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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsHelp children stay safer online by combining clear family rules, privacy and account settings, age-appropriate controls, and regular, low-pressure conversations. No filter or monitoring tool can cover every app, device, or interaction, so treat safety as an ongoing family habit rather than a one-time setup.
Make an internet safety plan together
Start with a family conversation, not a list of restrictions. Agree on expectations that fit your routines and values: when devices are put away, where screens can be used, which activities need permission, and what a child should do if something online feels uncomfortable. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) puts it simply: “Every family is different, so create a plan that fits your routines and values. Discuss them with your kids.” (HealthyChildren.org, “How to Make a Family Media Plan,” updated January 20, 2026.)
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Make the rules specific enough to follow, and explain why they exist. For example, a plan might identify screen-free times or places, set expectations for schoolwork and sleep, and clarify whether a child needs permission before joining a new service or making a purchase. Review the plan as your child gains experience and independence; rules that suit a younger child may need to change as they mature.
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Parental controls are spread across several layers. A setting on a home router may not apply on a mobile connection, while an app’s account settings may govern features that a device-level control does not. Inventory the devices and services your child actually uses, then check the relevant settings in each place. The AAP describes controls as a way to support safer media use, alongside discussion and guidance (AAP, “Set Parental Controls for Safer Media Use,” updated January 3, 2024).
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- Home network: Check whether your router offers content filtering or schedules, and understand that these controls may not follow a device off the home network.
- Device: Look for options such as age-based content limits, screen-time schedules, and purchase approval.
- App or account: Review privacy, visibility, messaging, and friend or contact settings for each service.
- Game or platform: Check communication permissions, multiplayer access, and spending controls within the specific game or platform.
- School-managed device: Ask the school which restrictions or monitoring apply; families may not control every setting on a managed device.
Available features and menu names vary by device, app, and platform. Use the current official instructions for each one rather than assuming a setting exists or works the same way everywhere. Choose controls for the issue you are addressing—content, time, contact, privacy, or spending—and tell children what is enabled and why. Include older children in decisions where appropriate, then revisit settings as their needs change. The AAP and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) describe these functions but do not identify one universally best control.
Talk about privacy and personal information
Before a child starts using a new app or service, review its privacy settings together. Discuss what information the service asks for, who can see a profile or post, and how the service may use information for advertising. Encourage children to pause before sharing identifying details, images, location, or other personal information, especially in public spaces or with people they do not know.
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In the United States, the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) is a specific law covering certain online services and children under 13. In covered circumstances, it gives parents rights involving notice, consent, access to a child’s personal information, and deletion. It does not apply to every app or service, and it is not a global privacy rule. The FTC explains the law and parents’ options in its “Protecting Your Child’s Privacy Online” guidance.
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Check in regularly about what your child sees, sends, and receives, who they interact with, and how those interactions feel. Ask open questions such as, “Has anything online made you uncomfortable lately?” or “Who do you usually play or chat with?” The AAP recommends checking in early and often about online messages and children’s feelings (“Cyberbullying: How to Help Prevent It,” updated January 28, 2022).
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Make it clear that a child can come to you about an upsetting message, unwanted contact, or mistake without automatically losing device access. A predictable, calm response makes it easier for children to ask for help promptly. If an interaction is troubling, listen first, then work together on an appropriate next step, such as using the service’s reporting or blocking tools or changing contact settings.
Set expectations for contacts and purchases
For each account or platform, decide who may contact your child and whether they can communicate with people they do not know offline. Use the available privacy and communication settings to support that boundary. Check purchase controls as well: where possible, require approval or a passcode before spending. These options vary, so verify them in the current settings for the specific device, account, game, or app. The FTC’s “Protecting Kids Online” advice emphasizes that talking through family rules and expectations helps children develop good online habits.
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Use controls alongside healthy media habits
Filtering, time limits, and monitoring can help put agreed rules into practice, but they do not replace guidance or eliminate online risks. Build media expectations around the rest of family life, including sleep, schoolwork, offline play, and shared routines. Explain controls rather than relying on secrecy, and adjust them as a child demonstrates readiness for more autonomy.
For a free educational resource, the FTC describes Youville as a downloadable, standards-based program for children ages 8–12. It can provide a starting point for discussing online choices; it does not substitute for family rules or service-specific settings.
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