As parents, we want to give our children the tools they need to learn and play, and a smartphone or tablet is a big part of that. But with millions of apps available on the Google Play Store, it’s a lot to navigate. From games with in-app purchases to apps with inappropriate content, a child can accidentally stumble upon something that’s not right for them.
The good news is that you don’t have to monitor your child’s every move to keep them safe. The Google Play Store offers a powerful, built-in feature to help you create a secure, age-appropriate digital environment: Parental Controls.
Why You Need Parental Controls
Without parental controls, children can easily download apps or games that are not meant for their age group. These apps can contain mature content, strong language, or violence. Additionally, they may be exposed to unwanted in-app purchases that can quickly lead to unexpected charges on your credit card.
Enabling parental controls gives you the power to set boundaries and ensure that the apps your child can see and download are filtered based on their age and your family’s values.
How to Set Up Your Child’s Digital Guardrails
Setting up parental controls is a simple, proactive step you can take today. All you need is your child’s Android phone or Chrome OS device.
- Open the Google Play Store on your child’s device.
- Go to Settings. Tap the profile icon in the top right corner and navigate to “Settings.”
- Find Parental Controls. Under the section labeled “User controls,” you will find “Parental controls.”
- Turn it on. You’ll be prompted to create a personal identification number (PIN). This PIN is crucial. It’s what you’ll use to lock the settings and prevent your child from changing them. Make sure the PIN is something your child won’t guess!
- Set Your Restrictions. Once you’ve set the PIN, you can choose what level of content is accessible. You can filter apps and games by rating and set a password to control in-app purchases. You can also restrict movies, TV shows, and books.
Once you’ve set your PIN and your restrictions, the parental controls will be active on that device. Your child will only be able to see and download apps and content that meet the criteria you’ve set, giving you peace of mind that they are in a safe and secure digital space.
