Is your child glued to their phone, spending hours on social media or gaming? Are you concerned about the content they're accessing or who they're communicating with? You're not alone! Many parents grapple with how to ensure their children use their mobile devices safely and responsibly. Thankfully, Verizon offers robust parental control features through its Verizon Smart Family (now simply called Verizon Family) service, giving you the tools to manage your child's phone usage and digital experience.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through, step-by-step, how to set up and leverage Verizon's parental controls to create a safer digital environment for your family. Let's get started!
Step 1: Are You Ready to Take Control? Understanding Verizon Family
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let's understand what Verizon Family is and what it offers. Verizon Family is Verizon's primary parental control solution, designed to give parents peace of mind by allowing them to manage their children's mobile activity. It comes in two tiers:
Verizon Family: This basic tier often includes features like location sharing, safe walk with SOS, and viewing Verizon cellular call and text activity. It's often included with standard monthly postpaid accounts.
Verizon Family Plus: This premium tier, available for a monthly fee (e.g., $14.99/month), unlocks a wider array of powerful features. This is where the true parental control magic happens, including:
Content Filtering: Block inappropriate websites and apps.
Time Restrictions: Set limits on phone usage, including "school hours" or "night hours."
App & Web Activity Monitoring: See what apps your child is using and for how long, and view their web Browse history.
Call & Text Limits: Set caps on the number of calls or texts.
Purchase Limits: Prevent unauthorized purchases billed to your Verizon account.
Advanced Location Features: More frequent location updates, geofencing (setting virtual boundaries), and location alerts for arrivals/departures.
Driving Insights: Monitor driving behavior (for older teens).
Pause Internet: Instantly pause internet access on your child's device.
Important Note: While some basic call/message blocking can be done via My Verizon, to access the full suite of parental controls, you must use the Verizon Family app and likely subscribe to the Verizon Family Plus plan for the most comprehensive features.
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| How To Put Parental Controls On Verizon Phones |
Step 2: Getting Started – Downloading and Setting Up the Apps
This is where your journey to digital peace of mind begins!
Sub-heading 2.1: Downloading the Guardian App
First, you'll need the Verizon Family app on your phone (the parent/guardian device).
Find the App: Go to the App Store (for iOS devices) or Google Play Store (for Android devices).
Search: Search for "Verizon Family" (it used to be called "Verizon Smart Family").
Download and Install: Download and install the app on your smartphone.
Sub-heading 2.2: Signing In and Choosing Your Plan
Once installed, open the app:
Tap "Get Started": Follow the on-screen prompts.
Sign In: Enter your Verizon phone number and your My Verizon account password.
Choose Your Plan: You'll be prompted to choose between the basic Verizon Family or upgrade to Verizon Family Plus. For robust parental controls, the Verizon Family Plus plan is highly recommended.
Agree to Terms: Review and agree to the terms and conditions.
Sub-heading 2.3: Adding Family Members and Devices
Tip: Read the whole thing before forming an opinion.
Now, let's get your child's device connected.
Add Lines: Within the Verizon Family app on your phone, you'll be able to select the Verizon lines associated with your children that you wish to add to Verizon Family. You can assign names and icons to each line for easy identification.
Download the Companion App: For most advanced features (like content filtering, app usage monitoring, and accurate location tracking), you'll need to download the Verizon Family Companion app on your child's iPhone or Android smartphone/tablet.
Send Invite: From your Verizon Family app, send an invite to your child's device. This will typically send a text message with a link.
Pairing the Devices (Crucial Step!):
On your child's device, open the message and tap the link.
Follow the on-screen instructions in the Companion app. This will involve granting various permissions (e.g., location, accessibility, VPN services) to allow the parental controls to function effectively. It's important that your child grants all necessary permissions. If they decline, some features may not work.
You'll receive a confirmation on your guardian device once the pairing is successful.
Troubleshooting Tip: If you encounter issues with pairing or permissions, go to the settings within the Verizon Family app on your device, tap "Family settings," select your child's device, and then tap "Smart Family Companion" to re-initiate or check permissions.
Step 3: Setting Up Content Filters – Keeping It Safe
One of the most important aspects of parental controls is managing the content your child can access.
Select Your Child: In the Verizon Family app on your phone, select the child's profile at the top of the screen.
Navigate to Content Filters: Scroll down to the "Manage controls" section and tap "Content filters."
Choose Categories to Block: You'll see various content categories (e.g., Social Media, Gaming, Email, Adult Content, Violence, etc.).
Tap on a category to see more details about what it blocks.
Toggle Switches: Tap the switch next to each filter you want to turn on (the switch will typically turn black or a darker color when on). You can also tap "All" to block all filters within a category.
Website Blocking/Allowing (Specific URLs):
Within the "Content filters" section, scroll down and tap "Websites."
You can then choose "Trusted websites" (to allow specific sites even if the category is blocked) or "Blocked websites" (to block specific sites).
Enter the full web address (URL) you wish to allow or block.
Save Changes: After making your selections, always remember to tap "Save" to apply the filters.
Pro Tip: Verizon Family uses a VPN connection on your child's device to enable content filtering. If your child tries to disable this VPN, the parental controls may stop working.
Step 4: Managing Time – Setting Usage Limits
Screen time is a constant battle for many parents. Verizon Family allows you to set clear boundaries.
Select Your Child: Again, select the child's profile in the Verizon Family app.
Go to Limits: Scroll down to "Manage controls" and tap "Limits."
Time Restrictions: Tap "Time restrictions."
Create Schedules: You have a few options here:
School Hours: Quickly set recommended time restrictions for school days. Adjust as needed.
Night Hours: Similarly, set default nighttime restrictions.
Custom Time Restrictions: Tap "Add time restrictions" to create your own schedule.
Choose the days of the week and the start and end times when you don't want your child to be able to use their phone (or have limited access).
You can choose to receive alerts during these times or pause devices during the schedule.
Save and Apply: Tap "Save" to finalize your time restrictions. For the limits to take immediate effect, it's often recommended to turn your child's phone off and on again.
Important Note: During restricted times, your child's device generally won't be able to call, text, or use cellular data (except for 911 calls and calls/texts to "trusted contacts," which we'll discuss next). Wi-Fi usage may still be allowed unless specifically configured otherwise.
Step 5: Controlling Communication – Calls, Texts, and Contacts
You can also manage who your child communicates with and how much.
Select Your Child: In the Verizon Family app, select your child's profile.
Go to Limits or Contacts: Depending on what you want to manage:
For Call/Text Limits: Scroll down to "Manage controls" and tap "Limits."
Call Limit: Tap "Call limit" and enter the maximum number of minutes your child can spend on calls each month.
Text Limit: Tap "Text limit" and enter the maximum number of text messages (sent and received) your child can have each month.
Remember to "Save" and consider restarting your child's phone.
For Contact Management: Scroll down to "Manage controls" and tap "Contacts."
Top Contacts: See a list of contacts your child has been communicating with. You can select a contact and choose to receive alerts when your child communicates with them (watchlist).
Blocked Contacts: Add specific numbers to a "Blocked contacts" list to prevent your child from calling or texting them, and vice versa.
Trusted Contacts: These are contacts that can always call and text your child, even during restricted times. This is vital for family members or emergency contacts.
Step 6: Monitoring Activity – Web & App Usage
Understanding how your child uses their phone is key to guiding them.
QuickTip: Slow scrolling helps comprehension.
Select Your Child: In the Verizon Family app, select your child's profile.
View Web & App Activity: Scroll down to the "Monitor activity" section and tap "Web & app activity."
Here, you can see a list of websites visited and apps used, along with the time spent on them. This insight can help you identify concerning trends or initiate conversations about responsible digital habits.
Step 7: Location Tracking and Alerts – Knowing Where They Are
For peace of mind, especially when your children are out and about.
Select Your Child: In the Verizon Family app, select your child's profile.
Location Alerts: Scroll down to the "Manage controls" section and tap "Location alerts." (Note: This is typically a Verizon Family Plus feature).
Places & Alerts: Tap "Add a place" to set up a geofence. Enter a name and address for a location (e.g., "School," "Home," "Friend's House"). You can then choose to receive alerts when your child arrives at or departs from this location.
Scheduled Alerts: Tap "Scheduled alerts" to set specific times when you want to be notified of your child's location.
View Location: From the main dashboard of the Verizon Family app, you should see a map displaying your child's current location (if location services are enabled on their device and the Companion app is paired).
Step 8: Additional Controls – Purchases and Pausing Internet
Beyond the core features, Verizon Family offers even more granular control.
Sub-heading 8.1: Limiting Purchases
Prevent unexpected charges on your bill.
Select Your Child: In the Verizon Family app, select your child's profile.
Go to Limits: Scroll down to "Manage controls" and tap "Limits."
Purchase Limit: Tap "Purchase limit."
Set Dollar Amount: Enter a dollar amount. Once this limit is reached, purchases billed to Verizon (e.g., app store purchases through Verizon billing) will be restricted until the next billing cycle.
Save: Tap "Save" to apply.
Sub-heading 8.2: Pausing the Internet
Need to get their attention? This feature is a game-changer.
Select Your Child: In the Verizon Family app, select your child's profile.
Quick Actions: Look for a quick action button or a section that allows you to "Pause Internet" or "Pause Device."
Confirm: Confirm your action. This will temporarily cut off internet access (cellular data and Wi-Fi) on your child's device, encouraging them to disengage from their screen. You can typically resume internet access from the same spot.
Step 9: Regular Review and Communication
Parental controls are not a set-it-and-forget-it solution.
Review Settings Regularly: Technology changes, and so do your child's needs. Periodically review your Verizon Family settings to ensure they are still appropriate for your child's age and maturity level.
Talk to Your Child: The most effective parental control is open communication. Explain why you're implementing these controls. Discuss internet safety, responsible phone usage, and the importance of digital boundaries. Involve them in the conversation as they get older, gradually empowering them to make good choices independently.
Be Aware of Workarounds: Kids are tech-savvy. Be aware that some may try to find ways around parental controls (e.g., using Wi-Fi if cellular data is blocked, creating new user profiles on Android, deleting the companion app). Verizon does implement tamper prevention, but staying vigilant and maintaining open communication is always best.
By following these steps, you can effectively utilize Verizon Family to establish healthy digital boundaries, monitor activity, and foster a safer online experience for your children.
Tip: Highlight sentences that answer your questions.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 frequently asked questions about Verizon parental controls, with quick answers:
How to block apps on Verizon phones?
You can block specific app categories or individual apps using the Content filters feature within the Verizon Family app (requires pairing with the Companion app and generally Verizon Family Plus).
How to set time limits for phone usage on Verizon?
Use the Time restrictions feature under Limits in the Verizon Family app to set custom schedules for phone usage or utilize pre-set "School hours" and "Night hours."
How to track a Verizon phone's location?
You can track a Verizon phone's location using the Location alerts and map features within the Verizon Family app. For more accurate and frequent updates, ensure the Verizon Family Companion app is installed and paired on the child's device and that location permissions are granted.
How to block calls and texts on a Verizon phone?
Within the Verizon Family app, you can block specific numbers by adding them to your Blocked contacts list under the Contacts section. You can also set Call limits and Text limits under the Limits section.
QuickTip: Slow down when you hit numbers or data.
How to filter internet content on a Verizon phone?
The Content filters feature in the Verizon Family app allows you to block access to inappropriate websites based on categories or by adding specific URLs to a "Blocked websites" list.
How to monitor web Browse history on a Verizon phone?
The Web & app activity section in the Verizon Family app allows you to view a list of websites your child has visited and the apps they have used.
How to set spending limits for app purchases on Verizon?
You can set a Purchase limit under the Limits section in the Verizon Family app. This restricts purchases billed to your Verizon account once the set dollar amount is reached.
How to pause internet access on a child's Verizon phone?
The Verizon Family app often includes a quick action button to "Pause Internet" or "Pause Device," which temporarily cuts off internet access (cellular data and Wi-Fi) on the child's phone.
How to allow emergency calls during restricted times on Verizon?
By default, 911 calls are always allowed, even during restricted times. Additionally, contacts designated as "Trusted Contacts" in the Verizon Family app can typically communicate with your child even when other restrictions are in place.
How to remove parental controls from a Verizon phone?
To remove parental controls, you would typically unpair the child's device from the Verizon Family app and/or remove the line from your Verizon Family account within the app's settings. You may also need to uninstall the Verizon Family Companion app from the child's device.
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