SafeFamily Guide: Smartphone Parental Controls

This guide covers parental controls for iPhone and Android phones/tablets. Platform controls add an additional layer on top of SafeFamily's network-level DNS filtering.

Overview

iPhone: Apple Screen Time provides app limits, content restrictions, and communication controls. Android: Google Family Link offers similar controls for phones and tablets.

Important: SafeFamily DNS filtering protects at the network level when devices use your home WiFi. Platform controls apply on the device itself-including when using mobile data-adding an essential second layer.

iPhone: Apple Screen Time

Step 1: Set Up Screen Time

1. Go to Settings > Screen Time
2. Tap Turn On Screen Time (or Continue if prompted)
3. Choose This is My Child's iPhone for a dedicated child device
4. Or use Family Sharing to manage from your device

Step 2: Content & Privacy Restrictions

1. Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions
2. Enable and configure:
   • Apps: Set age rating (PEGI 3, 7, 12, 16, 18) or block specific apps
   • Web Content: Limit Adult Websites or add Allowed Websites Only
   • Siri: Block explicit language
   • Game Center: Restrict multiplayer, adding friends

Step 3: App Limits

1. Screen Time > App Limits > Add Limit
2. Select app categories (e.g., Social Networking, Games)
3. Set daily time limit (e.g., 1 hour)
4. Enable Block at End of Limit

Step 4: Downtime

1. Screen Time > Downtime
2. Set schedule (e.g., 9:00 PM - 7:00 AM)
3. Choose Block at Downtime for strict enforcement

Step 5: Safari Content Filtering

1. Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy > Content Restrictions
2. Web Content: Choose Limit Adult Websites or Allowed Websites Only
3. Add specific sites to allow list if using strict mode

Android: Google Family Link

Step 1: Install Family Link

1. Parent: Install Google Family Link from Play Store
2. Child: Sign in with (or create) a Google account
3. Link devices via the Family Link app

Step 2: App Restrictions

1. Open Family Link > Select child > Apps
2. Approve or block apps: Review and block inappropriate apps
3. Set limits: Tap an app > Daily limit (e.g., 1 hour)
4. Hide apps: Completely hide apps from the child's device

Step 3: Chrome Content Filtering

1. Family Link > Manage settings > Filters on Google Chrome
2. Choose Try to block mature sites or Only allow certain sites
3. Add allowed sites for strict mode

Step 4: Screen Time & Bedtime

1. Family Link > Daily limit > Set total device time
2. Bedtime: Set when device is locked (e.g., 9:00 PM - 7:00 AM)
3. App-specific limits: Set per-app limits

Step 5: Location Sharing

Family Link can share your child's location. Enable only if you're comfortable; SafeFamily does not track location. This is optional and separate from content filtering.

Age-Appropriate Recommendations

Common Bypass Risks and How SafeFamily Helps

Quick Reference

Last updated: February 2026