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Step 1: Delay Phone Ownership & Choose Wisely

Mobile phones are useful, powerful, and helpful. However, the highly addictive quality of smartphones is an ever present danger. Before providing a device, consider both the timing and the type of phone that best fits your family's needs.

A. Delay the Decision

Research consistently shows that earlier smartphone access correlates with higher rates of anxiety and depression, more exposure to inappropriate content, increased social media pressure, sleep disruption, and reduced face-to-face social skills.

Per RCS Norwich policy, children should not have a personal smartphone until age 16. If a phone is needed before that age for communication purposes, use a basic phone without internet capabilities.

B. Choosing Your Device

When you're ready to provide a device, choose wisely. A cell phone is meant for communication—it's whether or not you want the "extras" that matters. Either way, as a parent, you remain accountable for what your child does with their device.

Basic Phone vs Smartphone

Basic Phones (Gabb, Pinwheel, Light Phone):

  • Price – Phones are cheaper, plans start as low as $15 CAD/month
  • Battery – Longer battery life without apps draining power
  • Durability – More resistant to drops and moisture
  • Simplicity – User-friendly; easier to call 911 with physical buttons
  • Less Addictive – Reduced access to pornography, cyberbullying, and poor media habits
  • Easier to Monitor – Fewer apps, limited internet abilities
  • Privacy – Less personal information exposed online

Note: Some newer basic phones can access the internet—ask your salesperson when purchasing.

Smartphones (iPhone/Android):

  • Efficiency – Acts as a "small" computer for business or school needs
  • Camera – High quality photos with editing capabilities
  • Connectivity – Stay connected with family and friends easily
  • GPS/Location – Track your child's whereabouts
  • Useful Apps – Banking, groceries, prescriptions, organization tools
  • Parental Controls – Can disable apps, require approval for downloads
  • Accountability Software – Track all text messages and phone activity

Cell phones have many benefits for everyday life. Either choice requires appropriate filtering, accountability, and time controls to decrease negative aspects.

iPhone vs Android

Apple (iPhone/iPad):

  • Easier parental control setup with built-in Screen Time
  • Unified ecosystem—settings sync across devices
  • Better default privacy settings
  • More expensive; fewer budget-friendly options

Android:

  • More granular control options (requires some technical ability)
  • Wider range of price points and device options
  • Google Family Link provides comprehensive parental control
  • Parental controls vary by manufacturer (Samsung, Google, etc.)

Recommendation: Apple offers an easier path to a safe environment with consistent built-in controls. Consider Android if you want more customization options and are comfortable with technology.

Use the toggle at the top of this page to select your device type. The following steps will show platform-specific instructions for iPhone/iPad or Android.

Step 2: Enable Parental Controls

Both iOS and Android have built-in parental control systems that should be enabled on all children's devices.

What is Screen Time?

Screen Time allows you to manage and control what your child can view, do, and access on their iPhone or iPad. These instructions apply to iOS 12 or newer.

To check your iOS version: Settings → General → About → iOS Version

Turn On Screen Time

  1. Open Settings → Screen Time
  2. Tap Turn On Screen Time
  3. Select This is My Child's iPhone
  4. When prompted for Downtime, App Limits, etc., select Set Up Later (we'll configure these below)
  5. Enter a 4-digit Screen Time Passcode
Do NOT save the Screen Time passcode to the Apple ID! If you do, your child can reset the passcode using their Apple ID. Click "Cancel" then "Skip" when prompted to save to Apple ID.

Save this passcode in a safe spot! Without it, you cannot access Screen Time settings. Do not share it with your child.

Setting Downtime

Downtime sets a period during which only phone calls and apps you choose are available.

  1. In Screen Time, tap Downtime
  2. Turn on Scheduled
  3. Set your desired schedule (e.g., 9 PM to 7 AM)
  4. Tap Customize Days to set different times for each day (including full day on Sunday)
  5. Enable Block at Downtime—otherwise your child can tap "Ignore Limit"

Note: Apps in "Always Allowed" are not affected by Downtime.

Setting App Limits

App Limits let you set daily time limits for specific categories or apps.

  1. In Screen Time, tap App Limits
  2. Tap Add Limit
  3. Select categories (Social, Games, Entertainment) or specific apps
  4. Set the daily time allowed
  5. Tap Add

Note: Downtime overrides App Limits—once Downtime starts, all non-allowed apps are blocked.

Setting Communication Limits

Control who your child can communicate with during screen time and downtime.

  1. In Screen Time, tap Communication Limits
  2. During Screen Time: Select Contacts Only (recommended)
  3. During Downtime: Select Specific Contacts and add only parents

Note: Emergency calls to 911 are always allowed regardless of settings.

Setting Always Allowed

Choose apps that are always available regardless of Downtime or App Limits.

  1. In Screen Time, tap Always Allowed
  2. Add only essential apps (Phone, Maps)
  3. Keep this list minimal

What is Google Family Link?

Google Family Link is a comprehensive parental control and monitoring tool designed to help parents manage their children's digital activities on Android devices. It allows you to set screen time limits, app restrictions, content filters, and track your child's location.

Requirements:

  • Parent's device: Android 5.0 (Lollipop) or higher
  • Child's device: Android 7.0 (Nougat) or higher
  • Google accounts for both parent and child
  • Stable internet connection

Parent Device Setup

  1. Open the Google Play Store app
  2. Search for Family Link
  3. Install and open the Google Family Link app
  4. Select your Google account (if you have multiple)
  5. Tap Continue
  6. If your child already has a Google account, tap Yes to link it. Otherwise tap No to create a new account
  7. Enter your child's first name and tap Next
  8. Enter date of birth (Google requires supervision for children under 13)
  9. Create or select an email address for your child
  10. Create a password and tap Next
  11. Review and accept the agreements
  12. Tap Continue and enter your passcode

Child Device Setup

  1. On the child's device, swipe down from the top and tap the Settings gear icon
  2. Search for "parent" in settings
  3. Tap Set up parental controls
  4. Tap Add or create account for your child
  5. Enter your child's email address (created in parent setup)
  6. Enter your child's password
  7. Select your parent account and authenticate
  8. Review agreements and tap I agree
  9. Review all apps and decide which ones to allow
  10. Setup is complete! Manage from Family Link on your parent phone
Secure your parent device with a password or fingerprint! This prevents your child from accessing Family Link on your phone and changing settings.

Setting Downtime (Bedtime)

  1. Open Family Link on your parent phone
  2. Select your child's account
  3. Tap Downtime
  4. Create schedules for when the phone is locked (e.g., 9 PM to 7 AM)

Setting Daily Limits & App Limits

  1. In Family Link, tap Daily Limit
  2. Create schedules for each day of the week
  3. Tap Screen Time to see which apps your child uses most
  4. Tap App limits to set time limits for specific apps

Key Family Link Features:

  • Screen Time Limits – Set daily limits
  • App Approval – Approve/block all app downloads
  • Content Filters – Filter web and search content
  • Location Tracking – See your child's location
  • Remote Lock – Lock device remotely
  • Activity Reports – Weekly usage reports
  • SafeSearch – Filter explicit search results
  • Contact Management – Manage who they can contact
NEVER share the Screen Time passcode with your children. If they know it, they can change all settings.

Step 3: Content & Privacy Restrictions

This is where you control the type of content that appears on the device, and where inappropriate content, purchases, and downloads can be blocked.

Enable Content & Privacy Restrictions:

  1. Open Settings → Screen Time
  2. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions
  3. Turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions

iTunes & App Store Purchases

Prevent your child from installing/deleting apps and making in-app purchases.

  1. Tap iTunes & App Store Purchases
  2. Set Installing Apps to Don't Allow
  3. Set Deleting Apps to Don't Allow
  4. Set In-app Purchases to Don't Allow

Alternatively, use Ask to Buy in Family Sharing for more flexibility.

Allowed Apps

Allow or deny access to certain built-in apps.

  1. Tap Allowed Apps
  2. Turn OFF apps you want to block:

Recommended to block:

  • iTunes Store
  • Book Store
  • Podcasts

Content Restrictions

Limit content by age rating and block explicit material.

  1. Tap Content Restrictions
  2. Set age-appropriate ratings for Music, Podcasts & News, Movies, TV Shows, Books, and Apps
  3. Set Music, Podcasts, News & Workouts to Clean

Web Content

Control which websites can be accessed.

  1. Tap Web Content
  2. Select one of the following:
  • Limit Adult Websites – Blocks known adult websites (other sites still accessible)
  • Allowed Websites Only – Only specific websites you add can be accessed
If you select "Limit Adult Websites", not all inappropriate material will be blocked. It is very important to also install a filtering tool like Covenant Eyes or Qustodio.
Limit the browser to Safari only. If you use Covenant Eyes, its filtering works through the Safari browser. Disable all other browsers (Chrome, Firefox, etc.) under Allowed Apps so that web traffic is always filtered through Safari with the Covenant Eyes extension.

Privacy

  1. Tap Privacy
  2. Set Apple Advertising to Don't Allow
  3. Set Media & Apple Music to Don't Allow

Allow Changes

  1. Tap Allow Changes
  2. Set TV Provider to Don't Allow
  3. For Passcode Changes: Set to Don't Allow so only you can change the device password

Content Restrictions in Family Link:

Content restrictions are the most important part of parental controls—they allow you to control what content your child can access.

Google Play Restrictions

This is the critical setting—require approval for all content so your child cannot download any apps without your permission.

  1. Open the Family Link app on your phone
  2. Select your child's account
  3. Go to Controls → Content restrictions → Google Play
  4. Set Require approval for → All content
  5. Set age ratings for Apps & Games, Movies, TV, Books, and Music
Always set "Require approval for: All content" so your child cannot download apps without your permission.

Web Content Filtering (Google Chrome)

  1. In Family Link, go to Controls → Content restrictions → Google Chrome
  2. Select one of the following:
  • Try to block mature sites – Blocks known explicit sites (recommended minimum)
  • Only allow approved sites – Only specific websites you add can be accessed
  1. Add specific sites to block or allow as needed
Google's built-in filtering does not catch everything. It is very important to also install a filtering tool like Covenant Eyes or Qustodio.

SafeSearch

  1. In Family Link, go to Controls → Content restrictions → Google Search
  2. Enable SafeSearch to filter explicit content from search results

Location Tracking

  1. In Family Link, go to Controls → Location
  2. Turn on See your child's location
  3. You can now track your child's device location in real-time

Device Management

From the Device screen in Family Link, you can:

  • Lock the device remotely
  • Ring the device (to find it)
  • Manage app permissions and lock screen settings

Step 4: Install Filtering App

Install a third-party filtering app for additional protection beyond built-in parental controls. Built-in controls are limited - dedicated filtering apps provide better website filtering, app-level monitoring, text/social media scanning, location tracking, and detailed activity reports.

Be aware of apps with built-in browsers or content. Many apps—including games, messaging apps, and social platforms—have their own built-in browsers or content feeds that bypass your device's web filters. An app doesn't have to be a "browser" to give access to unfiltered content. This is why app approval (Step 3) is critical: every app installed is a potential open door.
Tethering can bypass home network filtering. If your child connects to another phone's hotspot (tethering), they bypass your home Firewalla or router-level filters entirely. Ensure mobile device filtering (like Covenant Eyes or Qustodio) is installed directly on the device so protection travels with it, regardless of which network it connects to.

Recommended options:

  • Bark ($14 USD/month) - Monitors texts, social media, email for concerning content. Alerts parents.
  • Covenant Eyes ($15 USD/month) - Screen accountability with AI that detects concerning images.
  • Qustodio (Free/$55 USD/year) - Comprehensive filtering and monitoring.
Bark → Covenant Eyes →

Step 5: No Social Media Accounts

Social media poses significant risks for children and teens. Research links social media use in teens to increased anxiety, depression, and loneliness; body image issues; cyberbullying and online predators; exposure to inappropriate content; and addictive usage patterns.

Platforms to avoid:

  • TikTok
  • Instagram
  • Snapchat
  • Facebook
  • YouTube (as a logged-in user)
  • Discord
Most platforms require users to be 13+, but many experts recommend waiting until 16+ or later.

Step 6: Devices in Common Areas

Devices should be used in shared spaces and charged outside of bedrooms overnight. Most problematic device use happens in private (bedrooms, bathrooms) and late at night when parents are asleep.

Recommended actions:

  1. Set up a family charging station in a common area (kitchen, living room)
  2. Establish a "phone curfew" where all devices are turned in (e.g., 9 PM on school nights)
  3. Keep devices out of bedrooms and bathrooms
Never allow phones in bedrooms overnight. This is when most problematic usage occurs.

Step 7: Install Accountability Software

Install accountability software that monitors activity and sends reports to parents or an accountability partner.

How accountability software works:

  • Monitors screen activity across all apps
  • Uses AI to detect concerning images or content
  • Sends weekly reports to a designated person
  • Alerts when explicit content is detected

This creates awareness that someone is watching, which helps resist temptation. Covenant Eyes is highly recommended.

Step 8: Parents Know All Passwords

Parents should know all passwords and have the ability to access any device at any time.

Passwords you should know:

  • Device passcode/PIN
  • Email account password
  • App store account password
  • Any other app or account passwords

This allows you to spot-check devices periodically, review messages if concerns arise, and ensure restrictions haven't been bypassed.

Make this a clear expectation from the start: "If you have this device, we will have access to it."