Childproof lock for the Android smartphone: how it works

You can set up parental controls on your Android smartphone to protect your children from dangerous content or cost traps. This guide will help you set up a popular parental control app.

Parental controls for Android smartphones using apps

You can set up parental controls on your smartphone using various apps. We explain how it works with Kids Place.

1. Download "Kids Place with parental controls" and start the app on your child's smartphone.
2. Accept the end user license agreements.
3. In the startup window, click "Define a PIN" and enter a four-digit PIN. To save the PIN, click on "Update PIN".
4. In the following window you have to enter your PIN recovery email. You can leave a note about your PIN. Then click "Continue".
5. Kids-Place is now started. First tap on "Lock home button", where you should check the box. How to lock the device home button by temporarily diverting to Kids Place. In the window that opens, click on "Lock home button".
6. Now you will be asked whether you want to carry out this action with the app by default. You put a tick and click on "Kids Place".
7. The start window opens again. Click on "Choose applications for Kids Place". An overview of all apps that are already on the smartphone now opens. Mark the apps that your child can use. Click "Done".
8. Since your child does not know the PIN, they cannot exit this app or open the settings (which can be reached via the menu button).
9. To open Kids Place by default when the smartphone is restarted, click on the menu button and select "Settings". Enter your PIN and check the "Autostart Kids Place" in the settings menu.
10. In these settings you can e.g. B. also "Block the Marketplace". Functions in apps that call the Play Store are blocked. This option also blocks the installation of apps.
11. If you want to quit Kids Place, click on the menu button and select "Quit". Enter the PIN and confirm.
12. Disadvantage: Despite the block, your children can still get to the Google Play Store via the advertising in the respective game apps. So the app is not entirely error-free.

Kids Zone: app for child protection and youth protection

You can also limit your children's screen time with the Kids Zone app.

1. Download the app. Create a profile for your child in the app. There you can add childproof apps.
2. With a secret PIN, your child can only reach the selected apps.
3. Every eight seconds, the app scans the smartphone and blocks the apps that have not been activated.
4. The app also prevents your child from making purchases in the store.
5. With targeted time settings, you can set a specific time limit for your child. Once this has been achieved, the device must first be reactivated.

Another practical tip tells you how to set up parental controls in Windows 8. By the way: Not only your Android smartphone should have parental controls. There are also some dangers for the little ones at home. We will explain how to make your apartment child-safe.