Enabling Google Parental Controls Through Family Link App: A Guide

In a digital age where every question we need an answer to, we turn to the internet and search, we have fundamentally made the web a “one-stop-shop” for all our research needs. Our children are no exception, they can search celebrities, latest fashion trend, music videos, social media profile, and literally anything they are curious about. We’ve even coined “Dr. Google” for our medical inquiries. The vast information online is laden with advantage and risks—and sometimes, access to age-inappropriate content can bring absolute harm to young, developing minds. 

The role of social media on establishing bonds has grown rapidly over the years and we’ve managed to equate (or replace) meaningful connections with follows and likes. And our pre-teens, according to American Psychological Association, are especially vulnerable because beginning age 10 is when the brain undergoes a biological shift wherein seeking rewards and attention is activated.  “Receptors for the “happy hormones” oxytocin and dopamine multiply in a part of the brain called the ventral striatum”, which makes preteens extra sensitive to admiration from others.

Related: Instagram Rolls Out Parental Control Updates For Teens

Online, this can be translated to likes, views, follows, and comments even from people they hardly know about. Coincidentally, this is typically the time when they are given their own smartphones as opposed to borrowing gadgets from parents when they were younger. Some even had own gadgets before age 10 due to the pandemic in the height of online classes and limited physical activities following a lockdown. 

This biological vulnerability and access to online sites and social media can sometimes be a dangerous mix resulting to image issues and mental health concerns. 

So how do we give them access to the world but ensure that their vulnerability is not exploited?

We’ve probably heard it before: parental controls. 

Google parental controls: What you need to know

Google Safety Center redefines parental control with the Family Link app.

According to Google, Family Link “helps you manage your children’s accounts and devices as they explore online. You can manage apps, keep an eye on screen time, and help set digital ground rules for your family.” It helps parents stay in the loop and keep their child or teen safer online as they explore.

How does it work?

First, a child/teen will need a compatible device. Then, sign the child/teen into the device. If the child/teen is already supervised by Family Link, the sign-in will help them set up parental controls. Parents can also create a Google Account for their child under 13 and then sign-in to their device with their new account.

Once the accounts are linked, parents can now use Family Link.

Before setting up parental controls

Consider talking to your children about the responsibility of owning a device and accessing varied platforms online. Discuss the potential risks and threats to set the expectation and reason why you, as a parent, have the need to protect their online safety. Explain how they can ask permission to access certain apps or sites if the need arises.   

How to get started with Family Link

1. Check compatibility of app and device

For parents

Parents can run Family Link on Android devices running versions 5.0 (Lollipop) and higher, and iPhones running iOS 11 and higher. Chromebooks: Chrome OS version 71 or higher. 

For kids and teens

Family Link supervision can run on Android devices with version 7.0 (Nougat) and higher. Devices running Android versions 5.0 and 6.0 (Lollipop and Marshmallow) may also be able to have Family Link settings. For iPhones or iPads : iOS version 13+.

However, when your child is signed in to Google apps on their iPhone or iPad, these settings won’t work:

Screen time limits
Device location
App activity
Blocking apps & app permissions
Google Chrome website and permission restrictions

2. Download the app and create a Google Account for your child under 13.

A Gmail address and password to your child’s account may be needed to access certain apps. 

Creating a Google Account for your Child

On a new android device

1. Turn on the new device and follow the instructions on screen to set up the device.
2. When you're asked to sign in with your Google Account, tap Create new account.
3. If you don't see "Create new account," tap More options first.
4. Enter your child's name, birthday, gender, email address, and password.
5. Follow the instructions to sign in with your own Google Account, provide parental consent, and pick your child's settings. 

On an Android device that’s already set up

1. Remove any existing accounts on the device.
2. Delete any apps, photos, or other data from the device you don't want your child to have access to.
3. Follow the steps to add a new account to the device. 
4. When you're asked to sign in with your Google Account, tap Create new account. If you don't see "Create new account," tap More options first. 
5. Enter your child's name, birthday, gender, email address, and password.
6. Follow the instructions to sign in with your own Google Account, provide parental consent, and pick your child's settings.

3. Set up supervision from your child’s android device

On your child's device, open Settings 

Tap Google>Parental controls 

Tap Get started>Child or teen 

Next select your child's account

Tap Next >Sign in with your (parent) account.

Follow the on-screen instructions to set up supervision on your child's account.

*On the parents’ device, download the Family Link app and sign into the Family Link app with own Google account. If your child already has a Google Account, tap Yes and follow the on-screen instructions to complete setup. If your child does not yet have a Google Account, tap No and follow the on-screen instructions for creating an account.

What parents can and cannot do

Google Family Link Guidebook summarizes what parents can and cannot do:

What parents can do

• Set screen time limits and downtime schedule
• Approve or block apps for your child
• Find your child’s device location
• View app and device usage
• Choose a new lock screen password
• Manage the data shared from your child's device with apps
• Access and change account information
• Check your child’s devices’ battery levels
• Delete your child’s account

What parents can’t do

• Remotely view your child’s screen
• Access your child’s past searches
• Read your child’s emails or messages in texts or apps
• Listen to your child’s calls
• View your child’s internet browsing history

Setting screen time limit

Here's how you can set up daily time limits for screen time:

1. Open the Family Link app 

2. Select your child.

3. At the bottom center, tap Controls 

4. Under “Daily limit,” tap Set up

5. Select the hours and minutes you want to set for the limit.

Blocking Apps

Prevent your child from downloading apps with inappropriate content. If your child is using the app at the time you block it, Google says they'll get a 1 minute warning to finish up before the app is blocked. Blocking of the app is applicable on all of your child's Android devices or Chromebooks. 

1. Open the Family Link app 

2. Select your child.

3. Tap Controls>App limits

4. Select the app you want to allow or block

5. Tap Block    

Google Play parental controls

Choose the highest maturity level of content you want to allow for download of apps, games, movie, music and books. You can also select here what purchases would require your approval. 

1. Open the Family Link app 

2. Select your child

3. Tap Controls then Content restrictions Google Play

4. Under "Content restrictions," choose your filters: Apps, Games, Movies, TV and Books

Find and manage your child's location

You can change your child's Android device location settings.

If certain location settings are turned on, you can find your child's Android device location in the Family Link app.

Find your child's Android device

If you're a parent, you can find your child's Android device location in Family Link once device location sharing is turned on.

1. Open the Family Link app 

2. Tap Location >Set up location.

Tip: If “Set up location” doesn’t display, select the child you want to set up location for and turn on location sharing.

3. If you have multiple children, select which ones you want to turn on location sharing for

4. Tap Turn on.

Important for the Family Link app: both parents and child/ren should be living in the same country.

Source: Google, Google Guidebook