Quick Links
- How To Set Up Google Family Link
- Things You Can Do With Family Link
Android devices provide parents with the ability to set up and manage parental controls and content restrictions via the Google Family Link app. Family Link can also be used to manage content on your child’s Chromebook.
Family Link also allows you to track your child’s location and get notified when they leave school or arrive home. As long as your child has an Android or Chromebook, you can use Family Link, even if you have an iPhone yourself.
How To Set Up Google Family Link
To get started, download the Family Link app from the Google Play Store on your Android device or Chromebook (if it supports Android apps). Alternatively, download it from the Apple App Store (your child needs to have an Android device).
Sign in with your Google account. You will be asked if your child has a Gmail account. If they don’t, create a Google account for them from the Family Link app.
Then, go to your child’s device and sign in with the Gmail account you just created. It will automatically be linked to your Family Link account when you sign in with it on their device.
If Your Child Already Has A Gmail Account
If they already have a Gmail account, you will first need to download the Family Link app on your device and sign in with your parent account (your own email address).
Next, go to Settings on their device and click on Google. Then, tap on Parental Controls.
Next, click on Get Started. Then, tap on Child or Teenager when asked who will be using the device. On the next screen, click on the blue Next button. Select the account to be supervised.
If you have any other accounts on the device, you will have to sign out of them. Additionally, you will have to sign in to your parent account. This will link their device to your app.
On Chromebook, you can find Parental Controls by going to Settings and clicking on People. While you can set up parental controls on any Chromebook running ChromeOS 71 or later, you must have a Chromebook that supports Android apps to be able to run Family Link.
Protecting Account Settings With A Pin
Since the parental controls are managed from your own device, there is no need or way to set up a pin on your child’s device.
If your child is not of the applicable age to manage their own Google account, they won’t be able to turn off parental controls. This age varies by country. If they are of applicable age, they may turn it off without your permission.
However, you will be notified through your Family Link app if the parental controls are turned off, and the device will be locked for 24 hours.
Things You Can Do With Family Link
Once you have Family Link set up, you can manage access to content, set up screen time restrictions, and more.
The specific controls available may depend on the make and model of your child’s device.
View Activity
Under Highlights, you can view their screen activity, including how much time they are spending on their devices and which apps they are using.
Set Up Screen Time Limits
Under Controls > Daily Limit, you can set up a daily screen time limit, after which your child’s device will be locked. You can also enforce a daily bedtime.
Set Up Google Play Content Restrictions
Under Controls > Content Restrictions > Google Play, you can set up Google Play content restrictions:
Under
Controls > Content Restrictions > Google Play > Purchases and Download Approvals,
you can require approval for all content, paid content, or in-app purchases.It’s important to note that if your child has already downloaded an app,
they can still download updates without your approval.
Under
Controls > Content Restrictions > Google Play > Content Restrictions,
you can require approval for downloads and purchases and set age ratings (such as PG-13) for apps and games, movies, TV, and books.
Purchases will only be restricted when made through the Google Play billing system, not if they are made through the app’s built-in payment system.
Set Up YouTube Restrictions
Under
Controls > Content Restrictions > YouTube,
you can turn on YouTube Kids Mode and set up parental controls for YouTube and YouTube Music.
Set Up Google Chrome Restrictions
Under
Controls > Content Restrictions > Google Chrome
, you can block explicit sites or only allow approved sites.Under
Controls > Content Restrictions > Google Chrome > Manage Sites
, you can add sites to a whitelist or blacklist.
Set Up Google Search Restrictions
Under Controls > Content Restrictions > Google Search > SafeSearch, you can filter out explicit content or blur explicit images. Only parents can change this setting.
Under Controls > Content Restrictions > Google Search > Personal Results, you can choose whether Search will show your child personal results based on their Google Account info. Your child can change these settings as well.
Under Controls > Content Restrictions > Google Search > Account Data Settings, you can decide whether to save your child’s web, app, and YouTube history. You can choose whether to allow your child to change these settings as well.
Set Up Google Assistant Restrictions
Under Controls > Content Restrictions > Google Assistant > Parental Controls, you can set up filters, downtime, and smart display/speaker restrictions. You can also add their account to new devices under Controls > Content Restrictions > Google Assistant > Add [Child] to New Devices.
Set Up Google Photos Restrictions
Controls > Content Restrictions > Google Photos > Photo Sharing, you can prevent your child from sharing photos and videos from within Google Photos.
Manage Account Settings
Under Controls > Account Settings, you have the following options:
- Controls > Account Settings > Account Info: View your child’s account information, change the password, or delete the account.
- Controls > Account Settings > Controls for Signing In: Require your permission every time your child tries to sign into a device that can’t be supervised (like an iPhone) without your permission.
- Controls > Account Settings > Controls for Third Party Apps: Require your permission each time your child tries to sign into a third-party app.
- Controls > Account Settings > Location Settings: Turn on location sharing so you can see your child’s location in Family Link and Google Maps.
- Controls > Account Settings > Privacy Settings: Turn on Family Link App Activity, which allows you to see which apps your child is using and for how long.
- Controls > Account Settings > Highlights Settings: Manage the data you see in your Highlights tab.
View Your Child’s Location
When location sharing is turned on, you will be able to see your child’s real-time location and even battery level.In addition, you can
set up alerts
, so you know when they leave important locations like school, home, or the local park. These alerts can help you keep track of your child’s whereabouts when they are out alone or with others.