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Getting a new phone or tablet is one of those moments kids remember. But before you hand over that shiny new device, taking 30 minutes to run through a new device safety checklist can make an enormous difference in your child’s online experience. Factory settings leave privacy wide open, app stores unrestricted, and location sharing turned on by default. That’s not a safe starting point for any young user. The good news is that setting up a device safely isn’t complicated — you don’t need to be a tech expert. This step-by-step guide covers everything you need to do before that phone or tablet leaves your hands.

Why Does It Matter What You Do Before Handing Over a New Device?

Many parents assume a new device is a clean slate. In a hardware sense, that’s true. But default settings on smartphones and tablets are designed for convenience, not child safety. Out of the box, most devices allow unrestricted app downloads, full location access, and open communication with strangers through built-in apps.

Scammers and bad actors know this. They actively target young users who are new to devices and haven’t been taught to recognize manipulation. According to the Federal Trade Commission, teens and young adults report losing money to fraud at higher rates than older adults — often because they engage online more frequently and with less skepticism.

Taking time to set up a device properly isn’t about distrust. It’s about giving your child a safe environment to learn and explore — one with guardrails that match their maturity level.

What Should You Do First When Setting Up a New Phone or Tablet?

Before your child ever touches the device, there are a few foundational steps to complete. Think of these as the non-negotiable starting points of any new device safety checklist.

• Create or use your own Apple ID or Google account as the primary account during setup. Don’t use your child’s email as the main account — this gives you administrative control.
• Set up Family Sharing or Google Family Link immediately. These free tools are the backbone of parental oversight for Apple and Android devices respectively.
• Register the device with the manufacturer. This ensures you receive security updates and can remotely wipe the device if it’s lost or stolen.
• Apply the latest software updates before your child uses the device. Many updates contain critical security patches.
• Set a strong passcode — and make sure you know it. Avoid using the child’s birthday or obvious patterns.
• Enable Find My iPhone or Find My Device (Android) from day one. If the device goes missing, you’ll want this already turned on.

These steps take about 10 minutes but create the foundation for everything else. Don’t skip them in the excitement of handing over a new gift.

How Do You Set Up Parental Controls Before a Child Uses a New Device?

Parental controls aren’t about spying on your child — they’re about creating age-appropriate boundaries that adjust as your child grows. Both iOS and Android have robust built-in tools that are free and relatively easy to configure.

On iPhone or iPad (Screen Time)

• Go to Settings → Screen Time → Turn On Screen Time
• Select “This is My Child’s iPhone” and set a Screen Time passcode your child doesn’t know
• Under Content & Privacy Restrictions, set age ratings for apps, movies, music, and web content
• Enable Communication Limits to control who your child can call, text, or FaceTime
• Use Downtime to schedule device-free hours (homework time, bedtime)

On Android (Google Family Link)

• Download Google Family Link on both your phone and your child’s device
• Link the accounts and set app approval requirements — your child must request your permission to download anything
• Set daily screen time limits and a bedtime lock
• Enable content filters on Google Search and Chrome
• Review location sharing and activity reports from your parent dashboard

For a deeper look at monitoring strategies, internet safety for families how to monitor device use is a great next resource once you’ve completed the initial setup.

What Privacy and Security Settings Should You Change Right Away?

Default settings on most devices are optimized to collect data and enable features — not to protect a child’s privacy. Changing these settings takes less than 10 minutes and significantly reduces exposure.

Location Settings

• Go to Privacy → Location Services and set each app to “While Using” or “Never” — very few apps need “Always On” access
• Turn off location metadata in photos (this embeds GPS coordinates in every picture your child takes and shares)
• Disable Precise Location for social apps like Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram

App Permissions

• Review microphone and camera access — only video/photo apps need this
• Disable contacts access for games and entertainment apps (they don’t need your child’s address book)
• Turn off ad tracking — on iPhone: Settings → Privacy → Tracking → toggle off “Allow Apps to Request to Track”

Account and Communication Settings

• Set all social accounts (if age-appropriate) to private
• Disable direct messages from strangers on any platform that allows it
• Turn off in-app purchases or require a password for every purchase

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) publishes updated mobile device security guidance that’s worth bookmarking for reference.

How Do You Talk to Your Child About Safe App Downloading?

Even with parental controls in place, your child will eventually encounter apps — through friends, ads, or YouTube. Teaching them to evaluate apps critically is a skill that lasts a lifetime.

Start with a simple conversation: not every app is what it claims to be. Fake apps that look like games or tools can be designed to steal login credentials, show inappropriate content, or even install spyware. The FBI’s internet safety resources highlight fake apps as one of the top vectors for targeting young users.

Teach your child to ask three questions before downloading anything:

• “Do I know who made this?” — Check the developer name and look for a real website or contact information
• “What does it want access to?” — A flashlight app doesn’t need your contacts or microphone
• “What are people saying about it?” — Read actual reviews, not just the star rating; look for complaints about ads, charges, or strange behavior

This is also a good time to explain the concept of phishing through apps — where scammers create fake versions of popular apps to steal passwords. Tools like LanternPhish help kids practice recognizing these kinds of tricks in a safe, simulated environment before they encounter them for real.

What Should You Install (and Avoid) on a Child’s New Device?

A well-prepared device has a short, intentional list of apps — not a sprawling collection of games and social tools. Starting lean and adding apps deliberately is far easier than trying to clean up a cluttered device later.

Recommended Installs Before Handoff

• A kid-safe browser — Kiddle, Qustodio Browser, or Chrome with SafeSearch locked on
• Your family’s communication app — so your child can always reach you
• Educational apps relevant to your child’s age and school
• Your family’s streaming service with a kid profile set up in advance

What to Avoid or Delay

• Social media apps — Most platforms require users to be 13+; consider waiting until your child is ready and you’ve discussed online safety thoroughly
• Open chat apps like WhatsApp, Discord, or Telegram without clear guidelines and monitoring
• Free-to-play games with live chat — Many have in-game communication features that expose kids to strangers
• Any app that promises free premium content — This is a common setup for scams targeting young users

For a broader guide on how to approach these conversations, read our post on protecting your kids from online scams what every parent should understand before handing over a connected device.

How Do You Keep a Child’s Device Safe Ongoing — Not Just at Setup?

The setup day is just the beginning. Device safety is an ongoing practice, not a one-time event. Scammers evolve their tactics constantly, and kids’ usage patterns change as they get older.

Build these habits into your family routine:

• Monthly check-ins: Review installed apps together. Delete anything unused or unknown. This becomes a low-pressure conversation starter.
• Update reviews: Make sure software updates are applied. Enable automatic updates so security patches don’t get missed.
• Screen Time reports: Both Apple and Google generate weekly usage summaries. Review them together with curiosity, not judgment.
• Open door policy: Make it clear your child can come to you without fear if they see something upsetting, receive a strange message, or accidentally click a suspicious link.
• Revisit the rules as they grow: A 10-year-old and a 15-year-old need different levels of access and different conversations.

It’s also worth knowing what resources exist if something does go wrong. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) accepts reports of online fraud and exploitation — knowing this exists empowers both parents and older kids to act if needed.

As programs that once supported school-based internet safety education have changed, families are increasingly responsible for teaching these skills at home. Our coverage of the fbi safe online surfing program is shutting down what families can do next offers useful alternatives worth bookmarking.

Your Complete New Device Safety Checklist (Quick Reference)

Use this summary as a printable or bookmarked reference every time a new device enters your home:

• ✅ Set up with your account as primary; link Family Sharing or Family Link
• ✅ Apply all software updates before first use
• ✅ Enable Screen Time (iOS) or Family Link (Android) with a parent-only passcode
• ✅ Set content restrictions and age ratings
• ✅ Limit location access — review every app individually
• ✅ Turn off photo location metadata
• ✅ Disable in-app purchases or require password approval
• ✅ Set communication limits — control who can contact your child
• ✅ Install only a short, intentional list of apps
• ✅ Enable Find My Device and register the device with the manufacturer
• ✅ Have the “what to do if something feels wrong” conversation before handoff
• ✅ Schedule monthly check-ins to review apps and settings together

The goal isn’t a perfect locked-down device — it’s a safe, age-appropriate starting point paired with ongoing conversations and trust. Start practicing internet safety with your family today at LanternPhish.com, where your whole family can learn to recognize scams and phishing attempts before they cause real harm.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age should a child get their first phone?

There’s no universal right answer — it depends on your child’s maturity and your family’s needs. Most child development experts suggest waiting until middle school (around ages 11–13), but more important than age is whether you’ve completed a proper setup and had safety conversations first. The device itself is less important than the preparation around it.

Do parental controls actually work on smartphones?

Built-in parental controls are effective for blocking age-inappropriate content, managing screen time, and requiring app approval — especially for younger children. They’re not perfect, and older teens who are motivated can find workarounds. The most effective approach combines technical controls with regular conversations and an environment where kids feel comfortable asking questions.

Should I know my child’s passcode?

For younger children (under 13), yes — knowing their passcode is a reasonable part of responsible device oversight. For teenagers, the answer is more nuanced. Many family safety experts recommend that teens know you could access the device if necessary, even if you typically don’t. Transparency about your oversight policy matters more than whether you actually check regularly.

What’s the most important thing to do before handing over a new phone?

If you only do one thing, enable parental controls through Family Sharing (Apple) or Google Family Link before the device is ever used. These platforms give you remote visibility and control that’s nearly impossible to add effectively after a child has already been using a device freely. Everything else on the checklist builds from that foundation.

How do I talk to my kid about online scams without scaring them?

Frame it around empowerment, not fear. Instead of “there are dangerous people online,” try “we’re going to learn how to spot tricks so that nobody can fool you.” Use real but age-appropriate examples — like a fake prize message or a suspicious link — and practice together. Kids who understand how scams work are far less likely to fall for them than kids who’ve simply been told to “be careful.”

What should I do if my child already has a device that was never properly set up?

It’s not too late. Walk through the parental controls setup on your device type — both Apple Screen Time and Google Family Link can be added at any point. Have an honest, non-punitive conversation with your child about why you’re making changes, and frame it as something you’re doing together. Reviewing installed apps and permissions as a team is a good way to start without it feeling like a sudden crackdown.

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