Parental Controls: Setup, Enforcement & Transparency

Welcome to this study on parental controls. We are interested in your experiences setting up, using, and communicating about parental controls on digital devices. This survey takes approximately 8–10 minutes to complete. Your participation is entirely voluntary, and you may stop at any time. There are no right or wrong answers—we are interested in your honest opinions. All responses are confidential, anonymized, and will be reported only in aggregate. By continuing, you agree to participate in this research.

Have you used parental controls on any digital device or platform in the past 3 months?

• Yes
• No

Which of the following platforms have you used parental controls on in the past 3 months? Please select all that apply.

• iOS (iPhone/iPad)
• Android phone or tablet
• Windows PC
• macOS (Mac)
• Chromebook/Chrome OS
• Gaming console (e.g., Xbox, PlayStation, Switch)
• Smart TV or streaming device
• Home router or Wi-Fi system
• Streaming service or app (e.g., YouTube, Netflix)
• Other (please specify)

How easy or difficult was it to complete the initial setup the last time you configured parental controls?

Overall, how effective are the parental controls at enforcing the rules you have set?

Which of the following best describes how you communicate with your child about digital rules and monitoring? Please select all that apply.

• We explain what the rules are
• We explain that their activity is monitored
• We involve them in setting the rules
• We do not discuss rules or monitoring
• Another approach

If anything, what was the most confusing part of using parental controls?

What is your role in the child's care?

• Parent or guardian
• Stepparent
• Foster or adoptive parent
• Other caregiver

Thank you for completing this survey. Your responses will help improve parental control tools and transparency for families. You may now close this window.

Please rank your top 3 goals for using parental controls, from most to least important.

1. Limit screen time
2. Filter or block inappropriate content
3. Approve app installs and in-app purchases
4. Set time-of-day limits or bedtime schedules
5. View activity reports
6. Limit communication or contacts

Approximately how long did your most recent initial setup take?

• Less than 5 minutes
• 5–10 minutes
• 11–20 minutes
• 21–30 minutes
• 31–60 minutes
• More than 60 minutes
• I don't remember

In the last 30 days, did your child bypass or get around any parental control limits?

• Yes
• No
• Unsure
• No controls currently active

How clear are the notices or messages shown to your child when a limit or monitoring rule is in effect?

Based on your responses in this survey, is there anything else you would like to share about your experience with parental controls?

What are the ages of the children in your household? Please select all that apply.

• 0–5
• 6–9
• 10–12
• 13–15
• 16–17
• 18+

How clear were the instructions and guidance provided during setup?

How did your child bypass or get around the limits? Please select all that apply.

• Used another device or account
• Guessed or obtained the PIN/password
• Uninstalled or disabled the app/extension
• Used private or incognito browsing
• Used a VPN or proxy
• Factory reset or created a new account
• Opened web version to avoid app limits
• Got help from someone else
• Other (please specify)

How well do the parental controls balance your child's safety with their privacy?

We'd like to understand your experience in a bit more depth. An AI moderator will ask you a couple of follow-up questions about your parental controls experience.

Which device does your child primarily use that has parental controls enabled?

• iOS phone or tablet
• Android phone or tablet
• Windows PC
• Mac (macOS)
• Chromebook
• Gaming console
• Smart TV or streaming device
• None currently

How often do you adjust your parental control settings?

• Several times per week
• About once a week
• A few times per month
• Less than monthly
• Only at initial setup

Which of the following would make parental controls feel more transparent to you? Please select all that apply.

• Clear summary of what is monitored
• Simple list of active restrictions
• Reasons why specific content was blocked
• Preview of what the child sees
• Data retention and deletion policy
• Easy on/off toggle with audit trail
• Change log of setting edits
• Other (please specify)

In which country or region do you currently live?

• United States
• Canada
• United Kingdom
• Australia
• European Union
• India
• Other

How useful are the activity alerts you receive from your parental control tools?

What is your age?

• 18–24
• 25–34
• 35–44
• 45–54
• 55–64
• 65+

How useful are the activity reports you receive from your parental control tools?

How do you describe your gender?

• Woman
• Man
• Non-binary
• Prefer not to say

What is your highest level of education completed?

• High school or less
• Some college or Associate degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Graduate or professional degree

What is your current employment status?

• Full-time
• Part-time
• Self-employed
• Homemaker or caregiver
• Student
• Unemployed and seeking work
• Not seeking work
• Retired