How to Protect Kids Online
Protecting kids online isn't about installing one magic app. It's about layered defenses: device controls, conversations, and ongoing checking in. Here's a practical guide that doesn't pretend tech alone solves it.
The basics
Use built-in family controls (Screen Time, Family Link, Microsoft Family). Set up content filtering on your router. Have ongoing conversations. Check in regularly.
iPhone / iPad: Screen Time with Family Sharing
Apple's parental controls are the best in the business when set up right.
- Settings > Family (set up Family Sharing if you haven't)
- Add your child as a family member with their own Apple ID
- On your phone: Settings > Family > tap child > Screen Time
- Set:
- Downtime: hours phone is mostly off (10 PM - 7 AM is common)
- App Limits: daily limits on app categories (social, games)
- Content & Privacy Restrictions: age-appropriate content filters, app store restrictions
- Communication Limits: who they can text and call
- Communication Safety: blurs explicit images automatically
- Require Screen Time passcode (different from device passcode)
Android: Google Family Link
- Install Family Link on your phone
- Set up your child's Google account through Family Link
- Install Family Link on their phone, sign in with their account
- From your phone, control:
- Daily screen time limits
- Bedtime (phone locks at set hour)
- App approval (approve every app before installation)
- Location tracking
- Web filters
Family Link is most effective when the child's account is under 13. Above 13, controls become looser by design.
Windows: Microsoft Family Safety
- family.microsoft.com on your computer
- Add child's Microsoft account
- From your account, manage:
- Screen time
- App and game limits by age rating
- Web filtering
- Spending limits on Xbox/Microsoft Store
- Install Family Safety app on your phone to monitor on the go
Network-level controls (covers all devices)
Your router can filter content for every device on your home Wi-Fi.
Built-in router features
- Eero: Eero Secure ($3/month) adds ad block, content filtering, family profiles
- Google Nest Wifi: Family Wi-Fi feature, free
- Netgear: Circle parental controls (paid)
- Asus: AiProtection (free), blocks malicious sites
DNS-based filtering (works on any router)
Set your router's DNS to a family-safe service:
- OpenDNS Family Shield: 208.67.222.123 and 208.67.220.123 (free)
- Cloudflare for Families: 1.1.1.3 and 1.0.0.3 (free, blocks adult content)
- NextDNS: customizable, free up to 300K queries/month
Set in router admin: WAN settings > DNS > enter the IPs above.
Apps to block or restrict heavily
- TikTok: algorithmic content can become unhealthy fast
- Discord: DM access from any user, used by predators
- Snapchat: disappearing messages, hard to monitor
- Reddit: mature content is rampant
- Roblox: okay with restrictions; chat features are the risk
- Anonymous chat apps: NGL, Sendit, Yik Yak
- Dating apps: Tinder, Bumble (obviously)
YouTube specifically
YouTube's algorithm is famously bad for kids. Options:
- YouTube Kids (curated, ages 4-12)
- Restricted Mode (web YouTube): account settings > Restricted Mode on
- Disable autoplay
- Review watch history together periodically
Set up safe search
- Google: google.com/preferences > SafeSearch on
- Bing: bing.com/account/general > SafeSearch Strict
- Family Link / Screen Time can enforce SafeSearch
What doesn't work very well
- Third-party "monitoring apps" like Bark, Qustodio. They're useful but can be defeated by tech-savvy kids
- Banning everything. Kids find workarounds. Better to allow with limits and have conversations
- One-time setup. Devices and platforms change constantly; revisit settings every few months
The non-tech stuff that matters more
- Talk openly. Make sure they know they can tell you if something happens online without getting in trouble
- Phones out of bedrooms at night. The single most effective intervention
- Know what apps they have. Family Link and Screen Time can enforce this
- Talk about sextortion. It's a real and growing threat for boys especially. Knowing not to send images of themselves is the protection
- Phone-free meals and family time. Model the behavior you want
Resources
- Common Sense Media (commonsensemedia.org) for app and game reviews
- NetSmartz (netsmartz.org) for age-appropriate online safety content
- FBI's Stop Sextortion campaign for the harder conversations
Want help setting this up?
Family controls are fiddly. Isaac can get Screen Time, Family Link, and router filtering set up across your devices in one visit.