Giving a child their first smartphone is a significant milestone. It opens the door to communication, learning, and creativity -- but also to risks that parents need to manage proactively. The good news is that both Apple and Google provide robust built-in parental controls, and setting them up takes less than an hour.
Before You Hand Over the Phone
Before your child even switches on the device, have a conversation about why they are getting a phone and what the ground rules will be. This is not about scaring them -- it is about setting expectations together. Many families find it helpful to create a family agreement that covers when the phone can be used, where it charges overnight, and what to do if something online makes them uncomfortable.
Consider the age of your child. Ofcom's 2024 Children and Parents: Media Use and Attitudes report found that 55% of UK children aged 9 own a smartphone, rising to 97% by age 12. If your child is under 11, you may want to consider a feature phone or a device with stricter limitations as a first step.
Setting Up an iPhone for a Child
Apple's Screen Time feature, available in Settings, is your main tool. Start by creating a child Apple ID through Family Sharing. This automatically enables age-appropriate content restrictions and requires parental approval for app downloads.
- Go to Settings > Screen Time > Turn On Screen Time and choose 'This is My Child\'s iPhone'.
- Set Downtime to disable the phone during bedtime hours.
- Under App Limits, set daily time allowances for categories like Social Media and Games.
- In Content & Privacy Restrictions, block explicit content, limit web browsing to allowed websites only (for younger children), and disable in-app purchases.
- Turn on Communication Limits to control who your child can call, text, and FaceTime.
- Enable Share My Location through Find My so you can see where the device is.
Setting Up an Android Phone for a Child
Google's Family Link app is the equivalent tool for Android devices. Download it from the Play Store onto your own phone, then use it to set up your child's Google Account during the phone's initial setup.
- Install Google Family Link on your phone and create a supervised Google Account for your child.
- During setup, link the child's account to your Family Link app.
- Set daily screen time limits and a bedtime schedule.
- Manage which apps can be installed -- Family Link requires your approval for every new app download.
- Use Google SafeSearch to filter explicit results from Google Search.
- Turn on Location Sharing so you can check your child's whereabouts.
Essential Settings for Both Platforms
Regardless of the platform, there are some universal steps every parent should take when setting up a child's first smartphone.
- Disable Bluetooth and AirDrop for strangers -- these can be used to send unsolicited content.
- Turn off location sharing in individual apps unless there is a clear reason for it.
- Set the app store to require a password for every download, not just paid apps.
- Review pre-installed apps and remove anything unnecessary -- browsers, social media apps, and messaging apps you do not want them using yet.
- Set up an emergency contact that is easily accessible from the lock screen.
Choosing the Right Apps
A child's first phone does not need dozens of apps. Start with the essentials: a phone and messaging app for family communication, a browser with safe search enabled, and perhaps an educational app or two. Avoid installing social media apps for children under 13, as most platforms including Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat set 13 as their minimum age in their terms of service.
If your child wants a messaging app to chat with friends, consider options designed for families. Apps like Bark or Qustodio offer monitoring features that let you review messages for concerning content without reading every word.
Ongoing Conversations Matter More Than Settings
No parental control is a substitute for open communication. Let your child know they can come to you if they see something upsetting, receive a message from a stranger, or feel pressured by peers online. The NSPCC recommends regular check-ins about online experiences, framed as interest rather than surveillance.
As your child matures, gradually relax restrictions and give them more autonomy. The goal is to build their digital literacy and judgment so that by the time they are a teenager, they can navigate the online world with confidence and good habits.
Quick Checklist
- Have a conversation about expectations before giving the phone.
- Create a child account (Apple ID or Google Account) linked to your own.
- Enable built-in parental controls (Screen Time or Family Link).
- Set screen time limits and a bedtime schedule.
- Restrict app downloads to require parental approval.
- Block explicit content and enable safe search.
- Disable AirDrop/Bluetooth sharing with strangers.
- Set up location sharing for safety.
- Remove unnecessary pre-installed apps.
- Schedule regular check-ins to discuss online experiences.
