Chromecast with Google TV Parental Controls & Safety Guide
Set up Google Family Link supervision, child profiles and content filters on Chromecast with Google TV so streaming and casting are age-appropriate.
Chromecast with Google TV is a streaming dongle that runs Google TV on top of Android TV. It supports Google profiles, including supervised child accounts managed through Google Family Link, and any device on the same Wi-Fi network can also cast videos, photos or music to it. Without configuration, children can sign in to an adult profile, watch unrated YouTube videos and receive casts from visiting devices. Profile-based content filters, Family Link supervision and guest-mode controls together make the device much safer.
Main risks
- • Children swapping to an adult Google profile and bypassing content filters
- • Unrestricted YouTube watching with autoplay leading to age-inappropriate videos
- • Other devices on the home network casting unexpected content to the TV
- • Voice search via Google Assistant returning explicit results
Initial setup steps
Sign the Chromecast in with the family's Google account
During first set up, sign in with the household's main Google account. Skip the option to make purchases without a password.
Add a Family Link supervised kid profile
From the profile selector on the Google TV home screen choose 'Add a kid' and follow the Family Link prompts on your phone. Each child needs their own profile so content filters apply to them, not to the household account.
Set content filters in Family Link
Open Family Link on your phone, pick your child and go to Controls > Content restrictions. Set film and TV ratings for Google TV, enable SafeSearch and require approval for new app installs.
Lock down casting
In the Google Home app, open the Chromecast's settings and turn off 'Let others control your cast media' and 'Guest Mode'. Casting now requires being signed in to the family Google account on the same Wi-Fi network.
Parental control settings
Kids Profile
Location: Profile selector > Add a kid > Use Family Link
Recommended: One supervised kids profile per child, linked via Family Link
Limits the home screen to apps you have approved in Family Link, applies SafeSearch and blocks the Google Play Store from installs without approval.
App Approvals
Location: Family Link app on parent's phone > Child > Controls > Apps
Recommended: Require approval for all new installs
Every Play Store install from the child's profile triggers a notification on your phone that you must approve before the app downloads.
YouTube on TV
Location: YouTube app on Google TV > sign in with a supervised account, or use YouTube Kids
Recommended: Use YouTube Kids for under-9s; supervised YouTube experience for 9-12
Switches YouTube into a child-safe library with restricted content categories. YouTube without supervision is rated 13+ in the UK.
Guest Mode and Cast Controls
Location: Google Home app > Device settings > Recognition & sharing > Let others control your cast media
Recommended: Off; Guest Mode off
Stops devices on the network from casting to the TV without being signed in to the family account, and turns off the Bluetooth-based Guest Mode that lets nearby phones cast without Wi-Fi.
Age recommendations
Supervised kid profile, YouTube Kids only, app installs requiring approval, casting locked to family devices.
Supervised kid profile, regular YouTube only with the supervised experience, content rating capped at PG, approval required for any new app.
Supervised account still recommended. Raise content rating to 12 if appropriate, keep app approval on and review watched lists in Family Link.