Keeping your children safe online

Children often seem to know more about computers and the internet Children on devices than many adults. However, being an expert in technology doesn’t necessarily mean having the know-how to handle all the situations they might encounter online.

Fortunately, there’s plenty of advice online for children, young people and parents. There are also special ‘parental control’ programs that can be used to restrict the types of websites that the young can visit. Even if your children have their own computers, it’s best to set them up with standard user accounts. This will prevent them from downloading programs by mistake or inadvertently deleting vital system files. We give instructions on how to create a user account below.

This guide explains how to install the parental controls available in Windows 10.

Follow these step-by-step instructions to make the internet safer for your children

For this guide you will need:

Internet access.
At least one 'parent' Microsoft Account.
Individual Microsoft Accounts for each child using the device.
Access to your child's email account, or one created for this purpose.
Administrator privileges on a desktop or tablet running Windows 10.

Step 1: Microsoft Family's parental control system requires Microsoft accounts for at least one parent and one child. If you haven't already done so, you can create a Microsoft account by clicking on this link. Alternatively, they can use their personal email address to set up a new account.

Step 2: Add a child account through your Windows settings by searching for this using Cortana. Then, click on accounts.

Finding the correct account Windows 10

Step 3: Then, select Family and other users.

Select Family and other users option

Step 4: Click on add a family member. You will be given an option to add a child or adult to your Microsoft account.
Click to add family member

Enter the email address of their Microsoft account below if you have it. (Remember that you’ll need access to their email to confirm they are your child.) If they do not have one you can create an account for them. When you type in their personal email address and select Next this message will appear "It looks like this isn't a Microsoft account. Try another email address or sign up for a new one". Click on the link to set up a new account. You will be able to create a new Microsoft account using their email address.

Create a secure password for this account, we have a very handy guide which you can use, view it by clicking on this link.

Step 5: Add in details including country and date of birth.

Add details to the account

Once you click on Next, Microsoft will send a verification code to the email you have used.

Step 6: You will have to accept the invitation using the link provided. This will get sent to the email you used to register with or the email you created when signing up to a Microsoft account.