How to Set Up Parental Controls and Screen Time on iPhone and Android in the US
Handing a child a phone is a big step, and most parents want two things at once: enough freedom for the child to learn and stay in touch, and enough guardrails to keep surprises to a minimum. Both iPhone and Android have built in tools for this, and you do not need to buy extra software to get started. This guide covers the main setup on each platform in the US, including time limits, app approvals, content filters and location sharing, plus a few habits that make the controls work better in real life.
A quick note before you start: parental controls work best when a child knows they are there and why. A short conversation about which apps are allowed, when the phone should be put away, and what to do if something strange appears online will do more than any setting alone. Think of the tools below as the fence, and the conversation as the reason to stay inside it.
Step 1: Set up the family account first
On iPhone, the parent tool is built into Family Sharing and Screen Time. Go to Settings, then Family, and follow the prompts to create a child account or invite a child who already has one. For a younger child, you can create an Apple ID for them with your approval. Once the child account is part of your family group, you can manage their Screen Time from your own phone. That matters, because it means you do not need to hold their phone every time you want to change a limit.
On Android, the main tool is Google Family Link. Install the Family Link app on your own phone, then follow the steps to create a supervised Google account for your child or to supervise an existing account. You will then pair the child's Android phone or tablet with your Family Link app. During setup you will be asked about app permissions, content filters and location settings. Take your time here, because these early choices set the baseline for everything else. If your child already uses a phone without supervision, Family Link will walk you through adding supervision, though some existing settings may need a reset.
Step 2: Set daily time limits and downtime
On iPhone, open Settings, then Screen Time, then choose your child's name under Family. Tap App Limits to set a daily limit for a category, such as games or social media, or for a single app. Tap Downtime to schedule hours when only calls and apps you allow are available, for example during school hours or after bedtime. You can also set a passcode for Screen Time so a child cannot change these settings from their own phone.
On Android with Family Link, open the Family Link app, choose your child's profile, then look for Screen time or Daily limits. You can set a daily limit and a bedtime schedule. When bedtime starts, the device locks except for calls in many setups, which helps avoid late night scrolling. If your child needs extra time for homework on a particular day, Family Link lets you grant bonus time from your phone without changing the regular schedule. That flexibility helps, because a rigid limit that blocks homework will quickly lose trust.
Step 3: Control which apps can be installed and used
App approvals are one of the most useful controls. On iPhone, go to Screen Time for your child, then Content and Privacy Restrictions, and turn that switch on. Under iTunes and App Store Purchases, you can require your approval before your child installs or buys an app. When they try to download something new, you get a request on your device and can approve or decline it. You can also block specific built in apps, such as the web browser or camera, if you want a simpler phone for a younger child.
Step 4: Filter web content
Web filtering is handled differently on each platform, but the goal is the same: reduce the chance of a child landing on adult or otherwise unsuitable content by accident. On iPhone, in Content and Privacy Restrictions, go to App Store, Media, Web and Games, then Web Content, and choose Limit Adult Websites or Allowed Websites Only. The stricter option lets you list only the sites you approve, which suits younger children. You can also add specific sites to an always allowed or never allowed list.
On Android, Family Link lets you manage web filtering through Google Chrome settings and SafeSearch. You can turn on filters that block adult sites in search results and in the browser. For a younger child, consider pairing this with a kid friendly browser or a supervised account that limits browsing to approved sites. No filter is perfect, and determined searching can sometimes get around one, so treat filtering as a safety net rather than a guarantee, and keep the conversation from step one going.
Step 5: Use location sharing and review usage together
Location sharing can bring peace of mind, especially for a child who walks to school or takes a bus alone. On iPhone, Family Sharing includes location sharing, which you can turn on in Settings, then Family, then Location Sharing. Your child can see that sharing is on, which keeps it transparent. On Android, Family Link includes location settings that let you see the device location from your app. Talk about this openly. The point is safety, not secret tracking, and a child who understands that is more likely to keep the phone charged and with them.
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