A clear starting choice
See what we would choose for the stated age and situation, with the reasoning beside it.
Before you hand over the phone
You bought the phone. Now set it up for your child.
KidPhoneSetup turns scattered settings into a calm, step-by-step plan: what to configure, what to choose, why it matters, and when to change it.
No technical background neededCurrent-source verification$9 digital guides
Start restrictive. Add freedom deliberately.
Use a clear starting setup, then review it as your child gains experience.
Decision firstSee the recommended starting choice before the technical explanation.
Child experience includedUnderstand what your child will see when a limit or request appears.
Built to be reviewedKnow which choices to revisit instead of leaving restrictions unchanged forever.
Choose the phone in your hand
Begin with the operating system—not a generic safety list.
iPhone and Android use different accounts, controls, approval flows, and terminology. Start with the guide that matches the child’s actual device.
i
Set up a child’s iPhone
Work through the Child Account, Family Sharing, Screen Time, apps and purchases, web content, communication, privacy, and ongoing reviews.
See the iPhone setup guideA
Set up a child’s Android
Work through the child Google Account, Family Link, app approvals, screen time, browsing, location, permissions, and device-specific checks.
See the Android setup guideThe gap we fill
Official help tells you where to tap. We help you decide what to choose.
A parent rarely needs another feature list. They need a practical starting point for this child and a clear explanation of the tradeoffs.
Room for family judgment
See where readiness, school needs, or household rules may justify a different choice.
No blind toggling
Confirm settings that may already be active instead of assuming every protection starts off.
Free, practical setup help
Start with the decision you need to make today.
These guides explain the recommended starting choice, what the child experiences, the control’s limits, and when to review it. Use a paid guide when you want the complete tap-by-tap setup in one sequence.
1
First phone
Choose the device, plan the handoff, compare iPhone and Android, and build a review path.
Explore first-phone setup →i
iPhone for kids
Child Account, Family Sharing, Ask to Buy, Screen Time, web, communication, and location.
Explore iPhone decisions →A
Android for kids
Family Link, Play approvals, Chrome, time, location, school accounts, and handset gaps.
Explore Android decisions →⌘
First computer
Chromebook, Windows, Mac, browser accounts, school access, and control boundaries.
Explore computer setup →▶
YouTube for kids
Choose between YouTube Kids and supervised YouTube, then configure content, history, autoplay, time, and shared screens.
Choose the YouTube experience →R
Roblox parent settings
Link the parent account, then review games, communication, connections, spending, time, and the 30-day check-in.
Configure Roblox deliberately →M
Minecraft parental controls
Choose the play route, review friends and communication, and troubleshoot multiplayer without opening every online option.
Plan Minecraft before play →
Useful enough to preview. Complete enough to buy.
See the decision before you purchase.
Every guide is designed as a field guide, not an ebook: a pre-handoff checklist, recommended choices, exact configuration steps, what the child experiences, and when to review each decision.
- One setup sequence instead of scattered tabs
- Plain-language reasons for the recommendation
- Important limitations and bypass routes
- A progression from starter settings to greater independence
A setup that can grow
The goal is not permanent control.
Give the child a manageable starting point, watch how it works, and add freedom when the evidence—not a birthday alone—supports it.
More parent approval
Begin with clear limits, known contacts, intentional downloads, and parent-owned recovery.
Selected freedoms
Loosen one choice at a time when the child consistently handles the existing setup well.
More autonomy
Keep age-appropriate oversight and conversation while the child takes on more responsibility.
Free pre-handoff checklist
Make the decisions before setup day becomes a rush.
Use the 12-decision checklist to gather accounts, choose your starting rules, and identify the settings that need attention on iPhone or Android.
“Do I know what the device will allow—and what my child will see?”
That is the useful test. Configuration is not a guarantee of safety; it is a way to make access deliberate, understandable, and easier to review.