5 smartphone tips to keep your children safe online

Giving children their first phone can make communication easier, but it also exposes them to risks such as social media overuse, screen addiction, and data privacy issues. "Handing over a phone is a watershed event for kids. Once they have a phone, they won’t ever not have a phone," pediatrician Megan Moreno told The New York Times.

From homework and gaming to group chats, children’s digital lives often move faster than parents can keep up. Here are five smartphone tips experts recommend to help parents keep their children safe online.

1. Screen time limits

Screen time controls allow parents to manage how long children spend on specific apps or devices each day. These settings are designed to build healthy digital habits rather than act as punishment. Excessive screen use has been linked to reduced attention span, overstimulation, and sleep disruption, Fox News reported.

On iPhones, parents can open Settings, select Screen Time, then App Limits, tap Add Limit, and set daily restrictions for chosen apps or categories. On Android devices, they can open Settings, choose Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls, access Dashboard or App Timers, and select the hourglass icon beside an app to set time limits, which reset automatically each night.

Experts recommend reviewing screen time reports together so children feel involved rather than restricted in their digital habits.

Two boys using smartphones. Photo from Pexels

2. Parental controls

Parental control features allow adults to monitor a child’s device activity, restrict inappropriate content, and manage app permissions. For children under 13, Apple and Google let parents create supervised accounts linked to their own. For older teens, similar limits can be set through family account management, The Guardian noted.

On iPhones, parents can open Settings, tap Screen Time, and enable Content and Privacy Restrictions. Once activated, they can set rules for app downloads, purchases, and website access. On Android, they can open Settings, select Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls, and set up supervision through Google Family Link, which enables remote control of app use and screen time.

These settings help parents block unsuitable content and maintain a safer digital space for children.

3. Geolocation

Geolocation allows apps to track a device’s physical location in real time, supporting tools like navigation and "Find My." While helpful for safety, it can raise privacy concerns if location sharing is too broad.

On iPhones, parents can open Settings, tap Privacy and Security, then Location Services, and change app permissions from "Always" to "While Using the App" or "Never." On Android, they can go to Settings, open Location or Privacy, tap App Location Permissions, choose an app, and adjust access to "Allow only while using the app" or "Don’t allow."

Experts suggest using Apple’s Family Sharing or Google Family Link for location tracking instead of third-party apps, which may expose sensitive data.

4. Private browsing

Private or "Incognito" browsing prevents devices from saving browsing history, cookies, and logins. While convenient, it can make it harder for parents to monitor children’s online activity.

On iPhones, parents can go to Settings, tap Screen Time, then Content and Privacy Restrictions. After entering a passcode, they can turn on restrictions and select Limit Adult Websites under Web Content to disable Private Browsing in Safari.

On Android devices, parents can use the Family Link app, select the child’s profile, tap Controls, choose Google Chrome and Web, and select Try to Block Explicit Sites or Only Allow Approved Sites. These settings automatically disable Incognito Mode in Chrome for supervised accounts.

5. Go "dumb"

Parents seeking a simpler option may consider "dumb phones" or "brick phones," which allow basic functions such as calls and text messaging but restrict access to internet browsers and social media apps.

These phones are more affordable and reduce the risk of distraction, although some models still include limited internet access. Before purchasing, parents should review the device’s parental control features to ensure they meet family needs. However, most basic phones lack GPS tracking or advanced monitoring tools, which may concern parents who wish to track their child’s location.