How to Set Up Parental Controls on a Chromebook

Learn how to manage your child's Chromebook activity, set screen time limits, and filter content using Google Family Link settings.

1. Download the Family Link app. Download and install the Google Family Link app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store on your personal mobile device. Sign in with the primary parent Google account you intend to use to manage the Chromebook. Ensure you have the credentials for your child's Google account ready.
2. Link the child account. Open the Family Link app, tap the Plus icon, and select Add child. Follow the on-screen prompts to link your child’s existing Google account to your parent account. If they do not have an account, select Create new account to initiate a supervised profile.
3. Sign in to the Chromebook. Power on the Chromebook and sign in using the child's managed Google account. During the initial setup sequence, the device will prompt for parent authentication to verify the account is supervised. Enter your parent account credentials to grant the necessary permissions.
4. Set content filters. In the Family Link app on your phone, select your child’s name and navigate to Controls. Tap Content restrictions and select Google Chrome to manage website access. You can choose to block explicit sites, allow only specific approved sites, or permit all sites with filter settings enabled.
5. Define screen time limits. Navigate to the Daily limit tab within the Family Link app. Enable the toggle to set a daily time allowance for Chromebook usage. You can also configure a Bedtime schedule to automatically lock the device during specific hours of the night.
6. Manage app permissions. Access the App activity section in Family Link to view recently used applications. You can approve or block specific apps from the Chrome Web Store or Play Store. Tap on any app to adjust its permissions or set specific usage limits.