Google has introduced new updates to Family Link, aiming to provide parents with better supervision tools to manage their children’s screen time and encourage healthier digital habits. The changes are designed to make it easier to set clear rules, enforce them effectively, and reduce digital distractions for your kids.
Family Link will receive several new features and improvements to help parents manage their children’s digital activities more efficiently in the coming months.
Improved screen time controls
One of the major updates is a redesigned Screen Time tab, which brings all time management features into one place. You will now have access to a device-specific summary, making monitoring how much time your child spends on their phone or tablet easier. You can also set daily limits and schedule Downtime or School time with just a few taps.
These updates simplify how you manage your child’s screen usage, ensuring they balance online and offline activities.
Expanded school time feature
The School time feature, originally introduced on the Samsung Galaxy Watch for Kids, is now available on Android phones and tablets. This feature allows you to limit your child’s phone functionality and silence notifications during school hours.
With this update, you can choose specific apps your child can access during school time, such as educational tools, while restricting entertainment apps and social media. You can also view which apps your child uses outside of School time and temporarily turn off restrictions during holidays or vacations by putting School time on a “break”.
These improvements aim to help children stay focused in school without unnecessary distractions.
Parental control over phone contacts
A new contact supervision feature lets you control who your child can call and text. You can add approved contacts on their Android devices, ensuring they only communicate with trusted individuals. Additionally, your child can request to add new contacts, which you can approve or decline.
This feature was initially introduced on the Samsung Galaxy Watch for Kids but is now extended to Android phones. It makes it easier to monitor and manage your child’s communication.
Launched in 2019, Google Family Link is a parental supervision tool designed to help you manage your child’s digital activity. It provides screen time management, content filtering, and even location tracking through Google Maps.
Beyond limiting screen use, Family Link also allows you to control the type of apps your child can download from the Google Play Store. This helps ensure they only access age-appropriate content.
In 2023, Google reported that parents in Singapore with children aged 5 to 17 were particularly concerned about misinformation and deceptive advertising. This highlights the growing need for digital safety tools as younger generations become more tech-savvy.
With these new updates, Family Link aims to give parents even more control over their children’s digital habits, promoting healthier screen use and better online safety.
