Quick start: the 10-minute AI lockdown

The fastest settings that make the biggest difference. Skip any app your kid doesn't use. Ticks are saved on this device only.

You'll need your own phone, your kid's phone, and your passwords for each app's parent account.

1. Step 1 · ½ min
   Make a quick list
   Look at your kid's home screen. Write down which of these apps they have. Skip the ones they don't use.
2. Step 2 · 1 min
   iPhone: set Siri and Apple Intelligence
   Settings → Family → your child → Content & Privacy Restrictions → Siri. Choose the Siri version and block what you don't want. Full steps
3. Step 3 · 1 min
   Android: turn off Gemini in Family Link
   For kids under 13: Family Link → your child → Controls → Gemini → turn Gemini Apps off. Full steps
4. Step 4 · 1 min
   Snapchat: disable My AI
   Family Center → Settings → turn on “Disable My AI”. Your teen must have accepted your Family Center invite. Full steps
5. Step 5 · 2 min
   ChatGPT: link and set quiet hours
   Settings → Parental controls → add your teen. Then set quiet hours and switch off Voice Mode and image making if you want. Full steps
6. Step 6 · 1 min
   Instagram & Meta: turn on supervision
   Use familycenter.meta.com to supervise. You'll see the topics your teen asks Meta AI about, but not their messages. Full steps
7. Step 7 · ½ min
   Character.AI: decide if it stays
   Parents have no switch here. If you don't want it, block the app with Screen Time or Family Link. Full steps
8. Step 8 · 1 min
   Roblox & Discord: tighten chat
   Roblox: Parental controls → Communication. Discord: Family Center → sensitive content filters on. Full steps
9. Step 9 · 1 min
   Echo speakers: turn on Amazon Kids
   Alexa app → Devices → your Echo → Settings → Amazon Kids → on. Full steps
10. Step 10 · 1 min
    Talk for a minute
    Tell your kid what you changed and why. Remind them that AI isn't a person, can be wrong, and shouldn't get private details.

Clear my ticks

Good to know

• Most parent controls only work after your kid accepts a link or invite. Do these together.
• No setting is perfect. A short, calm talk about AI does more than any switch.
• Settings move around. If a button isn't where we say, open the official help link on that app's page.