Parental controls can't replace conversation — but they provide a vital safety net. This plain-English guide covers iPhone, Android, gaming consoles, and the major social apps your child is using right now.
Ofcom's 2024 research found that only 40% of parents of children aged 5–15 use parental controls of any kind — despite 93% of children in that age group going online daily.[1] The most common reason given: parents don't know where to start, or assume controls are too difficult to set up.
The Online Safety Act 2023 now requires tech companies to make age-appropriate settings the default for under-18s — but platform compliance is still being phased in, and many children use accounts registered with false ages.[2] Until platform-side protections are consistently enforced, parental controls remain your most reliable tool.
Important: Controls + Conversation
Parental controls work best when paired with open conversation. Children who feel they can talk to a trusted adult about online experiences are significantly less likely to be harmed and far more likely to report a problem. Controls are a safety net — not a substitute for relationship.
Apple's built-in Screen Time feature is found at Settings → Screen Time. Key settings to configure:
For children under 13, create their Apple ID using the Child account flow within Family Sharing — this automatically applies age-appropriate defaults.
Android controls vary by manufacturer. For most Android devices, use Google Family Link (available free from the Play Store):
Samsung devices also have a dedicated Kids Mode (found in Settings or as a separate app) which creates a walled garden of age-appropriate content.
Set up a Family account at account.sonyentertainmentnetwork.com. Restrict age ratings for games and content, set monthly spending limits, control communication and multiplayer access.
Use Xbox Family Settings app (free). Set content filters, screen time limits, spending controls, and receive weekly activity reports. Strong parental control options.
The Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app (free) is excellent. Set play time limits with bedtime alarms, restrict online communication, and receive monthly usage reports.
| App | Minimum Age | Key Control to Enable |
|---|---|---|
| TikTok | 13+ | Family Pairing (link your account to your child's) — enables screen time, DM restrictions, filtered content |
| 13+ | Supervision: Settings → Supervision. Limits who can message, restricts sensitive content, sets time limits | |
| Snapchat | 13+ | Family Centre: links parent and child accounts, shows who they're talking to (not content) |
| YouTube | 13+ (main); YouTube Kids for under-13 | Supervised Experience mode for 9–12 year olds; YouTube Kids app for younger children |
| 16+ | No built-in parental controls — use device-level controls to restrict access for under-16s | |
| Roblox | No minimum | Parental controls at roblox.com/parents — restrict chat, set a PIN, control spending |
All major UK broadband providers offer free network-level content filters — these apply to every device on your home Wi-Fi, including smart TVs, games consoles, and devices you haven't individually configured. Look for "parental controls" in your router app or provider's online account:
Broadband controls won't catch mobile data — combine with device-level controls and, for younger children, consider a basic phone without mobile data rather than a smartphone.
Citations
[1] Ofcom (2024). Children's Media Use and Attitudes Report 2024. Ofcom.
[2] UK Government (2023). Online Safety Act 2023. legislation.gov.uk.