How to set up parental controls on Windows & Mac
On Windows, use Microsoft Family Safety: add your child's Microsoft account to your family, then set web/search filtering (works in Edge), app and game age limits, screen-time schedules, and spending approval in the Microsoft Store. On a Mac it's Screen Time (System Settings → Screen Time) with the same Content & Privacy Restrictions, Downtime, App Limits and Ask to Buy as on iPhone, managed through Family Sharing. On both, make sure your child uses a standard/child account, not an administrator account — an admin can switch the controls off.
Mac & Windows PCs FAQs
How do I set parental controls on a Windows PC?
Use Microsoft Family Safety — add the child's account to your family for web filtering, app/game limits, screen time and purchase approval.
Do Macs have parental controls?
Yes — Screen Time on macOS, managed via Family Sharing, mirrors the iPhone controls.
Lock it down — start tonight
Dad's free quick wins for Mac & Windows PCs. Do step 1 tonight; the rest are in the members' guide.
- 1Make the child a child user (not an admin) on the Mac or PC
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The rest of the Mac & Windows PCs lockdown
3 more quick wins — plus the full screen-by-screen walkthrough.
The full screen-by-screen walkthrough for Mac & Windows PCs lives in The Ultimate Parents Guide.
Device Scoreboard
Every device, scored head-to-head.
See alsoApp Scoreboard
App-by-app honest verdicts.
View ThenTalk to your kids
The conversation that makes the settings stick.
How to start