Chromebook child account setup

Create a supervised Google account to enable Family Link parental controls on Chromebook.

Video tutorial

Why You Need a Supervised Account

• Enables Family Link - Without a supervised account, you cannot manage your child's Chromebook remotely
• Control app downloads - Your approval is required before your child can install apps
• Set screen time limits - Automatically lock the Chromebook at bedtime or after time limits are reached
• Filter content - Block inappropriate websites and YouTube content
• Location tracking - See where your child's Chromebook is (if enabled)

Before you start

You'll need:

• A Google account for yourself (parent/guardian)
• The Google Family Link app on your phone
• Your child's information (name, birthdate)
• The Chromebook you want to set up
• About 15 minutes for setup

Step 1: Install Google Family Link

Download the Family Link app on your phone:

• Android: Google Play Store (opens in a new tab)
• iPhone: Apple App Store (opens in a new tab)

Open the app and sign in with your Google account (the parent account).

Step 2: Create a Supervised Google Account for Your Child

If Your Child Doesn't Have a Google Account:

1. Open the Family Link app on your phone
2. Tap the + icon or Add child
3. Select Create account
4. Enter your child's name
5. Enter their birthdate
   • Children under 13 will have automatic parental controls
   • Teens (13+) can choose to be supervised or not
6. Create a Gmail address for your child (e.g., yourchild@gmail.com)
7. Create a strong password
8. Review and accept the terms
9. Complete any additional verification steps

If your child already has a Google account:

You can add supervision to an existing account:

1. Open the Family Link app
2. Tap Add child
3. Select Add existing Google account
4. Enter your child's Google account email
5. Your child will need to consent on their device
6. Follow the prompts to complete supervision setup

Official guide: Create a Google Account for your child (opens in a new tab)

Step 3: Add Your Child's Account to the Chromebook

Setting Up a New Chromebook:

1. Turn on the Chromebook
2. Connect to Wi-Fi
3. At the sign-in screen, click Add person
4. Enter your child's supervised Google account email
5. Enter their password
6. The Chromebook will automatically apply Family Link supervision
7. Follow any remaining setup prompts

Adding to an existing Chromebook:

1. Sign in to the Chromebook with the owner account (your parent account is recommended)
2. Click the time in the bottom-right corner
3. Click the Settings gear icon
4. Go to People → Add another person
5. Enter your child's supervised Google account
6. Click Add
7. Sign out and have your child sign in with their account

Step 4: Verify Supervision is Active

After your child signs into the Chromebook:

On Your Phone (Family Link App):

1. Open the Family Link app
2. Select your child's profile
3. You should see their Chromebook listed under Devices
4. Tap on the Chromebook to see options like:
   • Screen time
   • App management
   • Location

On the Chromebook:

1. Click the time in the bottom-right corner
2. Click Settings
3. You should see Managed by Family Link near the top
4. Some settings will be locked or limited

Test the Setup:

1. Have your child try to download an app from the Chrome Web Store
2. They should see "Ask a parent" instead of an install button
3. Check your phone—you should receive a permission request

Step 5: Disable Guest Mode

1. Sign in to the Chromebook with the Owner account (your parent account)
2. Click the time → Settings
3. Go to People → Manage other people
4. Turn OFF the following:
   • Enable Guest browsing
   • Restrict sign-in to the following users (turn ON, then add only your child's account)
5. Restart the Chromebook to apply changes

Now only your child's supervised account can use the Chromebook.

Troubleshooting

"I don't see my child's Chromebook in Family Link"

1. Make sure your child is signed in with their supervised account (not as Guest)
2. Check that the Chromebook has internet access
3. Go to Settings on the Chromebook and verify it shows "Managed by Family Link"
4. Wait a few minutes—sync can take time

"My child can't sign in to the Chromebook"

1. Verify the email address is correct
2. Reset their password from the Family Link app (Settings → Manage account → Change password)
3. Make sure the Chromebook is connected to Wi-Fi
4. Try restarting the Chromebook

"Supervision isn't working properly"

1. Sign out and sign back in on the Chromebook
2. Check that Family Link app on your phone shows the child is supervised
3. Verify internet connection on both devices
4. Update ChromeOS to the latest version (Settings → About ChromeOS → Check for updates)

"My child has Guest access"

1. Sign in as the Chromebook owner (parent account)
2. Disable Guest mode in Settings → People → Manage other people
3. Restart the Chromebook
4. Verify Guest mode is no longer available at the sign-in screen

"I can't find the Family Link app controls"

1. Make sure you're using the Family Link parent app (not "Family Link for children")
2. Verify your Google account is set as the parent/guardian
3. Check that your child's account was created as a supervised account

Age and Supervision Levels

Chromebook-Specific Benefits

• Only Chrome browser - No alternative browsers can be installed
• No desktop software - Can't install Windows/Mac programs that bypass controls
• Tight Google integration - Family Link works seamlessly
• Automatic updates - Security patches apply automatically
• No Guest exploit - Once disabled, Guest mode can't be re-enabled by your child

Official resources

• Create a Google Account for your child (opens in a new tab)
• Get started with Family Link (opens in a new tab)
• Manage your child's account on Chromebook (opens in a new tab)
• Family Link FAQ (opens in a new tab)

Next steps

After creating your child's supervised account:

1. Configure parental controls - Set up Chromebook Family Link settings for screen time and content filters
2. Install WhitelistVideo - Add the extension to Chrome on your child's Chromebook
3. Disable Guest mode - Follow the steps above if you haven't already
4. Test the protections - Make sure your child can't install apps without approval

Understanding Extension Protection on Chromebook

What Family Link Does

This means your child can remove WhitelistVideo by visiting chrome://extensions and clicking "Remove."

Why Chromebooks Are Still the Safest Option

Despite this limitation, Chromebooks remain the most secure platform for WhitelistVideo:

• No alternative browsers — Unlike Windows/Mac, your child cannot install Firefox, Edge, or other browsers
• No desktop software — Cannot install programs that bypass web filtering
• Dashboard visibility — WhitelistVideo shows when the extension last synced, so you'll know if it's removed

How to Monitor for Extension Removal

WhitelistVideo's parent dashboard shows when each child's extension last synced. If your child removes the extension:

• The "Last Sync" timestamp will stop updating
• You'll see the device status change to "Inactive"

What to do:

1. Check your dashboard periodically
2. If sync stops, have a conversation with your child about why the extension was removed
3. Reinstall if needed

Bypass Prevention Checklist

Ensure these settings are configured:

• Guest mode disabled — See Step 5
• New users restricted — Only your child's account can sign in
• You are the Chromebook owner — Sign in with your parent account first
• Extension approval required — Prevents installing other extensions