Google Expands Access to its Android Parental Controls
- Paul Thurrott
- Sep 28, 2017
-
4
Google announced today that its Family Link parental controls system for Android has exited its early-access program and is now generally available.
“We think Android is at its best when more people have access to the power of mobile technology,” Google product manager Saurabh Sharma writes. “And that includes kids. At the same time, we want parents and kids to navigate technology together in a way that makes sense for their family.”
Windows Intelligence In Your Inbox
Sign up for our new free newsletter to get three time-saving tips each Friday — and get free copies of Paul Thurrott's Windows 11 and Windows 10 Field Guides (normally $9.99) as a special welcome gift!
"*" indicates required fields
Google announced Family Link, which lets parents create Google accounts for their kids, back in March. But at the time, it was an invite-only early-access program that was available only in the United States. Today, Family Link is now generally available, so anyone can use it. It is still US-only, however.
Actually, there are a few other limitations: Family Link for kids only works on Android 7.0 or newer devices, or on a select list of devices based on Android 6.0+. Parents can set up Family Link using the Family Link app on any Android device running version 4.4 or newer, or on iPhone. Kids can’t use an iPhone with Family Link.
With Family Link, you can choose which apps your kids can run using white- and blacklists and approval notifications, manage their device settings, monitor their screen time, and set a bedtime that remotely locks the device.
You can learn more at the Google Family Link website and from the Google for Families help site.