Learning Materials

Parent's Guide

Practical guidance for families: safer device setup, healthier screen-time routines, and simple habits that reduce risk without stress.

Start here Recommended tools Step-by-step setup Videos FAQ
01
Set clear device rules
02
Use filters & limits
03
Keep communication open
START HERE
Three quick entry points depending on what you need right now.

Parental guidance

Set clear rules, reduce risk, and build simple routines that actually stick.

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Recommended tools

Simple apps and settings for limits, safer content, and stronger accounts.

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Step-by-step setup

Follow short guides for Windows, Android and iOS setup.

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Parental Guidance

How to keep your child safer online

As children spend more time online, the goal is not to control everything, but to reduce exposure to risky situations and make it easy to ask for help.

Tip:
Pick one small routine (5 minutes weekly) and keep it consistent.
A simple weekly check-in
  1. Ask what apps or games were used most.
  2. Review one privacy setting together.
  3. Remind the rule: stop, save, tell.

What you'll learn

The essentials without overload
  • How to set up parental controls on devices and browsers (Windows, Android, iOS).
  • How to set screen time limits and schedules (daily limit, bedtime, app limits).
  • How to enable SafeSearch, YouTube Restricted Mode and reduce accidental exposure with filters.
  • How to use DNS filtering on home Wi-Fi to protect all devices at once.
  • How to secure accounts (strong passwords, password manager, 2-step verification).
  • How to set privacy settings in apps (messages, followers, location sharing).
  • What to do first if something goes wrong (save evidence, block/report, contact a trusted adult).
  • How to follow short video guides at home and apply them step-by-step.
STEP-BY-STEP SETUP
Choose a guide. Click images to enlarge. You can close by clicking outside the image.

HOW TO SET UP SCREEN TIME LIMITS ON WINDOWS

A short setup using Microsoft Family Safety (Windows 10/11). Click images to enlarge.

Step 1: Sign in to Microsoft Family Safety

1. Open a web browser and go to family.microsoft.com

2. Sign in with your Microsoft account (must be the family organizer).

3. If you haven’t set up a family group yet, add your child’s account.

Step 2: Select your child’s account

1. On the Family Safety homepage, click on your child’s name.

2. In the left menu, select Screen time.

Step 3: Set up device time limits

1. Scroll down to Devices and select a Windows 10/11 PC.

2. Toggle on Use one schedule for all devices.

3. Click Edit limits.

Step 4: Set a daily time limit

1. Set the maximum allowed daily screen time.

2. Click Save.

Step 5: Set allowed time periods

1. Click Add a time slot.

2. Allow screen time only during approved hours.

3. Click Save.

Step 6: Review and adjust rules

1. Children can request more time, which you can approve.

2. Adjust limits anytime if needed.

ANDROID FAMILY LINK — SETUP

Set up supervision, screen time and content filters.

Step 1: Install Google Family Link

1. On the parent phone, install Google Family Link (Parent).

2. On the child device, install Family Link (Child/Teen) if prompted.

Step 2: Create/select a Google account for the child

1. Create a child Google account (or use an existing one).

2. Connect the child account to the family group in Family Link.

Step 3: Set screen time limits

1. Open Family Link → select child → Screen time.

2. Set daily limit and bedtime schedule.

Step 4: Content & app controls

1. Manage apps: approve installs and set app time limits.

2. Enable filters in Google Play / Chrome / YouTube as needed.

IOS SCREEN TIME — SETUP

Set downtime, app limits, and content restrictions.

Step 1: Open Screen Time

1. Settings → Screen Time.

2. Turn on Screen Time and choose "This is My Child’s iPhone/iPad".

Step 2: Set Downtime and App Limits

1. Set Downtime (e.g., bedtime).

2. Set App Limits for games/social apps.

Step 3: Content & Privacy Restrictions

1. Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions → On.

2. Limit explicit content, purchases, and web content.

Step 4: Screen Time passcode

1. Set a Screen Time passcode (different from device passcode).

2. Share rules with the child and review weekly.

SAFER SEARCH & YOUTUBE — QUICK SETUP

Reduce accidental exposure using safe search and restricted modes.

Step 1: Enable SafeSearch

1. In Google Search settings, turn SafeSearch on.

2. Do it on every browser/profile used by the child.

Step 2: YouTube Restricted Mode

1. In YouTube settings, enable Restricted Mode.

2. On TVs/consoles, enable it per device profile.

Tip
Start with one simple daily limit and one schedule. Then add app limits. Consistency matters most.

VIDEOS

Short guides you can follow at home.

Setting up parental controls

Learn how to set up parental controls on various devices to keep your child safe online.

Monitoring your child’s online activity

Understand how to monitor your child’s online activity using different tools and apps.

Blocking inappropriate content

Block inappropriate content and websites by using parental control apps or built-in device settings.

PRACTICE
Mini quiz + quick tips. Try it right away.

Mini quiz for parents

5 quick questions to check the essentials. No login needed.

1) What reduces accidental adult content in Google search?
2) What should you do if a stranger asks your child to move the chat to a private app?
3) Screen Time/Family passcode should be…
4) A realistic weekly routine is…
5) What helps most against account takeover?
Try parents quizzes

Red flags (watch for)

Secrecy, sudden mood changes, unknown "older friend", gifts, pressure to move chats to private apps.

Conversation starters

Ask: "What was the best/worst thing you saw online this week?" Keep it calm so they tell you next time too.

If something happens

Stop, save evidence, block/report, and contact a trusted adult. If there is immediate danger, call local emergency services.

FAQ
Short answers to common parent questions.

How strict should screen time limits be?

Start realistic. Use limits mainly for bedtime, homework, and balance. If rules are too strict, they are usually ignored.

What matters more: apps or habits?

Both, but habits win long-term. Tools reduce exposure; routines and trust make children ask for help when it matters.

Should I read my child’s messages?

Prefer trust first: agree on rules, check privacy settings together, and intervene only if there are strong warning signs or safety concerns.

What should I do if my child receives a scary or sexual message?

Save evidence (screenshots/links), block/report inside the app, and contact a trusted adult or support. If there is immediate danger, contact authorities.

How can I reduce accidental exposure to adult content?

Enable SafeSearch and Restricted Mode, use child profiles, and consider DNS filtering on home Wi-Fi. Review settings on every device.

What settings should we review weekly?

Pick one: privacy (who can message), location sharing, screen time schedule, or app permissions. Small routine beats a big one-time setup.

What if my child tries to bypass limits?

Treat it as feedback: adjust rules to be realistic, explain the reason, and keep limits consistent. Use device passcodes and family accounts to reduce bypass options.

How do I prevent unwanted purchases in games/apps?

Enable purchase approvals, disable one-tap payments, set a store password, and review subscriptions together.