I'm looking for advice on how to implement stricter parental controls on a Samsung Galaxy Tab for my very intelligent 4-year-old son. He's managed to get around the Guided Access on an iPad and the app pinning feature on Android. He needs internet access for a few specific, approved apps, but he shouldn't be able to access anything else online, like Google Search. Unfortunately, the Google App can't be disabled via Family Link, and any app that links out seems to give him access to the internet. I'm really struggling to find an effective solution for this.
3 Answers
About that Google App, I think you can block web search functionality through Family Link. Just go to 'Controls', then 'Block or limit apps', find Google, and disable the search feature. Also, be sure to block any browser apps; if an app tries to open a web link, it usually uses the default browser, so blocking all browsers might work for you!
Have you checked the parental controls on your router? Most modern routers let you set up restrictions for specific devices, like your kid's tablet. You can create a whitelist of allowed sites, which would limit his access to just a few safe domains, like YouTube. It's super helpful if he’s tech-savvy.
I came here to say this! Just set up a few allowed domains and see if he can hack that.
Totally agree! A router-level whitelist is definitely the way to go if he's clever. It's worth the setup effort!
Honestly, a 4-year-old doesn’t really need internet access at all. Maybe try just keeping the tablet out of his reach? It’s a simple solution.
Just a heads-up; some apps have built-in browsers, so blocking all browsers might be necessary to prevent sneaky web access.