Enable Content Filtering – The Android Market was an online store offering software applications designed for Android devices. Users gain access to the Android Market. Users gain access to the Android Market through its website or the Market application installed on Android mobile devices.
Content filtering is the use of a program to screen and/or exclude access to web pages or emails deemed objectionable. Content filtering works by specifying content patterns – such as text strings or objects within free images – that, if matched, indicate undesirable content to be screened out. A content filter will then block access to this content. For example, it’s common to filter social networking sites unrelated to work.
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How to Customize your content filtering settings
- Open up the Play Store app on your phone or tablet
- Pull out the menu from the left and open “Settings.”
- Under “User controls,” look for “Content filtering.”
- Tap on it, and you’ll see the options shown in the image up top.
This gives you the option to allow apps to be shown based on how mature you want the content to be. From low through to showing all apps, it gives you the choice of what you want to see. The Play Store is a pretty open place, but Google does have guidelines on what developers can and can’t do. You can read those in full here. If you see an app in the Google Play Store that you think is inappropriate, you’ve got the option to flag it as such to Google, and you should absolutely use it.
How to Enable Content Filtering on the Google Play Store
- Open the Google Play app.
- Tap on the Menu key > Settings.
- Scroll to the User Controls section and tap on Content Filtering.
Content filtering and the products that offer this service can be divided into Web filtering, the screening of Web sites or pages, and e-mail filtering, the screening of e-mail for spam or other objectionable content.
All Android devices have parental controls or some type of content filtering. Whether that’s from Google or the manufacturers. Or, you can download third-party apps designed with that in mind. Starting with Android 5.0 and above, Google gives users strong controls and even a guest mode (multi-user account) option for kids. Not to mention all Amazon Kindle tablets have controls in Amazon Freetime.
It’s important for parents to set up restrictions on an Android smartphone or tablet. We’ll start with content filtering, then get into setting a password and a few other steps you can take. This will offer the best experience that’s safe and secure.
Parental Controls and Content Filtering on Android
Obviously, Google doesn’t let anything and everything into the Google Play Store. Even if they’re more relaxed than say, Apple, about what is available for download. That said, they still have a system in place that works quite well. Take things a step further though and use the steps below to filter content.
Instructions
- Open the Google Play Store app from the application tray or home screen
- Next, tap the 3 lines (menu) button on the top left
- Select Settings
- Scroll down and tap on Parental Controls
- In settings you can control everything from when apps update, enable a password for purchases, and of course content filtering.
Once you’re here go ahead and flip the switch to turn on Parental Controls. You’ll have to add a pin, confirm that pin, then manually configure parental controls for multiple categories.
As you can see, Google breaks down the content by apps and games, movies, music, and more. This way you can allow a certain level of games, and something latest movies and TV. Choose what works best for you and your family. With groups consisting of: Everyone, Everyone 10+, Teen, Mature 17+, Adults only, or Allow All. Or, the TV ratings you’re already familiar with.
This isn’t the most advanced tool and won’t prevent everything from slipping through the cracks, but it’s a start. Parents can disable select apps from being shown based on maturity. By default, it’ll show everything, but you can easily slide the bar to change that. Keep in mind that anything already on the device won’t go away. You have to manually do that later, if necessary.
Add a Password for Purchases
The second step parents will want to take is adding a password to the Google Play Store to prevent unauthorized purchases. This can protect you from kids buying tons of apps (or in-app purchases) without your consent. Or prevent them from downloading things you wouldn’t want them getting their eyes on.
Follow our guide above for even more information about adding a password to your device and the Google Play Store. Essentially, you’re just requiring authentication for each and every purchase. We recommend you set this to ask for a password for EVERY purchase. Not just once, or once every 30 minutes. A child can spend a lot in 30 minutes after you enter your password once.
