Last updated: April 2026

Parental Controls: How to Set Up on iPhone, Android and PC

Want to set up parental controls on iPhone, Android or a Windows PC? Here you'll find step-by-step guides for every platform. We also cover age recommendations for screen time and tips for building healthy digital habits in children – based on the Norwegian Directorate of Health's (Helsedirektoratet) guidelines for 2026.

What do the guidelines say?

Helsedirektoratet and the World Health Organization have clear guidelines. Children under two years of age should ideally have no screen time at all, except for video calls with family. For children between two and five, a maximum of one hour per day is recommended. After the age of six there is no exact time limit, but it is important that screen time does not come at the expense of sleep, physical activity, and social interaction.

Barnevakten offers great advice on screen use for different age groups and helps parents navigate everyday digital life.

Quality matters more than quantity

An hour of creative coding or educational apps is very different from an hour of passive scrolling through social media. Research shows that active content – where a child creates, solves tasks, or interacts – is far better than passive content.

Ask yourself: Is the child learning something? Are they engaged? Do they talk about it afterwards? If yes, the screen time is probably worthwhile.

Parental controls on Windows with Microsoft Family Safety

Microsoft Family Safety is built into Windows and is free to use. Here is how to set it up:

1. Go to Settings, then Accounts and Family.
2. Add your child's Microsoft account. If they don't have one, create one.
3. Sign in at family.microsoft.com to manage settings.
4. Under Screen time you can set daily limits and define usage windows.
5. Under Content filters you can block inappropriate websites and apps.
6. Activity reports give you an overview of what the child does on the PC.

Family Safety also works on Xbox and Android devices, so you can manage everything from one place.

Parental controls on iPhone and iPad

Apple has built powerful parental controls into the Screen Time feature. Here is how to use it:

1. Open Settings and tap Screen Time.
2. Select This is My Child's iPhone/iPad and create a Screen Time passcode.
3. Under Downtime set up periods when only selected apps are available.
4. Under App Limits you can set daily limits for categories such as games or social media.
5. Under Content & Privacy Restrictions you can block adult content, prevent in-app purchases, and control which apps can be downloaded.

With Family Sharing you can manage your child's device from your own iPhone, without having to take the physical device away.

Parental controls on Android

Google offers Family Link to manage children's Android devices:

1. Download Google Family Link on your own phone.
2. Create a Google account for your child (under 13 requires parental setup).
3. Link your child's device to Family Link.
4. Set daily screen time limits and a bedtime for the device.
5. Approve or block apps your child wants to download.
6. View activity reports for app usage.

Family Link also lets you see your child's location, which can give extra peace of mind.

Conversations about online use

Technical solutions are useful, but they do not replace conversations. Talk to your children about what they do online. Show interest. Ask questions without judging. Children who feel safe enough to tell you about uncomfortable online experiences are better protected than children who only have parental controls.

Some good conversation topics:

• What do you enjoy most doing online?
• Has anyone said something mean or inappropriate to you online?
• Do you know what to do if something uncomfortable happens?
• Why do you think we have rules about screen time?

Medietilsynet's survey Children and Media provides valuable insight into children's media habits and is worth reading for all parents.

Create a family screen time plan

Rather than simply imposing rules from above, create a plan together with your children. When children help decide the rules, they are more likely to follow them. A family plan can include:

• Screen-free zones (bedrooms, the dinner table).
• Screen-free times (one hour before bedtime).
• Activities that always take priority over screens (homework, exercise, family time).
• What happens if the rules are broken.

Be a good role model

Children do as we do, not as we say. If you yourself sit with your phone all evening, it is hard to expect anything different from your children. Put your phone away during meals. Don't check email in bed. Show that you also have healthy screen habits.

When should you be concerned?

Some signs that screen time may be problematic:

• The child becomes angry or upset when the screen is taken away.
• Sleep problems or daytime fatigue.
• Loss of interest in activities they previously enjoyed.
• Withdrawing from friends and family.
• Sneaking screen time at night.

If you are struggling to find the balance, it can help to talk to the school or a school nurse. You can also contact an IT advisor for help with the technical setup of parental controls on your family's devices.

Summary

Healthy screen time is about balance, not prohibition. Use the technical tools available, talk openly with your children, and be a good role model. There is no perfect solution, but parents who are conscious and engaged give their children the best foundation for navigating the digital world safely.