Buying Your Kid a Phone for the Holidays? A Guide to Cell Phone Parental Controls

According to Common Sense Research, 43% of kids aged 8 to 12 and 88%-95% of teens aged 13 to 18 have their own smartphone. As essential as phones are to learning and socializing today, handing one over to your child comes with a lot of risks. That’s where parental controls come in.

If you’re buying your child a phone this holiday season, it's important to set up the right controls from day one. Not only do these help protect kids from harmful content, but they also promote responsible screen time and help kids use technology in a safe and healthy way. Luckily, mobile providers are well aware of the concerns most parents have and offer some tools to help you out.

The Role of Mobile Providers in Parental Controls

Most mobile providers today offer built-in parental controls that make managing your child's screen time and online activity easier. Whether it's limiting app usage or blocking certain websites, these tools give you control over what your child can and cannot access.

Some common features offered by mobile providers include:

• Time limits: Dopamine hits from scrolling on apps can become addicting. You can set daily screen time limits to ensure your child isn’t glued to their phone 24/7.
• Content blocking: There’s explicit or crude content on the Internet that isn’t meant for the eyes of children. This feature allows you to block inappropriate websites, apps, or games.
• Location tracking: You can track your child’s phone location so you know where they are at all times.
• App monitoring: You can keep an eye on which apps your child is downloading and using.

Different parents will have their own unique feelings about using some of the features mentioned above. It’s up to you to decide which are necessary to keep your kids safe while also continuing to build trust between you and your child. Setting up these controls is generally simple and can be done through your provider’s website or an app. But it’s worth knowing that each phone has its own way of managing parental controls as well.

How to Set Up Parental Controls

To make sure your child’s phone is set up for safe use, you’ll need to configure the parental control settings on their device. Here's how to do it for both Android and Apple devices.

Android Phones

1. Open Settings: Go to the “Settings” app on your child’s Android phone.
2. Set up a Google Family Link account: Download the Google Family Link app. Follow the on-screen steps to create a family group and connect your child’s phone to yours.
3. Configure settings: In Family Link, you can set app limits, content filters, view the overall screen time in your child’s account, and set time limits.
4. Turn on location tracking: You can enable location tracking through Family Link so you know your child’s location and where your child’s phone is at all times.
5. Monitor activity: Use Family Link to check daily reports on which apps your child uses the most.

Apple Devices (iPhones)

1. Open Settings: On an iPhone, open “Settings” and tap “Screen Time.”
2. Set Up Screen Time for your child: Tap “Set Up Screen Time for Family” and follow the instructions to link their phone to yours.
3. Create a passcode: Set a passcode to prevent your child from changing the Screen Time settings.
4. Set content and privacy restrictions: You can restrict access to explicit content, limit app usage, and block certain websites.
5. Enable location tracking: Go to “Find My” and make sure location sharing is enabled to keep track of your child’s location and quickly find where your kid’s phone is if they lose it.

Best Parental Control Apps

In addition to built-in parental controls, there are some fantastic third-party mobile apps that can help manage screen time, monitor phone usage, and offer other permissions. Here are a few of the best parental control apps:

Qustodio™ Parental Control

This app has the right tools to improve online safety and help your child develop healthy smartphone habits. The app provides comprehensive monitoring, including web filtering, blocking of certain social media apps (e.g., Snapchat or TikTok), blocking of other specific apps, and screen time management. It also includes location tracking and SMS monitoring. It’s available on Android, iOS, and other platforms.

Learn more about Qustodio™

Bark

Bark monitors your child's texts, emails, and social media accounts for signs of inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and even potential threats. It sends alerts to parents if something concerning is detected. The app also allows you to set custom daily screen time schedules for your child’s device and even helps you keep restrictions in place no matter how YouTube is accessed while connected to Bark.

Learn more about Bark

Net Nanny

Net Nanny is well-known for its strong web-filtering capabilities. It also provides real-time alerts about unsafe content and allows you to set screen time limits.

Learn more about Net Nanny

FamilyTime

FamilyTime allows parents to manage screen time, block apps, and set homework or bedtime schedules to make sure their kids aren't distracted during key moments.

Learn more about FamilyTime

What About TV App Controls?

Your kids may have downloaded apps like YouTube TV, Hulu, or Netflix on their phones if you have a subscription to those TV streaming services. Some of these apps offer their own parental controls within. Additionally, several TV providers that partner with SmartMove offer comprehensive parental control features.

Can Kids Get Around Parental Controls?

While parental controls are effective, kids today are tech-savvy and might find ways to bypass restrictions. Some may figure out how to delete apps, use incognito mode, or reset their devices to factory settings.

To minimize this risk we recommend you use strong passwords, avoid sharing them with your child, and regularly monitor their usage. For extra security, use parental control apps like Qustodio, Bark, and other specific apps listed in the section above, which provide more advanced features than what’s typically built into the phone or mobile plan.

Recommendations for Setting Realistic Rules for Phone Usage

Digital devices are here to stay, and it’s nearly impossible to fully shield your children from them. While it might feel tempting to control everything about their phone use, setting fair and realistic rules is the best way to help them build healthy digital habits. This also shows your child that your relationship is based on trust and respect.

Here are some general guidelines:

• Children under 6: Young children should have no more than one hour of screen time a day, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. This screen time should be limited to high-quality and educational content.
• Ages 6–12: Limit screen time to 1–2 hours daily. In addition to digital play and learning time, create “tech-free zones” at home where kids can play in an unplugged and unstructured manner — either outdoors or in another part of the house (e.g., play area).
• Teens: Allow more freedom but set clear household rules about when and where they can use their phone (e.g., no phones at the dinner table or during family time). This will depend on your unique preferences, needs, and boundaries.

The goal is to provide structure but also allow some flexibility, as your child shows they can manage their phone usage responsibly. It’s also possible for parents to set an example for our children and become aware of how often we get overtaken by our own devices.

Privacy and Security Considerations

It’s important to safeguard personal data on your child’s device and ensure their online interactions are safe. Here’s how you can enhance privacy and security:

Protecting Personal Data

Make sure your child uses a strong password, enables two-factor authentication, and understands the risks of sharing their personal information with strangers and acquaintances alike. Remind them not to give out phone numbers, addresses, or passwords to anyone online unless they have permission from their parents to do so.

Cyberbullying and Online Harassment

Teach your child how to recognize cyberbullying and encourage them to report it. Parental control tools can help by allowing you to monitor their messages and interactions. It’s important to encourage open communication so your child feels comfortable discussing any problems they run into online.

How to Adjust Parental Controls as Your Child Grows

As your child becomes more responsible, you can adjust parental controls to give them more freedom. For example, you might increase their daily screen time or allow access to certain apps that were previously blocked. The key is to have ongoing discussions about responsible phone use and what they’re ready to handle.

How SmartMove Can Help You Find the Right Mobile Provider

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the range of parental control options, SmartMove can help. We offer comparisons of mobile providers, making it easier to find a plan with the right parental control features for your family’s needs. Whether you’re looking for affordable data or advanced safety features, SmartMove provides the guidance you need to make an informed decision.