How to Set Parental Controls for Chromebook 

The requirement for parental control Chromebook usage has become increasingly popular in recent years. This is relevant now that Chromebooks are preferred in some classrooms, and people generally spend more time online. With the introduction of this device into children’s classrooms, concerned parents have been pushed to learn how to set up parental controls on Chromebooks.

On the other hand, Google took an abnormally long time to add the Chromebook parental controls feature, but this inclusion is praise-worthy; it has more than made up for the lost time. These parental controls were developed as part of the company’s Family Link system, an extension of the Chrome Android origin. It allows you to secure and monitor your children’s online presence and restrict or block whatever you feel might pose a threat to them.

This article will tell you everything you need to know about parental control for Chromebook. We will also recommend a reliable app to ensure that you are 100% informed about your kid’s activities. 

What Are Chromebook Parental Controls?

Chromebook parental controls refer to monitoring features that Google have provided in their Chromebook device to help concerned parents restrict and monitor what their kids do on the internet. 

Unfortunately, before 2018, Chromebook did not have built-in parental settings on Chromebook. However, after encountering some difficulties and criticism, they decide to implement the “Google Family Link system.” 

The Google Family Link is a parental control Chromebook software that must be installed on both the targeted child’s Chromebook and the parent’s device. However, it has received widespread acclaim due to its ease of use on Chromebook.

What Can You Do with Parental Controls on Chromebook?

Despite the push for parental settings on Chromebook, Family Link has some shortcomings as a parental control app. It is recommended for Chromebooks and allows parents to control the following:

• Set app limitations in the Play Store and disable app purchases.
• Establish browsing limits and website permissions.
• Set screen time constraints.
• Most violent and sexually explicit websites are blocked.
• It prevents the use of a child’s information to customize advertisements.
• Look at their activity.
• Locking their device’s screen prohibits them from using incognito mode.
• Identify their whereabouts, if the kid has the Chromebook on them, and if it has internet connectivity and is turned on.

Setting Up Supervised Users on Chromebook

By creating an account with monitored access, you can completely control the Chromebook. By creating an account, you may block websites on Chromebook, preinstall extensions and bookmarks, view your whole internet history, and much more. It offers you a lot of power over what the targeted profile can do.

Thus, below are the steps for setting up supervised users in Chromebook:

• Open the settings and ensure that you’re signed in to the Chromebook.
• Go to the People section to Manage other users, where you can enable supervised users.
• Instead of logging in, log out and select More on the homepage, where you’ll see Add monitored users.
• When you click that link, you will be requested to provide the account that should be the manager. First, enter the account’s password.
• Then, for the new account, enter the required details. 

Blocking Websites on Chromebook as Parental Controls

You can activate parental control Chromebook using the following steps:

• Navigate to families.google.com and select the account you want to manage.
• Choose “Websites on Chrome” from the toolbar on the left.
• Click “Only allow specific sites,” then “Manage sites.”
• Under Advanced Settings, select “Blocked sites.” It will provide a complete count of the sites you’ve blocked beneath.
• You will be able to block any websites that you do not want your kid to view. First, click the pink plus (+) sign in the lower right corner of the screen. Next, enter the URL to be blocked. When you’re finished, select the blue “Block” option. Of course, you can always reverse this afterward. You can also add “Approved sites” on the preceding page to restrict your child’s access to specific websites.

Monitoring Supervised Users on Chromebook

Chromebook has made it possible for you to connect the device to your phone and modify the settings using Google Family Link. This makes monitoring supervised users on Chromebook easier.

Google Family Link – Best-Integrated Chromebook Parental Control 

Family Link from Google is a parental control program that allows parents to regulate a targeted Chromebook to varying degrees. Parents provide Chromebook for kids’ academic uses in classrooms and other academic settings.

It allows you to establish and maintain a kid’s Google account. This account is similar to an adult account. However, there are some restrictions on contents the account may access from Google. Then, using Family Link, you can remotely monitor a child’s device, including Chromebook screen time limits, location, and app installation permissions.

How to Set Up Google Family Link on Chromebook

You can use the following steps to set up Family Link from Google:

• Once your accounts have been linked, proceed by clicking “Next.”
• Examine apps by turning toggles off and on to grant access to specific ones. Continue by clicking more.
• You can select “filters and ratings” for certain categories on the following page. For example, for apps and games, you can fix the rating to Everyone, Mature 17+, Teen, or Adults only 18+. You can also establish purchasing restrictions requiring approval for in-app purchases. After making each modification, click “OK.” These limits are available in your device settings at all times.
• To proceed, click “Next,” and you will be required to install the “Family Link” app. Click “Next” once more.
• To complete the configuration, click “Sign out.” Then, Google will send you an email with a link to download the app. You may also visit internet settings to blacklist websites.

Additional Layer of Security – uMobix

Within their constraints, the Google Family Link has shown to be effective. Because of these limitations, most parents have been obliged to seek the services of third-party monitoring apps, which come ready to use on Chromebooks. However, it is limited in blocking inappropriate information and enhancing the built-in parental control Chromebook feature. 

One of the most effective cell phone monitoring apps out there is uMobix. It is a renowned phone tracking app that has gained traction in the espionage world. It exhibits a wide range of abilities, competence, and desire. The creators have ensured that the tracking application maintains its top position by providing additional capabilities to consumers every month. It offers complete access to specific social media networks, such as Facebook and Instagram, and GPS tracking. The compatibility of the uMobix software is intriguing.

The uMobix software was designed to be an ideal secret spy. It lets you observe what someone is doing on their phone without acting suspiciously. The monitoring software includes a simple user interface and many sophisticated functions. So, with a few clicks, you can track the target cell phone’s position and activities. Some of the features you stand to benefit from with uMobix include monitoring:

• Call history
• Text messages
• Social networks
• Real-time location
• Keystrokes
• Geofencing

Summary

In a world where everything has fast gone digital, Chromebook monitoring is needed more than ever. If you purchased a Chromebook for kids’ use, ensure that your kids are protected from the inappropriate content on the internet. However, parental control Chromebook tools such as the newly introduced Family Link from Google can go a long way in protecting your kid, such as blocking websites on Chromebook, restricting Chromebook screen time, etc. But it has its limitations, forcing parents to opt for other third-party monitoring apps such as uMobix. 

These third-party apps provide a more reliable parental control advantage and allow parents to stay ahead of potential threats their kids are exposed to when using the internet on their various devices.