Helping Families Use Parental Controls to Support Online Safety
Recently we hosted a session for parents and carers on understanding and using parental controls to help protect children online. These tools can help families manage screen time, restrict access to inappropriate content, and guide who children can communicate with online.
Parental controls work best when combined with open conversations, clear family expectations, and active supervision. Every family is different, and the settings you choose should reflect your child’s age, maturity, and the values of your household.
Parents are encouraged to regularly review their child’s online activity, talk about online experiences together, and support children to develop safe digital habits such as protecting personal information and asking permission before downloading apps or games.
Setting Family Technology Expectations
One helpful strategy recommended by the eSafety Commissioner is creating a Family Technology Agreement. These agreements help children understand expectations around:
- Where devices can be used (for example, shared family spaces)
- When devices can be used (such as after homework or not before bedtime)
- What apps, games or websites are allowed
- Who can children communicate with online
Creating these expectations together helps children understand the reasons behind rules and encourages safer online behaviour.
Social Media Age Restrictions | Family Tech Agreement for Under 5s | Family Tech Agreement (5–8 Years) |
Managing Parental Controls on Devices
Most devices already include built-in tools that allow parents to manage children’s online activity.
Computers
- MacOS – Use the built-in Parental Controls / Screen Time features to manage screen time and restrict websites or apps.
- Windows PCs – Microsoft Family Safety allows parents to monitor activity, manage screen time, and filter content across devices.
Mobile Devices
- Android Devices
- Enable Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls
- Consider Google Family Link to manage apps, screen time and downloads
- Apple Devices
- Use Screen Time in Settings
- Enable Family Sharing to manage controls across multiple devices
- Turn on Communication Safety to detect potentially inappropriate images before they are sent or received.
Gaming Platforms
Some gaming platforms allow parents to manage privacy, chat, spending, and screen time.
Examples of platforms that provide parental control tools include:
- Roblox
- Fortnite
- Minecraft
However, many mobile and browser-based games have limited parental controls, so it is important to regularly review what children are playing and who they are communicating with online.
Online gaming communities can also include adults, which means conversations with children about online behaviour and safety are extremely important.
Choosing Safe Apps for Children
Before allowing children to download a new app, it is helpful to review several factors:
- Check the recommended age rating
- Look at privacy settings and permissions
- Review whether the app allows chat, location sharing, or in-app purchases
- Read reviews from other users
- Discuss potential risks and benefits with your child
These steps can help ensure children enjoy safe and positive online experiences.
Family Friendly Internet Filters
Some internet providers and network tools offer family-friendly filters that can help block harmful websites across your home network.