How to Enable Microsoft Edge Kids Mode and Block Sites

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(Pocket-lint) – Microsoft is updating its Edge browser with a Kids Mode. Described as a “convenient browsing mode”, it’s designed with kid-friendly features and aims to make web browsing safer for toddlers. Here’s how to access and use it.

What is Microsoft Edge Kids Mode?

Kids Mode is a child-friendly browsing mode in the Edge browser. It offers custom browser themes, restricts content to be age-appropriate, restricts browsing based on an allowlist, sets Bing SafeSearch to strict, and requires a password to exit. The best part is that Kids Mode doesn’t require a child account or profile, which means you can easily enable it from the profile switcher in Edge.

How to activate and use Kids Mode

Start child mode

Currently, Kids Mode is limited to US English on Windows and MacOS.

1. Open the latest version of Microsoft Edge on your computer.
2. Open the profile switcher in the browser frame and select Browse in child mode.
   • You do not need to be logged into the browser.
   • Signing in will allow Kids mode settings to sync across your devices.
3. Starting Kids mode for the first time? You will see an explanation of the feature.
4. Choose the appropriate age range to start Kids mode.
5. A new window for Kids mode will open in full screen.
   • Your previous browser window will be saved and closed.
6. Until you exit Kids Mode, Microsoft Edge will always launch in Kids Mode.

Remark : You can always change your age selection in edge://settings/family.

Exit child mode

You need your computer password (the same password used to unlock your computer) to exit Kids Mode and resume browsing.

1. Select the Kids Mode icon at the top of the browser.
2. Select Exit child mode window.
3. Enter your credentials.
   • If you close the window, Edge will ask for your device credentials.

Choose a theme in Kids Mode

Kids can choose their own themes in Kids mode.

1. Select Choose background and colors.
2. Choose a theme and select Done.

Block or grant sites in Kids Mode

With Kids mode, a child visits a website that is not on the allowed list, they will encounter a blocked page. You can only make changes to the Allowlist when you are outside of Kids Mode and only from the profile that launches Kids Mode.

1. Go to Settings and more > Settings > Family.
2. Select Manage allowed sites in kids mode.
   • You will see the predefined allow list.
3. To remove a site, click the Close icon next to it in the list.
4. To add a site, select Add website.

Remark : In Kids mode, to visit the website during the browsing session, select Get permission. The device owner will need to enter the device credentials. Once this happens, the block page will be refreshed and the page will be allowed for the current browsing session.

Want to know more?

Visit Microsoft’s support page for Kids Mode.

Written by Maggie Tillman. Edited by Luke Baker.