How to set up parental controls on a Chromebook

A Chromebook has one setting that filters the whole machine, browser and apps alike. It takes about two minutes, and the trick is clicking away to save it. On a Family Link child account, Google locks it, so use your home Wi‑Fi instead.

Updated November 11, 2026·2 min read

Short answer

Sign in as your child, open Settings › Privacy and security, turn on "Use secure connections to look up sites" (or "Use secure DNS"), choose "Add custom DNS service provider", paste your child's Sheepdog Filter address and click outside the box. On a Family Link child account Google won't save it, so set up your home Wi‑Fi router instead. For a school Chromebook, check with the school first: they usually manage these settings.

Before you start

  • School Chromebook? Schools manage their own Chromebooks and usually filter them already. Their settings will override yours. This guide is for family Chromebooks.
  • Each user is separate. The setting belongs to the person signed in, so do this while signed in as your child.
  • Family Link child account? Google doesn't let a Family Link child account save this setting: the box just empties itself, and setting it from your own account only protects your account. Set up your home Wi‑Fi router instead, which covers the Chromebook at home.
  • Supervised account. If your child uses a Google account managed with Family Link, you can also approve apps and set screen time from your phone.

Step 1: Copy your address

In your Sheepdog Filter dashboard, open Devices › + Protect something, choose your child and Chromebook, and tap Copy.

Step 2: Paste it into secure DNS

  1. Click the clock (bottom right), then the gear icon to open Settings.
  2. Open Privacy and security (on some Chromebooks: Security and privacy).
  3. Turn on Use secure connections to look up sites (older Chromebooks: Use secure DNS).
  4. Under Select DNS provider, choose Add custom DNS service provider, paste the address and click on a blank part of the page. Wait a few seconds for it to save.

The setup page turns green when it's working.

This covers Chrome, Android apps from the Play Store, and everything else on the Chromebook.

Step 3: Keep it in place

With a Family Link supervised account, your child can't add other accounts or browse as a guest, which are the two easy ways around it. If the Chromebook stops using Sheepdog Filter, we'll email you after 12 quiet hours.

Sheepdog Filter

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One switch per worry, every device in the house, and a plain-English report each week. Free to start, no app to install.

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Questions parents ask

Does it cover Android apps on the Chromebook?

Yes. The secure DNS setting applies to the whole Chromebook, including Play Store apps.

Why does the address box empty itself?

If your child uses a Family Link account, Google blocks this setting for them. Setting it from your own account doesn't carry over to theirs. Set up your home Wi‑Fi router instead: it filters the Chromebook whenever it's at home. Otherwise, paste the address and click on a blank part of the page instead of pressing Enter.

Will this work on a school Chromebook?

Usually not. Schools manage their devices centrally, so their settings win. Talk to the school about their filtering.

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