The Chromebook is a unique type of laptop that runs on Google’s Chrome Operating System (OS). While most laptops run a Microsoft (or Mac) operating system, the Chromebook is operated by Google’s Chrome browser. Essentially, it operates almost entirely from an internet connection with only some features and functions working offline.
Most of the apps, websites, documents, and cookies are all stored in the cloud for access through the Chrome browser. However, this can be a challenge for parents who want to set up Chromebook parental controls to monitor and protect their kids while they’re using the computer during school hours or surfing the web after school.
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Chromebooks are quickly becoming a common tool for both students and professionals. But if you have young kids in your house, it can be nerve-racking to leave them unsupervised with your laptop. It’s easy to set up parental controls on Chromebook computer. There are a few different ways you can go about doing this.
Chromebooks are a great alternative to using laptops. Whether you are looking for something inexpensive, convenient, easy to use, or the latest in innovation, Chromebooks can deliver. They can be used at home and on the go. And they have parental controls you can set up to ensure your child’s protection while using it.
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In order to protect your kids from inappropriate content and contents on the internet, its highly recommended to use parental controls on chromebooks.
■ What You’ll Be Able to Do With Parental Controls on Chromebook
Safe browsing is a priority, so get set up with parental controls on Chromebook to help create a safe online environment for your child.
➡ Tips for Limiting Your Child’s Screen Time
The settings you can customize are the following:
- Content filtering (by rating)
- App restrictions
- Time restrictions
- Pin a site
- Web filter
- Manage time for apps
- Block specific sites
- Download history
- Search suggestions
- Site settings
- Sync filtering
- Hardware settings
- You can also setup controlled accounts on your own Chromebook too and give each member of your household a personalized experience that only limits what you want them to see and use!
Do you want to know how to start parental controls on Chromebook?
Up until recently, it wasn’t possible. However, Google launched a service called Family Link that lets you create kids friendly accounts and monitor their screen time from your phone. While parental controls have existed on Chrome OS since its inception, the Family Link service marks the first time you can use your Android device as a means of control and monitoring.
The Chromebook parental controls feature, which operates under the Family Link system, includes a lock schedule, bedtime restrictions, time limits, and content filtering. In this article, we’ll explore how you can use everything these features have to offer to keep your kids safe and out of trouble.
Parental controls can be used on any computer. After all, everyone should have a right to peaceful use of their device. The Chromebook is unique, though, when it comes to parental controls and how it’s implemented. Learn how you can set up Chromebook parental controls and oversee your kids while they do their homework or research for school.
Getting kids set up on a Chromebook is as easy as logging into your Google account. The process of setting up parental controls on a Chromebook will also ensure you get to keep an eye on what they’re doing while they’re logged in as you. When you harness the power of Google, there’s no telling what they can accomplish (or what they might get up to).
No matter what your kids use their Chromebook for, having parental controls is a great idea. You can set up boundaries so you know they are safe while using their Chromebook to stay in touch with friends and family. With child-friendly applications like Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drawings available on the Google Play Store that work well with the Chrome OS, you’re bringing your children into a colorful digital future.
Family Link is an app for Chromebooks and Android devices which allows you to set up parental controls for your kids’ devices. It works a bit like Apple gives you on the iPhone or iPad — giving you the power to manage the content, apps and websites accessible on a device.
If you want to keep your kids away from inappropriate content, but still give them access to educational tools, let’s look at how to set up parental controls on a Chromebook.
1 Set Up Parental Controls on Chromebook: Update Chromebook OS
To set up Google Family Link on a Chromebook, you’ll need to first check that your Chrome OS is up-to-date. To do this, type chrome://version into the address bar and look at the number at the very top of the page.
If your Chromebook doesn’t have this version “version 71” (or higher) you’ll have to update it first. You can either do this automatically (if you have this setting enabled) or by selecting Notification (bottom right area) > Settings > About Chrome OS and checking the Additional Details for scheduled update details and if a restart is required to activate a more recent update.
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Once you’ve ensured that your device is running the latest software, you can enable Family Link controls by heading to settings and opening the Parental Controls menu. Click Manage Controls, create a PIN to use with Family Link parental controls, and click Set Up Parental Controls.
2 Set Up Parental Controls on Chromebook: Create and Add your Child’s account
If you’re sharing a Chromebook with your child and want to keep them safe online, you’ll need to set up a separate account for them and then manage their permissions. There are several ways to do this and we’ve broken it down into easy to follow steps.
If you’ve just bought a Chromebook for your child, you will be able to set up your account, but it’s a good idea to add yours as well so that you can manage their usage, access and more from your account. Select Notification area > Settings > People > click your account > + Add account. You’ll need their Google account email and password.
You can add an additional layer of password protection by choosing to have a PIN at log-in time. If you choose this option, only you will be able to enter the PIN for them to sign-in with when they turn on the Chromebook.
➡ What Age Should Kids Get a Phone?
3 Set Up Parental Controls on Chromebook: Add More security
To restrict your Kids from changing settings and login from other accounts on chromebook as guest – you have to first switch off the Guest Mode.
- Go to Notification area > Settings > People > Manage other people.
- Now disable the Guest option and choose ‘Restrict sign-in to the following users’.
4 Set Up Parental Controls on Chromebook
Setting up parental controls on a Chromebook is particularly straightforward. You can set or disable access to apps, websites, and browser extensions from the child’s account page.
- Open child’s account select Notification area > Settings > People > Parental Controls Set up to begin the process.
- Now, confirm the child’s account you want to enable Family Link Parental Controls for, other devices can also be protected.
- Now confirm the parent account to do the supervising. You can choose your account as a supervising or an administrator account which will control the child account.
It can be used to set time limits on apps and screentime and block harmful content to keep your kids safer when they are online. It’s also possible to track their location and device usage with this service, which makes it easier for parents to know where their children are online when they should be doing homework or sleeping. Enabling the service is simple, so it doesn’t matter whether you use an Android device or an Android app, you’ll have no problem getting started.
➡ Ways to Keep Kids Safe from Cyberbullying
Now that you know how to enable parental controls on Chromebook, you’ve taken an important step toward protecting your child and maintaining their privacy. Parental controls are a great option for all users of the device, as they give you the opportunity to set a password on sign-in, block inappropriate websites, disable the camera and microphone, control screen time, and more. You can also spend time with your child online without worrying about inappropriate information being easily accessed.
5 Set Up Parental Controls on Chromebook: Set browsing restrictions
You can configure Family Link to restrict your child’s access to certain types of content. This includes:
Search – You can prevent your child from using Google Search or YouTube to search for topics you don’t want them searching for. For example, if you don’t want them searching for nudity or violence, you can block those topics here.
Sites – You can also block your child from visiting specific websites on their Chromebook. For example, if you don’t want them visiting Reddit or Facebook on the device, you can block those sites here.
In-App Purchases – You can use Family Link
Parental controls can filter the web, blocking inadvertent access to inappropriate websites. They also restrict access to games and apps and what information kids can share online. You can even restrict screen time so that kids don’t stay up all night playing on their tablets or watching TV.
Google-provided parental controls work on Android devices (phones, tablets) and Chromebooks only. Amazon Fire tablets have a different set of parental controls that are not covered here.
If you’re using an iPhone, iPad or Mac, Apple has its own built-in parental control features. Check out our guide to using Apple’s Restrictions on iOS and OS X for more information.
➡ How to Keep Kids Safe Online
6 Set Up Parental Controls on Chromebook: Set time limits on Chromebook
There are many ways to limit the total amount of time a child can spend on their Chromebook.
You can set a daily screen time limit for your child’s Chromebook device, including:
A bedtime to apply during the week and on weekends.
A maximum daily screen time limit.
To set a daily screen time limit:
Open Family Link .
Select your child.
Select Manage settings More Manage settings.
In the “Time limits” section, select Set limits .
Choose a day of the week and enter how much time you want your child to be able to use their device on that day of the week. Repeat this process for each day of the week. Note: If you don’t see Monday through Sunday, tap or click the arrow or press Tab until they appear.
When finished, select Save .
Features of Parental Controls on Chromebook
- Chromebook comes with Family Link, Google’s parental control software.
- • It lets parents decide which apps kids can download from Google Play Store and limit screen time.
- • But it also controls cameras, sensors and microphones on the Chromebook.
- • You can access Family Link in Chrome OS settings.
- • Parental Controls on Chromebook are set up through the Family Link app on a parent’s Android device or an iPhone.
- • Parents can set up their own Google Account to get started.
- • After creating an account, they can create a new account for their child under 13 years old and link it to their device through the app.
- Family Link is made available by Google to help parents set up digital boundaries for children who are too young to own a phone or computer and to be trusted with access to the internet.
- The app allows parents to control which apps kids can download from the Play Store and allows them to restrict access during certain hours of the day.
- However, apart from basic features like screen time restrictions, Google also provides a list of features that gives granular control over cameras, microphones and other sensors on your child’s chromebook.
Why to use Parental Controls on Chromebook?
The Chromebook is one of the most popular devices in a market niche that’s seen tremendous growth over the past decade. These laptops are known for their fast boot up times, cloud connectivity and easy maintenance. All of these traits make them a lot more appealing to kids than their traditional counterparts. Kids love how they can just grab a Chromebook and go online right away, without the hassle of choosing which laptop to take or whether they need to bring anything else with them.
Despite all this convenience, you should still know what your kids are doing online on their school-issued Chromebook. It’s where you can see how much your child is exposed to while surfing the web and where you can set parental controls with ease – something that still isn’t very straightforward on many other devices in this niche.
The time limit feature is particularly useful. It allows you to set time limits for certain apps or categories of app. You can also set up a bedtime, during which all apps are blocked, and a bonus time allowance, which grants additional usage time beyond the daily limits that you have set.
The remote locking feature enables you to lock your child’s device from your smartphone using the Family Link app (see below). This is useful if you want your child to stop using the device without having to physically remove it from them.
Parvinder Singh is a seasoned IT developer and network engineer with over 5 years of experience. He is also a skilled tech columnist, offering insights on the latest trends and developments in the tech industry.