The internet is an essential tool that lets kids access the information they need to tackle their homework assignments, learn new topics, play, and connect with friends. However, it's also a gateway to access a lot of content that may not be suited for them, which is why it's crucial to use parental controls to make sure you offer them the safest online experience possible.
If you're using a Windows 10 device, you can create a child account, which allows you to access parental control options using the Microsoft family settings to enable web filtering to protect your family from inappropriate content for a more kid-friendly experience.
In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to set up a child account to block inappropriate websites or sites that you don't find suited for your children the family settings on your Microsoft account.
How to create child account on Windows 10
To create a child account on Windows 10, use these steps:
Quick note: If you already set up a child account on Windows 10 using the family settings, you can skip these instructions and continue with the web filtering steps to block inappropriate websites.
- Open Settings.
- Click on Accounts.
- Click on Family & other users.
- Under the "Your family" section, click the Add a family member button.
- Select the Add a child option.
- Confirm the email address of the young person you want to add.Quick tip: If the new member doesn't have an account, click "The person I want to add doesn't have an email address" option and continue with the on-screen directions.
- Click the Next button.
- Click the Confirm button.
- Click the Close button.
Once you complete the steps, a standard account with limited access will be created for the child, and the new member will be able to sign-in immediately. However, you won't be able to control the account until they click the Join button from the email invitation sent during the account creation process.
After clicking the Join button, the new member will also have to click the Sign in or sign up button followed by the Join the family button to complete the enrollment.
How to block websites for kids on Windows 10
To filter websites and search results that are not suited for young members, use these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Click on Accounts.
- Click on Family & other people.
- Under the "Your family" section, click the Manage family settings online option.Quick tip: You can always get to the Family settings in your Microsoft account using this link.
- Under the child account section, click the More options menu.
- Select the Content restrictions option.
- Turn on the Block inappropriate websites toggle switch.
- Under the "Always allowed" section, add the link for the website you want to allow. For example, Disney.com.
- Click the + button to confirm the link.
- Repeat steps No. 8 and 9 to add other websites to the list.
- (Optional) Check the Only allow these websites option to block any other website on the internet.
- Under the "Always blocked" section, add the links for the website you don't want a kid to visit. For example, Facebook.com, CNN.com, Twitter.com, etc.
- (Optional) Under the "Always blocked" section, add the links for search engines other than Bing, such as Google.com, Yahoo.com, and DuckDuckGo.com.Quick tip: When configuring web filtering, it's also a good idea to block search engines to prevent unsuited results from reaching young people. Content restriction works best with Bing as the default search engine as when enabling the feature; it'll also allow safe results while blocking inappropriate images.
- Click the + button to confirm the link.
- Repeat steps No. 12 and 13 to add other websites to the list.
Once you complete the steps, when the young member signs in to their device, they will only be able to use Microsoft Edge to access the internet, and they will be permitted to access the websites based on the filters you specified on the family settings from your Microsoft account.
If they try to open a website in the "Always blocked" list, or if you enable the option to only allow certain websites, the member won't be able to load the site. However, they will see an option to ask you for permission to access the site, which you can approve via email.
In the case that you have multiple web browsers installed on the device, such as Chrome or Firefox, Windows 10 will block them automatically. Furthermore, because the child account uses a standard account type, they won't be able to download and install any applications, which means that there's virtually no workaround to bypass the web filter.
