How to Set Up Samsung Parental Controls? – Samsung Kids Mode, Google Family Link, and More

Parents often think twice before giving a smartphone to their children, as young minds are at risk of developing an addiction and leaving essential tasks behind.

There’s no doubt about the rising sales of Samsung Galaxy smartphones, and one reason could be the safety features. So, if you’ve allowed your child to use one, don’t forget to set up the built-in Samsung parental controls for their safety.

To make things easier, you can read this write-up and follow the steps one by one to set up parental control methods on a device.

How do I set up parental controls on a Samsung phone?! Idk how to use these things!!

— carm (@crmnl0l) October 11, 2016

Quick Answer: To set Samsung parental controls, go to Settings >> Digital Wellbeing and parental controls. There, you can limit the app usage duration, screen time, and screen unlocks.

What are Samsung Parental Controls?

Samsung Parental Controls are built-in options through which you can set the necessary restrictions for your child. So, before you hand over a new smartphone to your child, it is better to consider these options:

If you’ve purchased a secondhand phone for your kid or are about to hand over your old Samsung device, you must reset it. This will erase all data on your device and even reset the installed apps.

Follow these steps:

• Open Settings >> General Management.

  

• Now, tap Reset from the list of options. 

  

• Then, tap Factory data reset.

  

• Tap Reset at the bottom of the list of apps.

  

Once the factory reset completes, add your child’s Google account from Settings > Accounts > Add account. 

If your child is younger than 13 years old (without a Google account), setting up Samsung Kids Mode is the best option, as it provides a safe environment for your child to explore things on the device. To set it up, follow these steps:

• Drag down the notifications bar and tap Samsung Kids.

  

• Tap Next to begin.

  

• There, you can download “kid-friendly” apps and allow your kid to enjoy the featured apps like My Phone, My Camera, and My Gallery.

  

• Now, tap the three-dot menu in the top-right and open “Parental control.”

  

Now, you can set up parental controls from here or access the option from Settings. Proceed further to the next section to go through the details.

There are built-in parental controls on a Samsung phone that help you restrict Samsung screen time, limit phone usage, and much more. To access the feature:

• Go to Settings >> Digital Wellbeing and parental controls.

  

• The first option you get is to set an App Timer on any applications used too much by your child. Just tap on the app and reduce the usage time.

  

• Right below that, you’ll find “Your goals”, that help you set the average daily screen time usage and how many times the phone was unlocked. 

  

• Tap on “Screen time” and set the screen time goal. Once you enter the limit, tap “Set” to confirm the action.

  

• Similarly, tap on Unlocks and enter the number of times your phone can be unlocked. Tap Set here as well to confirm the action.

  

• In addition, you can find “Ways to Disconnect” that help your child focus on their life and keep the phone aside. 

  

The last option on the list is to set the Google Family Link, which can also be accessed via Settings.

The last option under “Digital well-being and parental controls” is  “Parental controls.” Tapping on it will open the Google Family Link.

• Now, Google Family Link will appear on your screen; tap “Get started” to proceed further.

  

• Now, proceed further as per the device’s user. Here, you need to continue with Parent, then tap Get Family Link. Doing this will install the app for you.

• After installing it, set up your child’s device, and use Family Link to:

• Monitor your browsing history.
• Receive screen time reports.
• Make a screen time schedule.
• Monitor the device remotely.
• See the child’s live location.

If you don’t prefer to use Family Link, restricting Google Play purchases is a must. This ensures your kids don’t make any unexpected purchases without seeking your permission. So, to set the restrictions, follow these steps:

• Open the Play Store app on your phone.
• Go to Settings >> Authentication.

  

• Now, tap Require authentication for purchase.

  

• Then, set the pointer to For all purchases through Google Play on this device. 

  

• Now, go back to Settings, and tap Family.

  

• From the drop-down menu, tap Parental controls.

  

• Now, turn on the toggle for Parental controls are off. Enter the passcode and you’re all set.

  

Doing this will set restrictions on downloading any apps, movies, or other content that is not age-appropriate.

You can enable SafeSearch on Google to prevent your child from accessing any mature websites on the internet. Follow these steps to enable SafeSearch:

• Open the Google app on your phone. 

• Now, tap the profile icon present in the top-right.

  

• Then, go to Settings >> Privacy & Safety >> SafeSearch.

  

• Set the pointer to “Filter” to filter out explicit images, texts, and links.

  

So, these are the best methods to ensure the safety of your child while using a Samsung smartphone. However, these alternatives are available for a Samsung kids tablet as well.

Final Thoughts 

With built-in parental controls on Samsung smartphones, it is possible to limit screen time, app usage, and phone unlock. There’s even a Samsung Kids feature to help your children set up their own space.

Moreover, the settings would be the same if you bought a Samsung tablet for kids or a smartphone. If your child is under 13, Google Family Link is another initiative you can take to keep them away from any inappropriate content.