Family Resources
Protecting children online is a top priority for parents and guardians. Through our Family Tech Consultations, our experts will guide you in securing your family’s digital footprint while building healthy boundaries that work for your family.
Parental Controls Quick Steps
Mobile Device Management
Keeping your children safe online doesn't require expensive software. Major platforms like Apple, Google, and Microsoft already include powerful, free device management tools for your family's devices. No matter which ecosystem you prefer, you can easily use these features to manage screen time, restrict content, and protect your children.
Apple Family Sharing and Screen Time provide parents with several settings and parental controls to manage your child’s Apple device usage. To set up parental controls on Apple devices, Family Sharing must first be set up on the parent’s device, and then, the child’s Apple account can be added to the Family Sharing Group. Once Content & Privacy Restrictions are turned on, parents can set up and manage child devices through Screen Time on the parent’s device.
Google Family Link is a free app that helps parents manage their children’s Android (7.0 Nougat and higher) and Chromebook (OS v. 71 and higher) devices. The parents’ app can run on Android (7.0 Nougat and higher) and Apple (iOS 16 and higher) devices. Through the app, parents can set screen time limits, block apps, see location, restrict content, and more.
Note: Google Family Link cannot be used on child’s school-provided Google Account.
Microsoft Family Safety (through a Microsoft 365 Family subscription) is a primarily free service offering parental controls for devices using Windows (10 and 11), Xbox (Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S), Android apps and games. These devices can be managed through Microsoft Family Safety app on Android or Apple devices. Once a Family Group is created, family members can be added to the group and devices connected. Apps, games, content, internet, and screen time can be managed through the parent’s app.
Games Management
Roblox has created two levels of child accounts: Roblox Kids (ages 5-8) and Roblox Select (ages 9-15). To enable parental controls in Roblox, a parent will have to create a linked parental controls account or connect your own personal account to your child's account. Parental controls allow parents to manage Content, Chat and Connections , Screen Time, and Spending. Roblox also provides safety resources for parents and children.
Minecraft parental controls are based on which platform your child is using to access Minecraft.
Microsoft and Xbox: see above for Microsoft Family Safety. Once set up, parents can manage online play. Under Xbox Privacy, set You can join multiplayer games to Block or Friends only.
Nintendo: download the Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app from your smartphone’s app store and link it to your console using the registration code displayed on your Switch. In the app, you can set daily time limits and allow or prevent online communication within the game. Fun fact: Nintendo sends a monthly summaries to parents to see how much your child is playing every game.
PlayStation: Download the PlayStation Family app or from the console’s home screen, go to Settings -> Family and Parental Controls -> Family Management. Sign in as the family manager, then select child’s account to customize controls, such as limiting communication with other players and spending controls.
Protecting Kids in Digital Spaces
3-part series from the experts at Evolve Violence Prevention
Sarah DeGue
Sarah DeGue
Sarah DeGue
Other helpful resources
American Academy of Pediatrics
If you are a parent looking for advice about your child’s relationship with technology, the American Academy of Pediatrics provides advice for parents and educations about your child's relationship with technology.
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
To report child sexual exploitation, contact CyberTipline. You can also call and speak directly to someone. 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678)
Take It Down is a service that helps victims get sexually explicit or nude photos and videos taken down from the internet. For more information, check out their FAQ page.
Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media is a great resource that provides unbiased ratings and reviews of all different forms of media. They are an independent, research backed nonprofit.