Government Can’t Protect Your Kids Online. But You Can.

As lawmakers consider new online child safety regulations that raise concerns about free speech and privacy, CEI Director of the Center for Technology and Innovation Jessica Melugin explains why empowering parents is the better approach. Modern devices already include powerful parental controls that allow parents to block apps, approve contacts, and manage their children’s online experience.

A resource list for parents to keep children safe online

Social Media

FacebookSafety Resources for Parents – https://www.facebook.com/help/1079477105456277/

Parent Conversations – www.facebook.com/safety/parents/conversations/working-with-parents-to-keep-young-people-safe-online
InstagramParental Guide for Teens on Instagram – https://about.instagram.com/community/parents
TikTokGuardian’s Guide – www.tiktok.com/safety/en/guardians-guide/

Youth Safety and Well-being – https://www.tiktok.com/transparency/en-us/protecting-teens/

Safety on TikTok – https://support.tiktok.com/en/safety-hc/account-and-user-safety/user-safety
YouTube
Google		Kids & Teens – https://www.youtube.com/howyoutubeworks/kids-and-teens/

Family Link – https://families.google/familylink/
X (Twitter)About parental consent on X – https://help.twitter.com/en/using-x/parental-consent  
SnapChatTools and Resources for Parents – https://parents.snapchat.com/parental-controls  
PinterestResources for parents and caregivers of teens – https://help.pinterest.com/en/article/resources-for-parents-and-caregivers-of-teens
DiscordFamily Center for Parents and Guardians – https://support.discord.com/hc/en-us/articles/14155043715735-Family-Center-for-Parents-and-Guardians

Answering Parents’ and Educators’ Top Questions – https://discord.com/safety/360044149591-answering-parents-and-educators-top-questions
TwitchGuide for Parents and Educators – https://safety.twitch.tv/s/article/Guide-Parents-Educators

Gaming

NintendoNintendo Switch Parental Controls – www.nintendo.com/switch/parental-controls/
XboxXbox Family Settings app – www.xbox.com/en-US/apps/family-settings-app
PlayStationParental controls on PlayStation – www.playstation.com/en-us/parental-controls/
MinecraftParental Controls in Minecraft – www.minecraft.net/en-us/article/parental-controls
RobloxParental Controls Overview – https://en.help.roblox.com/hc/en-us/articles/30428310121620-Parental-Controls-Overview
EpicEpic Games Parental Controls – www.epicgames.com/site/en-US/parental-controls
EA GamesFamily controls for peace of mind – www.ea.com/ea-app/parental-controls
Amazon GamesParental Controls – www.amazongames.com/en-us/support/new-world/articles/parental-controls
SteamFamily View – https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/6B1A-66BE-E911-3D98

Streaming Services

NetflixParental controls on Netflix – https://help.netflix.com/en/node/264
Amazon Prime VideoParental Controls on Prime Video – www.primevideo.com/help?nodeId=G26NRYUT8ATMMZRB
YouTube TVFilter content based on TV Rating – https://support.google.com/youtubetv/answer/7454855?hl=en
Max (HBO)How do I set parental controls? – https://help.hbomax.com/kn-en/Answer/Detail/000001260
HuluKids Profiles and Parental Controls on Hulu – https://help.hulu.com/s/article/restrict-content
Disney+Parental Controls on Disney+ – https://help.disneyplus.com/article/disneyplus-parental-controls
Apple TVParental Controls – https://support.apple.com/en-us/101657
Paramount+How do I set parental controls for Paramount+? – https://help.paramountplus.com/s/article/PD-How-do-I-set-parental-controls-for-Paramount  
PeacockDoes Peacock have parental controls? – www.peacocktv.com/help/article/does-peacock-have-parental-controls
CrunchyrollHow to set up Content Restrictions – https://help.crunchyroll.com/hc/en-us/articles/30662259576340-How-to-set-up-Content-Restrictions
Sling TVUsing Parental Controls – www.sling.com/help/en/learn-about-sling/using-sling/parental-controls
FandangoDoes Fandango have parental controls? – https://support.vudu.com/vudusupport/s/article/Does-Vudu-have-parental-controls
TubiModify Tubi Parental Controls settings – https://tubitv.com/help-center/App-Features-and-Settings/articles/5053608048667

Operating Systems

AppleFamilies – www.apple.com/families/
AndroidHow to set up parental controls on Google Play – https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/1075738
AmazonSet Parental Controls on Fire TV – www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GJF9SGT5262FJLQE
RokuHow do I block content using parental controls? – https://support.roku.com/article/208755938
MicrosoftMicrosoft Family Safety – https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/family-safety

Web Browsers

Google ChromeFamilies – https://families.google/
FirefoxBlock and unblock websites with parental controls on Firefox – https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/block-and-unblock-websites-parental-controls-firef
Microsoft EdgeLearn more about Kids Mode in Microsoft Edge – https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/learn-more-about-kids-mode-in-microsoft-edge-4bf0273c-1cbd-47a9-a8f3-895bc1f95bdd
SafariUse Parental Controls – https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201304

Standalone Tools

BarkParental Control App – www.bark.us
AuraParental Controls & Safe Gaming – https://www.aura.com/parental-controls
BoomerangParental Control App – https://useboomerang.com/
FamilyTimeParental Control App – https://familytime.io/
MobicipParental Control App – https://www.mobicip.com/
OurPactParental Control & Family Locator App – https://ourpact.com/
QustodioParental Control App – www.qustodio.com/en/
MMGuardianParental Control Tool – www.mmguardian.com
mSpyParental Control App – www.mspy.com/parental-control.html
EyeZyParental Control App – www.eyezy.com
uMobixParental Control Software – https://umobix.com/
CocospyParental Control App – www.cocospy.org
PhonseeParental Control App – https://phonsee.com/
KidsGuardParental Control Tool – www.clevguard.com/phone-parental-control
Norton FamilyNorton 360 Deluxe – https://us.norton.com/products/norton-360-deluxe
FamiSafeParental Control App – https://famisafe.wondershare.com/
gabbParental Control Hardware – https://gabb.com/
Light PhoneLight Phone – https://www.thelightphone.com/
XploraXGO3 Smartwatch for Kids – https://shop.myxplora.com/products/xgo3
Net NannyParental Control Tool – www.netnanny.com

Wifi Network

SynologyManaging Internet Access – https://www.synology.com/en-global/srm/feature/device_content_control
GryphonGryphon Tower AC3000 – https://gryphonconnect.com/products/gryphon-tower
Tp-LinkArcher AX90 – www.tp-link.com/us/home-networking/wifi-router/archer-ax90/
NetgearSmart Parental Controls – https://www.netgear.com/home/services/smart-parental-controls/
Google NestNest Wifi Pro – https://store.google.com/product/nest_wifi_pro

Internet Service Providers

SpectrumAbout Parental Controls – www.spectrum.net/support/tv/about-parental-controls
AT&TSmart Home Manager – www.att.com/support/article/u-verse-high-speed-internet/KM1336815/
XfinitySet Up Parental Controls for the Internet – www.xfinity.com/support/articles/set-up-parental-controls-with-comcast-networking
CoxCox Panoramic Wifi App Features – www.cox.com/residential/support/cox-panoramic-wifi-app-features.html 
VerizonParental Controls – www.verizon.com/support/residential/internet/security/parental-controls
T-MobileFamily Controls and privacy – www.t-mobile.com/privacy-center/education/family-controls 
CenturyLinkParental controls with Secure WiFi – https://www.centurylink.com/home/help/internet/security/set-parental-controls-on-modem.html

Last updated June 10, 2025.