Parents' Guide to Android Parental Controls

Google Family Link is many parents' choice for parental control when children are under 13. It is useful and free for mobile device restrictions. Kids can get the freedom of using phones, and parents get control of time limits, content filters, and location tracking. But parents should also realize there are no call, text control, geofencing, or other advanced features.

What are parental controls available on Family Link?

Monitor and limit screen time. Family Link allows parents to keep an eye on screen time by checking weekly or monthly activity reports. And it can set daily screen time and bedtime limits to avoid phone addiction.

Track kids' live location. As long as children are carrying their Android devices, parents can find out kids' real-time location to keep tabs on them. But they can't check the history or set safe zones.

Restrict app download or purchase. Parents can control app access to decide which apps can be downloaded. Besides, they can also manage in-app purchases and hide certain apps on their devices.

What should parents be aware of?

Can't block all inappropriate content? Family Link does not block inappropriate content. Parents can use Safe Search on Chrome and Restricted Mode on YouTube to screen out potentially mature content. However, Google notes that these filters are not totally perfect, so kids can still be exposed to explicit, graphic, or other inappropriate content you may not want them to see.

Kids can get rid of control at 13. Even though Family Link can be used to supervise children over the age of 13, kids have the option to stop supervision at any time when they turn 13. But it doesn't mean 13 years old children are allowed to strip away all restrictions. Any child may be subject to online predators, cyberbullying, or other online dangers. No matter how old the child is.

Can't work with kids' iOS devices? Parents can use the Family Link app from iOS devices to review kids' Android devices. But it does not work if your child has an iPhone. So then you'll need to look at Apple's Screen Time instead.

Kids Mode(Kids Home) is a great way to customize what apps, sites, and contacts kids can have access to on parents' devices. The safe mode is designed for letting children play and learn on a separated child-friendly home screen. It is protected by a PIN and can add six children profiles. Parents can monitor screen time, set playtime limits, and add healthy apps from Kids Mode.

What are parental controls available on Samsung Kids Mode?

Monitor and set playtime. Parents can select Daily Playtime Limits to create a daily playtime schedule and check app usage and app installation.

Restrict browser, camera, video, canvas, music, gallery. Parents can restrict access to adult sites and determine which contacts kids can call. Create a safe camera and gallery only for kids,

Download appropriate apps for kids. Kids Mode contains over 1000 different kinds of free or paid apps on the Kids Store. Parents can help kids install harmless apps to let kids play and learn on a safe space. Children can't buy anything without their parents' permission.

What should parents be aware of?

Can't control and monitor devices remotely? Samsung Kids Mode is free and effective, but its features also limit parental protection. It is primarily used for truing parent's mobile devices into kid-friendly playgrounds. It is not very suitable because more kids have cell phones. So, if you want to set more effective parental controls on kids' Samsung devices, Samsung Kids Mode is not the best choice.

Kindle Fire tablets are equipped with parental control settings. Parents can set a parental control pin and then create children's accounts to schedule screen time on Kindle Fire to prevent digital addiction. Such basic parental control settings are only the first line of defense. For advanced parental control, parents should use third-party parental control apps or buy Amazon Free Time.

What are parental controls available on Kindle Fire?

Set screen time limits and bedtime. Parents can set daily goals and time limits on Kindle Fire to restrict screen time. And put Curfew Schedule to let tablet access turns off at night.

Create educational goals. The Kindle Fire divides content into three categories: Books, Videos, and Apps. If children want to access videos or apps, they need to finish their daily goals created by parents.

Filter or pick child-friendly content. By setting Smart Filters by age, parents can let children access appropriate content of their ages. Besides, parents can choose which category of content children can access on the devices like Books, Videos, Games & Apps, Web.

What should parents be aware of?

Kindle Fire parental control can't remove the Alex app. Kids can still browse the Alexa app for other Alex "skills" and "games". It can lead to hidden Google searches, Twitter, and more, including adult content.

Higher prices for not-so-advanced parental control apps? Amazon FreeTime Unlimited is designed for 3-12 years old kids with $9.99 per month, $99.00 per year for Family. It gives access to appropriate shows, movies, games, apps, and books from famous brands like Disney, PBS, and more. Parents can limit access to the Internet and disable purchases. But it still can't monitor social media texts or YouTube history.