Android Family Link: Your Guide to Parental Controls

Why Use Google Family Link?

Google Family Link offers a range of features to help parents manage their child's smartphone usage effectively. Here are some key reasons to consider using it:

1. Safety and Security: Robust parental controls help keep children safe from online threats. Block explicit sites, manage app downloads, and set up filters to restrict content.
2. Screen Time Management: Set daily screen time limits to help children develop healthy habits and reduce excessive screen time.
3. Location Tracking: Track your child's location, providing peace of mind when they are out.
4. App Management: Approve or decline app downloads and in-app purchases, ensuring access to age-appropriate apps.
5. Content Filtering: Filter content on Google Chrome, YouTube, and Google Search to manage what your child sees online.
6. Device Locking: Remotely lock your child's device if needed, offering extra control over smartphone usage.
7. Activity Reports: Detailed activity reports show which apps your child uses most, helping you make informed decisions.
8. Customization: Tailor settings to meet the unique needs of your household.

Setting Up Google Family Link

Setting up Google Family Link involves a few straightforward steps:

Download the Family Link App

1. Download the Family Link app from the Google Play Store on both your device and your child’s device.

Sign into Your Google Account

2. On the parent device, sign into your Google account. Confirm which account to use if multiple accounts exist on the device.

Create a Google Account for Your Child

3. Create a Google account for your child if they don’t already have one. This allows linking their account to yours.

Link Accounts

4. Follow in-app instructions to link accounts. Enter your child’s account password and confirm the link.

Set Up Parental Controls

5. Start setting up parental controls, including managing app downloads, setting screen time limits, and configuring content filters.

Configure Additional Settings

6. Manage various settings such as device bedtime, location tracking, and app activity reports from the Family Link app.

Managing Your Child’s Web Browsing on Chrome

Family Link allows you to manage your child’s web browsing on Chrome:

1. Open the Family Link App: Launch the app on your device.
2. Select Your Child: Choose the child whose account you want to manage.
3. Tap Content Restrictions: Navigate to the Content Restrictions section.
4. Manage Google Chrome Settings: Choose from three options:
   • Allow all sites: Allows visiting all sites except those you block.
   • Try to block explicit sites: Hides sexually explicit and violent sites but is not perfect.
   • Only allow certain sites: Restricts visiting only the sites you allow.
5. Manage Specific Sites: Tap on Manage sites to manually allow or block specific URLs.

Turning on YouTube Restricted Mode

Enable YouTube Restricted Mode to filter out inappropriate content:

1. Open the Family Link App: Launch the app on your device.
2. Select Your Child: Choose the child whose account you want to manage.
3. Tap Content Restrictions: Navigate to the Content Restrictions section.
4. Enable Restricted Mode for YouTube: Turn on Restricted Mode to help filter explicit content.

Viewing Your Child’s Android Activity

Family Link provides detailed activity reports:

1. Open the Family Link App: Launch the app on your device.
2. Select Your Child: Choose the child whose account you want to manage.
3. Tap Highlights: Navigate to the Highlights section for an overview of recent activity.
4. View All Apps: Tap on View all apps for detailed information about installed apps and set usage limits.

Restricting Screen Time

Manage screen time effectively:

1. Open the Family Link App: Launch the app on your device.
2. Select Your Child: Choose the child whose account you want to manage.
3. Navigate to Bedtime Settings: Tap on Bedtime settings to set a hard limit on late phone usage.
4. Set Downtime: Ensure the device remains locked during certain hours.
5. Review and Adjust Settings: Regularly review and adjust settings to align with your child’s needs.

Managing Account Settings

Family Link provides tools to manage and secure your child’s account settings:

1. Access Account Settings: Navigate to account settings for your child within the Family Link app.
2. Change or Reset Password: Help change or reset the password if forgotten.
3. Edit Personal Information: Edit personal information or delete the account if necessary.
4. Manage Permissions: View and manage permissions for websites, extensions, and apps.
5. Track Location: Check the location of their Android device if it’s on, connected to the internet, and recently active.

Additional Features of Family Link

Family Link offers several other useful tools:

1. Location Tracking: Track your child’s location in real-time.
2. Battery Life Monitoring: Stay updated on the device’s remaining battery life.
3. Notifications and Alerts: Receive critical notifications, including when your child arrives at or leaves a location. Ring devices remotely if needed.
4. Google Assistant Management: Children can log in to Assistant-enabled devices with their own account managed by Family Link, ensuring a personalized experience while blocking transactions and third-party experiences.
5. SafeSearch Filter: Turn on SafeSearch to help filter explicit results on Google Search.