Parental control is a set of rules and measures that allow you to limit access to your account to various websites, applications and the time you use your smartphone.
Partial parental controls can be set up on Android and without using special applications. But if you plan to limit your child’s access not only to the Play Store , but also to sites with unwanted content or potentially dangerous programs, you will need to use special software. Next, we’ll explain how to set up parental controls on your phone.
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KASPERSKY SAFE KIDS
Kaspersky Safe Kids – perhaps the most popular application for Kaspersky parental control . The program blocks potentially dangerous content for children and allows you to limit the time you use your smartphone. Capabilities:
- Automatic blocking of dangerous sites and content.
- Restrictions on how long you can use the device.
- Display the child’s location on the online map in real time (only in the PRO version) with the option of designating a “safe” circuit that cannot be left behind.
- Notifications and reports.
In addition, Kaspersky Safe Kids allows you to monitor the child’s activity on social networks Facebook, VKontakte. Despite the fact that most features are only available in the paid PRO version of the application, almost all necessary parental control functions are available in the free version.
How to configure Kaspersky Safe Kids
An account is required to work with Kaspersky Safe Kids . Therefore, before downloading the application, you must create an account on the official website. How to set up parental controls:
Note : for Kaspersky Safe Kids to work, you must use one account for parents and children.
Step 1 . Download and install Kaspersky Safe Kids on your child’s phone. After the first start, you need to read the license agreement, allow the application to make and manage connections, and then log in to your account (you can create an account on the official Kaspersky website ).
Step 2 . To set up parental controls, specify that the child will use the smartphone. Then create a child profile – enter name and surname, date of birth.
Step 3 . Set the application as an administrator to configure parental controls on the child’s smartphone and add Kaspersky Safe Kids to start automatically.
Step 4 . In the availability settings, activate the Kaspersky Safe Kids service . This is necessary for the application to process user activities and collect data. Then give the application the remaining permissions.
Step 5 . You can track your child’s activities and adjust other parameters from another phone. To do this, simply install Kaspersky Safe Kids on your smartphone and select the parent account.
You can set up parental controls on your computer. To do this, log in to your account on the official Kaspersky website . The Kaspersky Safe Kids application is free, but if you want to access additional functions, it is better to buy the PRO version .
PARENTAL CONTROL IN THE PLAY STORE
If you need to limit access to digital content only from the Play Store , you can use the built-in Android function . At the same time, without special applications, it is impossible to prohibit the launch of applications already installed on the smartphone, using the browser, change other settings. How to put parental controls on the Play Store :
Step 1 . Launch the Play Store smartphone and go to settings . To do this, swipe right or click the icon in the form of three bars.
Step 2 . In the “Personal” section, click “Parental Control . ” Here, move the slider to the “On” position and create a PIN .
Step 3 . In the content filtering settings, select the maximum rating allowed for games and applications, movies and music. To do this, select the one you want and click “Save” .
Then all content available in the Play Store will be filtered according to the settings that have been set. You must enter the PIN to disable parental controls .
GOOGLE FAMILY LINK
Google Family Link is a free parental control application from Google LLC . The tool is distributed in two versions (for children, for parents) and allows you to limit access to some Google services and applications from external developers. Other features include:
- Tracking child’s activities (statistics of the most popular applications, time of use).
- Lists of recommended content (depending on the age selected).
- Restrictions on how long you can use your smartphone during the day, and the ability to completely block your device at night.
- Remote control to be locked.
- Control of purchases and downloads of digital content (games, music, movies)
In addition, you can configure various notifications using Google Family Link . For example, to receive notifications if a child tries to bypass the restriction.
How to set up Google Family Link
The Google Family Link app is available in two versions. The first is installed on the parent’s device, the second on the child’s smartphone. How to set parental controls using the Google family link :
Step 1 . Install Google Family Link (for parents) in the Android app via Play Store . After the first start, specify an account and note that the parent will use the phone.
Step 2 . To get parental control, you need to create a family group and make your (parent) account an administrator. This can be done directly through Google Family Link. To do this, click “Start” . If you are already an administrator, you will have the “Continue” button .
Step 3 . If the child already has a Google account (mail should end with @gmail), click “Yes” , otherwise create it. Then click “Next”. A code will appear on the screen that you must enter in Google Family Link (for children) .
Note : Further parental controls are configured on the child’s phone.
Step 4 . Download and install the Google Family Link app (for children) on your child’s smartphone. After the first start, select the child’s account. If other accounts are connected to the phone, their data will be completely deleted from the device.
Step 5 . Enter the code that appeared on the Google family link screen (for parents) and re-enter your Gmail account password . Then click “Next” .
Step 6 . If your child’s account is not yet in a family group, you must confirm your consent to participate. To do this, click on “Join” . Then see a list of actions that the parent account can perform on this phone.
Step 7 . Click “Allow” to enable parental controls on your phone and enable profile manager. To do this, click “Activate device administrator” .
Step 8 . Enter the device name and immediately mark the applications that the child cannot run (you can change them at any other time). This completes the configuration phase.
You can then install various restrictions on your child’s phone (using the Google Family Link “parent” app ) and monitor their online activity.
Other ways to limit access to your smartphone
If necessary, you can restrict access to the smartphone (not necessarily the child) in other ways. Especially if one device is used by several people. Consider them below:
- Tools for setting passwords to run some applications. Suitable for those who want to limit access to specific files or programs.
- Creating a guest profile. Some smartphones support multiple accounts. Therefore, you can create a sub-guest profile so that it does not have access to personal files and applications.
- Children’s version of the application. In order not to deny access to the application completely, use the children’s version (for example, YouTube Kids ), which automatically blocks unwanted content.
- Supplier Restrictions. If you really want to limit your child’s access to unwanted content, pay attention to special offers from providers. Thanks to this, you can completely limit your child’s access to some Internet portals when connected to a Wi-Fi network at home.
To protect your child against potentially hazardous content, it is recommended to use complex measures. Also, don’t forget to update your privacy settings and various restrictions that will help block unwanted web portals and applications on time.
