How to Set Parental Controls on Any Device

In today’s digital age, children have unprecedented access to devices from smartphones and tablets to smart TVs and gaming consoles. While technology can be a fantastic learning and entertainment tool, it also opens doors to inappropriate content, excessive screen time, and online risks.

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That’s where parental controls come in. Whether you want to limit what your child can access, manage how long they spend online, or monitor activity, setting up the right controls across all your devices is essential.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to set parental controls on any device in 2025, including phones, tablets, computers, smart TVs, and gaming consoles. Let’s help you keep your children safe while still allowing them to explore, learn and enjoy.

Why Parental Controls Matter in 2025

Children are getting online younger than ever, and digital content is growing in both volume and complexity. With AI generated media, social platforms, in game chat, and streaming content all vying for attention, it's more important than ever to ensure children have a safe and age appropriate digital environment.

Parental controls allow you to:

• Filter or block inappropriate content

• Set daily screen time limits

• Restrict app downloads and in app purchases

• Monitor web and app activity

• Manage access to games and media

• Keep tabs on location (for phones and tablets)

  
  

The good news? Most major devices now come with built in parental control settings, and you can also use third party apps for extra features.

How to Set Parental Controls on iPhone and iPad (iOS)

Apple’s Screen Time feature is a powerful tool for managing children’s device use.

Step by Step:

1. Go to Settings > Screen Time

2. Tap Turn On Screen Time and select This is My Child’s iPhone/iPad

3. Set a Screen Time Passcode to prevent changes

4. Choose settings for:

   • Downtime: Set hours when the device can’t be used

   • App Limits: Limit time on social media, games, etc.

   • Communication Limits: Control who your child can talk to

   • Content & Privacy Restrictions: Block adult content, set app age ratings, restrict purchases

     
     

Extra Tip:

Use Family Sharing to monitor and manage settings remotely across Apple devices.

How to Set Parental Controls on Android Phones and Tablets

Android offers excellent parental controls through Google Family Link.

Step by Step:

1. Download Google Family Link from the Play Store on your device and your child’s

2. Link your child’s Google Account to yours

3. From your device, you can:

   • Set screen time limits and bedtime schedules

   • Approve or block apps

   • See location in real time

   • Filter content in Chrome, Google Search, and YouTube

   • Lock devices remotely

     
     

Extra Tip:

Ensure SafeSearch is turned on in Google Settings to filter explicit search results.

How to Set Parental Controls on Windows PCs

Windows 10 and Windows 11 support parental controls via Microsoft Family Safety.

Step by Step:

1. Create a Microsoft Family Group at account.microsoft.com/family

2. Add your child’s Microsoft account

3. From your dashboard, you can:

   • Set screen time limits for PC and Xbox

   • Filter websites and block inappropriate content

   • Monitor activity reports

   • Manage app and game access

   • Enable purchase request approvals

     
     

Extra Tip:

Set up Microsoft Edge with Kids Mode for a safer browsing experience.

How to Set Parental Controls on Mac

Mac computers use Screen Time (like on iPhone/iPad) to manage child accounts.

Step by Step:

1. Go to System Settings > Screen Time

2. Add a child account via Family Sharing, if not already done

3. Turn on Screen Time and adjust:

   • Downtime

   • App Limits

   • Content & Privacy settings

     
     

You can also block specific websites or only allow access to approved sites.

How to Set Parental Controls on Smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Android TV)

For Android/Google TVs:

1. Go to Settings > Device Preferences > Parental Controls

2. Set a PIN

3. Choose restrictions for apps, content ratings, and YouTube

   
   

For Samsung Smart TVs:

1. Go to Settings > Broadcasting > Programme Rating Lock

2. Create a PIN

3. Choose age restrictions and lock specific apps

   
   

For LG Smart TVs:

1. Navigate to Settings > General > Safety

2. Turn on Safety Mode and set restrictions for apps and content

   
   

Extra Tip:

For streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video, use individual profile restrictions to block mature content and limit what kids can watch.

How to Set Parental Controls on Popular Gaming Consoles

PlayStation 5:

1. Go to Settings > Family and Parental Controls

2. Create child accounts under your Family Group

3. Set age level restrictions for games and media

4. Limit communication, spending, and playtime

   
   

Xbox Series X|S:

1. Visit account.microsoft.com/family

2. Add your child to your family account

3. Set screen time limits, content filters, and purchase approval

4. Monitor usage reports

   
   

Nintendo Switch:

1. Download the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app

2. Link it to your child’s Switch

3. Set daily playtime limits and content restrictions

   
   

Extra Tip:

Most consoles allow per user settings, so you can have unrestricted access for adults and tighter limits for kids.

Best Third Party Parental Control Apps (2025)

If you want more advanced features, there are excellent third party options. These are ideal for families with children using multiple platforms.

Top Picks:

• Qustodio: Works on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS; screen time, content filtering, location tracking

• Net Nanny: Great content filtering and real time alerts

• Norton Family: Ideal for monitoring web and search activity

• Bark: Monitors social media, SMS, YouTube and more

  
  

Most of these services have a free trial and offer family plans to cover multiple devices.

Tips for Making Parental Controls Effective

Setting up the controls is only part of the solution. For the best results:

• Talk to your child about why you’re setting limits

• Review settings regularly as they grow older and more responsible

• Model good screen time habits as a parent

• Balance restrictions with trust to encourage open conversations

  
  

Parental controls are a digital safety net not a replacement for parental guidance.

Final Thoughts: Keeping Your Kids Safe Online in 2025

Setting parental controls on your devices might seem like a daunting task at first, but today’s tools make it surprisingly simple.

Whether your child uses an iPad, Android phone, gaming console or a smart TV, there are robust features built in and even more powerful ones available with third party apps.

The key is consistency: set rules, communicate openly, and stay involved in your child’s digital life. With the right controls in place, you can give them the freedom to learn, play and connect online without putting their safety at risk. — Simon Wilson | Tech Tips & How-To Guides | The Tech Advisor