How to enable parental controls in android 5.1. Installing parental controls on an Android phone or tablet

MOSCOW, September 7 - RIA Novosti. The desire to control everything that a child can do on their smartphone or tablet can be visited by any parent who dares to donate such a device by the beginning of the school year. RIA Novosti correspondents tried to figure out what exactly you should pay attention to when choosing an application.

Developers of applications that provide parental control functions on mobile devices do not agree on the basic approaches to the functionality of such services and often do not provide flexibility in their settings.

Parental control tasks may include a ban on visiting unwanted Internet sites, restricting a child's access to communication services, as well as controlling the use of applications on the device. As an option, there may be remote monitoring of what exactly (and not in the classroom) the child is doing at the moment.

However, not every developer includes all the components in their product, and sometimes even "redoubts" erected by companies that have eaten a dog on information security surrender almost without a fight.

As part of the world's most widespread mobile platform Google Android, there is no built-in parental control function, but upon request in the online application store Google Play a list of almost 500 positions is issued, including different versions of the same programs: it is not easy to understand such a variety.

Apple iOS has its own “restraint” function, and therefore there are an order of magnitude fewer alternatives and add-ons in the App Store than in Google Play. In the platform Microsoft Windows Phone 8, which is expected to be released in the near future, will also have a built-in parental control feature.

Android on guard

The list of all available programs that could help parents limit their children's use of smartphones and tablets, and at the same time keep an eye on the actions of the child, is long.

Most of these applications are organized according to the principle of creating a "sandbox": parents indicate safe from their point of view programs from among those installed on a mobile device, and the child gets access only to them. Changing the settings is locked with a password. Access to calls and other paid services of telecom operators can also be configured.

In the free application "Playground" (Kids Place) for the child, a separate shell with programs selected by parents is launched, from which the child cannot exit without knowing the password. The shell will also automatically start when the device is rebooted: if an application similar in functionality does not have such an option, then all other barriers become meaningless.

Alternatively, you can find Kytephone programs on Google Play: Parental Control, Best Parental Control Android and others. The mentioned applications differ slightly from each other.

In most cases, the browser can be included in the number of programs available in the "sandbox", but developers do not always puzzle themselves with finer settings for filtering individual sites or their categories. If the child, according to the parents, has already grown up to the Internet, but not to everything that is there, it is necessary to look for a solution with detailed browsing settings.

RIA News. Igor Zarembo

Sometimes "protective redoubts" built by gadget manufacturers do not prevent a child from receiving forbidden information.

Parental Control "Kaspersky Lab" is served by the authors just as a means of controlling visits to "non-children's" sites. However, the program works based on its own "black" lists of sites, and these lists cannot be changed or supplemented.

Due to such inflexibility, for example, the Yandex search engine, and at the same time all the services of the same name, are among the trustworthy ones. In particular, the "Yandex. Pictures" service, combined with the knowledge of the "correct" keywords to search will allow the child to find absolutely any image.

Some applications, such as Symantec's Norton Safety Minder, require an account to be created on the service's website, through which parents can set limits for their child's device.

Such programs often refuse to work without access to the Internet, which can hardly be attributed to their merits. However, connection to the Internet, firstly, allows the device to work with constantly updated "black lists", and secondly, gives parents the opportunity to receive information about what is happening on the child's smartphone at any time through the online interface.

Allows you to monitor the device from afar, such as Safety Minder or Bitdefender Parental Control. Both of these applications, unlike the brainchild of Kaspersky Lab, also allow you to specify unwanted Internet addresses manually, and not rely only on the recommendations of the service itself. Sandboxing features with the ability to block applications and communication services are also provided by Bitdefender and Symantec products.

These and some other programs also allow you to set the time during which your child can use certain features of the phone, such as playing games or using the Internet. In addition, if the smartphone may be in the hands of different children, you can create your own profile with settings for each of them.

There are programs that protect not so much the child as the parent's wallet, for example, Phone Control costs more than 120 rubles. The application is specialized in fine tuning, including remote communication services available on the device, including a list of contacts with whom you can call and chat. The program also allows the parent to receive copies of incoming and outgoing SMS messages from the protected phone SMS and emails on their phone.

Protection from Apple

Parental controls built into the iOS operating system allow you to restrict the use of some standard applications, as well as prohibit the installation and / or removal of applications. Among the programs that can be turned off are the Safari browser, the client for viewing videos on YouTube, the camera, the application for shopping in the iTunes online store for audio and video content.

To protect parental settings, a four-digit password is used, which gives about 10 thousand combinations. However, even if the child is patient, it will not be easy to guess the password: after several unsuccessful attempts, the device gradually increases the timeout before the next attempt. In addition, the number of failed attempts is displayed on the password entry screen, which will give away a young hacker with a head.

There are no settings for filtering sites in Safari. When you disable the application, it simply disappears from the menu. You can leave the opportunity to use respectable resources only with the help of third-party solutions.

The iOS platform imposes strict requirements on developers, which does not allow them to create programs that work at the system level and control other software without violating Apple prohibitions.

Thus, in fact, the only way to filter web content is to use a third-party browser that provides such functionality. At the same time, all other browsers must be removed (along with blocking the possibility of installing programs), and the standard Safari is disabled: otherwise, the meaning of using the "guardian" is lost.

RIA News. Alexey Kudenko

For Apple, the only way to filter web content is to use a third-party browser that provides this functionality.

In the absence of other browsers, the aforementioned Kaspersky Parental Control, also released for iOS, could help, but this protection, as has been shown, can be easily bypassed.

The K9 Web Protection Browser application better resists attempts to get to the forbidden fruits: the authors blocked the search for images and videos. By the way, the same application is also available on Google Play, but after installing it on a smartphone, it did not work stably, which negates all the advantages of the programs.

Windows and Blackberry

There are also options for control on Blackberry devices, if a parent wants to give their child one of these traditional smartphones for business communication: the corresponding Parental Controls application is available on the BlackBerry App World.

Through the application, you can allow calls to certain contacts (including incoming), allow or prohibit the use of the camera, Bluetooth, installation of applications and their use. There are no settings for the availability of Internet resources: you can either allow everything or prohibit everything.

The Kid's Corner parental control service will become part of the Microsoft Windows Phone 8 platform, which will be released in the fall. According to the description of the service, parents will be able to configure the availability of music, video, applications, but it is not yet possible to judge how this will actually work. versions of the Windows Phone 7 platform, using the built-in tools, you can only configure the availability of certain applications for download.

flickr.com, honou

Blackberry devices have an app that allows you to only allow calls to certain contacts

Summing up, we can say that the most difficult thing in parental control is reasonable content filtering on the Internet. Protecting children from online slums, it is harmful for parents to underestimate the curiosity of their children: in particular, it should be remembered that many applications have a built-in browser for reading links. For example, such a function is available in the official Twitter client.

Even if you disable the Safari browser on the iPad given to the child at the system level, then using the built-in browser windows, you can access the Web and, with some skill, get to the site of some search engine. From there, the road to almost any Internet resource is open.

Is it advisable for children to buy a device controlled by operating system Android? There is no single answer to this question, but all because of the large number of opinions. Someone thinks that this is an extra window dressing. Others that it is very convenient and useful for studying.

Before you change your child's modern smartphone to a black and white phone, think about its undeniable advantages. After all, the "green robot" allows you to listen to the owner of its user. Yes, yes, it's true, parental control on Android is a reality.

"Download" software

Parental supervision on a mobile, Android smartphone and tablet can be activated by installing a special application. The program for monitoring the child's phone is a valuable opportunity imperceptible penetration into his personal life. If the idea arose for the sake of a good cause, then the moral code can be neglected.

It is useful for the user to know how to establish control over the child on the Internet. This will help protect children from inappropriate content. To implement the idea, you just need to install the application on the user's device. It will block spam, porn and other unwanted material. This is a kind of children's Internet limiter.

wiretapping

There is also the possibility to listen to conversations, and now we will tell you how to do it. There are several ways to get a "key" to someone else's mobile device.

We will not consider standard methods such as installing a bug, they are outdated and impractical. Instead, we will provide you with a list of the most revolutionary techniques.

Methods – effective and widely used

The first is the download to the device of the listened software. An easy way to set control over your child's phone. Underwater rocks:

• Sometimes teens just don't give their gadgets in their hands. This means that you will not be able to install the program on it.
• Not everyone is able to find a service that will work.
• Poor transmission quality.

The second method is much more complicated and more efficient. Parents' peace of mind is achieved by monitoring the phone through a desktop computer.

Parents have a chance to control the child's access to information. This will limit unwanted actions on the part of the child.

Mobile spy resource

Want to quickly and effortlessly follow your teenager? Use the Internet project at the link below, which provides similar services.

Here you will find a lot of programs and applications suitable for your situation.

Many children between the ages of 7 and 14 already have their own smartphone. Responsible parents should take care of installing a specialized application for parental control. Recently, the German laboratory AV-TEST tested such solutions, checking the effectiveness of the proposed control in everyday use.

Smartphones with Internet: about 30 percent of 8-year-olds already own their own smartphone

A window to the world in the hands of a seven-year-old child. This is perhaps the most concise description for a smartphone with Internet access. As you know, network gateways serve not only to access the external space, but also to intrude on the device. Android parental control apps are just trying to solve this problem- they provide secure paths to the Internet and at the same time close the gate to external threats.

Most of the smartphones sold in the world run on the Android OS. Naturally, the market was forced to respond to this with the release of a large number of specialized applications for parental control. Many antivirus solutions for the mobile platform already have a built-in parental control feature. However, there are separate standalone apps that are purely for parental control. AV-Test tested the performance and functionality of 12 different applications. 4 apps are antivirus apps with built-in controls, while the remaining 8 apps are standalone parental control solutions. The following vendors participated in the testing program: Bitdefender, eScan, F-Secure, Kiddoware, McAfee, Mobicip, Net Nanny, Quick Heal, Salfeld, Screen Time Labs, Symantec and Trend Micro.

Popular Applications

Lab researchers tested functionality and coverage in addition to measuring filtration efficiency and detection of unwanted sources. The bottom line is that almost all of the apps we tested did a great job. The main difference between them is the equipment with additional functions.

while the app is great at filtering unwanted sites, that's where its functionality ends.

The main purpose of a parental control app is to sort and block websites and content. In order to allow your child to view certain websites, you must enter his age immediately after installing the application. In the lab, the researchers pointed to a fictitious seven-year-old Timmy and set up the app accordingly, such as selecting the appropriate preset profile. There are several ways to filter web content. For example, sites can be fine-tuned according to a whitelist so that the child can only visit authorized sources. The second method is the logical analysis of websites by title and content. To implement a similar algorithm of work, many applications offer to configure allowed content categories. Depending on the selected profile, the appropriate categories are activated, and web resources are classified by applications, after which it blocks or allows access.

The application uses its own browser to protect children from inappropriate websites.

More than 10,000 sites verified

The test tested the technology robot and evaluated the application logic. To do this, each app had to weed out more than 6,000 sites that were not suitable for children to view. As an additional argument, another 4,500 sites with child-friendly content were used to check for false positives. The difficulty of the task lies in the following: a site with a harmless fairy tale is definitely appropriate for children. The car dealership site is not intended for children, but it does not contain any inappropriate content, so it should not be blocked. Researchers have paid special attention to the logic of analysis of the sources of applications to make sure that websites are not mistakenly blocked. If such false positives occur quite often, it is likely that the child will want to get rid of the parental control system completely. In testing, many applications that were very effective at blocking certain categories, such as Symantec, Quick Heal or F-Secure, were also blocked. a large number of resources suitable for children. However, the most best apps the second test (for false positives), in particular Mobicip, Kiddoware or Salfeld were less effective at filtering categories.

The app from Screen Time Labs did no filtering at all. The product only allows you to block or allow the launch of the browser. If the smartphone is connected to the network, the application allows you to remotely lock the smartphone using parental controls by using the parent's device, for example.

parental control apps on Android use similar logic and mechanisms to separate sources into relevant and inappropriate

Some applications are almost devoid of additional features

The features built into individual parental control apps vary widely. Very often, search engine protection (safe search) is enabled, which is automatically activated by applications. This protection may extend to Google, Bing or Yahoo. Initially search system filters search results containing films, photos and text content for adults. This feature is offered by F-Secure, Mobicip, Net Nanny and Symantec.

Many parents want to be able to limit the amount of time they can access the device, go online, and use apps. These additional features do not occur together. 7 out of 12 apps tested offer one of these blocking features, and only Salfeld offers two.

Kiddoware, Screen Time Labs, and Symantec allow you to lock your device for a specific amount of time. During a lockdown, only Symantec allows you to dial emergency numbers.

In addition, additional tools include app blocking, Facebook account monitoring, and temporary control of incoming and outgoing calls. But even these features are only partially available in some applications, as this table illustrates.

in terms of extra features, most apps are limited

Remote access and control

Nearly half of child protection applications offer an online control panel that allows adults to remotely administer devices and also contains a log of logged activities in an easy-to-read format. Some solutions allow you to track the location of your smartphone using the site. This feature will definitely be useful for finding a lost device.

Web portal app developers also typically offer a report or logging functionality to easily monitor children's activities. These components usually display a list of visited and blocked sites, search history, a list of attempts to launch blocked applications, and an overview of all attempts to violate the established rules. Only Screen Time Labs shows how long the device has been used. In general, reporting and logging functions are only part of several applications.

very few applications register a child's online activity on a smartphone

Which app is the best?

As such, there is no winner. The features of the applications, as well as their filtering, detection, and reporting philosophies, are too varied. Here is a tip from testers: the younger the child, the more automated the system for blocking sites and services should be. A child between the ages of 7 and 10 is not very upset because of the blocking of the site and continues to surf. Teenagers, on the contrary, are too irritated with the blocking and try to find ways to bypass the protection. That is why, for this age group, the researchers recommend creating fewer obstacles, but compensate for this with a more powerful accounting and information system. Parents should also engage in personal conversations with children about certain content found on the Internet.

Parental Control for Android is an effective method to protect the child from unnecessary content, downloading dangerous and unwanted files, as well as viewing adult content sites. After all, it is extremely difficult to constantly monitor what a child is watching or playing. Such personal control fetters the child, and programs help to do the same, only unobtrusively.

A few key tasks of child tracking programs:

• setting a time limit for games;
• ban on downloading paid applications;
• protecting children from inappropriate content (pornography and violence);
• protection against potentially harmful code that can get through downloaded files from unidentified sources.

Set a limit to some Android features for a child, really through the personalization of Android, interaction with Google Play and installation of special applications.

Restrict access using "Settings"

Parental control on an Android phone can be done through the access restriction settings for the user. How to do it:

1. Enter "Settings";
2. Select the "Users" section;
3. Select "Add User";

1. Set a limit on your child's account.

Now you can give the choice to the child or decide for yourself which programs will appear in the window and which are hidden. Alternative option- assign a password, for example, for the Google Play store.

Restrictions in PlayMarket

To control the use of the store, it is enough to activate tracking in the Google Play program:

1. Go to the store.
2. Click on "Settings".
3. Select Parental Control.
4. Set a password.

At the end, you need to determine the age limit for the selection of games, movies, applications, and in the audio they put a ban on downloading with profanity, it is additionally possible to set a password for paid content.

For those who are faced with the question of how to set parental controls on Android, there are special programs. Here are the best and most popular utility options for a mobile OS:

• YouTube Kids;
• Kid's Shell;
• Screen Time;
• PlayPad;
• Safe Lagoons.

YouTube Kids

A specially designed service that contains videos of an entertaining and intellectual nature. It is possible to remove videos from the selection, for this you need to click "Complain".

All videos are divided into 4 sectors:

1. Education.
2. Music.
3. Kaleidoscope.

The program has wide buttons that are easy to manage even for the smallest users. There is a function for synchronization to TV, for watching videos on the big screen.

Settings for parents will allow you to set a limit on the use of the program and prohibit the search function, viewing will only be on the main screen.

Kid's Shell

Key features of the application:

• a ban on making purchases in any applications;
• mode for the child, it opens only the programs indicated by the parents;
• a password is required when exiting the shell;
• Google Play search and advertising links are blocked;

For 200 rubles, you can open functions for prohibiting the use of the Internet, personalizing desktops, setting a time limit for the phone, and also a built-in player with useful information for a child.

Screen Time

Thanks to this program, parents will be able to monitor and regulate the time of the child. The application has two parts: main and auxiliary - Screen Time Companion, it is installed on the child's gadget. The program allows you to monitor the activity on the children's smartphone: find out the amount of time allocated to applications, what games are opened, what they listen to and what they prefer in the video.

A few main features:

• blocking individual applications;
• identification of the duration and time of day of the programs;
• in the course of classes, a ban on the use of the network;
• the possibility of adding additional work time for tasks.

To block access or limit time altogether, there is no need to take the phone away from the child, you just need to press the appropriate control buttons on your smartphone.

PlayPad

The application was created for the child for the purpose of entertainment and development.

The utility has a colorful menu with 4 sections:

1. Games.
2. Development.
3. Education.
4. Other.

Parents themselves choose programs for these sections. There is an opportunity to create a ban on calls and messages. The child will have access to change the style of the desktop and a bonus from the creators of the program - a drawing board.

Safe Lagoon

Parental control program to use, apply the following steps:

1. Download the utility to the child's gadget.
2. Install a management profile.
3. Specify security settings.
4. Download the program client with control functions. It is possible to get data from a web account.

Parents in the profile will be able to see activity on the Internet and games, highlight restrictions on the use of applications and set a geo-perimeter, within its boundaries, parents will be able to see the location of the child and receive a notification when he leaves the specified territory.

Parental control on Android tablets and smartphones is a very useful thing, thanks to which you can protect children from harmful content. Which is better, the choice is yours.

If you still have questions on the topic “How to set parental controls on Android?”, You can ask them in the comment

if(function_exists("the_ratings")) ( the_ratings(); ) ?>

With the advent of new technologies, new problems have also arisen. Today, every student has some kind of gadget: phone, tablet, smartphone, PSP, computer. Every caring parent tries in every possible way to protect their baby from the negative effects of electromagnetic waves, as well as adult games, films and web pages.

Blocking inappropriate content for children

Limit the amount of time your child spends at the computer or in front of the TV. Set the parental control mode on your PC to check the launch of programs, applications and browsers. Block TV channels that you think are negatively impacting your child's mental health. To limit what you can do with phones and tablets, enable parental controls on Android devices. Let's take a closer look at how to do this.

Google, which develops software for the Android operating system, offers more and more parental control options for devices. If your tablet or phone is equipped with a system no older than the release of Android 5.0 Lollipop, then you can set a ban on exiting a specific application. In order to set a restriction, go to "Settings", find the item "Security" and select "Pin to screen". In the "Advanced" tab, enter the password. Go to the application, hold down the "Browse" button to display active programs and transfer the game you opened to the top. Click on the paperclip in the lower right corner. Now you can confidently give the gadget to your child, because it will not go beyond the program you attached. To exit it, hold down "Browse" and enter the specified password.

Restrict access for the user through "Settings"

Android tablets have the feature of restricted profiles that protect all personal information from intrusion by unwanted callers. This is a great way to protect your child from dangerous content. Open "Settings", select "Add User" and select "Restricted Profile". Now you can choose which software will be available for the baby, and which is hidden. To remove a restricted account, enter the password.

Setting up Internet access

The parental control function also applies to the router. If your child uses only a home access point, then you can configure the router to limit work with some global network resources. Is your modem not equipped with parental controls? Go to the OpenDNS server and you will be able to configure control for the network.

In addition, there is additional software for prohibiting and restricting work in the phone and tablet browser. You can find them on Google Play.

Limited Google Play

Google Play itself also supports parental controls. In order to prevent your kid from downloading games or applications that can harm him, go to the “Settings” of the store itself and select the “Parental Control” item. Enter your password and set the content age limit. You can also block the ability to buy expensive goods through the Google store.

Dedicated parental control apps

In addition to personalizing your phone or gadget, there are a large number of different programs for parental control.

For example, Xooloo App Kids is a launcher that creates a special desktop with shortcuts to games available for children. The protection of personal information is provided by a four-digit password.

"Parental Control - PlayPad" will develop and entertain the child without endangering him. After the initial setup of the program, your kid will see a colorful menu with four icons: "Games", "Education", "Development", "Other applications". The parent himself fills these folders with the necessary programs. You can also remove the ability to make calls and send messages - the application will make the call buttons and SMS chat windows inaccessible. It is worth noting that the little naughty will have access to the function of changing the style of the desktop and the drawing board provided by the creators of the application.

Application similar in functionality KidRead also has a division into categories for software. Its distinctive advantage is the game interface: the child earns points for the time spent in developing applications and spends them in games. "KidRead" is equipped with a timer for counting time and accruing points.

per program "Time Away" also need to pay attention. It is designed for children school age and has more advanced functionality. Install "TimeAway" on children's phones and your device (up to six users), set a password and remotely control all your children's applications. Adjust game play time, set device sleep time, necessary breaks, and block certain software or phones with the click of a button. The specified program also provides statistics on the utilization of programs on a tablet or smartphone, as well as the ability to track the location of the child using Google maps.

We have considered all possible ways to protect children from the harmful effects of software on Android devices. The above device setting for children to access adult content is more suitable for parents' phones and tablets. Special programs parental control - for children's gadgets. Which one suits you personally, decide for yourself. Extend your child's childhood by protecting him from harmful information and cruel games.