Guide · Ages 5 to 8
A first phone or tablet: ages 5 to 8
Young children are just starting out. Keep the device simple, choose the apps together, and make screen time a predictable part of the day.
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What this age looks like online
Most children this age use a shared tablet or a parent's old phone, mostly for videos, games and calls with family.
They can't yet judge what's safe to tap, download or believe, so the device should do most of the filtering for them.
Where to focus
- Only sites you've chosenWeb filtering starts on Filter. For this age, consider switching it to Allowed sites only, so the browser opens just the handful of sites you've picked together.
- Every new app goes through youTurn on App approval and Downloads, so nothing new appears without a quick look from you.
- A short, steady daily limitA clear limit and a fixed bedtime are easier to accept than rules that change day to day.
A starting point for a 7-year-old
When you add a child this age, eGuard suggests the Protected profile (stronger controls for younger children). These are its settings. You review them before anything is sent, and can change any of them later.
| Protection | Suggested setting |
|---|---|
| Screen Time | 2h school days, 4h weekends |
| Bedtime | 9:30 PM – 6:00 AM |
| App Restrictions | Apps rated 4+ and under |
| App Approval | Approval required |
| Content Restrictions | Rated 4+ and under |
| Web Filtering | Filtered, 42 sites blocked |
| Downloads | Parent approval |
| Location | Sharing |
| Notification Controls | Quiet during bedtime |
| Uninstall Protection | On |
When to loosen the rules
- They come to you when something unexpected shows up.
- They stop at the time limit without a battle most days.
Set up eGuard for your child
eGuard suggests these settings for you. Free for one child.