If your home computer is used by your children, you will definitely need to activate and configure Windows 10 parental controls. The powerful options of the "Microsoft Family" will control your children's activity on the computer: programs, websites, time limits to avoid prolonged use, and more. The family option works with your Microsoft account, and from the "activity report" function, you can receive weekly reports on the little ones' activity.
You can create safe environments on Windows 10 computers, Xbox One, Android devices running Microsoft Launcher, on family calendar events, and on Skype.
Configuring the "Your Family" Option
- Open the Windows Start menu and select "Settings".
- Click on "Accounts", then go to "Family and other people" (in the "Your family" section).
- Click on "Sign in with a Microsoft account" (email account). And that's it!
Creating Adult Accounts
From this option, you can create as many user accounts as needed for each family member, granting each one the permissions you see fit, and then connect them to the family group (always in "Your Family").
- Click on "Add family".
- Now select "Add an adult" in the popup window (the "Child" option also appears).
- In the box below, you'll need to add your Windows 10 account and click next to finish.
Creating a Child Account
At this point, you can create a secondary account that will operate under the parental controls of the family account. From there, you'll be able to control your child's activity on the computer.
- Click on "Add a family member" from "Your family".
- Select "Add a child" in the popup window.
- All that's left is to enter the (secondary) Windows 10 account and click next to finish.
Note: When the child signs in to their email account, they'll have to accept the invitation to join your Microsoft family; otherwise, you won't be able to control their account.
Configuring Parental Controls
Now the children will be listed under "Family and other people". And from the Configure option, we'll manage the parental controls.
- First, select "Manage family settings online" to open the Microsoft settings page.
- From the Microsoft Family web page, you'll see all your family members listed. In the top menu, select "Family" (next to Devices).
- There, you can see your children's activity. Below the email address, you'll find a menu with the following control options: Activity, Screen time, Content restrictions, time limits, and other options.
On each account, you'll have a link with the word "Activity", where you'll see your child's activity on the device.
Configure Your Child's Screen Time
Next to activity, you'll find the "Screen time" option. In the new window, you'll see the "Simple screen time" button; you'll need to enable it to set viewing schedules. Below, you'll see a table with days of the week and times (you'll create the time slots in which the computer can be used).
Content Restrictions
Next to Screen time, you'll find the "Content restrictions" option. From there, you can activate adult approval for the child to see certain content. The system will send you an email to accept or reject the child's request. You can also restrict online purchases, use of certain games, programs, and access to inappropriate web pages (white and black list of websites).
As you can see, the "Microsoft Family" is one of the best options for applying parental controls on computers used by minors. An effective and free solution that comes with Windows 10.
