Google Family Link

Google’s Family Link parental controls app is worth a look. The Family Link app allows you to set digital ground rules remotely, regardless of whether your children are young or old enough. This will help guide your children as they explore, learn, and play online. Children under 13 years old (or the equivalent)

Age of consent applicable in your country

Family Link allows you to create a Google Account for your child, which is similar to your own account and gives you access all Google services. Family Link parental controls allow you to:

You can guide them to great content

* Check their app activity. Not all screen time equals. Activity reports will help your child make informed decisions about the apps they use on their Android devices. You can view daily, weekly or monthly reports. * Manage their apps – Use handy notifications to approve or block any apps that your child downloads from the Google Play Store. Remotely, you can manage in-app purchases and hide certain apps from their device. * Keep your child curious – Sometimes it can be difficult to know which apps are best for them. Family Link provides a list of teacher-recommended apps that you can add to their Android device.

Pay attention to screen time

* Limit screen time – You can decide how much screen time your child should be allowed. Family Link allows you to set limits on screen time and bedtimes for your child’s supervised devices. This will help you find the right balance. You can remotely lock their device – This allows you to control when it is time to leave the house, go to dinner, or just to spend some time with your family.

Check out their locations

* It is helpful to be able find your child while they are on the move. Family Link can be used to locate your child as long as they have an Android phone.

Important Information

Family Link’s tools will vary depending on the device of your child. See a list of compatible devices at families.google.com/familylink/setup * While Family Link helps you manage your child’s purchases and downloads from Google Play, they will not need approval to install app updates (including updates that expand permissions), apps you have previously approved, or apps that have been shared in Family Library. Parents should review the permissions and installed apps of their children in Family Link. * Parents should review all apps installed on their child’s device and remove any that you do not want them to use. You may not be capable of disabling some pre-installed applications. * You will need to be able to see the location of your child’s or teen device. It must be connected to the internet, have been powered on, active recently, and be turned on. * Only parents with children under the age of 18 can access teacher-recommended apps on Android devices. Family Link offers tools to help manage your child’s internet experience but it doesn’t make the internet safer. It is meant to allow parents the ability to make choices about their children’s internet use and to encourage discussion about internet use.