The new school year is approaching and it’s high time parents everywhere are preparing to take back their children to the system more than ever. Chromebook is now becoming part of the list. While there are so many children who can learn on Chrome, there’s also plenty of harmful content and online predators that can be a real danger to children’s well-being while online.The good news is that Chromebook parental controls offer security settings established on the Family Link-OS. These tools help parents set limits on what children can access online and block inappropriate sites and apps that may be dangerous for the kids.
In this article, you’ll learn how to get Family Link, the various ways of setting up, allowing, and blocking apps, web sites as well as how to monitor your child’s app and web browsing just to ensure that they’re safe online.
What are Chromebook parental controls?
Chromebook parental controls are a set of tools that offers an easy way for parents to manage their children’s access to the internet. The main purpose of these tools is to protect children from harmful content or unwanted contact with strangers online. This is because these tools have the ability to filter out certain types of content, block certain sites, and monitor the amount of time children spend online. With the help of Chrome parental controls, you can rest assured that your children will remain safe while using the internet.
What do Chromebook parental controls feature?
The tools include various amazing tools to help keep your child safe online. With Chrome parental controls, you can easily set limits on your child’s device to understand what type of content they’re accessing online. This can help you set up boundaries, thus making sure that kids stay safe while exploring the internet world.
They allow you to manage the website your child can visit on their Chrome device.
You can limit the child’s ability to grant various websites permission.
Block explicit sites on the Family link so that Chrome browsing can block sexually explicit sites.
Pros of using Chromebook parental controls
- You can access the browsing history of your child.
- You can know when and whom your kid text or make calls with.
- Monitor their social media activities, such as whom they share with, the type of content they like most, and the type of comments they make with online friends.
- Access to your child’s mobile app installation activities.
- Location tracking. The app allows you to trace your child’s whereabouts at any given time.
Cons of using Chromebook parental controls
- Location tracking is not very accurate.
- It’s time-consuming to set up.
How to set up Chromebook parental controls?
Setting up Chrome parental controls is quite an easy and straightforward task. As a caring parent you’re aware of the various dangers on the internet these days and that’s why you may be eager to learn how to set up Chrome parental controls on your child’s device.
Kindly follow these simple implement steps when setting up your Chrome parental controls.
1. Check if you’re using the latest Chrome OS and update if necessary.
The Google Family Link parental controls have been in use since 2018 immediately after the release of version 71 of Chrome OS. It’s therefore important to check if you’re using the latest Chrome version, and if not then update your Chromebook. To update your Chrome, key in the Chrome version in your address bar and read off the top release number. Alternatively;
Select Notification > Go to settings > About Chrome OS and read the displayed version number.
2. Add your child.
In order to manage your kid’s account, you’ll be required to add them to the Chromebook if they have not been added yet. The “Add person” button on the log-in screen enables you to add a kid, but if it has been deactivated from your account, then;
Select Notification > Settings > People > Tap/ Click your account > Add account
You need your child’s email account and password.
3. Tighten up access to your account.
Google makes it clear when it says you’re the primary “Owner “of the account so it’s important to disable Guest Mode. This includes the ability to add new users from your Chrome login screen.
Select Notification area> Go to Settings > People > Manage other people. You can disable Guest option by activating “Restrict sign-in to the following users”.
4. Enable parental controls.
On your child’s account, Select Notification> Settings > People> Parental controls set up
This process will confirm your child’s account that you want to activate Family Link parental controls to. You need to list the devices that you wish to be protected i.e Family Link extends to Google Smart Speakers and Android devices so that you will be managing such devices.
You’ll be required to enter your child’s email and password in addition to any two-factor authentication you’ve put in place.
How to manage Child’s browsing on Chrome?
Once you’re done with setting up your Google Link account, you can now proceed and use the app to manage your child’s website visits on Chrome, limit the child’s ability to grant permission on the website, and allow or block specific sites.
Note: Children signed in to Google Accounts are blocked from using incognito mode.
1. Go to the Family Link app.
2. Select > View on “Child’s profile”.
3. On the settings card > Tap/click Manage.
4. On Google Chrome > Tap Filters.
5. Select the setting you want to activate.
- Allow all settings: This allows your child to use all sites unless you’ve blocked it.
- Try to block any mature sites: This features hides explicit sites and inappropriate content.
- Only permit certain sites: This allows the child to access only the permitted sites.
6. Tap > Manage sites to allow or block specific sites manually.
How to allow or block a site on Chrome?
Google Chrome allows access to particular websites or blocks others. With this, your child will be required to ask for permission before they can visit blocked sites and other Family Link apps so that you can decide if to approve or deny their requests.
1. Go to the Family app.
2. Choose your child.
3. Tap Manage on the Settings card.
4. On Google Chrome > Tap Filters.
5. Tap “Manage” sites and select “Approved” or “Blocked.
6. Tap Add website > Enter the site you want to be blocked or approved.
How to turn off Chromebook parental controls?
Step 1: Start the Family Link app on your Device > Open the app > Choose the child’s account you want to remove from your parental control’s settings.
Step 2: After selecting “Manage settings,” go to the “Controls on Google Play” option. Even if your kid is less than 13, you’ll be able to change the parental settings using this menu.
Step 3: Go back to the “Manage settings” menu and select “Account details” If you want to deactivate all parental restrictions for children below 13 years.
Step 4: Click/ tap “Stop supervision” on your device. Make sure that you check the box and confirm your selection > “Stop Supervision” button once more.
Take further protection by using FlashGet Kids
While both Chrome Parental Control tools and FlashGet Kids offer amazing parental control features, these apps come from different companies which means that they have varying capacities. The primary objective for every parental control app is to ensure children are safe while accessing the internet. You certainly need a parental control app that covers virtually all aspects that can jeopardize your child’s online safety. Here are some of the advanced features you’ll find in FlashGet Kids but not in Chrome parental controls.
Active reports
You’d like to know how your child has been using his/her device for a month-long time. These reports may include the most used app, data usage, and average time spent on the screen among others.
Usage limits
You’d like to set various limits such as maximum time to be spent on the screen, data limits etc.
Real-time location
You’d like to know the exact location where your child is at any given time. Fortunately, FlashGet Kids allows you to monitor your child’s current location even when you’re far away.
Location history
FlashGet Kids gives you the ability to access the location history of your child. This can be useful especially when you do not stay very close to each other.
This feature in FlashGet Kids allows you to restrict the geo-location where your kid can with your permission and if they trespass on your parental control recommendation, you’ll receive an alert.
Instant alerts
The FlashGet Kids app allows you to receive a notification immediately an incident happens with your child.
Apps details & activities
This feature allows you to access the app activities and details of what has been going on with them.
Must-read articles
FAQs
Can you block websites on a Chromebook?
Certainly yes! Chrome parental controls allow you to set browsing restrictions with just a few steps. You need to check the safety restrictions on Chrome browsing, in-app purchases, and Google Search. First are safety restrictions on Chrome browsing, Google Search, and in-app purchases. It has a general restriction gear but you’d like to confirm that each of the features has been blocked; for instance, restricting all purchases. You’ll be asked to check the devices you wish to remove Family Link, manage access, and select all suitable devices. You need to log out and the child to log in back to save the settings.
How do I restrict YouTube on my Chromebook?
Blocking YouTube from your child’s Chromebook is simple and straightforward. Kindly follow these step.
- Go to the Family Link app.
- Select your child’s account.
- Click/tap controls > Content restrictions Google Chrome > Blocked sites or Approved sites.
- Add the YouTube domain/website you’d wish to restrict.
- Tap “Save” in the top left of the page.
