Digital Wellbeing & Online Safety
Keeping our students safe
beyond the school gates
At ASAD, we believe that student wellbeing does not stop at the school gate. As part of our whole-school, prevention-focused approach to wellbeing — and in the spirit of our commitment to fostering safe, inclusive and empowering environments — we have prepared this resource to support families at home.
On campus, our network is protected by enterprise-grade firewalls, content filtering and continuous monitoring. Student device use is governed by our ICT Acceptable Use & BYOD Policy and our Digital & Social Media Policy. At home, the same level of protection needs your involvement.
These guides cover the devices, apps and platforms your child is most likely to use, with step-by-step instructions written specifically for ASAD families — all in one place, with no need to search elsewhere.
If you have any questions, need support setting up these controls, or would like personalised guidance, our team is here to help.
✉ Contact us at edtech@australianschool.ae🇦🇪 Note for UAE families: Some VoIP and video-calling features (FaceTime, WhatsApp video) may be restricted by the UAE Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA). Additionally, certain content filters may already be active at network level through your UAE internet provider.
⚠️ VPN warning: VPN apps allow children to bypass parental controls, school network filters and TDRA restrictions entirely. We strongly recommend checking your child’s devices for any installed VPN apps — common examples include NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Proton VPN and free VPN browser extensions. If found, remove them and have a conversation about why these controls exist. Note that the use of unauthorised VPNs is also illegal in the UAE under TDRA regulations.
Social Media
TikTok · Instagram · Snapchat · WhatsApp · Facebook
TikTok’s Family Pairing feature links your account directly to your child’s, giving you control over screen time, search, direct messages and content maturity — without needing to access their device.
1
Set up Family Pairing on your phone
Open TikTok on your phone. Tap
Profile → ☰ Menu (top right) → Settings and Privacy → Family Pairing. Select Parent.2
Scan QR code on your child’s phone
On your child’s TikTok, go to
Settings and Privacy → Family Pairing → select Teen. Point their phone at the QR code shown on your screen to link the accounts.3
Set a daily screen time limit
From your parent account, tap
Screen Time in Family Pairing. Set a daily limit (e.g. 60 minutes). Your child needs your 4-digit passcode to extend beyond the limit.4
Enable Restricted Mode
In Family Pairing, tap
Restricted Mode and toggle it ON. This filters content that may be inappropriate for younger users. Protect this setting with your passcode.5
Disable or restrict Direct Messages
Under
Direct Messages in Family Pairing, set to No one or Friends only. For users under 16, TikTok automatically disables DMs — verify this is active in their privacy settings.6
Disable Search
In Family Pairing, disable
Search to prevent your child from actively looking up accounts or content outside their curated feed.7
Set account to Private
On your child’s account, go to
Settings → Privacy → toggle Private Account ON. Only approved followers can see their content and videos.💡 Tip: TikTok automatically enables some restrictions for accounts registered as under-16, but age is self-reported at sign-up. Always verify settings manually using Family Pairing rather than relying on automatic age restrictions.
Instagram’s Supervision feature (under the Meta Family Centre) lets parents monitor usage, set daily time limits and see who their teen follows — all remotely from their own Instagram account.
1
Open Meta Family Centre
On your Instagram, tap
Profile → ☰ → Settings → Supervision. Tap Get Started as a parent.2
Send a supervision invite to your child
Enter your child’s Instagram username and send an invite. Your child must accept from their account under
Settings → Supervision. Both of you need the app installed.3
Set daily time limits
Once linked, tap your child’s name in
Supervision → Daily Time Limit. Set a limit (e.g. 45 minutes) and tap Save. Instagram will notify them when approaching the limit.4
Enable Sensitive Content Control
In your child’s account:
Settings → Content Preferences → Sensitive Content Control → select Less. This reduces suggested content that may be distressing or graphic.5
Set account to Private
On their profile, go to
Settings → Privacy → toggle Private Account ON. New followers require your child’s approval before they can see posts.6
Restrict messages from strangers
Go to
Settings → Privacy → Messages. Set Message Requests to Don't receive requests from people your child doesn’t follow.7
Disable Story resharing and tagging
In
Privacy settings, turn off Allow Resharing to Stories and set Tags to No one or People you follow to control who can tag your child in posts.🇦🇪 UAE note: Instagram is accessible in the UAE. Some story sticker features and shopping functionality may behave differently due to regional content restrictions.
Snapchat does not currently offer a dedicated parent supervision tool. Privacy must be configured directly on your child’s account. Key priorities: enabling Ghost Mode (hides location) and restricting who can contact them.
1
Enable Ghost Mode to hide location
Open Snapchat → tap the
Map icon → tap the ⚙ settings icon → toggle Ghost Mode ON. This hides your child’s location from all users on the Snap Map.2
Restrict who can contact them
Tap
Profile → ⚙ Settings → Privacy Controls → Contact Me. Set to My Friends only, so strangers cannot send Snaps or messages.3
Control who can view their Story
In
Privacy Controls, tap View My Story and set to My Friends. This prevents their stories from being visible to the general public.4
Disable Quick Add (discoverability)
In
Privacy Controls, turn off Show me in Quick Add. This stops your child’s account from being suggested to strangers as a potential friend.5
Turn on Sensitive Content warnings
In
Settings → Content Controls, ensure Sensitive Content warnings are enabled. This adds blur overlays to potentially graphic content in Spotlight.6
Review Friends list together
Periodically open
Profile → My Friends with your child and review who is on the list. Discuss removing any accounts they do not know personally in real life.💡 Important: Snapchat’s disappearing messages make it harder to monitor conversations after the fact. Have an open conversation with your child about this, and consider whether they are mature enough for the platform before allowing it.
WhatsApp is widely used by school-age children in the UAE. While it has no dedicated parent controls panel, strong privacy settings and group controls can significantly reduce exposure to strangers.
1
Lock profile photo to contacts only
Open WhatsApp →
Settings → Privacy → Profile Photo → set to My Contacts. This prevents strangers from viewing their photo.2
Hide Last Seen and Online status
In
Privacy, set both Last Seen and Online to Nobody. This prevents people from monitoring when your child is active on the app.3
Restrict who can add them to groups
In
Privacy → Groups, select My Contacts. This prevents strangers from adding your child to unknown group chats — a common source of harmful content.4
Enable App Lock
In
Settings → Privacy → App Lock, enable fingerprint or Face ID lock. This adds a layer of security if the phone is accessed by others at school or elsewhere.5
Block and report unknown contacts
If your child receives messages from unknown numbers, open the chat → tap the number → Block and Report. This sends the last 5 messages to WhatsApp for review.
🇦🇪 UAE note: WhatsApp voice and video calls are restricted in the UAE under TDRA regulations. Text messaging, photos and document sharing work normally.
Facebook is less common among younger teens but still widely used. Privacy settings must be configured directly on your child’s account. For teens, Meta’s Family Centre (shared with Instagram) also provides supervision tools including time limits and activity oversight.
1
Set profile to Friends only
On your child’s Facebook, tap
☰ Menu → Settings & Privacy → Settings → Privacy → Your Activity. Set Who can see your future posts to Friends. Also set Who can see your friends list to Only me or Friends.2
Restrict who can send friend requests
In
Privacy Settings → How People Find and Contact You. Set Who can send you friend requests to Friends of Friends. This prevents complete strangers from adding your child.3
Turn off profile searchability
In the same section, set Who can look you up using your email address or phone number to
Friends. Also turn off Do you want search engines outside of Facebook to link to your profile.4
Review and lock down the Timeline
In
Settings → Profile and Tagging. Set Who can post on your profile to Only me. Enable Review posts you’re tagged in before they appear on your profile — your child must approve all tags.5
Restrict Messenger contacts
Open Messenger → tap your profile photo →
Privacy → Message Delivery. Set messages from people not on their friend list to go to Message Requests rather than the main inbox, so your child must actively accept them.6
Use Meta Family Centre for supervision
On your own Facebook, tap
☰ Menu → Settings & Privacy → Family Centre. If your child has linked their account, you can view their activity time and set daily limits here — the same tool used for Instagram supervision.7
Enable two-factor authentication
In
Settings → Security and Login → Two-Factor Authentication. Enable using your email or authenticator app. This protects the account from being hijacked if the password is shared or guessed.💡 Tip: Facebook’s minimum age is 13, but it is self-reported. If your child is under 13 and has an account, you can report it to Facebook for removal via the Help Centre using the “Report an underage child” option.
Devices
iPhone · iPad · Android · Samsung
Apple’s Screen Time is one of the most comprehensive device-level parental control systems available. Set it up from your own iPhone using Family Sharing and manage everything remotely without touching your child’s device.
1
Set up Family Sharing
On your iPhone:
Settings → tap your name → Family Sharing → Add Member. Create a child Apple ID or invite your child’s account. Children under 13 require you to create their Apple ID directly.2
Turn on Screen Time for your child
On your iPhone:
Settings → Screen Time → tap your child’s name → Turn On Screen Time. Set a Screen Time passcode that is different from the device passcode. Do not share this passcode with your child.3
Set Content and Privacy Restrictions
In Screen Time →
Content & Privacy Restrictions → turn ON. Set: Movies to PG, TV Shows to TV-Y7, Apps to 9+ or 12+, Web Content to Limit Adult Websites, Music to Clean.4
Set App Limits by category
In Screen Time →
App Limits → Add Limit. Select categories (Social Networking, Games, Entertainment) and set a daily limit. Enable Block at End of Limit — the passcode is required to extend.5
Set Downtime (screen-off hours)
In Screen Time →
Downtime → turn ON. Set hours when only approved apps and calls work (e.g. 9pm–7am). You can customise this separately for weekdays and weekends.6
Prevent App Store purchases
In
Content & Privacy Restrictions → iTunes & App Store Purchases: set In-App Purchases to Don’t Allow and Installing Apps to require your password.7
Restrict location access in apps
In
Privacy & Security → Location Services: review each app and set social apps to Never for location access. Enable Share My Location only with family members via Find My.💡 Tip: Enable Communication Limits in Screen Time to restrict who your child can call or message. Even during Downtime, you can allow calls from specific family members to come through.
Google Family Link is a free app giving parents remote oversight of their child’s Android device — including app approvals, screen time limits, location tracking and content filters. Install it on both devices.
1
Install Family Link on both devices
Parent phone: download Family Link for Parents from the Play Store. Child’s phone: download Family Link for Children & Teens. Sign in with your Google accounts and follow the on-screen steps to link them.
2
Approve all app downloads
Once linked, your child cannot install any app without your approval. You receive a notification on your phone — tap Approve or Decline. You can also remotely uninstall apps already on the device.
3
Set daily screen time limits
In Family Link → tap your child’s name →
Controls → Daily Activity. Set limits per app or set a total device limit. When reached, the device locks (calls and emergency functions still work).4
Set Bedtime (automatic lock schedule)
In
Controls → Bedtime. Set the hours when the device locks automatically (e.g. 9:30pm–7am on school nights). Configure weekends separately with more flexible hours.5
Enable SafeSearch
In Family Link →
Controls → Google Search → turn on SafeSearch. This filters explicit content from Google search results and Google Images.6
Restrict Play Store content ratings
In
Controls → Filters on Google Play. Set the maximum content rating for Apps (e.g. Parental Guidance), Movies and Music. Require a parental password for all purchases.7
View location and weekly activity report
Family Link shows your child’s real-time location on a map. Weekly activity reports show which apps were used and for how long. Tap
Location on the main screen to see their current position.Samsung Galaxy devices include Samsung Kids (a locked environment for younger children) and Digital Wellbeing tools for older children. Because Samsung runs Android, Google Family Link also works fully alongside these tools.
1
Enable Samsung Kids (for younger children)
Go to
Settings → Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls → Samsung Kids. Set a PIN, then select which apps, contacts and media your child can access. The device enters a locked, child-friendly mode.2
Set App Timers via Digital Wellbeing
For older children:
Settings → Digital Wellbeing → tap the usage ring → tap any app → set a daily App Timer. The app icon greys out when the time is up for the day.3
Enable Focus Mode for study time
In
Digital Wellbeing → Focus Mode: select distracting apps (games, social media) to pause. While Focus Mode is active, those apps cannot be opened. Set a study schedule to automate this.4
Enable Bedtime Mode
In
Digital Wellbeing → Bedtime Mode: schedule overnight hours. The screen turns greyscale and notifications are silenced, making the phone much less appealing at night.5
Add Google Family Link for remote control
Install Google Family Link (see the Android guide above) on both your phone and your child’s Samsung. This adds remote app approval, location tracking and screen time limits that work alongside Samsung’s own tools.
Desktops & Laptops
Windows 11 · macOS · Chromebook
Windows 11 integrates with Microsoft Family Safety to give parents remote control over screen time, web filtering, app usage and spending — all from your phone. Your child signs into Windows with their own child Microsoft account.
1
Create a child Microsoft account
Visit
account.microsoft.com/family → sign in → Add a Family Member → create a child account. Your child signs into Windows using this account and all Family Safety controls apply to their Windows session.2
Set daily screen time limits
In Family Safety app → tap your child’s name →
Screen Time → Windows devices. Set a daily limit and choose allowed hours (e.g. 4pm–9pm on school days, more flexible on weekends).3
Enable web content filters
In Family Safety →
Content Filters → toggle Filter inappropriate websites and searches ON. Microsoft SmartScreen blocks adult content in Edge browser. Add specific websites to block in the list below.4
Restrict app and game downloads
In Family Safety →
Content Filters → Apps and games. Set the maximum age rating (e.g. PEGI 12). Apps above this in the Microsoft Store require your approval via a notification.5
Set a spending limit
In Family Safety →
Spending. Set a monthly limit for Microsoft Store purchases. All purchases must come from the child’s allowance — no credit card can be added to a child account.6
Review weekly activity reports
Family Safety emails a weekly summary of websites visited, time spent and apps used. View live activity in the app under the
Activity tab at any time.💡 Note: Web filters apply mainly to Microsoft Edge. If your child uses Chrome or Firefox, also configure SafeSearch in those browsers directly, or install Google Family Link for Windows for broader coverage.
Apple Screen Time on Mac mirrors the iPhone controls exactly. Once your child’s Mac is signed in with their Apple ID (part of your Family Sharing group), you manage everything from your own iPhone — no need to access the Mac directly.
1
Sign child into Mac with their Apple ID
On the Mac:
System Settings → sign in at the top with your child’s Apple ID (created through Family Sharing). Once signed in, the Mac appears as a device in your iPhone’s Screen Time panel.2
Manage all controls from your iPhone
On your iPhone:
Settings → Screen Time → tap your child’s name. Their Mac appears listed alongside their iPhone. Limits set here apply to both devices unless you customise per device.3
Enable Content and Privacy Restrictions
Directly on the Mac:
System Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy → turn ON. Set Web Content to Limit Adult Websites. This applies across all browsers on the Mac, including Safari, Chrome and Firefox.4
Set App Limits and Downtime
From your iPhone → Screen Time → your child →
App Limits and Downtime. Set downtime for school hours and bedtime. Allowed apps (e.g. specific educational tools) can be set to bypass downtime restrictions.5
Prevent App Store purchases and installs
In
Content & Privacy Restrictions on the Mac → App Store: set App Installs to require your password. Set In-App Purchases to Don’t Allow.Chromebooks signed in with a supervised Google account automatically inherit all Google Family Link settings — the same app used for Android phones. No separate setup is needed if Family Link is already configured.
1
Sign child into Chromebook with supervised Google account
On the Chromebook login screen, sign in with your child’s Google account (the one managed by Family Link). All Family Link controls apply automatically to this Chromebook session.
2
SafeSearch is locked automatically
When signed in with a supervised Google account, SafeSearch is enforced and locked ON across all Google searches in Chrome. Your child cannot disable it — it is enforced at the account level by Google.
3
Block specific websites
In the Family Link app on your phone → your child’s name →
Controls → Manage sites → Blocked. Add specific URLs. Switch to Approved sites only mode for a stricter whitelist approach.4
Set Chromebook screen time limits
In Family Link →
Screen Time → tap the Chromebook listed under devices. Set a daily limit and configure Bedtime. When the limit is reached, the Chromebook locks with a message.5
Approve Chrome extensions
Your child cannot install any Chrome extension without your approval when using a supervised account. Extension requests appear in the Family Link app for you to approve or deny individually.
💡 School Chromebooks: If your child uses a school-issued Chromebook, content filters and restrictions may already be applied by ASAD IT. Contact the school’s IT team to understand what is already in place on school-managed devices.
Need help setting these up?
Our EdTech team is happy to support ASAD families with personalised guidance — whether you need help applying these settings, have questions about a specific platform, or would like a walkthrough session.
