Guidelines for Enabling Parental Controls on family provided Apple or Android devices.

Guidelines for Enabling Parental Controls on family provided Apple or Android devices.

As personally owned student devices provided by families, such as iPhones and Android phones, become more common among students, it is important for families to take proactive steps to ensure safe and appropriate usage. We appreciate the efforts of parents and guardians in guiding their children toward responsible technology use. Below are respectful suggestions on how families can enable parental controls on their child's device to help manage screen time, restrict content, and foster positive digital habits.

For iPhone (iOS Devices)

Apple provides built-in parental controls through Screen Time. Here’s how to set it up:

  1. Enable Screen Time:

    • Go to Settings > Screen Time.

    • Tap Turn On Screen Time, then tap Continue.

    • Choose "This is My Child’s [Device]."

  2. Set Downtime and App Limits:

    • Under Screen Time, tap Downtime to schedule device-free periods.

    • Tap App Limits to restrict app usage by category or specific apps.

  3. Content & Privacy Restrictions:

    • Go to Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions.

    • Turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions and customize settings to block explicit content, limit web browsing, and restrict in-app purchases.

  4. Enable Communication Limits:

    • Under Screen Time, select Communication Limits to manage who your child can contact.

  5. Use Family Sharing for Remote Management:

    • Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Family Sharing.

    • Select Screen Time and set up controls for your child’s device.

    Official Apple Support: Apple Screen Time & Parental Controls

For Android Devices

Google provides Family Link, an app designed to help parents manage their child’s device use:

  1. Download and Set Up Family Link:

    • Install Google Family Link on your device and your child’s device.

    • Follow the setup prompts to create a supervised account for your child.

  2. Manage App Usage and Screen Time:

    • Open Family Link and select your child’s profile.

    • Tap Set Daily Limit to establish screen time restrictions.

    • Use App Activity to see which apps your child is using and set limits.

  3. Filter Content and Web Browsing:

    • Under your child’s profile, tap Filters on Google Chrome.

    • Choose settings to block inappropriate websites and restrict searches.

  4. Control App Downloads and Purchases:

    • Under Controls on Google Play, require parental approval for app downloads and in-app purchases.

  5. Set Device Bedtime:

    • In Family Link, tap Bedtime to set a schedule for when the device locks for the night.

    Official Google Support: Google Family Link Help

General Recommendations for Parents

  • Have Open Conversations: Engage in discussions with your child about responsible technology use and online behavior.

  • Stay Informed: Regularly review your child's screen time reports and online interactions to ensure a safe digital experience.

  • Encourage Offline Activities: Foster balance by promoting hobbies, outdoor play, and quality family time away from screens.

  • Utilize Built-In Safe Modes: Enable YouTube Kids or other child-friendly versions of apps to create a safer browsing experience.

We recognize that parenting in the digital age comes with unique challenges, and we sincerely appreciate your dedication to fostering a safe and supportive environment for your child. By taking these steps, families can help students develop healthy digital habits while minimizing potential conflicts related to device use. If you need further assistance, please feel free to reach out to your child’s school for additional resources on digital safety.

Additional Resources: