What Parents & Educators Need to Know about Setting up New Devices

Barry Collins
Experienced IT journalist

Parent Guide

This free online safety guide focuses on setting up new devices for children. It includes tips such as adjusting the screen time settings, setting Windows limits and installing Xbox family settings.

At Christmas, millions of lucky children will be excitedly ripping the wrapping off new phones, tablets, computers or consoles. However, in the rush to let young ones enjoy their shiny gadgets, many parents neglect to set these devices up safely – increasing the chances of children going online and stumbling across adult content, making expensive downloads or installing unsuitable apps. A little time configuring the device properly can save a lot of anguish later. Here are our top tips to ensure that a dream gift on Christmas morning doesn’t turn into a nightmare by New Year.

In our guide, you'll find tips on things like adjusting the screen time settings, setting Windows limits and installing Xbox family settings.

Barry Collins

Barry Collins has more than 20 years’ experience in IT journalism. He was written for a variety of national newspapers and magazines, including The Sunday Times, Mail Online, Which?, Web User and ComputerActive. He was editor of PC Pro magazine and remains a columnist for the magazine to this day.

Barry has also made regular television and radio appearances as a technology pundit. He’s featured on BBC Newsnight, ITN News at Ten, The Chris Evans Show and many others over the years.

Barry is the co-founder of www.bigtechquestion.com, a website designed to answer people’s everyday technology queries in plain English. He’s also the editor of The Independent & Unofficial Guide to Fortnite. In between all that, he’s a contributor to Forbes.com and a father to two children.