children access and the amount of time they spend online. In this article, we'll show you how to set up parental controls on a Chromebook and give you tips on how to customize them to best suit your family's needs.
So let's get started!
Part 1. What is Chromebook?
Chromebook is a laptop or tablet computer that runs on the Chrome OS operating system. It is designed to be lightweight, portable, and affordable, making it an increasingly popular choice for students, professionals, and anyone looking for a reliable computer for everyday use. One of the main selling points of Chromebook is its seamless integration with the Google suite of applications, including Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Docs, making it an excellent choice for people who need to work or collaborate online.
There are several models of Chromebook available on the market, each with its own unique features and specifications. For instance, HP Chromebook 14 is one of the most popular models with a 14-inch display, an Intel Celeron processor, and up to 8GB of RAM. Next comes the Asus Chromebook Flip C434 which has a 14-inch touchscreen display, Intel Core m3 processor, and up to 8GB of RAM. For those on a budget, the Acer Chromebook Spin 311 is a great option, with an 11.6-inch touchscreen display, MediaTek processor, and up to 4GB of RAM.
Unlike traditional laptops that run on Windows or macOS, Chromebook relies on web-based applications and cloud storage for its functionality. This makes it a perfect device for people who spend most of their time online and prefer the convenience of cloud-based storage solutions.
Part 2. How to Put Parental Controls on Chromebook?
Parental controls are an essential tool for keeping children safe online. With the vast amount of information available on the internet, it is crucial to ensure that children are not exposed to harmful content. In addition, excessive screen time can be detrimental to children's physical and mental health. Fortunately, there are several methods for setting up parental controls on Chromebook.
The two primary methods for setting up parental controls on Chromebook are using the built-in features of the device or using computer monitoring software.
Way 1.Chromebook Built-in Method
One of the simple and effective ways to monitor and restrict your child's online activity is by using the built-in parental control features on the Chromebook. It allows you to create a supervised user account for your child, giving you control over the websites they can visit, the apps they can use, and the amount of time they can spend online.
The built-in parental control settings can be customized to suit your child's age and needs and can be managed from your own Google account. This method is ideal for parents who want to keep an eye on their child's online activity without having to install any third-party software. Best of all, it's completely free and easy to use.
Step 1: Sign in to your Chromebook as the owner.
Step 2: Click on the time icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
Step 3: Click on the gear icon to open the settings menu.
Step 4: In the People section, click on "Manage other users".
Step 5: Click on the "Add person" icon and create a new profile for your child.
Step 6: Once the profile is created, click on the three dots next to your child's profile and select "Edit".
Step 7: Enable the Supervised User option and customize the settings according to your preferences, including website restrictions, app and extension permissions, and time limits.
Step 8: Finally, click on "Save" to apply the changes and exit the settings menu.
Way 2. Computer Monitoring Software
While Chromebook Built-in Method provides basic parental control features, it may not be enough to meet the needs of parents who want to monitor their children's activities on a computer. Computer monitoring software can be an effective solution for parents who want to ensure their child's safety online.
Such software can offer more comprehensive features such as real-time monitoring, internet activity monitoring, application monitoring, and keystroke logging. These features can help parents to protect their children from harmful content and monitor their online activity.
Employee Desktop Live Viewer
Employee Desktop Live Viewer is a powerful and comprehensive computer monitoring software that is primarily designed for employers to keep an eye on their employees' activities in the workplace. However, it is also an excellent tool that parents can use to monitor their child's computer activities and protect them from potential online threats.
One of the most significant advantages of Employee Desktop Live Viewer is that it works as a hidden camera. Parents can monitor their child's internet activity, track the websites they visit, and even record their screens without their children knowing. This makes it an incredibly effective tool for parents who want to ensure their child's safety online.
Moreover, Employee Desktop Live Viewer offers a range of features that can help parents identify potential online threats such as cyberbullying, online predators, or inappropriate content.
Step 1. Download and install the software on the computer you wish to monitor.
Step 2. Once installed, open the software and set it up as per your requirements.
Step 3. You can then log in to the software to access the monitoring dashboard.
Step 4. From the dashboard, you can view live screen monitoring, recorded screen monitoring, internet activity, application usage, and keystroke logging.
What can Employee Desktop Live Viewer do?
Norton Family
Norton Family is another incredible parental control software that can be used for computer monitoring. Norton Family provides a range of features that can help parents keep track of their child's computer and online activities, such as web supervision, time supervision, search supervision, social network supervision, email supervision, location supervision, and instant lock. By using Norton Family, parents can have greater peace of mind knowing that their child is safe and protected online.
Here are some of the features of Norton Family for computer monitoring:
How to use Norton Family?
Step 1. Sign up for a Norton Family account and install the software on the computer you wish to monitor.
Step 2. Once installed, set up your parental control settings according to your preferences.
Step 3. Log in to your Norton Family account to view reports and activity logs.
Step 1. From the dashboard, you can view web activity, time spent on applications, search terms, social media activity, emails, and location.
Part 3. How to Turn Off Parental Controls on Chromebook?
If you've set up parental controls on your Chromebook but you no longer need them, you can easily turn them off. Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1. Click on the status area in the bottom right corner of the screen.
Step 2. Click on the gear icon to open the Settings menu.
Step 3. Scroll down to the "People" section and click on "Manage other users."
Step 4. Click on the user account for which you want to turn off parental controls.
Step 5. Click on the "Edit" button next to "Supervised users" in the "Permissions" section.
Step 6. Toggle off the switch for "Supervision" and click "Save."
Part 4. How to Set Up Parental Controls on Children's Phones?
The mobile device has a rising role while talking about parental controls for it is cheaper and more accessible than a computer. With the development of online education, almost every child has to study on the internet. Parental controls on phone might be a more important part while considering parental controls.
Is there any good way to have parental controls on your kid's phone to ensure that your child is safe even when you are not around? FoneWatcher Parental Control App here can help you.
Use FoneWatcher for Parental Controls to Protect Your Kids
FoneWatcher is a powerful phone monitoring solution designed to monitor your child's Chromebook activity. It offers a wide range of features that enable parents to set up custom alerts and receive notifications about their child's activities, making it easier to intervene in case of any inappropriate content.
Conclusion
Setting up parental controls on a Chromebook is a straightforward process that can provide peace of mind to parents and ensure a safer online experience for children. The built-in parental control features on the Chromebook offer basic control over website access, app permissions, and time limits, while computer monitoring software provides more comprehensive features, including real-time monitoring, custom alerts, and activity notifications.
By following the steps outlined in this article, parents can set up and customize parental controls on their Chromebooks according to their family's needs and ensure a safer online experience for their children.