How to Set Up Parental Controls on a Chromebook

Setting up parental controls on a Chromebook lets you manage what your child can access, when they can use the device, and how they interact with apps and websites. This guide walks you through the built-in Google Family Link tools, which require a Google Account for you and a supervised account for your child. You’ll need to have your own Google Account ready and know your child’s Google Account credentials (or create a new one during setup).

What You’ll Need

A Google Account for the parent (the one that will manage the child).
A Google Account for the child (can be created during setup if they don’t have one).
The Chromebook you want to manage, powered on and connected to the internet.
Access to the child’s account password (or the ability to reset it if forgotten).

Step-by-Step

Sign out of the current user. On the Chromebook login screen, click the profile picture at the bottom-right, then select “Sign out” or “Remove user” if you’re already logged in. You need to be at the lock screen to add a new supervised user.
Click “Add person” on the login screen. This is usually a small circle with a “+” icon at the bottom-left of the user list.
Choose “Create a child profile” (or “Add a child” depending on your Chrome OS version). This option appears when you select “Add person” and is distinct from adding a regular adult user.
Enter the child’s Google Account email and password. If the child doesn’t have an account, click “Create a Google Account for my child” and follow the prompts to set one up. You’ll need to provide the child’s name, birthdate, and gender (optional).
Review and accept the parental consent terms. Google will show a summary of Family Link features. Read through it, then click “Accept” to proceed.
Sign in with your own Google Account. The Chromebook will ask you to verify that you’re the parent. Enter your email and password, then click “Next.”
Set up supervision preferences. You’ll be asked to choose which Google services the child can use (e.g., Chrome, Search, YouTube). Toggle each service on or off based on your preferences.
Select content restrictions. Choose the maturity level for apps, games, and websites. Options typically include “Everyone,” “Everyone +,” “Teen,” and “Mature.” For most children, selecting “Teen” or lower is recommended.
Set screen time limits. You’ll be prompted to define daily time limits and a bedtime. Use the sliders to set a maximum number of hours per day, and specify a “bedtime” window during which the Chromebook is locked.
Finish setup. Review the summary of your choices, then click “Finish” or “Done.” The Chromebook will now be managed under your Family Link account.
Verify the supervision is active. After setup, sign out and have the child sign in with their account. You should see a small “Supervised user” badge on their profile picture. To confirm, go to Settings > People > Manage other users and check that the child’s account shows “Managed by Family Link.”
Adjust settings later. Open the Family Link app on your phone or visit families.google.com to change restrictions, pause the device, or review activity reports at any time.

Common Mistakes

Using the child’s account as the primary sign-in. If you set up the Chromebook with the child’s account as the first user, you won’t get the parental control prompts. Always start from the login screen and add the child as a secondary user.
Skipping the “child profile” option. Clicking “Add person” and then just entering the child’s email without selecting “Create a child profile” will add them as a regular user, with no supervision.
Forgetting to set a bedtime. Screen time limits only control total usage, not when the device can be used. Without a bedtime, the child could use the Chromebook late at night.
Not checking the child’s age. Family Link requires the child to be under 13 (or under the age of consent in your country) to use the full supervision features. If the child is older, some options may be unavailable.
Assuming all apps are filtered. Family Link filters Google Play apps, but sideloaded apps or Linux apps (if enabled) may bypass restrictions. Keep Linux disabled for younger children.

Tips

Use the Family Link app on your phone. It gives you real-time notifications when the child requests app downloads or website access, and you can approve or deny from anywhere.
Set up a separate “guest” session. If you want to lend the Chromebook to a friend or use it yourself without affecting the child’s limits, enable Guest browsing from Settings > People > Guest browsing.
Review weekly activity reports. Family Link sends a summary of the child’s most-used apps and websites. Use this to have conversations about online habits rather than just enforcing rules.
Create a “school” profile. If the child uses the Chromebook for homework, consider setting a longer time limit on weekdays and a shorter one on weekends, or use the “bedtime” feature to block late-night use.
Keep the child’s password private. Even though you’re the supervisor, the child should have their own password. If they share it with friends, those friends could change settings (though they can’t remove supervision).

Troubleshooting

The “Create a child profile” option doesn’t appear. This usually means the Chromebook is already managed by a school or business. Check with the administrator. Alternatively, update Chrome OS to the latest version, then restart and try again.
Setup fails during the consent screen. Clear your browser cache and cookies, then try a different network (e.g., phone hotspot). Family Link sometimes has issues with strict school or office Wi-Fi filters.
The child can’t sign in after setup. Sign out completely, then have the child enter their email and password. If it fails, reset the child’s password via accounts.google.com using your parent account, then try again.
Changes made in Family Link don’t apply. Changes can take up to a few minutes to sync. Have the child restart the Chromebook or wait 5 minutes. If it persists, sign out and back in on the child’s profile.
The child’s account is not showing as “managed.” Go to Settings > People > Manage other users and click the child’s profile. If it says “Standard user,” you didn’t complete the Family Link setup. Remove the user and re-add them following the steps above.
Screen time limits are ignored. Make sure the child is signed in to their supervised account, not a guest session. Also, check that the Chromebook’s clock is set correctly—if the time is wrong, bedtime may not trigger.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set parental controls on an existing Chromebook user account?

No. You must remove the existing user and re-add them as a child profile. You can do this by going to Settings > People > Manage other users, removing the user, then following the setup steps above.

Does Family Link work on any Chromebook?

Yes, as long as the Chromebook runs Chrome OS version 71 or later and is not managed by a school or workplace. Most consumer Chromebooks from the last few years support it.

Can I block specific websites?

Family Link lets you block specific sites by going to the child’s profile in the Family Link app, then under “Content restrictions” > “Chrome” > “Manage sites.” You can add URLs to an allowed or blocked list.

What happens when the child turns 13?

They can choose to graduate from Family Link supervision. They’ll get an email and can decide to manage their own account. You’ll lose access to their activity reports and restrictions.

Can I see the child’s browsing history?

Yes, if you enable “Activity reports” in Family Link. This shows a summary of visited sites and app usage, but not full page-by-page history in real time.

Will parental controls block incognito mode?

Yes. Supervised accounts cannot use incognito mode. The option is automatically disabled for managed child profiles.

Can I set different limits for weekdays and weekends?

Yes. In the Family Link app, go to “Screen time” and choose “Daily limit.” You can set separate schedules for each day of the week.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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