Do you want to gain greater peace of mind knowing your child is safe and responsible with their device? Are you looking for a powerful tool to help manage screen time, block inappropriate content, and even track their location in real-time? If so, Verizon Smart Family is an excellent solution. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of adding a child to your Verizon Smart Family account, ensuring you can leverage its full potential.
Let's get started, shall we?
How to Add a Child to Verizon Smart Family: A Step-by-Step Guide
Adding a child to Verizon Smart Family involves a few key stages, from initial setup to pairing their device. We'll break down each part to make the process as smooth as possible.
Step 1: Getting Started with the Verizon Smart Family App (Parent's Device)
The Verizon Smart Family experience begins with the parent's device. This is where you'll manage all the settings and controls for your child's phone.
Sub-heading: Download and Install the App
First things first, you need the app! Head over to your smartphone's app store – either the Google Play Store (for Android) or the Apple App Store (for iPhone).
Search for "Verizon Smart Family" (or "Verizon Family" as it's sometimes called).
Download and install the app. Make sure you have a stable internet connection for this.
Sub-heading: Sign In to Your Account
Once the app is installed, open it.
You'll be prompted to sign in. Use your My Verizon mobile number and password. This is the same login you use to manage your overall Verizon account.
If you don't have a My Verizon account yet, you'll need to set one up on the Verizon website or through the My Verizon app first.
Sub-heading: Select Your Smart Family Plan
After signing in, you might be asked to select your desired Verizon Smart Family plan. You'll typically see options like:
Verizon Smart Family (Basic): This plan usually covers content filters, call and text monitoring, and daily device limits.
Verizon Smart Family Premium: This premium plan includes all basic features, plus real-time location tracking, location history, enhanced activity reporting, and the ability to pause internet access. Choose the plan that best fits your family's needs.
Tap "Next" after making your selection.
Sub-heading: Provide Parental Consent
Verizon requires parental consent to collect information from your child's phone to provide the Smart Family service.
Read through the terms and conditions carefully and then tap "Agree" to proceed.
Step 2: Adding the Child's Line to Smart Family
Now that your parent app is set up, it's time to designate which lines on your Verizon account belong to your children.
Sub-heading: Choose the Lines to Add
Within the Verizon Smart Family app, you'll see a list of lines on your Verizon account.
Select the line(s) you want to add to Verizon Smart Family. There's typically no additional cost to add lines once you have a Smart Family subscription; your monthly fee covers your entire account.
Sub-heading: Name Your Family Members (Optional but Recommended)
For easier identification and management, you'll have the option to name the lines you're adding. This helps you quickly see which child is associated with which phone number.
Tap "Sign up" or "Add" once you've made your selections.
Tap "OK" to confirm.
Step 3: Installing and Pairing the Smart Family Companion App (Child's Device)
This is a crucial step for unlocking the full suite of parental controls, especially features like content filtering, app blocking, and precise location tracking.
Sub-heading: Download the Smart Family Companion App
On your child's phone (the one you just added to Smart Family), open their app store (Google Play Store or Apple App Store).
Search for "Verizon Smart Family Companion" (or "Verizon Family Companion").
Download and install this app.
Sub-heading: Initiate Pairing from the Parent App
On your parent's phone, open the Verizon Smart Family app.
Tap the Settings icon (usually a gear or three dots) in the top right corner of the screen.
Tap Family settings.
Select the line (your child's line) that you want to pair with.
Tap Smart Family Companion. The app will then send a text message to your child's phone with a pairing link.
Sub-heading: Complete Pairing on the Child's Device
On your child's phone, open the text message sent from the Parent app.
Tap the link provided in the text message.
You'll see screens guiding you through the pairing process. Look for prompts like:
"Verifying phone"
"Pair phone" - Tap "Show me how."
Grant Permissions: This is where you'll need to allow necessary permissions for the app to function correctly. This often includes:
Location Access: Tap "Always Allow" (for precise tracking).
Web and App Activity: Tap "Agree" to permit Smart Family to collect and share web and app activity with your parent line.
Accessibility Settings: You'll be taken to the Accessibility settings on your child's phone. Scroll down and tap "Smart Family Companion." Turn the switch to the "On" position to enable full monitoring and content filtering.
VPN Profile Setup (for Android): For Android devices, you may be guided to set up a VPN profile. This is essential for content filtering and enforcing time restrictions. Follow the on-screen instructions and tap "OK" when prompted.
View any tutorials provided and tap "Got it" once complete.
Once all permissions are granted and the setup is complete on the child's device, you should receive a confirmation message on your parent's device indicating that the connection was successful.
Step 4: Configuring Smart Family Features
With your child's device paired, you can now dive into customizing the parental controls.
Sub-heading: Content Filters
On your parent's app, select your child's profile at the top of the screen.
Scroll down to the "Manage controls" section and tap Content filters.
Select content categories you want to block (e.g., social media, games, adult content, violence). You can often toggle individual filters on or off within each category.
Tap Save when you're done. You can also block specific websites by URL.
Sub-heading: Time Restrictions & Screen Time Limits
From your child's profile in the parent app, tap Limits under "Manage controls."
Tap Time restrictions.
You can set:
School Hours: Define times when the phone's usage is restricted (e.g., during school hours).
Night Hours: Set a "bedtime" when the phone is locked down.
Custom Time Restrictions: Create your own schedules for specific days and times.
Adjust the recommended times as needed and tap Save.
You can also set daily usage limits for overall device use or for specific app categories.
Sub-heading: Location Tracking and Alerts (Premium Feature)
If you have Smart Family Premium, select your child's profile.
Scroll to "Manage controls" and select Location.
You can view their current location on a map.
Tap Places & alerts to add specific locations (like home, school, a friend's house). You can then set alerts to notify you when your child arrives at or leaves these designated places.
Remember to ensure your child's device has location services enabled for accurate tracking.
Sub-heading: Call and Text Monitoring
Within your child's profile, you can review call and text activity (sent and received over the cellular network).
You can also block specific numbers from contacting your child or set limits on calls/texts.
Note: Verizon Smart Family does not monitor activity through third-party messaging apps like iMessage, WhatsApp, or Google Messages.
Sub-heading: Pause Internet Access
A very handy feature! From your child's profile in the parent app, you can typically find a quick action button to pause internet access on their device. This is great for family dinners or homework time.
Congratulations!
You've successfully added your child to Verizon Smart Family and are now equipped to manage their digital well-being. Remember to communicate openly with your child about these controls and why they are in place. Transparency and trust are key to a healthy relationship, even with parental controls involved.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check if my child's device is compatible with Verizon Smart Family?
Most Android smartphones (Android 6.0+) and iPhones (iOS 15.0+) with a Verizon wireless line are compatible. Verizon Android tablets with a line on your account are also supported, but iPads are generally not.
How to download the Verizon Smart Family apps?
You can download the "Verizon Smart Family" app (for parents) and the "Verizon Smart Family Companion" app (for children) from the Google Play Store for Android devices or the Apple App Store for iPhones.
How to troubleshoot pairing issues with the Smart Family Companion app?
Ensure both parent and child devices have a strong cellular data connection (turn off Wi-Fi temporarily if needed). Verify all requested permissions are granted on the child's device, especially for Location and Accessibility. Sometimes, uninstalling and reinstalling both apps can resolve minor glitches.
How to view my child's web and app activity?
Once the Smart Family Companion app is paired and permissions are granted, you can view a summary of your child's web and app activity within the "Web & App Activity" section of the parent app. This includes categories of content consumed and app usage, but not a detailed browser history of every single website visited.
How to block specific apps or websites on my child's device?
In the parent app, go to your child's profile, then to "Content filters." You can block websites by category or by entering specific URLs. For apps, you can often set restrictions or block access to certain app categories or individual apps depending on the device and app version.
How to set up location alerts for my child?
With Verizon Smart Family Premium, go to your child's profile, select "Location," and then "Places & alerts." You can add specific addresses and choose to be notified when your child arrives at or leaves those locations.
How to pause internet access on my child's phone?
In the Verizon Smart Family parent app, navigate to your child's profile. There should be a prominent option or quick action button to "Pause Internet" or a similar function.
How to manage screen time limits for my child?
Within the parent app, select your child's profile, then go to "Limits" and "Time restrictions." Here you can set daily limits, school hours, night hours, or create custom schedules for device usage.
How to remove a child from Verizon Smart Family?
You can remove a child's line from Verizon Smart Family through the parent app, usually in the "Family settings" or "Profile management" section. This will typically unpair the companion app and remove the associated controls.
How to contact Verizon Smart Family support for further assistance?
You can usually find support options within the Verizon Smart Family app itself, often under a "Help" or "Support" section. This may include FAQs, troubleshooting guides, or contact information for Verizon customer service.
