Which filters and restrictions are useful for the first smartphone?

How do you make smartphones childproof? Which features can be used to restrict access to certain content and limit the time spent on the mobile phone? Our suggestions for iOS and Android devices.

The smartphone is the gateway to the internet - with all its opportunities and dangers. It therefore makes sense to set up technical aids such as filters, shopping blocks and time restrictions to limit the risks, especially when using a smartphone for the first time. Adults can also use control tools to check their own smartphone use and restrict it if necessary.

Two requests in advance

  1. Erklären Sie Ihren Kindern, was Sie auf Ihren Smartphones beschränken oder kontrollieren und warum. Denn wichtiger als jedes technische Hilfsmittel ist das Vertrauen Ihrer Kinder und der Dialog über die Mediennutzung.
  2. Verzichten Sie auf Apps, die die Privatsphäre Ihrer Kinder einschränken. Verwenden Sie keine Apps, die sich im Betriebssystem verstecken, um die Kinder heimlich zu überwachen, keine Apps, die Eltern erlauben Textnachrichten mitzulesen oder die Nutzung der Kinder im Detail aus der Ferne mitverfolgen.

Set on the device or control via parental access?

On smartphones with the latest operating systems, most useful settings can be made directly on the device. Before you do this, you need to clarify a basic question for yourself: Do you want to change the settings on each device individually, which means that your children will be able to change the settings again, or do you want to use family authorisations to control your children's devices from your device?

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Which restrictions make sense at all?

  1.  Codesperre – schützen Sie Ihr eigenes Smartphone (besonders bei kleineren Kindern) oder das Ihrer Kinder vor unbefugtem Zugriff. Hierfür können Sie in den Einstellungen Zahlencodes oder Passwörter festlegen.
  2. Passwortabfrage bei Einkäufen in Apps und in den App-Stores – verhindert versehentliches oder unbedachtes Geldausgeben.
  3.  Inhaltliche Beschränkungen: Sie können festlegen, dass Ihre Kinder nicht eigenständig Apps installieren und deinstallieren können. Ausserdem können Sie Altersfreigaben festlegen.
  4. Einschränkung der Nutzungszeit: Sie können die Zeit am Smartphone im generellen beschränken oder für bestimmte Apps. Ausserdem lassen sich Pausen festlegen – digitale Auszeiten zum Beispiel für die Nacht.

How do you make iOs devices childproof?

On newer iOs devices (iPhones and iPads), all these functions can be set in the settings of each individual device. The Schau Hin website uses screenshots to show what can be found where.

If you want to control several family devices from your device - and above all want to make sure that the children don't simply change the settings again - you can do this on Apple devices via iCloud and Family Sharing. It should be noted that Apple theoretically has access to all data in the cloud. Data protection experts advise against this use.
This video shows a simple guide to setting up family sharing:

How do you make Android devices childproof?

If you have Android devices, you can also use the settings to introduce the above-mentioned restrictions. On the Schau Hin website, there are screenshots for setting up a code lock and restricting purchases (password and parental control) in the Google Play Store.

The Google Family Link app can be used to place restrictions on children's devices in the same way as family sharing in the iCloud. For example, content that is not age-appropriate can be blocked. The usage times for certain apps can be restricted. Privacy advocates do not like the app because you have to create separate Google accounts for the children with their name and age and because the app also allows controls that are rather questionable, for example the constant tracking of the child. How to set up the app is also explained on Schau-Hin.

Self-monitoring and setting restrictions is also possible in the settings on newer Android devices. Under «Digital well-being», you can check and restrict your own screen time and the use of individual apps, as well as plan rest periods. A nice additional feature: the smartphone's colours can be changed to greyscale for a selected time under idle phases - this makes the smartphone surprisingly unattractive.

An app that also appeals to data protectionists

JoLo is an app for parental control from the parent's device that is also recommended by data protection experts. It allows parents to set time limits for apps and block apps remotely. The app was programmed by a teenager for his younger brother.

Here is a video about the app:

Read more about media use and education:

  • Smart with your first smartphone. Which rules make sense? With contract template.