Growing up with Windows 10: Keep your children safe online with parental controls

By Microsoft News Center India 14 November, 2017

Shreya Lall, a 11-year-old student from Heritage Xperiential Learning School, Gurugram and her father Alok Lall talk a lot about safety. “My parents are very concerned about my safety and security. The thing that I remember the most from my growing up years is never talk to strangers,” says Shreya.

But like millions of children around the world, an essential part of Shreya’s schooling involves stepping into the cyber world. “How does ‘never talk to strangers’ apply to the cyber world? I sometimes get emails with links from people I don’t know. Some of my friends are also on social networking websites, and they tell me that they get friend requests from people they don’t know. But they still chat with them,” she adds.

Child safety in today’s world no longer applies to simple rules such as “don’t talk to strangers”. Rather, it has acquired many levels—physical , psychological and digital.

According to Microsoft’s Digital Civility Index, it has been observed that 64% Indian youth are at risk to online cyber bullying and harassment, 75% are aware of a friend or family member who has faced to online harassment, 44% have met the perpetrator of the risk; but only 50% are knowledgeable about where to get help if needed.

“Threats can come from anybody, anywhere,” says Dr. Jyoti Kapoor, Senior Consultant, Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Paras Hospitals, Gurugram. “Threats lurk, but we can protect ourselves if we are aware of those threats. For example, online threats such as cyber bullying and cyber predators.”

Thankfully, Shreya manages to get the best out of the internet, safely and securely, due to her father, whose day job involves being the Partner Technology Lead at Microsoft India. “I often wonder what I need do as a parent, or as Microsoft, how we can educate our consumers about the simple things that that they can do to keep children safe in the cyber world,” says Alok Lall.

A safe online experience with Windows 10 Parental Controls

Windows 10, by default, offers options for families and parents to ensure children are protected when they are online. To turn on parental controls for your child, go to the Windows search bar, and type ‘family options’ and click on that options under settings. Create an account for your child, and enable parental controls.

Once parental controls are enabled, two features are turned on by default. Firstly, internet browsing on Microsoft Edge browser becomes strict, ensuring that no adult content will be displayed in any of the search results. Secondly, InPrivate browsing is blocked, disabling incognito browsing by the child.

Turning on parental controls on Windows 10, provides a collaborative way to keep kids safer on Windows 10 and Xbox One devices, without resorting to a “big brother attitude” as Lall explains. “It’s not just me deciding which sites she should go to, it’s more of a collaborative effort,” he says. The father-daughter duo engages in constant dialogue to help Shreya understand what makes him authorise a certain website over another.

The parental controls enable four different settings for parents to not only ensure a safe online experience for their child but also healthy digital habits.

Check specifics of the child’s internet browsing: While all sites deemed unfit for children are automatically blocked, parents are given the extra advantage to block or unblock specific sites as they see fit.

Gain access to activity reporting: From here, parents can review their child’s online activity or choose to receive weekly email that let them know which websites they visit, what terms they are searching for, and what apps and games they use.

“One of the results of a search Shreya did led her to a social networking site. Windows 10 parental controls did not allow her to access the site because I don’t think it’s age appropriate and have blocked it,” explains Lall.

Track the apps, games, and media kids use on Windows 10 and Xbox: Parents also have the power to block inappropriate apps and games by choosing an age limit for content. Anything rated above it will require the parent to give approval. They can also add money to their child’s Microsoft accounts to buy apps, view recent purchases, and track the amount being spent. Of course, they can set adult approvals for the things their child may want to buy in the Microsoft Store.

Determine exactly how much screen time children have access to on the PC and Xbox: Parents can set limits on the amount of screen time and also set fixed hours when the child can access a PC or Xbox to ensure they do not go overboard. Of course, exceptions can be set depending on the child’s requirements.

Another feature that parents can use to ensure their child’s online safety is enabling ‘reading view’ on Microsoft Edge browser. Reading view removes all ads, sidebars and comments and transforms a web page into a very simple format that reads like an open book.

“As I research on the web, I really like the reader mode as I’m able to search for what I need without worrying about ads popping up out of nowhere, and leading me to strange sites!” says Shreya.

Creating the safety net that children require

Lall identifies three things are absolutely important for building the safety net that children require. “First, don’t make your child an administrator of the device, second, turn on Windows defender, and third, enable parental controls,” he says. “This will help you track if your child is heading in the right direction, and you can understand if you need to block and prevent websites.”

“At Microsoft, it is our responsibility not just to focus on just the technology and tools that we bring to the table, but also use environments where we bring in the right partnerships, right associations with organizations like Kidzania which help promote the need for educating people and children on cyber safety,” he adds.

Родительский контроль в Windows 10: настройка и использование

Дети являются самыми главными людьми в вашей жизни, но Интернет — это страшное место, которое требует постоянной бдительности. К счастью, в Windows 10 вы сможете настроить правила родительского контроля для вашего ребенка, что значительно упростит вашу задачу.

Для защиты детей Microsoft предлагает использовать стандартную учетную запись, которая будет управляться с помощью функции Семейная безопасность (Microsoft Family Safety). Это очень простой подход — вы можете легко создавать учетные записи для ваших детей, а затем очень просто защищать и контролировать их активность.

В данном руководстве мы покажем, как настроить учетные записи детей в Windows 10 и активировать защиту Microsoft Family Safety.

Настройка аккаунта ребенка

Чтобы добавить учетную запись ребенка перейдите в приложение Параметры > Учетные записи > Семья и другие люди и нажмите кнопку “ Добавить члена семьи ”.

На следующем экране выберите опцию “ Добавить учетную запись ребенка ”. Это отличная идея, когда каждый член семьи имеет свой собственный аккаунт.

Затем нужно заполнить всю необходимую информацию. Если у вашего ребенка нет адреса электронной почты, то вы можете создать аккаунт outlook.com.

Чтобы улучшить безопасность учетной записи ребенка нужно указать номер телефона. В этом случае, если вы не сможете получить доступ к аккаунту, забыли пароли или хакера предпринимают попытки взлома учетной записи, то на телефон придет сообщение с кодом доступа.

На следующем экране нужно отключить следующие опции. Они совсем не обязательны для аккаунта ребенка.

Теперь все готово — вы можете войти в созданный аккаунт, а также выполнить настройку с помощью инструментов Microsoft Family Safety.

Если вы ранее уже создали учетную запись для ребенка и просто хотите добавить ее в текущую систему Windows, вы должны подтвердить аккаунт перед тем как настраивать правила родительского контроля.

Пока вы это не сделаете, учетная запись ребенка будет не активна. Он сможет использовать компьютер, то установленные правила защиты не будут действовать, поэтому обязательно подтвердите аккаунт используя действительный адрес электронной почты.

После добавления учетной записи ребенка, вы можете перейти на сайт Family Safety. Выберите опцию Управление семейными настройками через Интернет, чтобы открыть браузер и перейти на соответствующую страницу.

В Windows 10 Creators Update управлять настройками родительского контроля также можно, используя Центр безопасности Защитника Windows. В разделе Параметры для семьи перейдите по ссылке Просмотр параметров для семьи .

Возможности Родительского контроля

После того, как вы добавили учетную запись своего ребенка, вы можете управлять настройками безопасности семьи на веб-сайте Family Safety.

После того, как вы добавили учетную запись своего ребенка, вы можете управлять настройками безопасности семьи на веб-сайте Family Safety. Функция сбора недавней активности (Недавние действия) будет выполнять мониторинг активности ребенка и отправлять отчеты родителю. Эту функцию можно отключить.

Первый раздел, который вам будет интересен называется Просмотр веб-страниц. Вы можете заблокировать неприемлемые сайты или разрешить доступ к сайтам только из белого списка.

На данном экране вы можете разрешать и блокировать сайты. Если вы выбрали опцию “ Доступ к сайтам из белого списка ”, то нужно добавить ресурсы в список “ Всегда разрешать ”.

Следующая категория Приложения и игры — ограничение использования приложений в зависимости от возрастной группы (от 3 до 20 лет). Обратите внимание, что при изменении возраста ребенка будет меняться и допустимый рейтинг.

Вы можете также разрешать и блокировать отдельные игры и приложения, как и в случае с веб-сайтами.

Наконец, категория Таймер работы за компьютером. Вы можете выбрать время использования компьютера: установить дневной лимит или указать допустимое время начала и завершения использования ПК. В первом случае, даже если ребенок может использовать компьютер в течение всего дня, общее количество часов, проведенных за ним, будет ограничено.

Microsoft значительно упростила процедуру применения параметров контроля к учетным записям детей. Наличие данных возможностей обеспечивает душевное спокойствие для родителей, а дети могут спокойно использовать компьютер без чрезмерного контроля со стороны взрослых.

How to Set up Parental Controls in Windows 10

Control and monitor your child’s computer usage with parental controls

What to Know

• For Windows 10, Start >Settings >Accounts >Family & Other Users >Add a Family
  Member >Add a Child > enter email >Close.
• For Windows 8, Windows key + C >Change PC Settings >Accounts >Other Accounts >Add An Account.
• For Windows 7, Start > enter Parental Controls in search > select child account >Enforce Current Settings > configure settings >Close.

This article explains how to enable, change, or disable parental controls in Windows. Instructions in this article apply to Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7.

Enable Windows 10 Parental Controls

To use the most recent Windows Parental Controls and Microsoft Family Safety features, both you and your child need a Microsoft Account (not a local one). Although you can get a Microsoft account for your child before you configure available parental controls in Windows 10, it’s simpler and more straightforward get the account during the configuration process. Whatever you decide, follow these steps to get started.

Parental Controls, as outlined here, are only applied when the child logs in to a Windows device using their own Microsoft Account. These settings will not prevent what they do on their friends’ computers, school computers, or their Apple or Android devices, or when they access a computer under someone else’s account (even your account).

Select Start and choose Settings to launch the Windows Settings app.

Select Accounts.

In the left pane, select Family & Other Users.

Select Add a Family Member if your child does not have a separate account on your device. This step launches a Microsoft Account wizard.

Select Add a Child the either enter your child’s email address or select The Person I Want To Add Doesn’t Have An Email Address.

Complete each page of the wizard. The wizard offers different questions if the child does or doesn’t already have an email address.

Read the information offered (what you see here depends on what you selected in Step 5), and choose Close.

If you obtained a Microsoft Account for your child during the process above, you’ll notice that the child has been added to your list of family members in Windows Settings and that the status is Child. Parental controls are already enabled using the most common settings, and the account is ready to use. Have the child log on to their account while connected to the internet to complete the process.

If you input an existing Microsoft Account during the process, you’ll be prompted to log on to that account and follow the directions in the invitation email. In this case, the status for the account will say Child, Pending. The child will need to log on while connected to the internet to complete the setup process. You might also need to apply family safety settings manually, but this depends on several factors.

Find, Change, Enable, or Disable Parental Controls (Windows 10)

There’s a fair chance that the default Windows Family Safety controls are already turned on for your child’s account, but it’s good practice to verify if they meet your needs. To review the setting, configure, change, enable, or disable them, or to enable reporting for a Microsoft Account:

Select Start > Settings > Accounts > Family & Other People, and then choose Manage Family Settings Online.

Alternatively, type family into the search box next to Start. Select Family Options and then choose View Family Settings.

Log in if prompted, and then locate the child account from the list of accounts included with your family. Select Screen Time below your child’s name to open the Screen Time tab.

Make changes to the default Screen Time Settings using the drop-down lists and daily timelines.

Select More Options under your child’s name and choose Content Restrictions.

Activate Block Inappropriate Apps And Games and Block Inappropriate Websites. Add any apps or websites you wish to block or allow and select an appropriate age rating.

Select the Activity tab and expand Manage. Select Turn On Activity Reporting and Email weekly reports to me to get weekly reports of your child’s activities while online.

To block inappropriate websites and receive web browsing activity reports, your child must use Edge or Internet Explorer. You can block other browsers.

Continue to explore other settings as desired.

Windows 8 and 8.1 Parental Controls

To enable Parental Controls in Windows 8 and 8.1, you first need to create an account for your child. You do this in PC Settings. Then, from Control Panel, you configure the desired settings for that child account.

From the keyboard, hold down the Windows key and press C.

Select Change PC Settings.

Select Accounts, choose Other Accounts and then select Add An Account.

Select Add A Child’s Account.

Follow the prompts to complete the process, opting to create a Microsoft Account over a local account if possible.

To configure Parental Controls:

Open Control Panel. You can search for it from the Start screen or from the Desktop.

Select User Accounts And Family Safety, then choose Set Up Parental Controls For Any User.

Select the child’s account.

Under Parental Controls, choose Enforce Current Settings.

Under Activity Reporting, choose Collect Information About PC Usage.

Select the links provided for the following options and configure as desired:

• Web Filtering to block certain websites and prevent downloads
• Time Limits to choose when and on what days your child can access the PC
• Windows Store and Game Restrictions to set age, title, and rating limits on the apps your child can use
• App Restrictions to set the apps that your child can use

You’ll receive an email that includes information about the Microsoft Family Safety login page and what’s available there. If you use a Microsoft Account for your child you’ll be able to view activity reports and make changes online, from any computer.

Windows 7 Parental Controls

Configure Parental Controls in Windows 7 from Control Panel, in a similar manner to what’s outlined above for Windows 8 and 8.1. You’ll need to create a child account for the child in Control Panel > User Accounts > Give Other Users Access To This Computer. Work through the process as prompted.

Select the Start button and type Parental Controls in the search window.

Select Parental Controls in the results.

Select the child account.

If prompted, create passwords for any Administrator accounts.

Under Parental Controls, select Enforce Current Settings.

Select the following links and configure settings as applicable and then choose Close: Time Limits, Games, and Allow And Block Specific Programs.