What Should I Block When My 5-Year-Old Uses My Phone?

Understanding Why Your Child Reaches for Your Phone

If you're a parent of a curious five-year-old, there's a good chance your child has already become fascinated—perhaps even fixated—on your smartphone. And who could blame them? Bright colors, immediate feedback, games, videos, touch screens—it’s a lot more appealing than blocks and puzzles sometimes.

But as a caring parent, the moment your child starts swiping, tapping, and clicking, a flood of questions arises: What could they stumble upon? What should I allow? What should I block?

This is not about denying your child access altogether. It's about shaping a safe digital environment that respects their developmental stage while setting the boundaries they'll need as they grow.

Five Is Not Too Young for Boundaries

Five-year-olds are clever. They can memorize your passcode, navigate YouTube in seconds, and—unfortunately—watch or click things they’re not ready to see. But that doesn’t mean you need to take the phone away entirely or feel guilty every time you hand it over in a moment of exhaustion.

Instead, think about this time as an early stage in your child’s digital life. You’re not only protecting them from inappropriate content—you’re beginning to teach responsibility, self-regulation, and the power of stories, creativity, and play.

Before giving your child your phone, ask yourself: what kind of experience do I want them to have? This helps frame what needs to be blocked—and what can be encouraged.

Deciding What to Block on Your Phone

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but most experts agree that young children should not have access to the following:

• Web browsers: Even with SafeSearch enabled, search engines can lead to unpredictable content.
• Streaming platforms: Like YouTube or TikTok, unless restricted to a curated kids’ version with parental controls fully activated.
• App stores: Disable access to prevent accidental downloads or in-app purchases.
• Messaging apps and social media: These are not developmentally appropriate for kids under 13, and can expose them to privacy risks or scary content.

These basic restrictions can be achieved by using built-in parental controls (like Apple’s Screen Time or Android’s Digital Wellbeing tools), setting up a locked "child user" profile, or installing a parental control app to help monitor when and how your child uses the device.

What Your Child Should Have Access To

Take a moment to consider: your phone can also be a place of learning, joy, and bonding. With the right tools, your child can listen to stories, explore music, or even create small moments of calm. This is especially valuable when you’re juggling work, household tasks, and the emotional demands of parenting.

Apps designed specifically for children can offer a world that is safe, fun, and enriching. For instance, LISN Kids is an app full of original audiobooks and audio series created for children aged 3 to 12. With no screen time required, your child can be immersed in storytelling that sparks imagination and supports language development—all while giving their eyes (and your nerves) a welcome screen break. You can download LISN Kids on iOS or Android.

How to Establish Trust, Not Just Rules

Blocking content is a helpful short-term solution. But long-term? The goal is to raise a child who learns to navigate the digital world with confidence and resilience.

That starts with trust. Explain to your child why you’re limiting their access—not to punish them, but to keep them safe. Use simple, honest language and involve them in small choices: “Would you rather listen to a space story or an animal story?” Simple decisions like that put them in the driver’s seat of their own experience, while you stay at the wheel.

Need help with how to open up these conversations? Here’s a gentle guide to talking about cybersecurity with young kids.

Alternatives to Screens That Still Feel Engaging

Not every moment needs a glowing rectangle to hold your child’s attention. In fact, there are strategies to use audio as a healthy substitute—especially during car rides, mealtimes, or quiet play. Audio encourages imagination, reduces overstimulation, and fosters deeper listening.

And if you’re struggling to reduce screen time overall without falling into power struggles, you’re not alone. Read this article on how to set screen boundaries without conflict—it’s full of realistic, gentle strategies that meet the needs of tired parents and energetic kids alike.

Final Thought: Start Small, Stay Present

You don’t need to be a technology expert or have every setting perfectly configured tonight. Start with one simple change—set up a kid-friendly home screen, disable the app store, or introduce a new audio storytelling app—and build from there.

Parenting in the digital age is about progress, not perfection. By choosing what to block and what to promote, you’re helping shape not just your child’s screen habits but also their sense of safety, curiosity, and joy.

And remember: this is a journey you’re learning together.

Looking for guidance with older siblings or future stages? You might also want to read about how to introduce a tablet safely to an 8-year-old or how to protect your 6-year-old on the internet.