- Your phone and your child's phone or tablet
- Your Apple Account or Google account
- 15 minutes and a chat with your child about the rules
Talk about it first
Controls work best when kids know the rules and why. Agree on screen-free times (like meals and bedtime) and what apps are OK.
iPhone/iPad: set up Family Sharing
On your iPhone, open Settings, tap Family (or your name > Family Sharing), and add your child. Children under 13 get a child account that you create here.
iPhone/iPad: turn on Screen Time
Go to Settings > Screen Time, tap your child's name, and set up Downtime, App Limits, Content & Privacy Restrictions and Ask to Buy. You can manage it all from your own phone.
Android: install Google Family Link
On your phone, install the Google Family Link app and follow the steps to create or link your child's Google account and connect their device. On the child's Android device, sign in with their account when prompted.
Android: choose your settings
In Family Link, set daily limits and bedtime, require approval for app downloads, and set content filters for Google Play, YouTube and Chrome.
💡 Tip: teens above a certain age (it varies by country) can choose to stop supervision in Family Link; you'll be notified if they do. Keep the conversation going as they get older.Check in now and then
Look at the weekly activity reports together and adjust limits as your child grows.
Practice everyday safety calls together with Safe or Risky?
Kids using chatbots? See AI, kids and homework.
More for parents: YouTube, game consoles, Roblox and purchase approvals.
Related game: Safe or Risky?. Related explainer: What is phishing, and how do I spot it? .