Google Family Link

Google Family Link is an app for parental control and child safety in the digital world.

Google Family Link is a parental controls app that helps you keep your family safer online. We know that every family’s relationship with technology is unique, so we designed tools like Family Link that give you the flexibility to choose the right balance for your family, and help them create healthy digital habits. Family Link’s easy to use tools allow you to understand how your child is spending time on their device, see their device location, manage privacy settings, and more.

With Family Link, you can:

Establish Digital Ground Rules

• Set screen time limits — Family Link lets you set downtime for your child’s device and time limits for apps, so you can help them find a healthy balance.

• Guide them to age-appropriate content — Approve or block apps your child wants to download. Family Link also allows you to choose the right YouTube experience for your child: a supervised experience on YouTube, or YouTube Kids.

Manage and secure your child’s account

• Protect their privacy — Permissions management in Family Link allow you to make meaningful choices about your child’s data. View and manage permissions for websites and extensions accessed through Chrome as well as apps downloaded on your child’s device.

• Secure their account — Family Link gives you access to manage your child's account and data settings. As a parent, you can help change or reset your child’s password if they forget it, edit their personal information or even delete their account if you feel necessary.

Stay connected on the go

• See where they are — It’s helpful to be able to find your family when they’re on the go. With Family Link, you can locate your children on one map, as long as they’re carrying their device.

• Get notifications and alerts — Family Link delivers critical notifications including when your child arrives or leaves a certain location. You can also ring devices and view the device’s remaining battery life.

Important Information

• Family Link’s tools vary depending on your child’s device. See a list of compatible devices at https://families.google/familylink/device-compatibility/

• 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. In addition, purchase approvals will apply only when your child makes a purchase through Google Play’s billing system and will not apply to purchases made through alternate billing systems. Parents should regularly review their child’s installed apps and app permissions in Family Link.

• You should carefully review the apps on your child’s supervised device and disable those you don’t want them to use. Note that you may not be able to disable some pre-installed apps such as Play, Google, etc.

• To see the location of your child or teen’s device, the device must be powered on, recently active, and connected to the internet through data or wifi.

• Family Link parental controls are only available for supervised Google accounts. With supervised Google Accounts, children get access to Google products like Search, Chrome, and Gmail, and parents can set up basic digital ground rules to supervise them.

• While Family Link provides tools to manage your child’s online experience and keep them safer online, it does not make the internet safe. Family Link can not determine the content on the internet, but it can give parents the opportunity to make decisions about how their child spends time on their device, and determine what path to online safety looks best for your family.

What's New in the Latest Version 2.31.0.I.644358856

Last updated on Jun 28, 2024

Several stability improvements and bug fixes.

Google Family Link is an indispensable tool for parents to guide and protect their children's online experiences. This comprehensive guide delves into the features, benefits, and best practices of Family Link, empowering parents with the knowledge to foster a safe and responsible digital environment for their children.

Features and Functionality

Family Link allows parents to set digital ground rules for their children's devices, ensuring age-appropriate content and usage. Parents can:

* Set screen time limits: Control the duration of screen time for specific apps and the device as a whole.

* Filter apps and games: Approve or block apps and games based on their content rating and suitability for their child's age.

* Track device location: View the real-time location of their child's device for peace of mind.

* Manage app permissions: Grant or deny permissions for apps to access the device's camera, microphone, and other features.

* Set bedtime: Establish a specific time when the device automatically turns off to promote restful sleep.

Benefits of Family Link

Family Link offers numerous benefits for parents, including:

* Enhanced safety: Protect children from inappropriate content, online predators, and cyberbullying.

* Parental control: Set boundaries and guide children's online behavior, fostering responsible digital habits.

* Peace of mind: Monitor children's device usage and know their location in case of emergencies.

* Improved communication: Facilitate open conversations with children about online safety and responsible device use.

* Parental insights: Gain valuable insights into children's app preferences and online activities.

Best Practices for Using Family Link

To maximize the benefits of Family Link, parents should adhere to the following best practices:

* Communicate with children: Discuss the reasons for using Family Link and establish clear expectations for device usage.

* Involve children in the process: Let children participate in setting age-appropriate screen time limits and choosing apps.

* Monitor usage regularly: Review children's app usage and device location to identify any concerns or adjust settings as needed.

* Respect privacy: Use Family Link to protect children's safety and well-being, but avoid excessive monitoring or invading their privacy.

* Stay updated: Regularly check for Family Link updates to access new features and improve the protection of children's devices.

Conclusion

Google Family Link is an invaluable tool for parents to navigate the challenges of raising children in the digital age. By empowering parents with the ability to set digital boundaries, monitor device usage, and foster responsible online habits, Family Link helps create a safe and nurturing environment for children to explore the digital world. With its comprehensive features and ease of use, Family Link is an indispensable tool for parents to ensure the well-being of their children in the digital realm.