Family Data Privacy Audit: What to Turn Off in 20 Minutes

A 20-minute privacy reset your whole family can do

If you’ve ever downloaded a “free” app for your child and then wondered, “Wait… what did we just agree to?”, you’re not alone. Phones, apps, and smart speakers collect lots of data by default—location, voice recordings, browsing behavior, ad identifiers, and more. The good news: you don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to reduce what’s shared.

This quick family audit is designed to be practical and specific. Set a timer for 20 minutes, grab your child’s device (and yours), and go through the checklist below. You’ll turn off the highest-impact tracking settings and tighten the permissions that most commonly leak kids’ data.

Before you start:

• Pick one “parent device” and one “kid device” to start—then repeat later for others.
• Update iOS/Android if you can (updates often include privacy fixes).
• If your child is old enough, do it together and explain the “why.” It builds good habits.

The 20-minute family privacy settings checklist (fast wins)

Use this as your family privacy settings checklist. You can complete most of it in one sitting.

Time	What to change	Where to find it	Recommended setting	Why it matters
2 min	Turn off ad tracking (Apple)	iPhone: Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking	Turn off “Allow Apps to Request to Track”	Blocks many apps from linking activity across apps/websites
2 min	Limit ad personalization (Google)	Android: Settings → Privacy → Ads (or Google → Ads)	Turn off ad personalization / reset advertising ID	Reduces profiling and targeted ads
3 min	Restrict location access	iPhone/Android: Settings → Privacy → Location Services / Location	Set most apps to “Never” or “While Using”; turn off Precise Location for non-essentials	Location data is highly sensitive, especially for kids
3 min	Remove unnecessary app permissions	iPhone/Android: Settings → Privacy → Permissions (Camera/Mic/Photos/Contacts)	Only allow what’s needed; deny Contacts for games	Prevents hidden data collection and unexpected sharing
4 min	Turn off background activity for apps	iPhone: Settings → General → Background App Refresh; Android: App → Battery	Disable for non-essential apps	Reduces silent data sync and tracking
4 min	Tighten smart speaker privacy	Alexa/Google Home app → Privacy settings	Disable storing voice where possible; auto-delete recordings	Limits stored voice data and accidental recordings
2 min	Review app list + delete “data-hungry” apps	Home screen / Settings → Apps	Remove apps you don’t recognize or your child doesn’t use	Fewer apps = fewer data collectors

Tip: If you only have 5 minutes, do the first three rows. Those changes typically reduce the biggest tracking risks.

Phones: what to turn off (iPhone + Android)

This section targets the most common question parents ask: how to protect child data online without breaking the device.

1) Turn off app tracking requests (iPhone)

This is the quickest answer to “how to turn off app tracking on kids phones” for iOS.

• Go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking
• Turn off Allow Apps to Request to Track

Also check:

• Settings → Privacy & Security → Apple Advertising
• Turn off Personalized Ads

2) Limit ad personalization (Android)

Android menus vary by device maker, but the intent is the same.

• Go to Settings → Privacy (or Settings → Google)
• Find Ads
• Turn off Ad personalization (wording may vary)
• Reset your advertising ID if available

3) Fix location sharing (both)

For kids, location should be “need-to-know,” not “always on.”

Do this:

• Set most apps to Never or While Using the App
• Turn off Precise Location for games, shopping, and social apps unless absolutely necessary

Good rule of thumb:

• Maps/ride share: While using + Precise (if used)
• Camera: Location optional (many families turn it off to avoid geo-tagging photos)
• Games: Never

4) Turn off background app refresh / restrict background data

Background activity can quietly send analytics, pull ads, and sync data.

• iPhone: Settings → General → Background App Refresh → turn off for non-essential apps (or all)
• Android: Settings → Apps → (choose app) → Battery → restrict background (wording varies)

5) Lock down what the phone shares automatically

A few extra settings can prevent “accidental oversharing.”

Consider:

• Bluetooth: Keep off when not in use (reduces passive tracking possibilities)
• Wi‑Fi auto-join: Remove unknown networks your child’s phone joined in the past
• Photo sharing: Review shared albums and any auto-backup/shared links

If your child is under 13 (or you use child accounts), it’s also worth checking built-in controls:

• Apple: Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions
• Google: Family Link settings

Apps: permissions to revoke today (especially on kids’ phones)

Apps often ask for more access than they need. Your goal isn’t “perfect privacy”—it’s “only what’s necessary.”

The highest-impact permissions to review

Go through these one by one and deny anything that doesn’t clearly support what the app does:

• Location (especially “Always”)
• Microphone (games and random utilities rarely need it)
• Camera (deny unless the app is for video calls, photos, or school scanning)
• Contacts (most kids’ apps don’t need it; messaging apps might)
• Photos (use “Selected Photos” on iPhone when available)
• Local Network (some apps use this to discover devices—question it)

A quick “permission smell test” for parents

Ask:

• If this permission disappeared, would the app still basically work?
• Would I be comfortable with this data being shared with an advertiser?
• Does my child understand what this permission allows?

If the app fails after you restrict permissions, you can always loosen it later—but start strict.

Turn off in-app tracking and data sharing (common places)

Many apps hide tracking controls inside their own settings. Spend two minutes inside your child’s top 3 most-used apps and look for:

• “Privacy” or “Ads” sections
• “Personalized ads” toggles
• “Share usage data,” “Analytics,” or “Improve our services” options
• “Data sharing” with partners

What to do when you find them:

• Turn off personalized ads
• Turn off analytics sharing unless it’s required
• Disable contact syncing for social apps unless you truly need it

Delete the apps you don’t trust

This sounds obvious, but it’s the biggest lever you have.

Delete apps that are:

• Unused (haven’t been opened in weeks)
• Copycat games with lots of ads
• “Free” VPNs or “cleaner/booster” apps (often high-risk)
• Apps your child can’t explain

If you want a simple rule: fewer apps + fewer permissions = less data exposure.

Smart speakers: smart speaker privacy settings for families

Smart speakers are convenient, but they’re also microphones in shared spaces. You don’t have to get rid of them—you just need to set boundaries.

For Amazon Alexa devices

In the Alexa app, look for privacy options related to recordings.

Recommended family settings:

• Turn on automatic deletion of voice recordings (choose the shortest option you’re comfortable with)
• Review and delete voice history now (do a quick cleanup)
• Disable voice purchasing (prevents accidental buys and reduces account risk)
• Limit child access via a kid profile if you use Alexa features for children

Placement tip:

• Keep smart speakers out of kids’ bedrooms and homework areas if possible. Shared spaces are easier to supervise.

For Google Assistant / Google Nest speakers

In the Google Home app and your Google Account settings, look for activity controls.

Recommended family settings:

• Auto-delete voice & audio activity
• Turn off or limit Web & App Activity if it’s not needed
• Review connected services and unlink anything you don’t recognize

The “house rules” that matter more than any toggle

Even with perfect settings, voice assistants can pick up background chatter.

Try these family rules:

• Don’t say full names, addresses, or school details out loud near the speaker
• Use mute during playdates, homework, or family meetings
• Teach kids to ask you before enabling new “skills”/actions

Next Steps: make this a monthly 5-minute habit

You’ve done the hard part. Now keep it simple.

Here’s a lightweight routine that actually sticks:

• Once a month (5 minutes):
  • Open the app list and delete one unused app
  • Check Location permissions for any newly installed apps
  • Confirm ad tracking/ad personalization is still off
• After every new app download (1 minute):
  • Deny Contacts access by default
  • Set Location to “Never” unless it’s clearly needed
  • If it asks for microphone/camera, ask your child to explain why
• Once per school term (10 minutes):
  • Review smart speaker voice history + auto-delete settings
  • Update devices and restart them

If you want to turn this into a learning moment, have your child “lead” the checklist and explain each change back to you. That’s how privacy becomes a skill—not just a one-time cleanup.