best apps/tweeks to phone laptop to control teen's use

[kristina123smith]

Hi, I really am confused about how to control/limit some of the things my 13-yr-old son is watching online. He (accidentally) broke the screen on his phone and borrowed mine for a little while at the weekend. Later I saw in the search history that he had accessed porn websites. I've talked openly to him about this a few times and so has his dad, basically gave all kinds of reasons why it's a bad idea to watch that stuff, especially at his age. I don't think he is convinced ;)

Now I have understood that he knows a lot of ways to seach incognito.

What are the best ways to restrict his access to such sites? I would like him to have a phone but want to install some kind of limits. Same with a Windows 10 laptop. What are other mums doing?

Hope you can help.
worried mum

[sleepismysuperpower1]

if he has an iPhone:
Launch Settings from the home screen.
Tap Screen Time.
tap Use Screen Time Passcode to create a passcode (make sure it is different from others you use/hard to guess)
Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions
Tap Content Restrictions.
Tap Web Content.
Tap Limit Adult Websites

I'm not sure about androids.

you can get net nanny for windows 10, details on what it does on the website but it is around £30 per year (it is an American site so in dollars but it works just fine in the UK)

[Mary8076]

If it's and android phone install the google Family Link app, if it's apple use Family Sharing, both are free.
Then be sure there's only a browser installed on the phone and it has the mature filter active, in addiction to incognito mode not available (for android use Chrome, you will find the restrictions options in Family Link app on your device).
To prevent bypassing parental control you should install an "app lock" to block access to the phone setting (if it's not already a built-in option of the phone, or it's not possible block the phone setting by the parental control). That's all!

[kristina123smith]

Hi, Thanks to both of you for giving me these tips. I'm confused about one thing. When I set up his phone, I should use his email and set it up independently from mine, then link them using the app?
Maybe that's a dumb question... sorry!
When I set up an phone a couple of years ago I used my email and linked it to me directly, which seemed to make it impossible to limit what he could do with it.

K

[Noodlenosefraggle]

My DS has family link on his phone. You download the parent app on your phone and they send you an access code for the child's phone. I love it. I use it to block his devices until hes done his homework too .

[Noodlenosefraggle]

I think family link must work on all google devices. My DS has an android tablet that I use it on too.I have complete control from my phone and have a list of his usage every week. He is 11 though. Not sure whether that's too much for a 13 year old although it may teach him a lesson!

[orangeicecream]

I have a circle device which controls all the Internet devices in the house. Also, each child's phone has a restricted app linked to my phone for mobile data usage. These control the time and content that I allow. My kids are under 14 (just)

[Mary8076]

@kristina123smith Yes, I think you should use his email.
If it's an iphone look at the apple guide here support.apple.com/en-us/HT201088
For android phone use Family Link, still with his email but (@Noodlenosefraggle too) it would be better if only you know his google account password to prevent bypassing and history deleting. For the same reasons we blocked the phone setting with another app (Lockit by Supertools), eventually useful also to block access to the FamilyLink app (to avoid "stop supervision" for kids over 13yo). Check when the phone is blocked if entering in "Emergency" you can find any web link somewhere, it will let them use the phone even with the active block, in this case use a dialer app without any weblink and make it the default contact app in the phone setting (we use Next.Phone by Next Inc.).

[kristina123smith]

Thanks! This is very detailed. So helpful. Much appreciated.