Chromebook Parental Controls: Supervised Users & Chrome Setup
Google Chrome's Integrated Parental Controls
Google has recently introduced built-in parental controls directly within the Chrome browser. These controls empower parents to oversee and regulate how their children utilize Chrome.
The functionality is particularly effective when implemented on a Chromebook. On these devices, it enables the complete restriction of an individual user account.
Understanding Supervised Users
Google refers to its parental control system as "Supervised Users." This system facilitates the creation of distinct Chrome user profiles specifically for children.
Management of these child profiles is centralized through a dedicated parent user account, offering streamlined oversight.
How the System Operates
By establishing separate Chrome user profiles for each child, parents gain the ability to monitor and control their online activity.
All supervision and settings adjustments are performed from the parent’s primary Chrome account, ensuring a unified management experience.
This approach allows for a focused and secure browsing environment tailored to each child’s needs.
Activating Supervised Users in Chrome
Currently, the Supervised Users functionality within Chrome remains in its beta testing phase as of version 31. Despite this, the feature demonstrates reliable performance, and its default activation is anticipated in the near future.
Manual enablement is presently required to utilize this feature. Initiate a new tab within the Chrome browser and input the subsequent address into the address bar, then press Enter:
chrome://flags
Navigating to the Flags page necessitates scrolling down to locate the "Enable Supervised Users" option. Once found, activate this setting.
A Chrome relaunch will be prompted upon enabling the flag. Following the relaunch, the Supervised Users feature will be fully accessible.
Managing Supervised User Accounts: A Parent's Guide
To effectively utilize and oversee Supervised User accounts, a connection to a primary parent account is essential – this is your own Google account. Prior to establishing any supervised accounts, confirm that you are logged into Chrome, or your Chromebook, using your personal Google credentials.
If you are uncertain about the account currently active within Chrome on a desktop computer, access the menu and locate the "Signed in as" option to verify your login status.
Further Reading: Discover Seven Helpful Chromebook Tips
When operating a Chromebook, ensure you are logged in as the device’s “owner” account. This is typically the initial account used during the Chromebook’s setup process.
From this location, you can also disable guest browsing and control which accounts are permitted to log in. This prevents children from circumventing Supervised Browsing restrictions by utilizing the guest account or another Google account.
Creating New Supervised User Profiles
The next step involves creating individual user accounts and designating them as Supervised Users. Within Chrome for desktop, navigate to the Settings menu and select the "Add User" button under the Users section. On a Chromebook, choose the "Add user" option found at the bottom-left of the login screen.
Establish a new user account and specify that it should be a Supervised User account. Confirmation will be provided that the account is managed by your parent profile.
If you are using a Chromebook, you will be prompted to create a unique password for your child. This will fully secure their user account. Simply sign out of the Chromebook and allow them to log in from the login screen.
As of Chrome version 31, the Supervised Users feature does not currently prevent supervised users from switching to the main, unrestricted user profile on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. User profile password protection is anticipated in future updates, but reliance on this feature is not recommended until implemented. Naturally, access to an unprotected user account on Windows will allow circumvention of restrictions.
Administering Account Restrictions Through the Web
To effectively manage account limitations, navigate to Google’s dedicated management console located at chrome.com/manage. Ensure you log in utilizing the credentials linked to the parent account, rather than the supervised user’s account.
Upon successful login, you gain the ability to adjust permissions for all Supervised Users. Furthermore, browsing history can be reviewed, and pending website unblock requests can be either granted or denied.
When a supervised user attempts to visit a restricted website, a notification indicating required permission will be displayed. A "Request permission" option is available to the user, and these requests are then visible on the management console.
The management page is accessible remotely, allowing for website access approval even when away from home.
While not foolproof, parental controls represent a beneficial resource for online safety. This functionality is most robust when implemented on a Chromebook, enabling comprehensive device lockdown.
Activating Supervised Users on Windows, macOS, or Linux systems doesn’t prevent users from exiting the supervised profile. Even with such a restriction in place, concerns remain regarding activity outside of the Chrome browser – for instance, browsing through alternative browsers like Internet Explorer.