Actionable Guide to Parental Control on Windows 10

What is Parental Controls?

Parental Controls is officially known as Microsoft Family in Windows 10. It's a free service that allows you to connect with your families. It also keeps your kids safer on Windows 10 and Xbox One devices. You can track your kids' activities, screen time, and consuming content. It also allows you to add money and monitor their spending through their Microsoft accounts.

It's an efficient way to manage your family's account. It is easily accessible in the cloud through account.microsoft.com/family. It means the settings associated with your family members' Microsoft account will be applied as long as they use it to sign-in to their devices.

The Microsoft Family features a lot of services. It can sync information, connect with your family members quickly, and even earn points. In this guide, we will focus on setting up and managing Parental Controls. You can take a closer look and filter the content that reaches your child. It includes websites, apps, and games. Follow the steps below to set-up Parental Controls.

Setting up Parental Controls

You will need the following to set-up Parental Controls:

There should be a Microsoft account associated with each child. It helps you to manage and monitor your child's activities using your account. Windows will apply your settings every time they use their account to login.

Open Windows Settings then select Accounts.

Select Family & Other People from the left-side menu.

Under Your Family, click Add a Family Member.

Select Add a Child. At this point, enter your child's Microsoft account in the text box below. Click Next and proceed to the next steps. You will then have to log in to your child's email and confirm the invitation. See the end of this section. If you haven't created a Microsoft Account for your child, follow the next steps.

Click The person I want to add doesn’t have an email address.

Fill out the information and take note of the password. You will need it to access your child's account later.

Uncheck the checkboxes as these are not relevant to their Microsoft experience.

Sign in here with YOUR Microsoft Account.

Confirm that your child can use different Microsoft services using his account.

Complete by clicking Finish.

Lastly, log in to your child's Microsoft Account on a browser. Open the verification email first if you've just created the account. Then open the parental supervision email and click Accept Invitation to allow them to use Microsoft services.

Managing Child Account

Now that you have created a child account, you can effectively manage it by heading back to Accounts in Settings. Click Family & Other People and you should see the new child account under Your Family. Then, click Manage Family Settings Online.

It will take you to your online Microsoft Account. Here, you should see the new child account.

You have the option to manage the account in this window.

Activity Reporting

You can receive weekly reports from your child's account through your email. You will see websites they visit, terms they search, expenses, apps and games they use, and how much time they use the computer. It is a great way to keep tabs on their online habits.

Screen Time

Limiting screen time is a great way to make sure that your child is not spending all his/her time on the computer or Xbox One. You can efficiently set-up schedules for both PC and Xbox One. Or create separate time for the two. Manage different programs during school days and weekends efficiently in this section. Your child can request for more time - in case of homework and research, for example - and you can quickly approve through your email or on account.microsoft.com/family.

Content Restrictions

Windows will block inappropriate content, apps, games, and filter adult websites by default. It screens mature content for safer web browsing.

Block inappropriate apps and games that might be too mature or violent for children. Microsoft ratings and clear and easy to understand. However, websites and apps not yet tagged as "adult content" will still be accessible. Content created in 'safe' sites such as Facebook will always appear.

Additionally, the content restriction only works with Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge. No restrictions will apply if your child is using other browsers. You can install third-party parental control applications such as Net Nanny.

Spending

Control your child spending by accessing it through Purchase & spending. View their payment options and add money to their account.

Final Thoughts

Microsoft has improved its Parental Controls in Windows 10. It is easier to manage and monitor your child's activities on any devices. You can find everything in one place. Settings and permissions are just a click away. However, remember that protecting your child needs vigilance and education. While Windows 10 Family and other third-party applications can do a lot, they can only do so much. Educate your child about appropriate content on the Internet. Proper communication is still the key to making sure that your child is safe.