Phone settings every parent should know about

Giving your child their first phone comes with a whole new list of things to think about. Along with teaching them not to leave it on the bus, there are some simple settings that can help protect them online, manage what they can access and give you a little more peace of mind.

Here are some useful settings to check on your child's phone, starting with Android.
 

Android

Set up Google Family

Google Family Link gives parents tools to manage a child's Google account and Android device. You can use it to set screen time limits, approve or block apps, manage Google Play downloads and see where a child's supervised device is, where supported. It's a good place to start if you want some basic parental controls without having to manage everything manually.
 

Check App Permissions

Apps can ask for access to things such your child's location, camera, microphone, contacts and photos.

Head to Settings → Privacy → Permission Manager and take a look at which apps have access to what. If a game really needs access to your child's contacts, great. If not, there's no reason to give it.

Turn on SafeSearch Google's SafeSearch can help filter explicit content from Google Search results. It's worth checking this is switched on, particularly for younger children. Remember that SafeSearch only applies to Google Search, so it isn't a replacement for broader parental controls.

Review YouTube settings If your child uses YouTube, look at the options available through YouTube Kids or a supervised YouTube experience, depending on their age. These can give you more control over the content they can access and how they use the app.
 

Check location sharing

Location can be useful for keeping track of where your child is, but it's worth knowing exactly which apps and people can see it.

Review Location permissions and check any location-sharing services your child uses. Turn off access for apps that don't need it.
 

iPhone

Set up Family Sharing and Screen Time

Apple's Family Sharing and Screen Time give parents a range of controls from their own Apple device.

You can set limits for apps and categories, schedule Downtime, restrict certain content and control purchases and downloads.

Go to Settings → Screen Time on your child's iPhone, or manage their settings through your Family Sharing group.
 

Turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions

This is one of the most useful places to look on an iPhone.

Under Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions, you can restrict things such as app installations and purchases, explicit content, web content and changes to important settings.

You can also prevent your child from changing things such as their location-sharing settings without your approval.
 

Check app permissions

Just like Android, iPhones let you control what individual apps can access.

Go to Settings → Privacy & Security and work through categories such as Location Services, Photos, Contacts, Camera and Microphone.

You might be surprised how many apps have asked for access over time.
 

Limit web content

Under Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions → App Store, Media, Web & Games → Web Content, you can choose to limit access to adult websites or restrict websites to an approved list.

For younger children, a more restricted approach may be appropriate.
 

Check location sharing

Under Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services, you can see which apps have access to your child's location.

You can also review location sharing through Find My and Family Sharing to make sure you know who can see your child's location.
 

A few settings are worth checking on any phone

Whatever phone your child has, it's worth taking a few minutes to check the basics.

Keep the phone and apps updated. 
Updates often include important security fixes as well as new features.

Use a strong passcode. 
Avoid obvious combinations such as birthdays or 1234.

Turn on two-factor authentication. 
Where available, this adds another layer of protection to important accounts.

Talk about privacy. 
Settings can help, but they're not a substitute for a conversation about what your child shares online, who they talk to and what they should do if something makes them uncomfortable.

Review the settings regularly. 
As kids get older, their phones, apps and online habits change. A quick settings check every few months can make sure the protections you've put in place still make sense.
 

The important bit

There isn't one magic setting that makes a child's phone completely safe. The best approach is a combination of sensible parental controls, good privacy settings and ongoing conversations about what's happening online.

And remember, the settings and features available can vary depending on your child's age, phone model and software version. If something looks a little different on their phone, don't panic. Search the phone's settings for the feature you're looking for and you'll usually find it.