Affiliate Disclaimer When the phrase “parental control” is used, parents hear “peace of mind and security” and occasionally “power”, while children hear “prohibitions”, “restrictions”, and even “slavery” (the child should say this in an accusatory tone with a pained face).
Still, parental control is an inherent part of parenting, while having a different perception of physical and psychological aspects of raising a child. Meanwhile, the plural form of a word — parental controls — has become a concept of the new digital era, representing a set of features and software for children’s digital safety. Still, it began well before PCs and the Internet settled in our homes.
An author, experienced editor-in-chief, journalist, and mother.
“Parental control — it’s different. An older relative of mine used to tie her one-year-old daughter to a tree to keep her from crawling away while her mother worked in the fields. I had a strict schedule of what time I had to be home. My daughter has a strict schedule for how long she can play on the tablet.
Whatever level of parental control you adhere to, it will always seem strict to your child and not enough to you. Just remember to do it with love and in their best interest, not your own”.
In this article, we examine the life of the fictional Johnson family to explore the evolution of parental control from ancient times to the digital age, analyzing its various forms and their impacts on modern parenting.
We have also prepared supporting materials on how to explain to young children and teenagers why parental control, in particular over their use of gadgets, is so important.
Up-to-date statistics and expert comments will provide more arguments for parents themselves. Join us on a journey through essential parental control, where every detail matters.
Why is Parental Control Important?
Comprehensive Safety
Ensures overall safety and security of children in both physical and digital realms
Balanced Growth
Promotes a healthy balance between academic pursuits, physical activities, and social interactions
Moral Development
Aids in developing a strong moral and ethical foundation
Privacy and Security
Protects children’s privacy and personal information
Emergency Readiness
Enhances readiness to handle emergencies and ensures children follow safety protocols
Preventing Addiction
Helps prevent various forms of addiction, ensuring well-rounded development
History of Parental Control
Parental control has existed as long as humans have been around. In fact, if referring to biblical history, the first instance of parental control is the prohibition by God, as the father-creator of Adam and Eve, from eating fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
The fairness of such parental control is still debated to this day. However, challenging the rules of parents is the eternal destiny of all children.
Before Technologies Exist
Archeological evidence suggests that ancient societies employed various methods to guide and supervise children.
Parents and extended family members were responsible for educating children and instilling moral values. The tools for control were rudimentary, including storytelling, moral instruction, and physical discipline.
● Ancient Mesopotamia (Around 2000 BCE)
In ancient Mesopotamia, Mr. Johnson would likely have been involved in farming, trade, or crafts. The youngsters of Johnson’s might attend a temple school, where they learned to read and write cuneiform, a privilege not common among all children.
Still, who knows what was better? At home, you should get up at sunrise and help your parents with whatever they are doing: grinding grain, carrying small bundles, weaving or spinning wool, tending to animals, or gathering firewood.
However, there was no way around it, as discipline was strict, with a strong emphasis on obedience and respect for elders. After dinner, the kids might sit together and listen to stories and proverbs about the gods and legends to teach moral lessons.
● Ancient Greece and Sparta (c.800-300 BCE)
Obviously, parenting styles differed. If the Johnsons had moved to Sparta, the weak could not have survived there because of the great emphasis on health and physical discipline. It was not easy for the healthy and strong youngsters either, as they were deprived of privileges and publicly shamed for disobedience.
And yes, the parents were okay with it. Remind your children of this next time, and they will thank you for your home is not Sparta. I hope.
No wonder that the Johnsons’ kids would rather live in Ancient Greece or China with their delicate, philosophical, and spiritually elevated parenting methods. People there fostered intellectual curiosity and dialogue with children, using the Socratic method of conversational correction and elements of Chinese Confucianism.
● Ancient Rome (753 BC – 476 AD)
In Roman society with its paterfamilias, Mr. Johnson would hold absolute authority and control over the family. He had the power to decide matters of education, marriage, and discipline.
Children, especially sons, were expected to obey their father unquestioningly.
If Dad said no Gladiator or Hercules games, then so be it.
A Roman son remained under his father’s legal authority even as an adult, unable to own property independently until his father’s death.
● Renaissance (14-17th centuries)
Such paternal control was mainly maintained for centuries, continuing in the hierarchical feudal societies of medieval Europe and the Renaissance, with an emphasis on quality education. Throughout these times, only the sons of our Mr. Johnson have had opportunities to make their fortunes through education and Daddy’s inheritance.
While the daughters were merely household extras for their mothers and then for their husbands, with whom the father also agreed. Yep, they just didn’t know about feminism back then.
● New Education Movement (1900-1940s)
It was only in the early 1900s that various psychological movements aimed at the spiritual, creative, and more independent development of children began to emerge, and Mr. Johnson’s daughters could get their chance, too.
This period is often referred to as the Progressive Education Movement or the New Education Movement. Key figures such as Maria Montessori, John Dewey, and Rudolf Steiner (founder of Waldorf education) advocated for educational reforms that focused on nurturing the whole child — intellectually, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.
Parental Control & Books
With the advent of the printing press and the spread of books in the 16-17th centuries, parents were concerned about the moral and spiritual content of what children read. Thus, the Bible and religious tracts were often the primary approved reading materials in Mr. Johnson’s family.
Obviously, the very example of Adam and Eve being punished for disobedience was a clear lesson for the children of that time.
In the 18th century, during the Enlightenment, there was a shift towards more secular texts, but concerns about moral guidance remained. Parents and educators emphasized reading material that taught virtues and proper behavior.
The 19th century witnessed the emergence of children’s literature as a distinct genre, alongside strict parental control over it. Many children’s books of this period were didactic, teaching moral lessons.
Books such as Aesop’s Fables and Grimm’s Fairy Tales were edited to remove content deemed inappropriate or too frightening for children. Yes, those editions of these books that you know now are already censored.
For example, the “Hansel and Gretel” tale initially includes more graphic descriptions of the witch’s plans to eat the children. Meanwhile, the wicked queen from “Snow White” in the original version is forced to dance to her death in red-hot iron shoes as punishment.
Still, who knows what would have a better impact on Mr. Johnson’s kids. Some parents still believe that fear (or a clear example of the consequences of doing the wrong thing) is one of the effective parental control tactics.
Eventually, the 20th century brought a proliferation of genres and media, including comic books, magazines, and eventually digital media. Parental control expanded to include concerns about violence, sexuality, and other mature themes.
Books like “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger and “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee faced bans and challenges from parents and school boards concerned about their content, profanity, and vulgar language.
Parental Control & Radio and TV
The introduction of radio in the 1920s brought new challenges. Just imagine the Johnsons getting hold of this ultra-trendy gadget at the time, from which there were constant talks and music. Naturally, no one could tear themselves away from the radio.
But then Mrs. Johnson starts noticing that her children couldn’t sleep properly because of the crime dramas and horror shows they listened. Or Mr. Johnson gets uncomfortable questions from kids who heard some risqué jokes in a radio vaudeville show.
The Johnsons realized they had to monitor and regulate the content their children were exposed to. This period saw the emergence of ratings systems and guidelines to help parents control media consumption, such as the NAB Code of Ethics for radio and television, and then the Television Code.
At the time, it was more relevant than ever, as by 1955, more than half of all U.S. homes already had a black-and-white TV.
A 1961 Stanford University study on 6,000 children found that more than half of the kids studied watched “adult” programs. Still, at that time “adult” meant Westerns, crime shows, and shows that featured “emotional problems”. Nevertheless, researchers were shocked by the violent scenes present even in children’s TV programs.
In the early 1980s, a new obsession emerged — video games. I am not sure if it was only the Johnson children who would have played them; surely Mr. Johnson himself was into it, too. Pong and Pac-Man were simple, but kids could spend hours playing, and parents — fretting.
In 1999, impressed by the idiocracy of the British kids’ show Teletubbies — humanoids that couldn’t even speak properly, — pediatricians updated their recommendations, noting that children under 2 should not watch TV at all. Thinking back to those creatures, it definitely makes sense for all people.
● Early 1930s
The group of moms called the Scarsdale Woman’s Club bitterly declared that present radio programs “shatter nerves, stimulate emotions of horror, and teach bad grammar.” They pushed the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) to create a code of ethics for children’s programming, with certain radio hours appropriate for minors.
● 1935
The NAB Code of Ethics for radio and television was adopted. It encouraged family-friendly programming, prohibiting indecent content, especially during hours when children were likely to be listening. This was a ground for future parental control measures, such as content rating systems and blocking technologies.
● 1951
The Code of Practices for Television Broadcasters was issued. The Television code that worked from 1952 to 1983 prohibited the use of profanity, the negative portrayal of family life, illicit sex, drunkenness, biochemical addiction, presentation of cruelty, detailed techniques of crime, and the use of horror for its own sake, among others.
● 1984
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) officially warned parents about the potential for television to promote violent or aggressive behavior, foster obesity, early sexual activity, drug and alcohol use, abuse, and worsen school performance.
Parental Control in the Digital Era
Only with the Telecommunications Act of 1996 were parents given the technical means to directly and manually regulate what their children watch on television. V-chip technology was introduced and has become mandatory for all televisions manufactured in the United States since 2000.
The U.S. President Bill Clinton holding a V-chip in 1996
Due to V-chip technology, our Mr. Johnson could block programs based on their rating score, for example, for violence and sex content. Moreover, there was an option to set a PIN code for older children so that they could not change the settings.
Demo of how V-chip works in 1996
The same year, the television industry announced the creation of the TV Parental Guidelines — recommendations and instructions for parents that have been updated and remain available to this day.
As for online content, initially, there were minimal regulations governing it. When the Johnsons first got the internet, it was a relatively new and unregulated space, allowing for a wide range of content, including pornography, to be easily accessible.
Early search engines and web directories lacked sophisticated filtering mechanisms. Kids could accidentally or intentionally come across inappropriate content through simple searches or by clicking on misleading links.
Nevertheless, by the mid-1990s, the Johnsons could use the pioneers of parental control: Net Nanny and CyberPatrol.
In 1994, Net Nanny introduced a browser that filtered web and chat room content, blocked images, and masked profanity.
Meanwhile, CyberPatrol released its first parental control software in 1998, allowing parents to set up filters to block certain websites and monitor their children’s online activity.
Meanwhile, Verizon and Apple played a role in the development of mobile parental controls.
The first iOS parental control tool only allowed the creation of age brackets to block unwanted applications from being downloaded. However, in the years since, it has become a launching pad for software developers to create the parental control tools we are familiar with today.
Nevertheless, in an interview with the New York Times in 2010, Steve Jobs revealed that his children had not used the iPad at all and that he and his wife had limited their children’s access to technology.
If only Steve had known what was coming in 2025. Even with numerous professional parental control apps and supervision systems available on social media platforms, no one was prepared for the new reality brought about by artificial intelligence.
At first, the world and our Johnson family met multiple chats of generative AI, like a gift from god OpenAI (Elon Musk, Sam Altman, and co.). Ms. Johnson could only dream of having such a helper with kids’ homework. While Mr. Johnson could send his minors to Mr. ChatGPT with all the questions he didn’t know.
Right until Adam Raine, a 16-year-old from California, died by suicide in April 2025. His parents allege that ChatGPT contributed to their son’s death by encouraging him to explore suicide methods and concealing his intentions from family and friends. ChatGPT responses validated Adam’s suicidal thoughts and provided instructions for self-harm.
Meanwhile, it occurred that some AI chatbots (like the one from Meta) have engaged in romantic or sexual conversations with teens.
At that moment, Mr. & Ms. Johnson understood that AI may be more evil than good. Fortunately (or perhaps forcibly), OpenAI recognized this as well and introduced its parental controls for ChatGPT and Sora in September 2025. Musk’s Grok also implemented Kids Mode.
Still, the moral is that, being unable to control every digital thing our children inevitably encounter, the main parental control is not digital. And here we go to the discussion of its other types that the Johnson family should use.
Types of Parental Control
The advancement of technology doesn’t mean that parents now control only this part of kids’ lives.
Parental control can be categorized into different types, each focusing on various aspects of parenting and child-rearing.
Physical Controls
It begins literally from the moment of a child’s birth. Mr. Johnson might consider installing child-proof locks on cabinets containing hazardous materials, such as cleaning products or sharp objects.
Elder kids get set boundaries on where they can go, physical locks on devices, while Mrs. Johnson may consider using GPS trackers to monitor children’s locations.
Psychological Controls
This type has a more negative connotation.
“I work so hard to provide for you, and this is how you repay me?” — Mr. Johnson shouts at his son. This is guilt-tripping — a form of psychological parental control that we don’t want to use.
“I sacrifice so much for you, and you can’t even do this one thing for me?” — Mrs. Johnson says to her daughter and welcomes emotional blackmail in her parenting.
Conditional love, comparison to others, and gaslighting are three other techniques of psychological parental control that can’t be considered good parenting methods. They are just manipulation or coercion.
Amanda Sheffield Morris
Expert in child development and family studies
“Psychological control involves parenting behaviors that are overly manipulative and intrusive, such as guilt induction and withdrawal of love, which can have harmful effects on children’s emotional well-being and independence.”
Educational Controls
This is what we are aiming for. Educational controls involve guiding and shaping children’s behaviors through teaching and imparting knowledge about appropriate behaviors and consequences.
For example, a possible conversation between Mr. Johnson and his child:
“Remember, not everyone online is who they say they are. Just like you wouldn’t talk to strangers in the park, you shouldn’t talk to strangers online.”
“But some people online are really friendly.”
“They might seem friendly, but it’s easy for people to pretend to be someone they’re not. If anyone you don’t know tries to talk to you, let me know right away. It’s my job to keep you safe.”
Behavioral Controls
This type is more controversial but still significant when implemented on a reasonable scale. Behavioral controls focus on directly influencing children’s actions and behaviors through rules, consequences, and rewards.
For example, Mr. Johnson might establish clear rules about homework completion and set consequences, such as loss of privileges, if assignments are not completed on time.
He could also use positive reinforcement, such as rewarding his children with extra playtime or a small treat when they demonstrate positive behaviors like sharing or helping others.
Dan Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson
Co-authors of books like “The Whole-Brain Child”
“Discipline means ‘to teach,’ not ‘to punish.’ Effective discipline involves teaching children appropriate behaviors and helping them develop self-control.”
Social Controls
Social controls involve guiding children’s behavior by influencing their interactions with peers, the community, and societal norms.
For this, Mrs. Jonson can encourage her children to participate in community activities that promote teamwork and empathy, such as volunteering at local charities or joining youth groups.
She could also monitor their friendships and guide them toward positive peer relationships that reinforce the values he wants to instill in them.
Digital Controls
Digital parental controls combine tools, settings, and software that parents use to monitor, manage, and restrict their children’s access to digital content and online activities. Because nowadays, kids, especially teenagers, spend almost all of their time there.
Key aspects of digital parental control include content filtering, usage monitoring, time management, location tracking, and communication controls.
- Content Filters block access to inappropriate websites, videos, and other online content based on age ratings or specific categories (e.g., violence, pornography, drugs).
- Usage Limits allow parents to set time limits on device usage or specific apps, ensuring children do not spend excessive time online.
- Monitoring software tracks and reports on a child’s online activities, including websites visited, apps used, and people they are chatting with.
- App Management tool allows parents to approve or block the installation of new apps and manage permissions for existing apps.
- Location Tracking features allow parents to track the physical location of their child’s device for safety purposes.
- Communication Controls monitor or restrict communication features, such as messaging apps and social media platforms, to protect children from cyberbullying and inappropriate interactions.
Common features and uses of digital parental controls
Content Filtering
Restrict access to and block inappropriate websites and content.
Time Management
Set time limits on device usage or specific apps.
App and Game Management
Restrict access to certain apps or games. Control in-app purchases.
Monitoring Online Activity
Monitor what your kid does online, including websites visited, apps used, and search history.
Location Tracking
Track your child’s live location and location history. Use the geofencing feature to set safe zones and get alerts.
Communication Controls
Restrict text messaging or phone calls to specific times or contacts. Monitor the use of social media platforms.
Today, almost every operating system for TVs, PCs, mobile devices, and Internet browsers has built-in parental controls. For example,
- Windows: Family Safety features on Windows allow parents to set screen time limits, filter content, and receive activity reports.
- macOS: Screen Time and Parental Controls on macOS provide similar functionalities, including app limits and content restrictions.
- iOS: Screen Time on iPhones and iPads allows parents to set daily time limits for apps, restrict content, and monitor usage.
- Android: Google Family Link offers controls for managing apps, setting screen time limits, and tracking usage.
Benefits of Parental Controls and How to Explain Them to Kids
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson may not need any reason or persuasion to use parental control, but kids often question why it’s all necessary. I don’t promise these arguments will help, but we’ll at least try.
Physical safety due to location tracking and emergency alerts
For little ones:
“Okay, imagine you’re a superhero on a mission, and Mom and Dad are your trusty sidekicks. Location tracking helps us know where our little superhero is at all times. If you’re ever in trouble, like if a villain (or a lost puppy) shows up, we can swoop in and help you faster than you can say ‘Avengers Assemble!’ Plus, it stops Mom from having a heart attack if you’re late for dinner.”
For teens:
“Look, I know you’re not planning on getting lost or into trouble, but life happens. If you’re ever in a sketchy situation or just need a ride, having location tracking means we can find you quickly. It’s not about spying; it’s about being able to help you out when you need it.”
Digital safety due to content filtering and cyberbullying prevention
For little ones:
“Think of the internet like a giant jungle with cool stuff but also some creepy critters. We use content filters as your bug spray, keeping the creepy stuff away so you can explore safely. No one wants to see a giant spider pop up on their screen, right?”
For teens:
“Online drama can be brutal. By monitoring for cyberbullying, we’re trying to keep that toxicity out of your life. If someone’s harassing you, we can step in and help you deal with it. We want your online spaces to be as safe as your offline ones.”
Better learning, wellness, and social skills through screen time balance
For little ones:
“You know how cookies are amazing, but too many can give you a tummy ache? Well, screen time is like that, too. We set limits so you don’t turn into a screen-zombie! This way, you still have time to run, play, and do all the fun stuff that keeps you awesome. Trust me, you don’t want to grow roots into the couch!”
For teens:
“I get it — playing games and scrolling through social media is fun. But too much of anything isn’t good. Screen time limits are about making sure you get a balance of activities, so you’re not just glued to your phone all day. Trust me, future you will thank you for not neglecting schoolwork or physical activity.”
Privacy protection by managing social media settings and monitoring
For little ones:
“Remember how in fairy tales, you never tell the bad witch your real name? Privacy protection is just like that. We help keep your personal info safe from internet trolls and sneaky goblins. No one needs to know your secret superhero identity!”
For teens:
“There are a lot of sketchy people out there who’d love to get your personal info. Privacy controls are about keeping your data safe and making sure you’re not sharing more than you should. It’s not about hiding stuff from you, but protecting you from those who might misuse your info.”
Criticisms and Ethical Considerations
Parental controls, whether physical, social, or digital, are designed to help parents manage and supervise their children’s activities and exposure to potentially harmful content. However, these controls come with various challenges.
Over-reliance on Technology
Parental control software does provide protection, but also has its limitations. As technology evolves, some tools may become outdated or incompatible with new platforms and devices. Content filtering might not always be accurate.
Besides, parental controls do not address offline risks, such as interactions with strangers or exposure to inappropriate media content outside the home.
Over-reliance on technology can lead parents to neglect open communication and education about online behavior.
M.A., the co-founder of Spark & Stitch Institute, Parenting for Courage and Connection
“Taking over our teens’ digital lives isn’t going to help them practice the skills they need to navigate the complex challenges of living in a connected world. On the other hand, handing them a smartphone and wishing them luck sets everyone up for failure. Young people rely on us to hold them accountable, define appropriate boundaries, and help them build skills”.
Privacy Concerns
Ultimately, monitoring tools can compromise a child’s privacy, potentially leading to trust issues between parents and children.
Here are some teenagers’ comments gathered by The New York Times to address whether parents should track their kids.
“The thing trackers do the best is create distrust. If my parents decided to track me that basically says to me that they don’t trust me.”
But it goes on both sides.
“Kids need to trust their parents enough to be able to tell them what is going on. Parents need to trust their kids enough to not try to control their every movement. Then there is a healthy relationship.”
“Tracking doesn’t seem like a huge problem when it’s used for good intent, your parents want to know where you are and they can find out. Still, I would use it as a last resort.”
Balancing a child’s autonomy with the need for protection is a fundamental ethical concern. Excessive control might stifle a child’s development of independence and decision-making skills.
Dr. Laurence Steinberg
A developmental psychologist
“Children need opportunities to make their own choices and learn from their mistakes within a safe framework.”
Evasion Techniques
Unless you’re a technological genius, remember that our kids are always one step ahead of us in terms of technology. TikTok and Snapchat are full of videos on how to hide apps or use incognito mode.
Children and adolescents may find ways to bypass parental controls, such as using VPNs, proxy servers, or different devices, undermining the effectiveness of such software.
Methods Teens Use to Bypass Parental Controls
Using Proxy Servers or VPNs
It helps to hide online activity or make it harder for parents to block specific websites or content.
Private or Incognito Browsing
This can prevent the saving of browsing history. Or a teen can just manually clear their search history.
Changing DNS Settings
If parental controls rely on specific DNS settings to block certain content, children can bypass these restrictions.
Using a Different Network
Restrictions on home Wi-Fi are never enough, as there is Wi-Fi at a friend’s house, a public place, or just mobile internet.
Using Friends’ Devices
Not every parent sets parental controls on kid’s device. Friends of your child may have no restrictions on their phones.
Disabling or Uninstalling Software
If children have administrative access, they might disable or uninstall parental control software.
Creating Multiple Accounts
If parents set restrictions for one kid’s account, the kid can create another one.
Bypassing Time Restrictions
Changing the system clock or using other tricks can sometimes bypass time-based restrictions on usage.
Conclusion
In fact, so many aspects of parental control can sound intimidating to a child’s independence and individuality. Especially since parents are us who are still nostalgic for our free childhoods when we would leave the house in early summer mornings and not return until dinnertime.
As we have explored, parental control has undergone a significant transformation from its ancient roots to the sophisticated digital tools available today. Initially focused on physical and psychological guidance, it has evolved to include comprehensive digital monitoring tools that address new challenges in the online age.
The truth is, each type of parental control serves a different purpose and can be effective when used appropriately and in balance with nurturing and support. Mr. Jonson, like any parent, would likely employ a combination of these controls based on his parenting style, values, and the individual needs of his children.
Media historian at Adelphi University in New York
“Back in 1858, Reverend Beach decided that ‘These dangers are such that we cannot remove them. Our children will have to meet and encounter them… They must then be, in some way, prepared to meet them…and this must be our care, – this is our work.’
This is still very good advice. Maybe we should try to focus less on protecting children and more on preparing children for the world they face, and the media they will use to understand that world and interact with others in it.”
Looking ahead, parental control is likely to continue evolving in response to technological advancements and shifting societal norms. With emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and augmented reality, new challenges will arise in ensuring children’s online safety.
As parents, we need to stay informed and adaptable, using a combination of strategies to protect and prepare our children for the world they encounter, rather than simply shielding them from it. Let open communication, education, and the right parental control tools be your guidelines.
Additional Materials to Read:
- “Talk to Your Kids” Consumer Advice by the Federal Trade Commission.
- Parental control guides for different devices, phone carriers, network providers, and social media.
- Multiplayer Games Online: How to Help Keep Kids Safe from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
- Screen Time & Temper Tantrums: Helpful Tips for Parents from AAP.
Image Sources:
- Fall and Expulsion from Garden of Eden, fresco from Sistine Chapel ceiling by Michelangelo.
- First-edition cover of The Catcher in the Rye (1951) by J. D. Salinger. Jacket design by Michael Mitchell.
- Frank Adams’ illustration from the fairytale of “Hansel and Gretel”, created for Adams’ children’s’ book of the same name.
- Image of a family with their first home radio set, FPG/Taxi/Getty Images.
- Image of Teletubbies, Ragdoll Productions and BBC.
- Image of Scarsdale Woman’s Club.
- “Broadcasting apparatus at station WIXAL,” Rockefeller foundation records, Photographs, Series 200.R, Rockefeller Archive Center.
- The Television Code image from the World Radio History.
- Steve Jobs introduced the iPad tablet computer in San Francisco. Jim Wilson/The New York Times.
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