Sharing a Mac with someone else is always tricky. It’s where a big chunk of your daily routine happens — and you don’t really want other people to interfere. Unless it’s your child who doesn’t own a computer yet. If this is your case, you should know that there’s a way to share a Mac to the extent you want to share it.
The Parental Controls available to administrators are fairly straightforward, and can be applied to practically any account set up on a Mac. This also includes guest accounts, locking down the. These were the steps to use Mac Parental Control on Mac OS High Sierra. Using these simple steps, you can keep a check on your child’s internet activity and can be vigilant. This will not only make your child learn how to intelligently use internet but will also help him.
The abyss of content freely available on the web can be distracting — or even harmful when it comes to a child. Therefore, some moderation is needed. macOS is one of the best operating systems catering for Mac parental controls. Using native programs only, you can create a safe Internet environment for your kids. And with a few extra apps installed on top, it gets even smarter.
Parental controls on Mac: How does it work?
Apple parental controls are packed into one handy app on macOS Catalina — Screen Time. The older versions have a built-in Parental Controls feature. So depending on the system your Mac runs on, you’ll be able to benefit from one of those.
But first of all, you need to separate your Mac setup from the one your kid will use. Let your loved ones in via a separate entrance — a personal account that they will use for their needs. While you can password protect every account on Mac, your child won’t be able to mess with your content or accidentally delete important stuff.
Look up titles, filenames, SHA1, PN #.
Here’s how to create a child account:
Open System Preferences > Users & Groups.
Click the Lock to enable changes.
Add a new account by clicking on the plus button.
If you’re using macOS Mojave or earlier, you can go to System Preferences > Parental Controls and add a new account from there.
Next step is to create Gmail account for your child, which you can have some control over. There’s actually a better way than just owning a password. For this purpose, Google created an app called Family Link, which enables parents to stay in the know. Once you set up the app and link it to your child’s account, you’ll be able to monitor the activity associated with it.
Here’s how to use Family Link for Google account control:
Install Family Link on your mobile device and link it with a Google account.
Go to Settings > Manage Settings to set up activity controls.
Learn mac os. To delete specific activity, go to My Activity Page in the child’s account > More > Select > Delete.
Family Link also has built-in screen time tracking and location tracking — so that you always know where your kid is. You can edit account info or lock a child’s account right from your app at any time.
How to set parental controls on macOS Catalina
Clearly, Apple makes parental controls easier — and a bit better-looking — with the release of macOS 10.15 Catalina. Unlike any other, this operating system has a handy Screen Time app for handling parental controls in one place. Set up the Downtime, manage Netflix parental controls, enable content restrictions — it all happens in one interface.
If Screen Time is set to Off, make sure you enable it.
Select the account and click on Options.
Check the box next to “Use Screen Time Passcode” to ensure no one except you will be able to change the settings.
If you want to have access to Screen Time controls from any device, check the box next to “Share across devices.”
Set up downtime
In the Screen Time, you can create a focused environment for your child using Downtime functionality. Perfect for when they have to do homework. Downtime switches off access to everything except specific apps you select. Here’s how to enable it on your Mac:
Launch Screen Time.
In the left side bar, select your child’s account.
Open the Downtime tab > Turn on.
Select Every Day or Custom and set the hours for when Downtime should be enabled.
You can adjust the hours of Downtime every day, based on your needs, if you select Custom. The app sends notifications 5 minutes before Downtime is scheduled so that your kids can finish whatever they are doing and get to work.
Create custom app limits
There are always those few apps that are the biggest time-sucks. Screen Time solves this problem by enabling you to set app limits. In the corresponding tab, click on the plus button to add a new app limit. You can set a custom limit for the entire category of apps — like Entertainment or Social Networking. Or, open the drop-down list under the category and set up limits for specific apps.
Track your screen time
One of the benefits of Screen Time is that it gives you a comprehensive view of how your child spends time on Mac. It has three tabs — App Usage, Notifications, and Pickups — for tracking activity across apps and categories. Here’s how you make the most of it:
Use App Usage to check time spent in every app during a specific period of time. See what type of activity takes over — Productivity, Social Networking, or Entertainment. You can also compare actual activity versus app limits.
The Notifications tab is there to tell you what apps are sending the biggest number of notifications. Maybe you should think about disabling them?
In the Pickups, you can view how many times you pick up a device and what app you open right away — an iOS feature that migrated to macOS.
If you want to quickly reset app limits or disable Downtime, customize settings in Always Allowed and you’re good to go. To deny access to specific web content or disable purchases in online stores, use Content & Privacy.
The best thing about Screen Time is that it works equally well for parental controls and for controlling your own activity. Use Screen Time to focus on work or limit Instagramming, and your routine will become healthier over time.
How to set parental controls on macOS Mojave and earlier
If your Mac runs on macOS Mojave or older versions, there’s a built-in Parental Controls feature you can benefit from. To access the functionality, open System Preferences > Parental Controls. You’ll be prompted to create a child account with parental controls if you haven’t done it before. Once the child account appears in the sidebar, click on it and go through the settings.
The options will be pretty similar to what you get with Screen Time — but in a less intuitive interface. You can set app limits, daily time limits, block specific web content, and more.
Focus for targeted distractions blocking
There’s still an easier way to block distractions. You can get Focus, an app that keeps you focused on work. The beautiful thing about it is you don’t have to customize preferences all the time, but rather go with a flow while Focus takes care of your productivity.
It’s to set up, and even easier to use:
Install Focus from Setapp (and save money on the license).
Once the app icon appears in your menu bar, you can start focusing in a click. By default, the app will shut down access to social media for 25 minutes. Then, it gives you a 5-minute break before enabling the focused mode again.
Open Preferences from the menu bar to add sites and apps that should be blocked when you’re focusing. This, by the way, is the easiest way to handle Chrome parental controls.
Set custom time limitations in the Schedule tab.
That’s it. No more complicated settings.
Timing for automatic activity tracking
If you’re rather interested in how much time you or your kids spend on specific activities, there’s no better tool than Timing. The app cleverly monitors what you do and brings insights into a handy activity timeline. You can define your own rules so that Timing stops and starts timer for specific activities without ever bothering you.
Here’s a short list of what you can do with Timing:
Add a task or a project with a deadline attached to it.
Use the Overview section to track your child’s activity over a specific period of time.
Let Timing create detailed activity reports for you.
Go to Review > Details to see active processes.
Use browser monitoring to check web activities.
Basically, Timing can be both a robust parental controls tool and your own productivity booster. A win-win.
Time Out for, well, time out
What if it’s not distractions you should block — but rather work? Time Out is a powerful Mac app that makes sure you or your loved ones don’t stay on the same task too long. And yet, it will tell your kids to take a break from YouTube, too. Just ma
By default, the app comes with normal 10-minute breaks and micro 15-second breaks. However, this is a subject to a change — you can set your custom ones for every job, whether it’s a casual work break or a longer lunch/coffee break.
Control every channel your child has access to
If for some reason you don’t use tools like Screen Time, you can enable parental controls for specific programs or browsers. Let’s say, your kid has recently became hooked on Netflix’s Sex Education. Some would argue it’s a good thing, but if you think otherwise, or the show stands in the way of homework, you can enable parental controls for Netflix.
Here are the detailed instructions on how to control the most popular channels.
Netflix parental controls
You can limit Netflixing in two ways — by setting up a maturity level or blocking specific shows. A custom maturity level means you can
Netflix to show only the content that complies with age restrictions — movies and shows for little kids, teens and below, or everyone.
To set maturity level on a profile:
Sign in to Netflix > Manage profiles.
Select the profile you want to edit.
In the new window, set up the maturity level under Allowed TV shows and movies.
To set a PIN for maturity level or specific Netflix content:
Go to the Account page in your web browser.
Open Settings > Parental Controls.
Enter your account password.
Create a PIN that is a four-digit number.
Set PIN protection for a specific tile or maturity level > Save.
YouTube parental controls
YouTube went even further. It created a separate YouTube for kids. So if you’re wondering how to set parental controls of YouTube, the answer is you don’t have to — simply use YouTube Kids. The app enables you to customize content experience for a child, depending on their age. You can also change the restrictions by clicking on the Lock icon, turn off search, and set a passcode for access to settings.
If you want to prevent access to YouTube completely, you’ll have to use Apple’s native Parental Controls or Screen Time.
Chrome parental controls
The most basic version of Google Chrome parental controls is its SafeSearch functionality. It blocks explicitly inappropriate and adult content — but, unfortunately, isn’t customizable at all. Here’s how to enable SafeSearch:
Internet Parental Controls For Macbook
Open Chrome and click on your image in the upper right corner.
Navigate to Data & personalization and scroll down to the bottom of the page.
Under General preferences for the web, select Search settings.
In the new window, check the box to enable SafeSearch > Save.
While SafeSearch doesn’t allow you to prevent access to custom websites, you’ll need more advanced solutions for that like Focus, which will block the selected sites and apps for you.
The problem of screen time is becoming huge — not only for parents but also for anyone who’s spending too much time in front of a computer. Big players like YouTube and Netflix are putting much effort into helping you limit app usage. However, instead of navigating the settings of parental controls of YouTube, you can do things easier. Combine Focus with Timing and Time Out apps from Setapp — and have the whole process streamlined.
Setapp lives on Mac and iOS. Please come back from another device.
Meantime, prepare for all the awesome things you can do with Setapp.
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Best 10 Parental Control Software for Mac
1. FamiSafe - the most reliable parental control software for Mac
FamiSafe is one of the best parental control software on the market. It is known for its compatibility with different operating systems and flexible subscription types. When it comes to applying parental control on Mac, FamiSafe has topped this list for its comprehensive features.
Location Tracking & Geo-fencing
App Blocker
Web Filtering
Screen Time Control
Smart Parental Control Setting
Features:
Web content filtering: Filtering websites content on a mac is never easier with FamiSafe. Parents can enable different websites categories to be blocked or add specific websites.
Screen time Monitoring and Control: The parents can control the time period up to which the kids are allowed to use their Macs.
App blocking: Parents can block apps that kids used most to help kids focus on their tasks.
Activity Monitor: This feature completely monitors all the activities of the Mac from web browsing to social media apps.
Smart Schedules: Smart Schedule allows parents to set up different plans to block different apps at different times or occasions. If you would like your kids to focus on their study tasks when using the Mac, you can set a smart schedule to block games and social media apps.
2. K9 Web Protection for Mac
The K9 Web Protection is an easy-to-use Mac parental control software that offers effective web filtering to protect the kids from harmful content. It is a charge-free software and can be configured as a porn blocker, spyware stopper, etc.
Features:
It has an amazing app filtering support.
Users can add additional configuration options.
It can disable HTTPS block notifications and Google SSL redirection.
It has compatibility with other Antivirus and Firewall Vendors.
Pros:
It has effective and customizable filters.
Apply limits to many sites simultaneously.
Set notification for unauthorized website access.
Cons:
The notification panel sometimes causes issues.
Don't work with the AOL browser.
No reports or keyboard logging features.
Supported OS: It supports Mac OS X 10.4, 10.5, 10.6, 10.7, and 10.8.
Cost: It is free of cost.
3. Free Website Blocker for Mac
This parental control software for Mac is primarily designed to block access to specific websites. For the users who only need to block specific content can use this software adequately.
Features:
It has a simple and easy user interface.
It can block the complete website or you can choose specific content according to your requirements by defining words or phrases which block.
Pros:
Works well for blocking websites.
It is easy to operate, all you need to do is type in the URL or word you would like to block.
Cons:
It lacks a password protection feature.
Does not cover the other aspects of parental control.
Supported OS: It supports Mac OS X 10.5, 10.10, and 10.11.
Cost: Free.
4. Qustodio Parental Control for Mac
Qustodio parental control software for Mac will ensure that your kid is safe online. The parents can easily restrict the time and data usage of their kids on the target Mac or block apps or games and keep track of their kid's online activity.
Features:
Added compatibility with OS X EI Capitan.
It can set healthy access limits to content.
All the content which is accessed is supervised accurately.
Pros:
Improved website filtering and classifications.
It is tamper-proof.
It will protect your kids from dangerous websites, id theft, bullying, and other risks.
It runs in the background without having a negative impact on mac's performance.
Cons:
Some features are only accessible in the premium version.
Supported OS: It is compatible with Mac OS X 10.6, 10.7, 10.8, 10.9, and 10.10.
Cost: This software is free but the premium version costs $49.95.
5. Safe Eyes for Mac
The Safe Eyes is a fast, effective, and reliable parental control software for Mac. It is an ideal solution for the online protection of the whole family. It will block all the objected content and will put a limit on the time kids spend online.
Features:
It has a customizable program blocking.
Enhanced security with HTTPS/SSL filtering.
Provides robust usage reporting that can be limited to Admin access.
It controls all the internet based programs also.
Pros:
Amazing security features for advanced protection.
All the data is saved on the Safe EyesTM server which is helpful if there are multiple devices in the home.
Cons:
One license is limited to three devices only.
Will provide false alerts.
Supported OS: Mac OS X 10.4 Intel/PPC, Mac OS X 10.5 Intel/PPC/.6 Intel, Mac OS X 10.6/Intel
Cost: The product cost is $49.95.
6. Familoop Safeguard for Mac
Familoop Safeguard is a Mac parental control software that provides an improved and enhanced background operation. This software will surely give a proper insight into the kid's online activities.
Features:
It is a complete solution for kid's online protection.
Secured, safe, and smart digital parenting.
It offers safe search, web filtering, Geofencing, time limits, etc.
Pros:
You will get a set of smart tools for parental control.
It will also provide social networking protection.
Cons:
Does not time schedule service for the devices and the manual block feature does not work correctly.
Supported OS: This software is compatible with Mac OS X 10.10/ 10.11.
Cost: The software only costs $4.99 after a 10-day trial.
7. KidsServer PE for Mac
It is termed as the most powerful Mac parental control software ever designed. It is a proxy type software that can filter even the most harmful websites. It also offers the time restriction feature to put a limit on computer usage of the kids.
Features:
It supports compressed sites and forced safe search.
It is made as Universal Binary software.
It offers movies and word restriction.
Pros:
Simple and unique interface for easy operation.
It has advanced proxy throughput.
Cons:
The software slows down the computer sometimes.
Supported OS: It supports the Mac OS X 10.3/10.3.9/10.4 Intel/10.4 PPC.
Internet Parental Controls For Macbook Pro
Cost: The price for this software is $40.
8. Intego ContentBarrier X9 for Mac
This software understands that the internet is a sword that is cutting the young mind gradually. The Intego ContentBarrier is a software for Mac that acts as a guardian on the online platforms.
Parental Control Programs For Mac
Features:
You can set up customized profiles.
It monitors the internet habit of the user.
It can effectively restrict adult content and provide the kids with the content which is appropriate for their age group.
Pros:
No lurking of strangers through unfamiliar websites.
Eliminate the risk of id theft to a great extent.
Cons:
Sometimes the software shows performance issues.
Supported OS: This Software is compatible with Mac OS X 10.10/10.11/10.8/10.9, and macOS 10.12/Sierra.
Cost: You can try the software for free up to 30 days. After that, you have to pay $39.99 for the software.
9. Internet Safe for Kids Web Browser for Mac
The Internet Safe for Kids Web Browser has been effective parental control software. It is suitable for all the kids above age 3. The application already come with 12 parent-approved websites which are also fun and creative.
Features:
Safe and secure browsing.
It offers a password protection feature to deny access to unapproved websites.
Pros:
It is completely free of cost.
There is a help menu along with the browser.
The password protection is good.
Cons:
It requires more control over the time spent.
Supported OS: It supports Mac OS X 10.4 Intel/PPC, Mac OS X 10.5 Intel/PPC, and Mac OS X 10.6/10.7/10.8.
Cost:
The software will run without any registration code for 30 days. After that, it will only require a registration code that the users can have for free.
10. KidsGoGoGo for Mac
This software helps the parents to keep the kids away from malicious content and external threats. There are several ways to customize the user experience to get the proper advantage of the software.
Features:
It is an effective and convenient software.
Prevents kids from accessing adult content like porn, gambling, etc
Offers a set of network peripheral features.
Pros:
The software has a clean and nice interface that will allow the user to navigate quickly through various sections.
The best thing about the software is that it doesn't degrade the performance of the computer.