Google Family Link

Google Family Link is a family parental controls service by Google that allows parents to adjust parameters for their children's devices.[1] The application allows parents to restrict content, approve or disapprove apps, set screen times, and more. Google Family Link requires Google accounts in order to access the app remotely.

Google Family Link
Developer(s)Google
Initial releaseMarch 2017
Operating system
Included withAndroid 10 and above
Available inAvailable in 38 languages
TypeParental controls
LicenseProprietary freeware
Websitehttps://families.google.com/familylink/

History

The service was first released to the public in March 2017. At Google I/O 2019, Google announced that it would include Family Link natively in Android 10. Family Link is now available in 38 countries including the United States, Australia, and Japan.[2]

In 2019, the app added content restricting, GPS locating, and "bedtime" phone restriction features.[3]

Features
Google Family Link Child and Teen Logo - old
Google Family Link Child and Teen Logo - new

The Family Link service is split into two different applications, Family Link for Parents and Family Link for Children & Teens. The Family Link for Parents app allows parents to use customizable parameters in order to manage their kids' content viewing.[4] For children & teenagers, the Family Link for Children & Teens app allows the parameters instructed by the parents to manage the kids' mobile device.[5]

Some Family Link features include restricting various content such as websites and applications, managing screen times, locating phones via GPS, and downloading educational apps from the Play Store.

Another feature available in Family Link is being able to restrict launching pre-installed applications on devices. These include Google Assistant, Google Drive, YouTube, social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, and more.

Reception

Andrew Williams of TechRadar shows in one of his blog posts that the Family Link service "gives you great insights into how your children are using their devices and potentially the content they see on them too".[6]

Ashley Carmen of The Verge shows in one of her blog posts that she is "slightly wary of building a Google data profile of a young child".[7]

Criticism

Many people, mostly children, do not like Family Link. They think that it is bad for their privacy. Others complain that Family Link causes glitches on their devices.

A few people have found ways to bypass Family Link, including changing timezones with a GPS spoofing app and rooting their devices.

See also

References
  1. "Google Family Link - Home". families.google.com. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  2. "Google Family Link is now available in 38 countries - here's the full list". Android Authority. May 22, 2018. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  3. "Google rolls out Family Link per-app time limits and bonus time". VentureBeat. September 18, 2019. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  4. "Google Family Link for parents - Apps on Google Play". play.google.com. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  5. "Google Family Link for children & teens - Apps on Google Play". play.google.com. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  6. Andrew Williams October 18, 2018 (October 18, 2018). "What is Android Family Link and how do you use it?". TechRadar. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  7. Carman, Ashley (March 15, 2017). "Google built a new app so your kids can have a Google account, too". The Verge. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
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