Facebook is a central part of daily life for people of all ages. Despite the minimum age requirement of 13, many younger users access the platform. For teenagers, using Facebook is almost inevitable. As a parent, it’s your responsibility to guide your child toward a balanced and safe experience on the platform. This guide explores Facebook parental controls to help you protect your child.
Read on to understand the risks of Facebook, how to implement parental controls, and the tools available to ensure your child’s safety.
Part 1. Facebook Privacy and Security
Facebook offers several features to enhance user privacy and security, including:
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Passwords
Passwords are the first line of defense for your account. A strong password keeps unauthorized users out. -
Two-Factor Authentication
This feature requires a login approval code when your account is accessed from an unfamiliar device, adding an extra layer of security. -
Login Alerts
Facebook notifies account owners of logins from new devices or suspicious account activity. -
Information Request
Facebook prioritizes user privacy by resisting or notifying you about requests for your information, depending on the situation. -
Secure Browsing
This feature encrypts your activities on the app or website, preventing unauthorized access to your data.
Part 2. Start Facebook Parental Control by Setting
Parents can configure Facebook settings to create a safer environment for their children.
2.1 Check Privacy and Security Settings
Facebook’s privacy and security settings allow you to manage your child’s account. To review these settings:
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Tap the menu (three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner.
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Navigate to the Privacy Shortcut.
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Adjust who can see your child’s posts and how others can find them (e.g., via friend requests, email, or phone number).
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Enhance security by updating the password and enabling login alerts.
2.2 Turn Off Location
Facebook allows users to share live locations in posts or with friends. Disabling this feature is a key parental control step. This setting applies to the Facebook app on Android and iOS devices.
For Android Users:
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Open Settings on the device’s home screen.
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Go to Apps, find Facebook, and tap it.
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Select Permissions > Location.
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Choose from Allow only when using the app, Ask every time, or Don’t allow.
For iOS Users:
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Go to Settings > Location Services.
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Toggle the location service switch on or off.
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Scroll to Facebook under Location Services and select your preferred option.
2.3 Password Security and Login
To set a stronger, unique password:
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Tap the menu icon in the top-right corner of the Facebook app.
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Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings.
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Select Password and Security > Change Password.
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Enter the current password, then type and confirm the new one.
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Tap Save Changes.
If you’ve forgotten the password, select Forgotten Password and follow the prompts.
2.4 Restrict Who Can See Your Posts
You can limit the visibility of your child’s past and present posts.
For a Single Past Post:
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Tap the menu in the top-right corner.
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Locate the post you want to edit.
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Tap the three dots in the top-right corner of the post and select Change Audience.
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Choose Public, Friends, or Only Me.
To Restrict All Past Posts:
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From the menu, go to Settings.
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Navigate to Audience and Visibility > Posts.
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Select Limit Who Can See Past Posts > Limit Old Posts. Confirm to restrict past posts to friends only.
To Restrict Present Posts:
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Go to Settings > Audience and Visibility > Profile and Tagging.
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Select Who can see what others post on your profile and choose an audience.
2.5 Manage Who Can See Profile
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Tap the menu in the top-right corner and select your profile.
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Go to See More About Yourself > Contact Info.
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Tap Add to update visibility for phone number, email, website, or address.
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Use the drop-down menu to select a new audience.
Alternatively, lock the profile to limit visibility of photos, posts, profile pictures, cover photos, and stories to friends only. Past public posts will also switch to friends-only.
2.6 Manage Screen Time
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Tap the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner.
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Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Your Time on Facebook.
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Select Manage Your Time > See Tools.
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Toggle Quiet Mode on or schedule screen time.
To Schedule Screen Time:
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Under Your Time on Facebook, select See Tools > Daily Time Reminder.
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Set the desired time limit and confirm.
2.7 Control Who Can Contact Your Kids
In Privacy settings, under How People May Find and Contact You, select Who can send you friend requests and choose Friends of Friends to prevent strangers from contacting your child.
2.8 Report Inappropriate Users
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Navigate to your feed or search for the user to report.
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Tap the minus (-) sign in the top-right corner.
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Select Find Support or Report and follow the prompts.
You can also report posts, messages, pages, groups, photos, comments, or ads.
2.9 Block Annoying Users
To block someone bothering your child:
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Go to Main Menu > Settings > Blocking.
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Enter the profile name of the user to block.
2.10 Block Inappropriate Games and Websites on Facebook
Disconnecting games or websites linked to your Facebook account prevents them from posting to your child’s profile.
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Go to Settings > Permissions > Apps and Websites.
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Remove apps or websites to block them.
2.11 Restrict Content on Facebook
Moderate your Facebook page to filter content:
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Tap the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner.
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Go to Settings > Page Moderation.
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Enter words to block and save changes.
To enable a profanity filter: -
Go to Settings > Profanity Filter.
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Adjust to Medium or Strong and save.
2.12 Spending Management
Control spending on Facebook ads and campaigns:
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Open the Facebook app and tap the hamburger menu.
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Go to Ads Manager > Billing.
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Select Account Spending Limit, set your preferred limit, and tap Set Limit.
Part 3. Can’t Access Your Kid’s Mobile All the Time? Try the Best Facebook Parental Control App
For busy parents who can’t constantly monitor their child’s device, MobileTracking Parental Control is an ideal solution. This app allows you to regulate and monitor your child’s Facebook activity, track their location, monitor calls and SMS, and more.
Key Features:
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Set keywords to monitor searches, videos, and posts on Facebook.
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Sync incoming Facebook messages and notifications to the parent’s device.
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Schedule when and how long your child can use Facebook.
MobileTracking Parental Control is more efficient and time-saving than Facebook’s built-in controls. Try it for free to ensure your child’s safety!
Part 4. More Tips for Facebook Online Safety
Try Messenger Kids
Facebook Messenger Kids is a parent-controlled app for children. Parents can monitor activity from their dashboard, and kids can only interact with approved contacts, reducing risks like cyberbullying and harassment. Access additional controls via the Activity, Contacts, and Control options.
Learn What Your Kids Love and Communicate Often
Understand your child’s interests and maintain open communication. Dedicate time daily to listen to them, encouraging them to share any issues. Clear communication builds trust and helps address concerns.
Schedule Online Time for Family
For busy parents, scheduling virtual family time ensures regular interaction. Use tools like Google Family Link to set device lock schedules, limiting notifications and app access while allowing phone calls.
Monitor Online Activities
Track your child’s activity via the parent dashboard in Messenger Kids or a parental control app. In the Facebook app:
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Tap the menu icon, select the profile, and go to Activity Log.
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Review categories like posts, photos, and videos to monitor activity.
Part 5: Why You Need Parental Control on Facebook
Prevent Potential Danger
Parental controls protect kids from online threats like cyberbullying, exploitation, and information theft. They help shield children from dangers they may not recognize until they’re mature enough to handle them.
Protect Information Security
Even with Messenger Kids, children’s information can be vulnerable. Parental controls limit private data exposure and monitor online interactions to prevent fraud and privacy invasions.
Form Healthy Digital Habits
Childhood habits shape lifelong behaviors. Parental controls help regulate screen time and social media use, preventing addiction and fostering healthy digital habits.
Wrapping Up
Young minds are vulnerable and may struggle to discern right from wrong online. Ensuring your child’s safety in the virtual world is critical. By using Facebook’s parental controls or tools like MobileTracking, parents can monitor and guide their child’s online behavior, especially on platforms like Facebook. Prioritize your child’s safety above all!
