Chromebook Parental Controls & Safety Guide
How to set up parental controls on Chromebook using Google Family Link, including web filtering, app management, and screen time limits.
Chromebooks are widely used in UK schools and are a popular choice for children's personal laptops due to their affordability and simplicity. Running Chrome OS, they integrate seamlessly with Google Family Link for parental controls. Because Chromebooks are heavily web-based, effective web content filtering is particularly important.
Main risks
- • Unrestricted web browsing, as Chrome OS is primarily a web-based platform
- • Access to Chrome Web Store extensions that may not be age-appropriate
- • Using school accounts that may have different (or fewer) restrictions than home accounts
- • Unsupervised use during online learning sessions
Initial setup steps
Set up the Chromebook with your child's supervised account
During Chromebook setup, sign in with your child's supervised Google account (created through Family Link). This applies all Family Link restrictions to the device automatically.
Disable Guest Mode and restrict accounts
On the Chromebook, go to Settings > Security and Privacy > Manage other people. Turn off 'Enable Guest browsing' and enable 'Restrict sign-in to the following users' to prevent your child from bypassing controls.
Configure Family Link content restrictions
In the Family Link app on your phone, select your child and go to Controls > Content restrictions. Set Chrome web filtering, enable SafeSearch, and configure Google Play content ratings.
Set screen time and bedtime schedules
In Family Link, go to Controls > Screen time and set daily limits for the Chromebook. Configure bedtime hours during which the device will lock. You can set different limits for school days and weekends.
Parental control settings
Google Family Link for Chromebook
Location: Family Link app on parent's phone > Child's profile > Devices
Recommended: Fully configured with supervision active on the Chromebook
Family Link controls on Chromebook manage web filtering in Chrome, app installs from the Play Store and Chrome Web Store, screen time, and SafeSearch enforcement.
Chrome Web Filtering
Location: Family Link app > Controls > Content restrictions > Google Chrome
Recommended: 'Try to block explicit sites' for ages 10+, 'Only allow approved sites' for younger children
Controls which websites your child can visit in Chrome. The stricter mode only allows access to a parent-curated list of approved websites.
Guest Mode and Account Controls
Location: Chromebook Settings > Security and Privacy > Manage other people
Recommended: Disable Guest browsing and restrict sign-in to supervised accounts only
Prevents your child from using Guest Mode to browse the web without any restrictions or signing in with an unsupervised account.
Age recommendations
Use 'Only allow approved sites' mode in Chrome. Disable Guest Mode. Limit to approved educational apps and set strict screen time limits. Keep the Chromebook in a shared family space.
Switch to 'Try to block explicit sites' mode for more browsing freedom. Maintain Family Link supervision and review weekly activity reports. Discuss safe search habits.
Maintain SafeSearch and content filtering. Allow more independence with app installs but keep oversight. Focus on building responsible digital habits as they prepare for unsupervised use.