Parental controls: What you need to know
Parental controls are tools that help keep children safer online by blocking or filtering inappropriate or harmful content.
They can help you to:
- Manage when your child can go online and for how long
- Block apps, games or websites that may be unsuitable for their age
- Limit your child’s access to online chats or in‑app purchases
- Control what personal information your child can share
Parental controls can be set up across:
- Home Wi‑Fi and broadband
- Mobile networks (mobile data)
- Individual apps and games
- Devices such as phones, tablets, computers, TVs and games consoles
Why are parental controls important?
It’s strongly recommended to use parental controls across all devices, networks and accounts your child uses. Harmful or upsetting content can sometimes appear accidentally, even when children aren’t actively searching for it.
As your child grows, you can adjust restrictions to become more age‑appropriate and allow greater independence.
Remember that parental controls are not perfect. Content filters are never 100% accurate, so it’s still important to:
- Talk openly with your child about online safety – read more here.
- Encourage them to tell you if they see something upsetting
- Reassure them they won’t be in trouble for asking for help
Using controls in multiple places (Wi‑Fi, devices and apps) gives your child the best level of protection.
How do I set up parental controls on my home broadband or Wi‑Fi?
Most home internet providers offer parental control tools. Depending on your provider, you can usually:
- Use an internet filter to block unsuitable websites
- Set different restriction levels for different family members
- Manage controls through your provider’s online account
- Block certain types of content (such as adult content or gambling)
To do this, you’ll usually need access to your home router or your internet provider account. Your provider can guide you through the setup.
Remember that these controls only apply when your child is connected to your home Wi‑Fi. If your child uses mobile data (4G or 5G), you’ll need to set controls on their mobile device and network as well.
Helpful links:
- UK Safer Internet Centre – Parental controls offered by your internet provider
- NSPCC – Setting up parental controls
How do I set up parental controls on mobile phones, tablets and computers?
Most phones, tablets and computers include built‑in parental controls. These can help you manage:
- In‑app and in‑game purchases
- Screen time limits
- App downloads
- Privacy and location sharing
- What content your child can access
- Your network provider might also have controls you can access.
Microsoft Family Safety (Windows devices)
Microsoft Family Safety allows you to manage screen time, filter content, track location and approve purchases across Microsoft devices and services.
Apple devices
Apple offers family sharing across iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV and Mac. Parents can:
- Set content and privacy restrictions
- Approve downloads and purchases
- Limit screen time
- Block specific apps
Android and Google devices
Google Family Link allows you to:
- Set screen time limits
- Approve or block apps
- Filter websites
- Track device location
For additional advice, your mobile network provider and the UK Safer Internet Centre can also help.
How do I set up parental controls on a games console?
Games consoles connect to the internet, allowing children to:
- Play games online
- Chat with other players
- Make in‑game or online purchases
Most consoles include built‑in parental controls that allow you to:
- Turn off chat or messaging features
- Restrict games by age rating
- Disable or limit in‑game spending
- Make profiles private
- Control screen time
If possible, set up the console yourself. Some children may skip or change parental controls if they create the account on their own. Controls can still be added later if you have access to the account.
Popular console‑specific guidance can be found here:
Some individual games may also include their own settings, such as Fortnite and Roblox:
You can also search the internet to see if any other games your child is playing offer parental restrictions or support.
How do I set up parental controls on apps and websites?
Many apps, games, social media platforms and streaming services offer their own safety features, including:
- Content filters
- Chat or messaging restrictions
- Privacy controls
- In‑app purchase controls
Look in each app’s Settings, Privacy, Family or Safety sections.
Useful platforms:
- Netflix parental controls (these must be set up on the website, not in the app)
Can I add parental controls to search engines?
Sometimes harmless searches can lead to inappropriate content. To reduce this risk:
- Turn on Safe Search in Google, Bing and Yahoo
- Make sure broadband and device‑level filters are active
More help can be found here:
What if my child is away from home?
Parental controls may not work if your child:
- Uses a different device without parental controls
- Connects via 3G, 4G or 5G if you haven’t set up mobile data controls
- Uses public Wi‑Fi or a friend’s Wi‑Fi
Keep in mind:
- Public Wi‑Fi isn’t always secure
- Some public places offer family‑friendly Wi‑Fi, which includes filtering
- Friends’ homes may not have the same rules or settings
The most important step is to talk regularly with your child and agree clear boundaries about what they can and can’t do online.
