Noor Says NoHow do you set up parental controls on a tablet or phone?
Sources reviewed on November 1, 2026. Based on public advice, see below.
On iPhone and iPad, use Screen Time with a Child Account in Family Sharing. On Android and Chromebook, use Google's Family Link. Both let you manage apps and time. Nemours KidsHealth says teaching safe behavior matters more than blocking, so use these tools next to the talking, not instead of it.
How does it work on iPhone or iPad?
Apple says Screen Time can help you manage the apps and websites your child can access, who they communicate with and when they use their devices.
- Create a Child Account for your child if they don't have one.
- Add it to your Family Sharing group. Apple says it's important that your child has their own account and doesn't share yours.
- Set the controls from your own device, as the organizer or a parent in the group.
- Turn on Communication Safety. Apple says it helps protect your child from viewing or sharing photos or videos with detected nudity, gore or violence.
How does it work on Android?
Google's Family Link lets you create a Google Account for a child under 13 (or the applicable age in your country), or add supervision to an existing account. Google says iPhones, iPads and computers other than Chromebooks can't be supervised with Family Link. Family Link may not be available everywhere.
What can't these settings do?
They don't catch everything. Apple notes that not all controls are available on all devices or in all places. KidsHealth's advice: more important than blocking is teaching your kids safe behavior and keeping an eye on their use.
What should you do besides the settings?
- Keep the tablet in a shared room, not the bedroom.
- Play and watch together sometimes.
- Agree that your child can show you anything, without trouble.
The AAP has a free Family Media Plan you can fill in together. For YouTube, read if YouTube Kids is safe.
Frequently asked questions
At what age should I set this up?
Before your child uses the device alone. Family Link and Apple's Child Account both work for young children. Settings differ by country, so check what's offered.
Can my child get around these settings?
Our sources do not say how often that happens, but no setting is perfect. That's why the rule that your child can show you anything matters too.
Keep reading
- Is YouTube Kids safe for your child?
- Is Roblox safe for your child?
- What age should your child get a first phone?
All topics are in the overview of parents' questions. The big picture is in the guide How do you help keep your child safe online? A guide for ages 4 to 8. Want to practice this with your child? That's why the picture book Noor Says No was made.
Sources
Each source was read on November 1, 2026. These organizations are not connected to this site or the book.
- Apple Support: Set up parental controls to manage your child's iPhone or iPad.
- Google For Families Help: Get started with Family Link.
- Nemours KidsHealth: Internet Safety for Kids & Teens.
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org: How to Make a Family Media Plan.
This is general information, not a replacement for professional help. Worried about a child? In the US, call or text Childhelp at 1-800-422-4453. In the UK, call the NSPCC at 0808 800 5000. Immediate danger: call 911 or 999.
