How to monitor your child's phone using parental controls to ensure their safety online

• Parents can use parental control tools to monitor screen time, restrict apps, and block harmful online content to keep children safer online.

• Built-in tools like Apple Screen Time and Google Family Link help families manage device usage and digital safety.

• Countries including the United Kingdom and Australia are introducing stricter social media rules for minors amid rising concerns over online harm.

As governments around the world move to restrict children’s access to social media, parents are increasingly being urged to take a more active role in monitoring what their children do online.

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The latest country to tighten digital rules for minors is the United Kingdom, where the government recently announced a ban on social media access for children under 16, citing growing concerns over online harms such as cyberbullying, sexual exploitation, harmful content and addictive algorithms.

The UK joins a growing list of countries introducing strict measures to protect minors online. Australia became the first country to pass a nationwide under-16 social media ban in 2025, while France introduced parental consent requirements for children under 15. Germany is also considering new age restrictions for younger users.

Government bans alone are not enough as children can find their way to bypass these rules. For many families, the first line of defense should be parental controls.

Parental controls are built-in or downloadable tools that help parents manage screen time, monitor app usage, restrict harmful content and prevent unsafe online interactions.

Children today are exposed to the internet earlier than ever before. Smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles and laptops have become part of daily life for schoolwork, entertainment and communication.

While these devices create opportunities for learning and connection, they also expose children to risks such as:

• Cyberbullying

• Online predators

• Scam links and phishing

• Pornographic or violent content

• In-app purchases and gambling-style mechanics

• Social media addiction

Research has shown that even child-focused online spaces are not always safe. 

Most smartphones already include free parental control tools. For Apple iPhone, parents can use Screen Time to:

• Limit app usage

• Block explicit content

• Restrict purchases

• Prevent app installations

For Android devices, Google Family Link allows parents to:

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• Monitor screen time

• Approve downloads

• Lock devices remotely

• Track location

These tools provide a good starting point without requiring paid subscriptions.

Parents should regularly review installed apps. Pay attention to:

• Hidden chat apps

• Anonymous messaging platforms

• VPN apps

• Private browser apps

• Dating or livestreaming apps

Some apps disguise themselves as calculators or utility tools while hiding private folders.

Too much screen time can affect:

• Sleep

• Academic performance

• Attention span

• Mental wellbeing

Set daily limits for:

• Gaming

• Social media

• Video streaming

• Late-night phone use

A good recommendation is device-free bedtime routines, especially for younger children.

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Content filters can block:

• Adult websites

• Gambling content

• Violent media

• Explicit search results

Use:

• SafeSearch

• Browser restrictions

• DNS filters

• Family-safe Wi-Fi settings

This reduces accidental exposure to harmful material.

This requires balance. Instead of secretly reading every message, experts recommend checking for warning signs such as:

• Unknown adults messaging your child

• Requests for photos

• Threatening or manipulative language

• Secretive conversations

Many apps request access to:

• Camera

• Microphone

• Location

• Contacts

• Photos

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Parents should review permissions monthly. Ask yourself: Does this game really need camera access?. If not, disable it. This reduces privacy risks.

Research found overly strict monitoring can damage trust and encourage children to hide online behavior rather than discuss it openly. That means the best protection combines technology with communication.

As countries tighten restrictions on social media for minors, one message is becoming clear: keeping children safe online requires more than laws. The ban may reduce exposure to harmful platforms, but parents still play the biggest role at home.

Parental controls can help create boundaries, but the ultimate goal is not to spy on children, it is to teach them how to navigate the digital world safely, responsibly and confidently. In today’s internet age, the safest child online is not necessarily the most restricted one, but the one who is guided, informed and supported.