Google gives her Family Link app (Opens in a new tab) It turned out to be more user-friendly with the addition of more parental control features.
Family Link first launched five years ago as a way for parents to manage how kids use Android devices — setting a screen time limit, for example. Since then, the app hasn’t really gotten much attention from Google, which makes this new wave of updates very welcome. The company states that the developers have taken feedback from parents for the redesign (Opens in a new tab)And the Resulting in three new tabs – Controls, Location, and Features – to better organize the features of the app.
good look
The Controls tab contains legacy Family Link features, such as the ability to set screen time limits for devices or apps, restrict certain types of content, and manage [app] Permissions”. There will be one new addition, today only, that overrides the basic Screen Time widget. For example, if a child has maxed out on the first widget, you can extend the time with the second widget, but only for that day. You’ll have to set it again every day after that.
The location, as the name suggests, will inform a parent of their child’s location by focusing on the device and displaying it on the tab map. It will also inform users of the device’s battery life as well as notify them when the child arrives at or departs from their destination, Similar to Google Maps. Speaking of information, the The Features tab provides an overview of a child’s behavior for parents (Opens in a new tab) on their devices. It will tell you which apps they are using, how long they have been using them, and whether they have tried to access the restricted content. Google states that there are plans to expand the “Grounds” tab to include “more useful insights” but did not provide any details.
We’ve reached out to Google and asked for more information about the future of Family Link. A company spokesperson told us they have nothing more to share at this time.
Updates to the Family Link app will be available on both iOS and Android devices as they roll out in waves, so be sure to keep an eye out for them when they come to your phone. We should mention that too Google launched the desktop version of Family Link (Opens in a new tab) which share all the same features. All you have to do is log in to set up your account.
Google TV changes
Along with Family Link, Google TV will get its share of kid-friendly changes (Opens in a new tab) Including recommendations generated by artificial intelligence and “parent-managed watch lists”. The latter allows parents to add or remove content that their children can view on the service from within the parent’s profile. Google TV will also offer a “moderated experience on YouTube” as a way to introduce children to the platform. Of course, the YouTube experience will have its own set of parental controls.
Google TV updates will launch today on the app and will reach other supported devices like Chromecast with Google TV in the coming weeks. We’re sure parents will appreciate the new Family Link app, but it can’t moderate everything. If you’re interested in stepping up your game, be sure to check out TechRadar’s list of the best free parental control apps of the year.
