Scenario
Let's walk through a typical family setup: one Windows machine (or one per kid), one parent running the admin account, two kids with different ages and different rules.
Step 1: Install and pick Parent mode
Run through the first-run wizard on the shared family machine (or each kid's individual machine). Pick Parent mode when asked.
Step 2: Admin account
- Set up the parent account with your name and email.
- Choose a PIN neither kid knows (not a family birthday, not
1234). - Enable reports to your email.
Step 3: Add kid 1 (e.g. 8-year-old)
- Add a kid account with their name.
- Block: full social media (they're too young), violent games by domain, YouTube Shorts.
- App Limits: YouTube 30 min/day, Roblox 60 min weekdays / 2h weekends.
- Downtime: 20:00–07:00 every day.
- Screenshots: enabled, weekly collage in report.
Step 4: Add kid 2 (e.g. 14-year-old)
- Add a kid account.
- Block: adult content sites (from the category list), TikTok, specific YouTube channels you don't want.
- App Limits: social media group = 60 min/day combined, YouTube 90 min/day.
- Downtime: 22:00–07:00 weekdays, 23:00–08:00 weekends.
- Free Time: homework apps allowed during Downtime until 22:30 weekdays.
- Screenshots: enabled but at a lighter interval, not included in reports by default.
Step 5: Tell the kids
Don't be sneaky about it. Kids notice restrictions. Tell them what's set up, why, and that they can request a Pause if they genuinely need to break the rules for a legit reason. Kids who understand the system comply better than kids who feel surveilled.
Step 6: Weekly review
Check the weekly email report. Look for:
- Rules broken — is someone trying to bypass? Why?
- Pause requests — too many? Maybe restrictions are too tight.
- Active time trends — are screens dominating their week?
Adjust the rules as the kids grow and needs change. Focus isn't set-and-forget.