bark parental control chrome extension pc

As beneficial as the internet is, it is filled with several things kids should not be ordinarily exposed to. As a result, kids should not be left to surf the internet without the supervision of an adult. Since technology continues to play an increasingly important role in our lives, there is a high chance that your kids can gain access to the internet without your knowledge and permission. While it might not be entirely possible to restrict your kids’ access to the internet, you can monitor their activities online through the web browsers they use and ensure that they do not visit websites that are unsuitable for them.

Google Chrome is one of the most widely used web browsers worldwide, and it comes with several parental control options that can help you monitor your children’s online activities. In this article, we will explore how to set up Chrome parental controls, including how to block inappropriate websites, set screen time limits, and monitor browsing history. By the end of this guide, you’ll have the tools you need to create a safer online environment for your children.

Why Does Google Chrome Require Parental Controls?

Like every other web browser, Google Chrome gives people a vast amount of content that may not be suitable for kids. With the rise of technology, children are now more exposed to digital devices and the internet, which means they can access a wide range of online content, including inappropriate material. With the aid of parental controls on Chrome, parents and guardians can restrict their children’s access to certain websites or content, monitor their online activities, and set time limits for internet usage. By implementing these controls, parents can ensure that their children stay safe online and are not exposed to inappropriate content unsuitable for people their age. 

How To Set Up Chrome Parental Controls

Google Chrome is a very popular browser that comes with a lot of options with which you can monitor the activities of your kids online and restrict their access to websites that you do not want them to visit. The following are ways through which you can set up Google Chrome’s parental control for the safety of your kids:

Set Up Google Family Link

The following is a step-by-step guide that explains how you can set up the Google Family Link app within a short period to monitor your kids’ online activities:

  • Step 1: Download the app and install the app on both your device and your child’s device.  

The Google Family Link app for parents and children can be downloaded on the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. While the phone you intend to use for monitoring (the parent/guardian’s device) can be an iPhone or an Android device, the phone you are trying to monitor (the child’s device) must be an Android phone. 

Google Family Link from google play and app store

  • Step 2: Sign in with your Google account and follow the on-screen instructions to set up the app

on-screen instructions

When the app is set up for use on your device, you need to repeat the process to download, install, and set up the app on your child’s phone. After downloading and installing the Google Family Link app on your child’s phone, you must create an account profile in the child’s name. The on-screen instructions will guide you when setting up your child’s account, including their name, birth date, and other details. You’ll also need to create a password for your child’s account. 

  • Step 3: Link your device to your child’s account by entering the generated code when required to enable you to monitor and restrict their online activities from your device. 

creating child's account instruction

To do this, sign in to your Google Family Link app using your own Google account. Once you’re signed in, you’ll see a list of all the children’s accounts that you’ve set up. Select your child’s account and follow the on-screen instructions to connect your device to their account.

creating child's account instruction 2

When you have successfully linked your child’s account to your device, you can now ensure the safety of your kids on the internet with the parental control tools provided by the Google Family Link app. The Google Family Link provides several options for parental controls, including screen time limits, app controls, and content filters. 

  • Step 4: To set up screen time limits, select your child’s account and then select the “Daily limit” option. You can set a time limit for your child’s device usage and also set bedtimes, which will automatically lock their device during certain hours. 

screen time limits

  • Step 5: To set up app controls, select your child’s account and then select the “Apps” option. From here, you can choose which apps your child can access and set limits on how much time they can spend on each app. With this feature, you can restrict your child’s access to any app which you do not want them to use. 

app activity settings

  • Step 6: To set up content filters, select your child’s account and then select the “Filters on Google Play” option. You can choose which types of content your child can access, including apps, movies, TV shows, and books. With the aid of this filter, you can ensure that the content accessed by your kids is suitable for people of their age.

"Filters on Google Play" option

Google Family Link can also provide you with real-time updates on your children’s activities, including their app usage, website visits, and location. 

  • Step 7: To view your child’s activities on your Google Family Link app, select their account and then select the “Activity” option. From here, you can view their daily activities and set up alerts for certain events, such as when your child installs a new app. 

Based on our experience, Google Family Link is one of the most effective ways for parents to monitor and manage their children’s online activities. Following the steps we have outlined, you can enable google family link and set up parental controls to ensure that your child stays safe and protected while using digital devices and the internet.

Turn on SafeSearch

When surfing the internet, your kids may unintentionally be exposed to inappropriate content (images, videos, and websites). SafeSearch is a feature that is offered by Google which helps to filter out explicit content from search results. When the SafeSearch feature is turned on, it helps to prevent adult content, images, and videos from appearing in search results. 

This feature is very useful to protect your young children from accidentally stumbling upon inappropriate content while surfing the web. The SafeSearch feature is available on the Google Chrome web browser and is very easy to turn on. The following is a step-by-step guide that explains how to turn on SafeSearch on your child’s phone or PC:

  • Step 1: Open the web browser, type the URL “google.com” into the address box and load the page.
  • Step 2: After the page loads, locate the settings button at the top right corner of your screen and tap on it. 

settings button location

  • Step 3: From the dropdown menu, locate search settings, click on it, and wait for the page to load. 

search settings location

  • Step 4: Locate the SafeSearch feature when the page loads. 

SafeSearch location

  • Step 5: When the page loads, toggle the off button to turn on the SafeSearch option.

SafeSearch feature-on

When you have done all of these, the chances of your kids running into inappropriate content while using the web browser are minimal. The SafeSearch option helps to ensure a safer online experience for your children.

Create a Child’s Profile

Due to our practical knowledge, another way to ensure your children have a safe and secure online experience is to create a child’s profile on the Google Chrome browser.  Before creating a child’s profile on Google Chrome, you need to create a Google account for your child. The following guide explains how to create your child’s profile easily.

  • Step 1: Go to the Google sign-up page and select “Create account.” You’ll need to provide basic information, such as your child’s name, birthdate, and gender. After you have created a Google account for your child, you can now go ahead to create a profile for the child on Google Chrome. 

Create new account on google

  • Step 2: Open Google Chrome and sign in with your Google account. 

sign in with your Google account

  • Step 3: When you are signed in, click on the three vertical dots in the top right-hand corner of the screen. This will open a menu that contains a “Settings” option. 
  • Step 4: Click on “Settings” and then “People.”
  • Step 4: When the page responds, click the “Add person” option to create your Child’s profile. 
  • Step 5: Select the “Add person with supervised profile” option, enter your child’s name, and select their Google account. When this is done, you have successfully created a profile for your child on Google Chrome. 

add a person on google chrome

  • Step 6: You can follow the on-screen instructions to customize your child’s profile as you wish. 

Creating your child’s profile on Google Chrome allows you to manage all of their online activities from your device using Family Link.

How to Block Specific Websites on Google Chrome

Another way to ensure the safety of your kids online is to block off websites that you think are inappropriate from their web browsers. As part of the several options that Google Family Link offers to help you monitor your kids’ online activity and keep them safe online, the app allows you to block off specific websites on your children’s mobile devices by preventing them from loading even if the URL is entered. 

To use this feature, you must have the Google Family Link app installed on your phone and that of your child. After installing the app and linking your child’s Google account, you can proceed to block unwanted websites. The following step-by-step instructions teach you how to do this in a few easy steps:

  • Step 1: The first step to block specific websites on your kid’s web browser is to open the Google Family Link app on your device. 
  • Step 2: When the app has loaded up, select the profile of the child whose browser you want to place restrictions on. 
  • Step 3: Locate the “Manage settings” options and click “Filters on Google Chrome.” 

"Filters on Google Chrome” settings

  • Step 4: Ensure the  “Chrome browsing protections” option is toggled on and click “Block websites.” 
  • Step 5: Click “Add websites” and enter the URL(s) of the websites you want to block.

Add websites to block

  • Step 6: When you have typed in the URL(s) of the websites you want to block, click on “Block.” 
  • Step 7: You can also manage the websites that you have blocked. To do this, click on “Filters on Google Chrome” on the Manage settings” page. 

enable chrome parental control

  • Step 8: Locate the “Blocked Websites” option and click on it to view the list of websites you’ve blocked. 
  • Step 9: To unblock a website, simply swipe left on the website and click on “Unblock.”

How to Change Website Permission Settings

A website’s permission settings determine the safety and security level of the website’s user. The website permission settings in place can make it possible for your kid’s device to be infected with malware and can even make it easy for strangers to track your kid’s location from the internet. Therefore, it is important to ensure that you have the right website permission settings in place to protect your children and ensure their safety and security on the internet. As part of the Chrome browser parental controls, you can easily change the permission settings of the websites that your kids visit by following these steps: 

  • Step 1: Open the Google Chrome web browser on your kid’s device. 
  • Step 2: When the app opens, locate the three dots on the top right corner of your screen and click on them.

three dots on the top right corner

  • Step 3: The previous action will open a dropdown menu with several options. Locate the “Settings” option and click on it. This should open a page filled with several settings options. 
  • Step 4: Click Privacy and security. Site Settings.

Privacy and security. Site Settings.

  • Step 5: Once you’re in the site settings, you can change website permissions for individual websites or every website you visit. On the “Site settings” page, you can control which websites can access your camera, microphone, location, etc. You can also control which websites can send you notifications and show you ads. You can also block or allow pop-ups and redirects from specific websites. 
  • Step 7: To approve or revoke these permissions, you can either select each website and change these permissions individually or select one setting at a time and enter the list of websites you want the set permission to apply to. 

Changing the permission settings of your kids’ websites helps prevent unauthorized access to their devices and ensures that they enjoy a safe browsing experience.

How to Manage Your Child’s Activity on Chrome Using Bark

bark dashboard pc phone tablet

Bark is a comprehensive digital safety solution platform that is designed to help parents keep their children safe while online. The platform is designed to monitor your child’s online activity, alert you to any potential risks, and help you take the necessary steps to keep your child safe. Our investigation shows that Bark offers many features that can help you monitor your child’s online activity as a parent. And yes, we did test the product! These features include:

  • Web filtering – Bark can block access to websites that contain content that is inappropriate for kids, including gambling and pornography sites.
  • Location tracking – Bark can also help you know where your children are at all times by keeping track of their location.
  • Content filtering – Bark can also act as a parental control on Google Chrome and other web browsers by blocking access to inappropriate content, including adult websites, violent content, and drug-related content.
  • Screen time management – Bark can help you set limits on your child’s screen time by putting restrictions in place that can reduce the amount of time they spend on different apps and websites.
  • Social media monitoring – Bark can monitor over 30 different social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter. It can also monitor text messages, email, and other messaging apps, giving parents a complete picture of their child’s online behavior.
  • Intelligent alerts – Bark uses artificial intelligence to analyze all of your child’s online activity and alerts you to any potential risks.

Before accessing Bark’s services, you must pay to subscribe to them. Bark offers several pricing plans to suit different needs and budgets. The plans include:

  • Bark Jr. – This plan costs $5 per month with the monthly plan and $49 per year with the annual plan. It allows you to monitor your kids’ activities online but has some limitations. With the Bark Jr. pricing plan, you can manage your kids’ screen time, filter what websites they can visit, and keep up with location alerts. However, you cannot monitor texts, email, YouTube, and other social media platforms and get alerts for issues like cyberbullying, online predators, suicidal ideation, etc., with the Bark Jr. pricing plan.
  • Bark Premium – This plan costs $14 per month with the monthly plan and $99 per year with the annual plan. With the Bark premium plan, you enjoy all of Bark’s services without restrictions. The plan comes with text, app and social media monitoring and alert for potential dangers, which are restricted in the Bark Jr. pricing plan. 

Regardless of your chosen pricing plan, one Bark account covers all your kids and their devices. Some of the advantages of using Bark include:

  • Easy to use – Bark is easy to set up and use, even for parents who are not tech-savvy.
  • Comprehensive monitoring – Bark monitors various social media platforms and other online activity, giving parents a complete picture of their child’s online behavior.
  • Professional support – Bark offers access to a team of child safety experts who can help you address any issues that may arise.

    Try Bark 

Conclusion

Every parent’s priority is to ensure their children’s safety, whether they are playing with their friends or surfing the internet. Setting up Chrome browser parental controls is crucial for parents who want to ensure their child’s safety while they browse the internet. From setting time limits and filtering out inappropriate content to blocking specific websites and monitoring child’s online activities, Chrome parental controls give parents peace of mind and help keep their children safe online.

Comments

  • David G. says:

    It should be easy and simple to block porn. Now I have to read a book and jump though hoops how sad 🙁

  • Yves Rail says:

    I’m getting non stop porn sites coming up on my devices and I want them to stop all of them from popping up on my devices so please help me stop them

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