How to Set Up Google Chrome Parental Controls for Safer Browsing

To set up Google Chrome parental controls, manage your child’s account Chrome settings and use the Google Family Link app. Dedicated parental control apps can increase Chrome safety.

Why is it important to set up Google Chrome parental controls?

Browsing the internet can be wonderful for children, but it comes with risks. Google Chrome is the most popular browser, with a 66% market share. Thus, it’s easier for children to encounter most online dangers on this browser than on the others.

According to the UN, children are exposed to violent content and hate speech while browsing the internet, including messages that incite self-harm and suicide. With 50% of tweens and teens having been exposed to inappropriate online content, parents are encouraged to manage their child’s digital activities.

Google Chrome parental controls are simple to apply and are available for everyone. We’ve prepared this article to provide a detailed guide on how to do this, so stick around to the end.

Use Google Chrome Settings

Chrome settings offer basic features to manage a child’s account, such as safe search and privacy settings.

How to Turn on Safe Search

You can turn on Safe Search directly on your child’s device using the Google Search app or Google Family Link. This feature allows you to control the results of Google searches.

To turn on Safe Search on your child’s device:

1. Open the Google Search app and tap on your child’s profile icon.
   
2. Tap Safe Search and select Filter to filter out results with explicit sites, images, text, and links. The Blur option will blur explicit images, but not links and text.
   

How to Manage Privacy Settings

Privacy settings allow you to choose the type of data Google Chrome saves on your child’s account. You can prevent Google from saving your child’s personal information.

To manage privacy settings:

1. Open the Google Chrome browser on your child’s phone, and tap on the account’s photo to see settings and choose Privacy and Security.
   
2. Go to the “You can manage what Chrome data is saved in your Google Account” section. You can turn off “Sync everything” option and select what to sync manually.
   
   Or tap Personalization to manage activity controls and your Web & App activity.
3. Under Web & App Activity, Tap Turn Off. When this feature is turned off, Google will not provide a personalized browsing experience. However, you can leave it on since Google does not use your child’s personal information and browsing history to personalize ads.
   

Use Google Family Link

Google Chrome parental controls work best with a child account managed by Family Link.

Google Family Link is a parental control tool that allows parents to monitor their children’s online activities. Your child can sign in to Google Chrome on Android, Chromebook, iPhone, iPad, Windows, Mac, and Linux computers and have a safe browsing experience as long as their account is linked to Family Link.

Otherwise, they will have a browsing experience similar to that of adults.

To link a child’s account, download the Family Link app on both your devices.

If your kid doesn’t have a separate account, you’ll need to create one to use Family Link.

If your child has a Google account, follow the guide to set up Family Link.

After you link your child’s device to Google Family Link, Google will apply default safety measures like turning off incognito mode and turning on the [try to block explicit sites] feature.

You can then customize various Google Chrome settings for your child’s supervised Google account.

For example, from there on, you can turn on Safe Search remotely. To do this, go to the Family Link app > tab Controls > Content Restrictions.

Then, Google Search > under Safe Search, choose the Filter or Blur option.

Google Chrome Content Restrictions

The Google Chrome content restrictions feature lets you manage which sites your child can visit on the Chrome browser.

1. Open the Family Link app and tap on “Controls” tab > Content Restrictions.
   
2. Select Google Chrome. You will see options to allow all sites, try to block explicit sites, or only allow approved sites.
   
3. Tap Manage Sites to add approved or blocked sites to a list.
   
4. Tap Advanced Settings to allow or block sites from using various features on your child’s device, such as the camera, location, and microphone. Advanced settings also help you prevent your child from adding extensions and allow them to block cookies.
   

Can a Child Bypass Chrome Parental Controls?

A child cannot bypass content restrictions set on the Google Family Link app. However, they can log out of Chrome, which will prevent Family Link settings from being applied to their account.

Use Parental Control App

A parental control app like uMobix is a great option for Google Chrome parental controls, since it lets you see your child’s browsing activity and also helps you manage which sites they can access.

With uMobix, you can see your child’s browsing history, block specific websites, and get alerts for certain keywords, such as foul language. Moreover, uMobix takes screenshots of their screen so you can see what your child is currently viewing on their phone.

uMobix not only helps you manage your child’s internet activity, but it’s a comprehensive tracker for Android devices. It can monitor location and track calls, text messages, and activity on social media apps.

Try uMobix

Chrome Settings VS Family Link VS Third-Party App

Basic Chrome settings for kids’ safety is a must for parents. But to understand whether you need more parental control tools, let’s compare in the table below.

Conclusion

Chrome parental controls provide settings for managing your child’s activity on Google Chrome using privacy settings and the Family Link app. You can filter search results, block specific sites, and manage the data that Google collects.

Still, a parental control tool like uMobix or other offers a comprehensive method of phone monitoring for a safe online experience.