Google enhances parental controls on Android devices
Google has introduced enhanced parental controls for Android phones and tablets through an update to its Family Link app. This update not only brings new features but also a fresh look to the app’s interface.
New Features for Family Safety
The revamped Family Link app now offers parents a variety of tools to manage their children’s screen time and communication. The app’s new design emphasizes ease of use, with a focus on controlling how much time kids spend on their devices.
- Screen Time Management: The ‘Highlights’ tab has been renamed ‘Screen Time,’ where parents can view all relevant controls like device locks, time limits, and schedules in a user-friendly card layout.
- App and Web Access: The ‘Controls’ tab allows customization of settings for Chrome, Google Play, Search, and YouTube, ensuring that children can only access appropriate content.
- Location Tracking: The ‘Location’ tab provides real-time location information of family members, along with the current battery status of their devices.
Introducing School Time
A significant addition is the ‘School Time’ feature, which enables parents to restrict device functionality during school hours, helping kids focus on their studies. This tool was initially available on the Galaxy Watch 7 for Kids and is now expanding to more devices.
Safeguarding Communication
Google has also implemented measures to protect children from receiving inappropriate messages. This safety feature is automatically enabled for users under 18, with an option for older users to activate it. From next month, parents will also have the ability to manage their children’s contacts directly from the app.
Financial Education with Google Wallet
Following last month’s announcement, Google Wallet for kids is set to launch this spring, allowing children to make payments via NFC. Parents can control what payment methods are available to their kids, monitor transactions, and even manage digital gift cards and event tickets.
Future Educational Features
Looking ahead, Family Link will include new educational tools like ‘Learn About Gen AI Lab’ and ‘NotebookLM’, aimed at teenagers, to foster learning through technology.
These updates to Google’s Family Link app are designed to make digital parenting easier while promoting a safer, more controlled online environment for children.
