Google Lets Parents Control Their kid(s) Android Devices Using The Family Link App

With the family link app from Google, parents can now stay in the loop as their kids explore on their android device.

Family link allows parents to set certain digital boundaries and ground rules that works for the family.  Such boundaries include Managing of apps the kids can use (parents can approve or block apps the kids want to download from Google Play Store), Setting a bedtime on the kid’s device (remotely lock the kids’ devices when it’s time to sleep, or study), also parents can now keep an eye on screen time, this implies that they can see how much time their kids spends on their favorite apps with weekly or monthly reports, and set daily screen time limits for their devices.

Parents can set up their kid’s Android device by creating a Google account which is managed by the parents, and are required to give their consent for kids under the age of 13.

Tech giants Google Inc., recently introduced a new and innovative app called the Family Link app which runs across the United States, giving parents an easier way to control Android devices used by their kid(s).

The app was first released earlier this year (March) for testing, and required users to request an invite. Now the app is available for parents throughout the U.S. without an invitation unlike it was earlier required in the testing phase. And it is compatible with any modern Android device running on 5.0 or higher android versions and on iOS 9 or higher versions.

There are three primary groups of controls in the app.

• Manage the apps your kids can use: parents can approve or block apps the kids wants to download from Google Play Store.
• Keep an eye on Screen time: this implies that parents can see how much time the kids spends on their favorite apps with weekly or monthly reports, and set daily screen time limits for their devices.
• Set device bedtime: remotely lock the kids’ device when it’s time to sleep, or study or play.

If it is the first time to set up the child’s Android device, Google will ask for an account that it will tie to the Android device. As  a parent, all you need to do is set up the new account and input the child’s birth date and Google will automatically install Family link on the device and you get the control to monitor the device from your own after you have entered your own account details where requested.

There is a 30cent charge when you set up a kid’s device under the age of 13. Google says the charge is there to prove an adult has given their consent when they indicate the kid is under the age of 13.

The following statements were made by Saurabh Sharma (Product Manager, Kids and Families at Google Inc.) “Today, we’re happy to announce that Family Link, our solution for bringing kids and their parents into the Android ecosystem, is now available to parents in the U.S without an invitation. Parents can also create a Google Account for their kid right from Android Setup, and then manage their kid’s account and device with Family Link”.

This app should make lots of parents happy as it can allow them control what their kids watch at all times.