Learn more

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Parental Controls on Student Devices: What Parents & Educators Need to Know

., you're logged in!
Enjoy this resource and share our programs with your school district to send these resources to your whole community
Tell Your School District About Our Program
., you're logged in!
Share this resource with a parent at .
Copy Share Link
., you're logged in!
Enjoy this demo pass. Click the button to share access with leaders in your school district
Share Your Demo Pass With School District Leaders

When getting new devices for your family, there are many options for parental controls to help monitor and set expectations for your family. We recommend starting a Family Media Agreement and finding the right expectations and controls to help your students develop good habits with technology.

This SmartSocial VIP resource will help parents learn:

  1. How to get a free template for Family Media Agreement and how to start a dialogue with your student
  2. Why it's important to set parental controls on your students' devices
  3. Options for device settings on Apple and Android devices

Start with a Family Media Agreement and dialogue

View the SmartSocial Family Media Agreement template to see different options for creating and discussing expectations for any device with your students. Click here to view the full resource

Why it's important to use parental controls

How smartphones can make students feel

  • Stressed
  • Anxious
  • Depressed

There are also many safety concerns, including:

  • Predators
  • Online bullying
  • Dangerous behaviors (for example, viral challenge videos)

Should I also use parental control software?

  • It can be tough for parents to keep up with changes to the social media landscape
  • There are many great educational tools and tracking control software that can help give parents peace of mind, but you still need to monitor activity
  • The SmartSocial team has done the research for you. Find our recommendations in our Parental Control Software & Cell Phone Monitoring Comparison Guide

Apple Screen Time parental control guide

Click here to view the complete guide for Parental Controls on iPhones and other Apple devices

AirDrop, Nearby Share, & Self Share: How to Turn Off Stranger's Access

Click here to learn how to turn off file sharing on an Apple or Android device

Android's Digital Wellbeing guide for parents

Click here to view the full resource for Android Digital Wellbeing: Complete Guide for Parents

Google Family Link parental control guide

Click here to view the full resource for Family Link: Complete Guide for Parents

Click here to view the full resource for Google Play Parental Controls: How to Block Mature Apps & Media

Parental Controls on Amazon tablets

Amazon FreeTime parental controls let you choose what content your child sees, create educational goals, and set time limits by activity.

To get started, tap on the FreeTime app, select the profile for the child you would like to set limits for and choose “Set Daily Goals & Time Limits.” Tap the toggle to enable settings for your child.

Setting up Child Profiles

Child profiles allow each kid in your household to have a customized Amazon Kids+ experience.

What can Kids+ do? (According to Amazon)

  • Establish a bedtime
  • Set time limits
  • Create goals
  • Use Smart Filters

Managing content

Although there are thousands of books, apps, TV shows and movies within Amazon Kids+, each profile is customizable to add or remove content for a hand-crafted experience for each child.

What can be managed:

  • Set language preferences
  • Share titles you've purchased to your child's profile
  • Remove subscription content from your child's profile
  • Fire on the go
  • Amazon Kids web browser

More parental control and student device resources

Conclusion

Device and app settings can never replace good communication between parents and trusted adults. While these recommended settings can help students stay safer online, parents and educators can help students learn the dangers online and how to make good decisions and build positive digital habits.

Listen to Beth & Andrea discuss parental controls and the Family Media Agreement on MomTalk

Logged in and still not seeing content? This course may not be part of
your membership plan. Click here to join.

Become login to learn more on this topic

Superintendents, Directors and Principals: Request a partnership on this page to unlock our resources for your whole community.

In this resource, parents & educators will learn:

  • How to set up iPhone/Apple smart device settings
  • How to set up Android/Google Family Link parental controls
  • Set up parental controls on Amazon tablets

Login or join theSmartSocial.com membership to read more about the dangers of smart devices for your students safety setting tips.

Become a member or log in to learn more on this topic

Superintendents, Directors and Principals: Request a partnership on this page to unlock our resources for your whole community.
Quotation marks

This is great info, thanks for giving me some ideas on how to start a dialogue with my teen!

StarStarStarStarStar

Sharon M.

Parent VIP Member

Quotation marks

Josh's presentation about social media was unbelievably fantastic. Our students learned so much about what kids should and shouldn't be doing. The fact that it is such a thoughtful process made it all worthwhile.

StarStarStarStarStar

Director of College Advising

Educator Webinar Attendee

Quotation marks

This webinar is a very helpful eye-opener on the apps that are popular with my students.

StarStarStarStarStar

Irene C.

Educator Webinar Attendee

Learn more

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Join Our Next Live Parent Q&A Events

Nov
29

Combat Online Bullying: Supporting Positive Student Behaviors on Campus and at Home

Three times available on this date.

Register Here
Nov
30

Combat Online Bullying: Supporting Positive Student Behaviors on Campus and at Home

Two times available on this date.

Register Here
Nov
30

En Español: Combate el Acoso Cibernético: Apoyando Comportamientos Positivos de los Estudiantes en el Campus y en Casa

This event will be in Spanish audio and it will be the full translation of the English version

Regístrese Aquí

Become a Very Informed Parent (VIP) to get our social media suggestions in your email every Tuesday & Thursday.

Dotted arrow to right
Learn about our
"Very Informed Parent" 
VIP Program
Right arrow
Josh Ochs headshot Round

Schools & Districts: Partner with us to protect your community online

Our remote presentations (and website) teaches over a million students each year how to shine online. We teach students how their accounts can be used to create a portfolio of positive accomplishments that impress colleges and employers.

Partner with SmartSocial.com
Right arrow
SmartSocial podcast logo
Join Our Smart Social Podcast
each week on iTunes

With over 240 episodes, Josh Ochs interviews psychologists, therapists, counselors, teachers, and parents while showing you how to navigate social media to someday shine online.

Listen on: