The increase in mobile devices in the hands of children and adolescents represents a challenge for families: taking advantage of the Benefits of technology in communication, learning, and safety, but avoiding digital risks such as access to inappropriate content, distractions, unwanted purchases, cyberbullying, or dangerous contacts. Mobile phones can improve family life, but they also open the door to new problems that never had to be managed before.
Therefore, having Parental control apps on Android It has become essential: it allows us to supervise, limit, and educate on the use of mobile phones, the Internet, and social networks, adapting the digital experience to the maturity and needs of each minor.
Why is it essential to activate parental controls on Android?
El parental control It not only restricts content: it also educates on responsible use of technology, promotes family dialogue and helps build healthy digital habitsThe key reasons to activate it are:
- Block access to inappropriate content: pornography, violence, gambling, drugs, dangerous viral challenges, etc.
- Prevent cyberbullying and contact with strangers: Restricting interaction on apps, social networks, and online games.
- Control spending: preventing in-app purchases, subscriptions, or unauthorized transactions.
- Limit excessive mobile phone use: setting time limits and healthy schedules to avoid addiction or sleep problems.
- Monitor and guide navigation: helping to create safe, educational, and balanced digital routines.
- Locate the device and the minor: GPS function to know where they are, receive alerts by zone (geofencing) and, in case of emergency, react quickly.
- Strengthen family communicationParental controls are an opportunity to talk about the Internet and agree on rules and responsibilities.
How parental controls work on Android
El parental control on Android It can be enabled in different ways:
- Native Android OptionsFrom the "Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls" section of Settings, you can limit device and app usage and set general restrictions.
- Google Play Store. Includes built-in parental controls, ideal for restricting the download and use of apps, games, movies, and books based on age.
- Google Family LinkIt's the official Google tool that allows you to manage and monitor your child's account and device in an advanced and personalized way. Learn how to create effective parental controls with Family Link..
- Third-party applicationsThey offer additional features such as social media monitoring, school guidance, smart locking, advanced geolocation, detailed reporting, and more.
Generally, these apps need to be installed on both the adult's and the minor's mobile phone, and the child's Google account must be linked to allow them to:
- Filter and block apps, games, and websites by age, category or type of content.
- Require parental approval to download new applications.
- Set time limits globally, by app or at specific times.
- Monitor usage history, browsing, calls, messages, location, battery, etc.
- Receive alerts in case of risk, evasion attempts or leaving safe areas.
Key aspects before setting up parental controls
- Define the appropriate level of restrictionMonitoring a young child is not the same as monitoring a teenager. Adjust filters and permissions based on their age and maturity.
- Choose the most suitable toolUse Android/Google Play monitoring for basic needs; opt for Family Link or third-party apps if you're looking for comprehensive monitoring.
- Protects settings: Set a secure PIN or password to modify restrictions, known only to responsible adults.
- Review and update restrictions periodically: Adjust limits as your child grows and evolves digitally.
- encourage dialogue: Always explain why there are limits and how they work, taking the opportunity to educate on responsible use.
- Respect privacy: Monitor messages and networks only if absolutely necessary and always prioritize trust.
Main functions of parental control on Android
- Restrict download and use of applications not appropriate for the age of the minor.
- Filter web and multimedia content to block inappropriate pages and videos.
- Block in-app purchases and unapproved subscriptions.
- Manage sensitive permissions (camera, microphone, locationโฆ).
- Limit screen time global or by applications, with the possibility of โbedtimeโ and school schedules.
- Monitor digital activity with reports and history of browsing, apps, calls, messages and social networks (depending on the app chosen).
- Locate the device in real time and creates safe zone entry/exit alerts.
- Remotely control the lock/unlock of the device, useful in case of loss or threats.
- Receive recommendations and alerts against cybersecurity risks.
How to enable and configure parental controls on Google Play and Family Link
Native parental controls on Google Play
Google Play allows you to restrict downloads and access to apps, games, movies, and books based on age:
- Open the Google Play Store on your child's device.
- Click on your profile picture (top right) and select Configuration.
- Sign in Family and then parental control.
- Activate parental controls and assign a secure PIN.
- Choose the content you want to filter and adjust the restriction based on age.
Note: This control only affects the device where you enable it. It doesn't block content accessed via direct links or outside the Play Store. You'll need to repeat the process if you have more than one device.
Advanced Use: Google Family Link
Family Link It is the most complete and flexible tool, developed by Google, to control and monitor Android devices (it also works on iOS):
- Create separate accounts for your children and manage permissions remotely.
- Approve or block downloads and installations.
- Set time limits, schedules, and "rest mode" based on school days and weekends.
- Monitors in detail the type of apps and websites visited.
- Turn on real-time location tracking and review your location history.
- Block inappropriate searches on Google or YouTube Kids (includes SafeSearch).
- Receive alerts and reports on digital activity.
To set it up:
- Install Family Link on both the adult and child's mobile phones.
- Link both accounts by following the step-by-step wizard (requires having both devices and Google accounts nearby).
- Customize restrictions and limits by device or user.
Family Link allows you to manage multiple children with different settings and devices, making it an excellent solution for both children and teens.
Troubleshooting common parental control issues
- Forgotten PIN on Google Play: Clear Play Store data from Settings > Apps > Google Play Store > Storage > Clear data, and you'll be able to set a new one.
- Previously downloaded apps or games: They don't disappear, but you can block them from Family Link or a third-party app.
- Problems with updates: If an app stops updating, it may be because the new version exceeds the age limit. You can manually approve it or temporarily relax the limit.
Other native and popular app parental control options
In addition to Android and Google Play, many apps and platforms have their own parental controls or child modes:
- YouTubeKids: Allows you to enable โrestricted mode,โ filter videos, disable searches, or set a timer to limit your daily session.
- Netflix, Disney+, HBO, Prime Video: They include child profiles with content restrictions based on age classification, and PIN blocking or access restrictions.
- Roblox and online video games: They incorporate advanced tools (such as automatic notifications, chat history, friend blocking, maximum spending, and message filtering) to protect minors.
- Instagram, WhatsApp, TikTok: Each one integrates privacy settings and parental control options to limit interactions and content.
Always complement these options with general parental controls and active digital education at home.
The best parental control apps for Android
Along with Family Link, there are a wide variety of apps (both free and paid) that offer everything from basic controls to advanced, personalized monitoring. The most notable are:
Kaspersky Safe Kids
Kaspersky Safe Kids offers both free and premium parental controls. It allows block access to adult apps and websites, create allowed and banned lists, limit screen time, and receive activity reports. The premium version adds features like GPS location in real time, social media activity monitoring (Facebook), and protection for unlimited devices.
Qustodio
Qustodio It's one of the most comprehensive and highly rated tools. In its free version, you can protect a device, monitor usage, block apps and websites, and set daily screen time limits. In the premium version, you can control multiple devices, get detailed reports, geolocate the terminal, and activate the SOS button for emergencies. Ideal for families with teenagers due to their advanced social media and call monitoring.
Norton family
Developed by Norton, this application stands out for its blocking inappropriate content, records of pages visited and searches performed, as well as the comprehensive monitoring of installed apps and access rules. Allows you to define schedules, receive alerts for rule violations, and view activity history for up to 30 days. It also includes geolocation and messaging limits.
Family time
Family time allows you to limit screen time according to daily routines (homework, dinners, rest), block social networks and games, and create suspicious contact tracking lists. It offers SOS alerts, SMS monitoring, and notifications if your child leaves the areas defined on the map (geofencing).
My Sereno: Parental Control
This app stands out for offering detailed supervision of activities of your child on the mobile: you can block apps and websites, manage the use of shared internet, access schedule to the internet, night blocking, call control, emails, SMS, and a Unique feature for reviewing messages and audio from WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram. Includes its own chat and remote deletion of inappropriate files.
locationgy
Combine parental control with advanced GPS location, automatic alerts when entering or leaving predefined zones, location history creation, remote locking, app management, calls and social media activity. If you lose your phone, you can remotely wipe it to protect privacy.
Kids place
Kids place It is focused on those who lend their phone to small children. It allows create a safe and personalized environment With only allowed apps, it blocks the download of new apps and calls, and protects access to purchases and your personal information.
SecureKids
Allows remote management from the PC, block apps and websites, set usage times, remotely deactivate the device, block unwanted contacts, set alarms, and track in real time. The free version manages one device; the paid version manages unlimited devices.
MMGuardian Parental Control
With a free trial period, it allows you to define contact lists, generate detailed usage reports, lock apps and websites, set time limits, and protect against uninstallation. It includes a secure browser, message control, and geolocation.
Tips for choosing and using a parental control app on Android
- Analyze needs according to age and habits For the minor: For a young child, simple filters and limits are sufficient; for a teenager, social media and call monitoring can be key.
- Rate the ease of use and configuration: The best apps are intuitive and allow remote management from your mobile or PC.
- Prefer apps compatible with multiple devices if you have more than one child.
- Read the privacy and data protection policies of each app before installing it.
- Establishes agreed-upon rules and limits with your children and maintain a dialogue about their online activity.
Frequently Asked Questions About Parental Controls on Android
- Are parental control apps foolproof? No. Minors with advanced technical knowledge may attempt to bypass them. That's why education and active supervision are essential.
- Can I use these apps on tablets or other Android devices? Yes, most work on smartphones and tablets, and some also allow cross-monitoring on iOS and PC.
- Are free apps enough? For basic monitoring, yes. For advanced featuresโsuch as social media monitoring, location tracking, or highly detailed reportingโyou may need the premium version.
- How do I respect my children's privacy? Limit intrusive control, explain their rights and needs, and adjust the level of supervision to their age and maturity.
What to consider when disabling parental controls?
When your child grows older and no longer needs the same level of supervision, you can disable parental controls by following these general steps:
- On Google Play, go to parental control and deactivate it with the set PIN.
- In Family Link, sign in to the supervised account and stop supervision from Account Information > Stop Monitoring.
- For third-party apps, go to the control panel and select the option to deactivate or delete the minor's account.
- If you forget your PIN or password, you can reset it by clearing the app data or resetting your device, although this means losing saved settings.
La progressive integration of parental controls into the digital lives of minors Not only does it guarantee your safety, but when used correctly, it contributes to your education and digital autonomy. The important thing is not only to control, but also teach responsible habits and create an environment of trust where children can learn and communicate openly about what they do on the Internet.
