DevicesCaution
Chromebook Parental Controls: Complete Setup Guide
Set up Google Family Link supervision, Chrome Web Store restrictions, and SafeSearch on a Chromebook used for school or home.
Ages 6-17
10 min read
Updated Jul 20, 2026
Set up Google Family Link supervision, Chrome Web Store restrictions, and SafeSearch on a Chromebook used for school or home.
Chromebooks are the most common school-issued device in the U.S. — most kids spend more time on one than on any other computer. Google Family Link is the primary way to supervise them, though school-managed Chromebooks are locked down by the school and can't be fully managed by parents.
If the Chromebook is school-issued, focus controls on home use. If it's a personal Chromebook, Family Link works from ages 6 through 17.
A typical Chromebook session for a school-age kid:
If you see new Google accounts being added, a sudden jump in late-night activity, or your child working around filters with web proxies, those are signals to address directly.
If the Chromebook belongs to the school, Family Link overlays may not work — the school profile takes priority. Your controls only apply when they sign in with their personal Google account.
Most parents underestimate how much YouTube drives Chromebook time. Supervised accounts get a lighter filter by default; for stronger filtering, force YouTube Kids or turn on Restricted Mode and lock it.
Guest mode in Chrome OS bypasses all Family Link controls. On personal Chromebooks, disable guest sign-in in settings. On school Chromebooks, this may already be turned off.
Follow these steps to configure parental controls on your child's Chromebook. Check off each step as you complete it — your progress stays on this page.