We were all kids once. There isn’t a single person who doesn’t read a book they shouldn’t or watch a TV show they know their parents don’t allow. We were all there. Modern operating systems with web browsers, app stores, and built-in search features make it pretty easy to find anything and everything you don’t need to access. Microsoft’s Windows 8.1 operating system is a sneaky kid’s dream with no changes. If you haven’t already, you definitely want to set up parental controls for your kids in Windows 8.1.
Here’s how to set up parental controls on anything running Windows 8.1. This includes devices like Microsoft’s Surface 2 and full-fledged PCs like laptops, desktops, and 2-in-1s.
Before we start, let’s talk about the necessary materials. If you are already running the Windows 8.1 operating system, forget about other third-party programs and extras. Microsoft has its own system called Family Safety and is included for free with Windows 8.1. Second, you will want to lock your computer with a username and password for administrative privileges. You can do this from the Users area inside the Settings app. To read How to Create User Accounts to guide you through this process. Just in case, we’ll show you how in this tutorial as well.
Let’s start.
If you’re using a device with a mouse and keyboard, move your cursor to the upper-right corner of your screen to open what’s called the Charms Bar. To access the Charms Bar by tapping, simply place your finger on the right edge of your screen and slowly swipe left. You can do any of these from any screen.
Tap or click Settings Charm. It’s the gear under the Charms Bar.
Tap or click now Change computer settings.
tap or click Accounts.
tap or click Accounts. Tap or click now Add an account.
Welcome to the New Account screen. Do not type anything in the email field yet. Instead, tap or click the text at the bottom of the pop-up window. Add a Child’s Account.
This is where you need to decide what your plan of attack is. If your child is old enough, you can give them a Microsoft Account with access to Xbox Live, Skype, and the Windows Store. If you already have one, now enter the information for it. If you don’t want to have one, you need to add a child account that is not linked to an email account. He is the person we chose today.
Now enter the name of your child account and go ahead and assign a password if you think it’s necessary. For you kids – really anyone under the age of 14 – I’d say this isn’t necessary for home computing. If it’s a portable machine, it’s a very good idea to assign a password as it needs to be protected against theft. Click or tap Next.
Click or tap now finished and your Child Account has been created.
You want to open the search bar again, but this time you will click or tap Search. Enter Family Safety and select it from the options on the side of your screen. This will take you to the Desktop.
Tap or click now Manage Family Safety option in the Family Center app. This time you will be taken to a website where you can manage Sub-Accounts and get detailed reports on their usage. Sign in with the Microsoft Account you use for your Windows 8.1 PC.
Tap or click the name of the Child Account you created on your PC. In this case it is TestKid, but whatever you decide to name your Child Account will be yours.
Now you can break your child’s habits here.
Activity Reporting is what it looks like. Maybe you need more information about what your child is looking at when you don’t stand behind them. Activity reporting has a complete breakdown of anything and everything done with a child account. These reports are emailed to your account on a weekly basis.
Web filtering puts a strict limit on what your child can access over the internet.
Let’s say you have created a Microsoft Account for access apps. The Windows Store has an integrated rating system that matches the games you buy from the stores in real life. If you don’t want your kids to have access to games rated as teen, you can prohibit them from downloading them on Windows Phone and Windows. App Restrictions does the same thing, but blocks them at the computer level. Does your child play a lot? Minecraft? You can apply certain hours to play on weekdays or weekends.
Good luck.
