Updated September 2026: in 2021, with school classes online, I wrote about two worries with giving children their own phones: gaming that spreads through their friend groups, and unsuitable ads pushed by apps on low-cost Android phones. I have rewritten it into practical steps parents can take today.
Online classes during Covid made a device for each child a necessity in many homes. With that came two problems I wrote about at the time. It was hard to tell whether a child was in class or playing a game, and once one child in a group found a new game, everyone wanted it. And many budget Android phones came with preinstalled apps that pushed unwanted, sometimes unsuitable, advertising notifications.
What controls can parents set on a child's phone?
- On Android: Google Family Link lets parents approve app installs, set daily limits, schedule bedtime and see app usage.
- On iPhone and iPad: Screen Time with Family Sharing offers app limits, downtime, content restrictions and "Ask to Buy" for downloads.
- Within apps: YouTube Kids, and supervised accounts on YouTube, restrict content by age.
Set these up before handing the device over; adding restrictions later is always harder.
How do you stop unwanted ads on budget Android phones?
Much of this advertising comes from preinstalled apps. Go to Settings, then Notifications, and turn off notifications for any app you do not recognise or need. Disable preinstalled apps that you cannot uninstall. In the phone maker's own apps, look for settings named "recommendations" or "promotions" and switch them off. When buying a phone for a child, models that ship with fewer preinstalled apps save effort.
How do you tell whether a child is in class or gaming?
Usage reports in Family Link or Screen Time show which apps were used and for how long. Scheduling limits so games are unavailable during school hours is more effective than checking afterwards. A shared space for studying, rather than a closed room, also helps younger children.
How do you handle games that spread through friend groups?
Rules work better than outright bans: which games, how long, and when. Talk to other parents in the group, because a shared rule is far easier for a child to accept than being the only one left out. Check a game's age rating and whether it involves in-app purchases or chat with strangers.
Is a separate phone necessary now?
With classes back in person, many younger children do not need one. A shared family tablet with a child profile often covers homework and entertainment, and it keeps screen time visible and easier to manage.