In today’s digital world, social media is almost inseparable from teenage life. Platforms like Facebook allow young people to connect, learn, and share, but they also present risks such as exposure to harmful content, unwanted interactions, or spending too much time online. For parents and guardians, one of the most effective ways to keep teens safe without cutting them off entirely is to set up parental controls.
Facebook, through its Meta Family Center, has rolled out tools designed to give parents more visibility and oversight over how their teens use the platform. These tools don’t take over a teen’s account completely, but they help parents set healthy boundaries and encourage safer online habits.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to turning on parental controls on Facebook for your teen.
Step 1: Set Up a Family Center Account
The first thing you’ll need is a Meta Family Center account, which links you (the parent/guardian) to your teen’s Facebook account.
1. Open the Facebook app on your phone.
2. Go to the Menu (the three lines in the bottom right on iOS or top right on Android).
3. Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then select Settings.
4. Under “Accounts Center,” tap Supervision or Family Center.
5. From here, you can send an invitation to your teen to connect their Facebook account under your supervision.
Your teen will need to accept the invitation for parental controls to be activated.
Step 2: Manage Daily Screen Time
Once connected, you’ll be able to set how much time your teen can spend on Facebook each day.
Open Family Center in your app.
Tap your teen’s profile.
Select Daily Time Limit.
Choose the number of hours and minutes your teen is allowed on Facebook per day.
This tool helps prevent endless scrolling and encourages a balanced lifestyle with more time for school, hobbies, or face-to-face interactions.
Step 3: Set Break Reminders
Beyond screen time, Facebook also allows parents to set break reminders, nudging teens to step away after prolonged use.
In Family Center, go to Supervision Settings.
Turn on Break Reminders.
Adjust the interval (for example, remind your teen to take a break every 30 minutes).
This encourages healthier social media habits and reduces the risk of overexposure.
Step 4: Monitor Friend Requests and Interactions
Parents don’t get a full play-by-play of private conversations, but you can see who your teen is adding or being added by.
In Family Center, select your teen’s profile.
Tap Activity Monitoring.
Choose Friend Requests to review recent connections.
This way, you can step in if you notice suspicious or inappropriate profiles.
Step 5: Track App Usage Reports
Facebook provides weekly usage reports so you can see how much time your teen spends on the platform and what features they use most.
Open Family Center.
Tap Weekly Activity Report.
Review insights on screen time, interactions, and patterns.
These reports open the door to honest conversations about balancing social media with real-world responsibilities.
Step 6: Customize Notifications
Parents can also manage when and how often teens receive notifications to minimize distractions during school or bedtime.
In Family Center, select Notification Settings.
Adjust whether notifications are muted at certain times of the day.
This prevents late-night pings that could interfere with sleep or constant distractions during study time.
Why It Matters
Turning on parental controls isn’t about spying on teens—it’s about guidance and balance. With cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and online scams becoming more common, these controls act as a safety net while still giving young people the freedom to explore and connect.
Experts recommend that parents combine these tools with open conversations. Ask your teen how they feel about their online experiences, listen without judgment, and agree on boundaries together. Parental controls work best when teens see them as a form of care, not punishment.
Facebook’s parental control features are not perfect, but they provide a much-needed layer of supervision in today’s digital age. By setting them up through Meta’s Family Center, parents can better protect their teens from risks, encourage healthier online behavior, and ensure that social media remains a positive part of their growth.
By: Daniel Ayotunde OMONITAN
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