I wouldn’t advise setting up a standard Gmail account for your child, giving over the password, and then treating the matter as finished. Google has a much better option for children: a supervised Google Account through Family Link.

That’s how I would set it up.

• First, set up the account as a child account using the child’s actual date of birth and create the Google Account via Family Link; for children under 13, or the relevant age in your country, a parent can create and supervise the account.
• In step 2, use a strong, original password, and don’t reuse one from the parent’s email account, Netflix, the school portal, or any other service. The child should also understand that passwords are private and must not be shared with friends.
• In step 3, you should set up Family Link beforehand if you’re going to give the account to the child. Check the privacy settings, app permissions, screen-time controls, Google Search settings, Chrome access, and the applications the child is allowed to install or use.
• In step 4, keep SafeSearch turned on. With supervised child accounts, Google offers features that filter explicit search results. However, parents should realize that no filter is entirely effective, so they should combine the use of technical controls with education.
• In step 5, secure the account; where appropriate, turn on two-step verification and ensure the parent knows how account recovery works. With Family Link, parents can also manage some account settings and, in supported cases, reset the child’s password.
• In step 6, teach children about email security before teaching them about email features. They should know not to open unexpected attachments, avoid clicking suspicious links, refrain from replying to strangers, avoid sending personal information, avoid sharing verification codes, and not trust an email just because it looks professional.
• Finally, make it a practice to check the setup regularly. A configuration that works for an eight-year-old might not work a few years later.

It takes just a few minutes to set up your Gmail address, and much longer to develop safe digital habits.

The aim should not be to monitor children all the time; rather, it should be to give them controlled access at first, teach them about the risks of the online world, and then gradually increase their independence as they are ready.