Keeping Your Child Safe: Essential Privacy Settings for Their First Smart Phone

Advice

Mar 3

Giving your child their first phone is exciting, but making sure it’s safe is just as important.

As parents, many of us didn’t grow up with smartphones, so understanding privacy settings and how to set them up for our kids can feel overwhelming—but with the right guidance, it’s easy to keep your child’s device safe and secure.

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to setting up privacy settings and keeping their online experience secure.

1. Set Up Parental Controls

Most smartphones have built-in parental controls:

iPhone (iOS): Go to Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions. Enable restrictions for apps, content, and location sharing.
Android: Go to Settings → Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls → Parental Controls and set up limits.

2. Restrict App Downloads & In-App Purchases

iPhone: In Screen Time, set Ask to Buy for app purchases.
Android: Use Google Family Link to approve or block app downloads.

3. Control Location Sharing

Go to Settings → Privacy & Location Services, and allow location only for necessary apps.
Turn off location sharing in social media apps.

4. Manage Social Media & Messaging

Check privacy settings in each app (e.g., private profiles, limited friend requests).
Disable chat features with strangers.
Talk about safe online behavior.

5. Set Screen Time Limits

Use Screen Time (iOS) or Google Family Link (Android) to limit daily usage.
Set “Downtime” or “Bedtime” to disable access at night.

6. Enable Web & Content Filters

iPhone: In Screen Time, enable Content Restrictions to block adult content.
Android: Use Google Family Link to filter web searches.
Install kid-safe browsers or enable SafeSearch on Google.

7. Review App Permissions Regularly

Check what each app can access (e.g., camera, microphone, contacts) and disable anything unnecessary.

8. Teach Safe Online Habits

Discuss privacy risks with your child.
Encourage them to ask before downloading new apps.
Make sure they know to never share personal information online.

Setting up privacy controls on your child’s first phone may take a little time, but it’s worth the effort to keep them safe online. As they grow, continue having open conversations about responsible phone use, privacy, and online safety. Technology will change, but your guidance and support will always be the most important protection.

We have lots of other tech tips and resources for parents and you might want to sign up for our FREE Guide to Raising Future-Ready Kids.