Google Play’s Family Link is now open to everyone
Previously only available by invite, Google is finally opening up a handy parental control feature to everyone. It’s called Family Link and it gives parents greater control over their kids’ digital lives. Since Google accounts are only meant for those age 13 and up, Family Link lets parents create and manage their kids accounts and how they spend their time on their devices.
Whether it’s checking on their kids’ device activity, time spent on specific apps, locking a device during dinner time or homework — it puts parents in control over their kids’ devices and that’s a good thing. Here are some of the features:
- Manage the apps your kid can use: Approve or block the apps your kid wants to download from the Google Play Store.
- Keep an eye on screen time: See how much time your kid spends on their favorite apps with weekly or monthly activity reports, and set daily screen time limits for their device.
- Set device bedtime: Remotely lock your kid’s device when it’s time to play, study, or sleep.
For adults: Family Link runs on any Android device running KitKat (4.4) or iOS 9 and higher. For kids: Family Link is compatible with all Android devices running 7.0 Nougat or above, and only a select few devices running Android 6.0 Marshmallow:
- Alcatel Dawn
- Alcatel Fierce 4
- Alcatel Pixi unite
- LG K3
- LG Stylo 2 Plus
- LG X Power
- Samsung Galaxy Luna
- Samsung Galaxy Tab A
- Song Xperia X
Still have questions? Check out the official Family Link FAQ right here.