Chromebook parental controls

Configure Google Family Link to complement WhitelistVideo on Chromebook devices.

Video tutorial

Overview

Before you start

You'll need:

• A Google account for yourself (parent)
• A supervised Google account for your child (create one here if needed)
• Your child's Chromebook (ChromeOS version 71 or higher)
• The Family Link app on your phone
• About 15 minutes for setup

Step 1: set up Google Family Link

Install Family Link on your phone

Download the Family Link app:

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

Create Your Child's Google Account

If your child doesn't have a Google account:

1. Open the Family Link app on your phone
2. Tap Create or Add child
3. Follow the prompts to create a supervised account
4. Set your child's name, birthday, and email
5. Accept the terms and create the account

Official guide: Get started with Family Link (opens in a new tab)

Step 2: Add Your Child to the Chromebook

Sign In on the Chromebook

1. Power on the Chromebook
2. Click Add person at the sign-in screen
3. Sign in with your child's supervised Google account
4. Family Link supervision will automatically apply

Set Yourself as the Chromebook Owner

If this is a new Chromebook, sign in with your (parent) account first to become the owner. This gives you additional control over the device.

Official guide: Manage your child's account on Chromebook (opens in a new tab)

Step 3: Disable Guest Mode and New Users

Disable Guest Mode

1. Sign into the Chromebook with the Owner account (your parent account)
2. Click the time in the bottom-right corner
3. Click Settings (gear icon)
4. Go to People → Manage other people
5. Turn OFF these options:
   • Enable Guest browsing
   • Show usernames and photos on the sign-in screen (optional)
   • Restrict sign-in to the following users (enable this and add only your child's account)

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

Step 4: Configure App Restrictions

Require Approval for App Downloads

1. Open the Family Link app on your phone
2. Select your child's profile
3. Tap Controls → Google Play
4. Under Require approval for, select All content

Now your child must request permission for every app they want to download.

Block Apps from Unknown Sources

Family Link automatically blocks installation of apps from unknown sources (sideloading). This prevents your child from installing apps outside the Google Play Store.

To verify this is enabled:

1. Open Family Link on your phone
2. Select your child
3. Go to Device settings
4. Check that Apps from unknown sources is blocked

Official guide: Manage your child's Google Play apps (opens in a new tab)

Step 5: Set Screen Time Limits

Daily Time Limits

1. Open Family Link on your phone
2. Select your child
3. Tap Controls → Screen time
4. Turn on Daily limit
5. Set hours for each day of the week

Bedtime Schedule

1. In Screen time settings, tap Bedtime
2. Turn on Scheduled
3. Set the time when the device should lock each night

App-Specific Limits

1. Go to Controls → App limits
2. Select an app
3. Set a daily time limit or block the app entirely

Official guide: Set screen time limits (opens in a new tab)

Step 6: Configure Chrome Browsing

Set Content Filters

1. Open Family Link on your phone
2. Select your child
3. Tap Controls → Content restrictions → Google Chrome
4. Choose your filtering level:
   • Allow all sites - No filtering
   • Try to block explicit sites - Recommended
   • Only allow approved sites - Most restrictive

Block Specific Websites (Optional)

1. In Chrome settings within Family Link
2. Tap Manage sites
3. Add sites to Blocked or Approved lists

Step 7: Lock Down Chrome Extensions

Manage Extensions

Your child may try to install Chrome extensions that could bypass restrictions.

1. Open Family Link on your phone
2. Select your child
3. Go to Controls → Google Chrome → Chrome browser extensions
4. Choose whether to allow extensions or require approval

Recommendation: Require approval for all extensions, and only approve WhitelistVideo.

Known limitations

WebView Bypass

Some Android apps contain built-in browsers (WebViews) that may not be filtered by Family Link.

Solution: Regularly review your child's installed apps and remove any that contain unfiltered browsers.

Help Link Exploits

Certain "Help" or "Terms of Service" links in apps can open browser windows that bypass filters.

Solution: Keep ChromeOS and Google Play Services updated. Google patches these vulnerabilities regularly.

Reference: This exploit can bypass Android parental controls (opens in a new tab)

Teen Supervision Limits

For children 13 and older, Family Link supervision can be stopped by the child. If they do, you'll be notified and their device will be locked for 24 hours.

Solution: Have open conversations with teenagers about why supervision is in place.

Recommended Configuration Summary

Chromebook-Specific Advantages

• Only Chrome browser - No alternative browsers to worry about
• Tight Google integration - Family Link controls work seamlessly
• No desktop software - Can't install .exe files or non-approved apps
• Automatic updates - Security patches apply automatically
• Simple management - Everything controlled through Family Link

Troubleshooting

My child can still install apps

1. Check that their account is supervised in Family Link
2. Verify Require approval for all content is enabled
3. Check that Apps from unknown sources is blocked
4. Restart the Chromebook

Guest mode is still available

1. Sign in as the Chromebook owner (your parent account)
2. Go to Settings → People → Manage other people
3. Disable Guest browsing
4. Restart the Chromebook

Settings aren't syncing

1. Ensure the Chromebook has internet connection
2. Check that your child is signed in with their supervised account
3. Wait a few minutes—changes can take up to 5 minutes to apply
4. Restart the Chromebook

Official resources

• Get started with Family Link (opens in a new tab)
• Manage your child's account on Chromebook (opens in a new tab)
• Manage Google Play apps (opens in a new tab)
• Family Link FAQ (opens in a new tab)
• Set screen time limits (opens in a new tab)

Next steps

After configuring Google Family Link:

1. Install the WhitelistVideo extension in Chrome
2. Activate protection for your child
3. Test that your child cannot install new apps without approval
4. Test that Guest mode is disabled
5. Verify screen time limits work as expected