How to Set Parental Controls on an Android Device?

By Gaurav Rathore
Gaurav Rathore

Tech Writer

His write-ups blend creativity, personal experience, and tailored technical advice, meeting reader needs effectively.

4 min read

I’ve been using the OnePlus 9 for the past two years and was pretty relieved to see the built-in parental controls option in Settings. Because children request personal smartphones at a certain age or may need yours for their entertainment/essential tasks, ensuring the security of the device is a must.

So, in this write-up, I’ll help you set parental controls on an Android device.

Quick Answer: On an Android device, go to Settings >> Digital wellbeing and parental controls to set app limits, manage notifications, and reduce interruptions.

How to Set Up Parental Controls on Your Android Device?

To ensure that your children don’t engage with any age-inappropriate content, you can monitor their actions and limit mature content. All that is possible with the built-in feature ‘Digital wellbeing and parental controls.’ 

Proceed further to learn more about the features and the steps you need to take.

Open Settings, scroll down, and tap ‘Digital wellbeing and parental controls.’

Tap-Digital-wellbeing-and-parental-controls

Then, you’ll get a list of options to manage the screen time and set further restrictions on the phone. Let’s have a look:

Set App Timer

The moment you tap on the parental controls Android feature, an overview of app usage will appear on your screen. So, to set screen time for any app:

  • Tap Dashboard.
    Dashboard
  • Tap on the app you want to put restrictions on, let’s consider Instagram in this case.
    Instagram
  • Now, tap ‘App timer.’
    App timer
  • Set the timer and tap ‘OK.’
    OK

This will set a timer on Instagram, and you’ll receive an alert whenever the time limit is crossed.

Enable Bedtime Mode

If you’re worried that your kids will use the phone when they need to sleep, you can turn on the Bedtime mode. Enabling it will only allow calls from starred contacts and repeat callers. Follow these steps to set it up:

  • Tap Bedtime mode under Ways to disconnect.
    Bedtime Mode
  • Now, turn on the toggle for Do Not Disturb for Bedtime Mode and tap Next.
    Next
  • Then, set the bedtime and tap Done to confirm the action.
    set the bedtime

Enable Focus Mode

With Focus Mode enabled you can pause distracting apps and disable their notifications. Follow these steps:

  • Tap Focus mode present right below Bedtime mode.
    Focus mode
  • Choose any app as the reason for distraction. Here, let’s proceed with Instagram. Just tap on the checkbox ahead of the app.
    checkbox
  • Now, tap Set a schedule.
    Set a schedule
  • Decide the time limit for the focus mode and tap Set.
    set

That’s it. This will enable the Focus mode, and the time limit will be visible within the option.

Focus

Reduce Interruptions

The option Reduce interruptions is present below Focus mode and helps you limit app notifications and other alerts.

Reduce interruptions

With ‘Manage notifications,’ you’ll be able to change the notification settings for each app installed. With ‘Do Not Disturb’ enabled, you’ll only receive notifications for alarms, timers, and calendar events.

Manage notifications Android Do Not Disturb on Android

Install Family Link

The last option you get under parental controls for Android is to install and set up the Family Link app

Family Link app

This app is also available for iOS and can be used to monitor your child’s activity, limit screen time, track location, and much more.

Did You Know? Android devices (with Android version 11 or higher) have the built-in option of ‘App pinning.’ Enabling it will only allow the user to run a single app and all other apps will become inaccessible. Moreover, the phone will not receive any phone calls.
Go to Settings >> Security & privacy >> More security & privacy >> App pinning.

Final Words

In the end, I would like to mention the importance of communication between children and parents. Being a responsible parent, you have to communicate well with your children and teach them about the importance of online safety.

Your children must be aware of the consequences of wasting too much time mindlessly scrolling. Despite taking all necessary measures related to parental controls Android, keeping an eye on their activities is essential. Nonetheless, there are always third-party tools to help you with that. 

FAQs

How to lock screen for kids?

On an Android device, you can consider App pinning, which only runs a specific app and halts all incoming calls. 

How to set parental controls on Android?

There’s no need to download any parental control app for an Android device, you just have to open Settings >> Digital wellbeing and parental controls. Then, set restrictions as per your requirements.

Does Android have a child mode?

There’s no child mode in Android, but you can add a new user with restrictions or settings appropriate for a child.

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