Cell phone safety for kids starts with Apple Screen Time or Google Family Link, then locking down purchases, content, and contacts.
Handing a kid a phone feels like handing them the internet. The working route to cell phone safety for kids runs through your phone’s built-in parental controls—Apple’s Screen Time and Family Sharing on iPhone and iPad, or Google’s Family Link across Android, ChromeOS, and even iOS. Set these up once, and the big risks (unapproved purchases, adult content, strangers) mostly disappear. The FTC’s guidance for parents backs the same approach: use the controls already on the device, and add a strong passcode to lock them in.
Apple Screen Time: The First Step Is a Child Account
Apple’s child-safety guidance says a child account is required for kids under 13 and available through age 18. It ties the phone to your Family Sharing group, which unlocks every parental control that follows.
From there, the official path on the child’s device is: Settings > Screen Time > the child’s name under Family > Content & Privacy Restrictions. You’ll enter the Screen Time passcode, then choose what’s allowed. Apple’s web filtering offers three levels: Unrestricted, Limit Adult Websites, or Only Approved Websites—the last one is the tightest option for a first phone.
Blocking purchases lives in the same menu: Screen Time > child > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases, where you set downloads and purchases to Don’t Allow. That single toggle stops surprise app-store bills.
Google Family Link: Android and Chromebook Coverage
Google’s Family Link does the same job on Android phones and Chromebooks, and it also works on iOS. It manages the child’s Google Account, sets screen time limits, lets you approve downloads and purchases, enforces SafeSearch, and shows the location of signed-in Android devices.
Once the child joins your family group—which can include up to four other members—you adjust everything from your own parent experience. Family Link is also built into Chromebook supervision, so the same controls carry across their devices when they’re logged in.
One honest limit: location visibility and some device-management features only apply to signed-in, active Android devices. If the kid stops using Google services, those controls go quiet.
What the FTC Says Every Parent Should Check
The FTC’s parental guidance reads like a checklist that works on any phone or app: privacy and security settings, screen time limits, controls on downloads and in-app purchases, content filtering, limited contact and chat settings, and family monitoring options.
- Lock the phone when it’s not in use and create a passcode of at least six digits—short codes are a top mistake.
- Approve every install and purchase. Letting kids download freely leads to unexpected charges.
- Restrict contacts and chat. Without this, strangers can reach kids directly.
- Check per-app privacy settings. Apps often have separate requirements for location, media, and camera access beyond the device-level controls.
A common gap is relying on device-level controls while skipping the per-app settings, which the FTC flags as a separate layer parents often miss.
Communication Safety and the 2026 Screen Time Updates
Apple’s Communication Safety feature, managed in Screen Time, detects sensitive content in messages and blurs it before a child sees it. It runs on iPhone, iPad, Apple Vision Pro, and Mac.
For Google, Family Link’s strength is account-level management—reviewing app permissions, adjusting YouTube settings, and approving downloads. If you want a detailed comparison of phone options before you buy, our roundup of the best cell phones for kids walks through the top picks for this exact use case.
FAQs
At what age should a child get a phone?
There is no universal answer, but the controls exist for every age group. Apple requires a child account for kids under 13, while Google Family Link manages accounts for children of any age. The safer approach is to add full parental controls at the same time the phone is activated, regardless of the child’s age.
Can I monitor my child’s location with these tools?
Yes, with limits. Google Family Link shows the location of signed-in, active Android devices. Apple’s Find My app handles location for iPhones and iPads in the family group. Both require the device to be on and connected; a powered-off phone cannot be located.
Do parental controls work on both iPhone and Android?
Apple’s Screen Time covers iPhone, iPad, Apple Vision Pro, and Mac. Google Family Link covers Android, ChromeOS, and iOS, but its deepest features—location, app permissions, and device management—work best on Android and ChromeOS devices signed into the child’s Google Account.
References & Sources
- Apple Support. “Use Screen Time on your child’s iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.” Official steps for child accounts and Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- Google Safety Center. “Parental Controls.” Family Link features and device coverage details.
- Apple. “Apple Child Safety.” Child account requirements and 2026 Screen Time update preview.