How do I set up Family Link or Screen Time?

On Android, install Google Family Link and link it to your child's account to manage apps, screen time and content. On Apple devices, set up Screen Time in Settings and use Family Sharing to manage it remotely. Both are free and built in. Setting them up early, before problems arise, makes managed settings feel normal rather than a punishment.

Can my child turn off Family Link or Screen Time?

When set up correctly with a parent passcode and through a child account, these tools are difficult for a child to disable, though determined teenagers sometimes find workarounds. Use a passcode they do not know, check the settings occasionally, and treat any sudden change, such as a new VPN appearing, as a prompt for a conversation.

Tech and online

Family Link / Screen Time

Built-in parental control tools on Android (Family Link) and Apple (Screen Time) devices. They allow parents to manage app access, screen time, and content restrictions.

Family Link / Screen Time is the built-in parental control tools on Android (Family Link) and Apple (Screen Time) devices, which let parents manage app access, time limits and content restrictions.

In plain English

Built-in parental control tools on Android (Family Link) and Apple (Screen Time) devices. They allow parents to manage app access, screen time, and content restrictions.

Why it matters

These tools are free, integrated, and updated by the manufacturer, making them the most reliable starting point for most families. Used early, they normalise the idea that devices have settings parents help manage, rather than being introduced as a punishment later.

Frequently Asked Questions

This is practical educational content to support families. For case-specific concerns about a child's safety, contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or your local safeguarding team.

Last reviewed: 2026-05-17

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