Know what you
can control.

Start with your child’s device. Then add account rules.

You do not need every restriction. Pick the boundaries your family needs, keep essential access available, and check what each setting actually covers.

• Child has an iPhone or iPad?Start with Apple Screen Time for device time, websites, apps, downloads, and contacts. Add YouTube settings if they watch there.
• Child has Android or a Chromebook?Start with Google Family Link. Its controls depend on the child’s device and account. Add YouTube’s viewing controls separately.
• Only trying to change YouTube?Turn off the scrolling Shorts feed, or handpick videos in YouTube Kids.

Platform capabilities: Apple parental controls and Google Family Link requirements.

Practical setup guides.

Each guide includes the steps, important limitations, official sources, and a checklist to try on the child’s device.

Find the control for your goal.

• Limit time on an iPhone or iPadUnderstand the difference between availability windows and daily budgets.
• Limit time on supported Android / ChromeOS devicesDaily device limits, app budgets, and Android quiet-hour schedules.
• Filter or approve websites on Apple devicesUse the instructions for the menu version you have.
• Filter Chrome browsing and Google SearchWebsite filters and SafeSearch are different settings.
• Manage Apple downloads and purchasesPurchase approvals are separate from time and content rules.
• Manage Google Play downloads and purchasesPlay approvals do not control App Store or other billing systems.
• Review Apple contacts and privacy restrictionsKeep ways to reach caregivers available.
• Turn off the scrolling YouTube Shorts feedSet the supervised account’s feed limit to zero.
• Choose videos yourself in YouTube KidsUse Approved content only rather than a broad content level.

Different rules do different jobs.

Device rules control when apps are available and what can be installed or accessed. Account rules shape an experience such as Google Search or YouTube. A family agreement explains why the rules exist and how exceptions work.

TenMore is another time-boundary tool for Apple families—not a replacement for content or purchase restrictions. Extra time in TenMore does not override Apple’s limits. Read the TenMore setup tips and try a simple family agreement.

No combination of settings guarantees that every video, website, or interaction is appropriate. Test the actual devices, accounts, apps, and browsers your child uses, and revisit the plan as their needs change.