Google Family Link allows a parent to monitor and filter some content a child has access to on their Android tablets, smartphones, and Chromebooks. It provides some of the same features when the child is using Google services and programs on a browser they're signed into with their Google account.
Google Family Link lets you limit and monitor your child's access to certain content on Google services when they're signed in. You can do this through an app on your smartphone, or a website on your computer.
No filtering technology is 100% perfect. The best solution is active, engaged parenting; working with your child to ensure they develop good habits through your instruction and guidance.
Google Family Link cannot monitor the entire Internet, only services and devices signed in with the child's Google account.
Hardware Devices
Google Family Link affords you the most monitoring and control over Google Account-based devices.
Android Phones and Tablets
On an Android tablet or phone the parent can:
See what apps are installed
Block access to apps for a time
Remove apps from the device
Require approval for new apps to be installed
Set a bedtime when the phone won't allow access
Set general screen-on time limits
Lock the device remotely
Even with these restrictions, your child is always still able to call you to check in or for emergencies.
Chromebooks
On a Chromebook the parent can:
See what apps are installed
Block access to apps for a time
Remove apps from the device
Require approval for new apps to be installed
Set general screen-on time limits
In general, the Google account signed into the Chromebook, the child's in this case, will be used for all Google services. You can be more sure that rules you set up for Google's Internet Services (below) will follow these rules more closely.
If the device is not signed into the child's Google account, or is signed into a guest account, Family Link has no way to monitor or restrict the device.
Internet Services
Google Family Link provides some monitoring and control over these web-based services.
YouTube
Google Family link can help you manage what your child can see on YouTube. You can:
Completely block access to YouTube
Turn on Restricted Mode, filtering out much of the more adult-oriented content
Restrict YouTube to YouTube Kids; a special, heavily curated set of videos designed specifically for very small children, and no ability to search for other videos
Monitor what videos are watched
Google Search
Family Link will let you:
Turn on Safe Search
Review what has been searched for
Google Chrome Browser
While fewer, you can control some aspects of the Chrome Browser with Family Link:
Review browsing history
Basic website blocking and filtering capabilities
If the browser is not signed into the child's Google account, or is signed into a guest account, Family Link has no way to monitor or restrict the content on the services.
Google Families
Google Family Link is one part of a much larger service; Google Families.
While this guide will focus on Family Link, a large number of other Google services, both free and for a price are available. For more information, visit families.google.com with your web browser for more information.
3. Membership Levels
Google Families has 3 levels of membership.
Family Manager
The Family Manager is usually the first person to setup the Google Family service, and has full control over everything that happens in the Family group.
The Family Manager is always an Adult.
Adult
Adults can manage the child accounts in the family. They can also change what services are purchased, and what levels of access each Child has.
Child
Each child account has access based on what the Adult accounts set for it.
You can have, at most, six members to your Google Family account.
4. Add Adult Account
In general, you will send an invite to a person, then that person accepts that invitation, then you can setup their family role.
Family Manager On Computer
Open your preferred browser.
Type in families.google.com and press Enter or Return.
If asked, sign in with one of your Parent accounts.
Select Invite Family Member.
Enter the email address of the person you want to invite to your family group, and select Send.
Select Go to Family Group.
Other Family Member
The person you want to add needs to check their email.
In their email, there will be a message offering an invitation. Select Accept Invitation.
They'll be directed to the Google website to sign in. Select Get Started.
They'll be asked to confirm their account. Select Join Family.
You're now part of the family! You can select View Family to see other members.
By default, a person added will be a full member, and considered an adult.
5. More Accounts Check
You can have up to 6 accounts as part of the same Family, and may add and remove them at any time.
You can always add adult accounts through the website, and child accounts through the Family Link app.
6. Add Child Account
Google's Family Link can't change or monitor much, if any activity on an Apple iPhone or iPad. Instead, Apple has their own, specific Parental Controls available.
This guide will focus on Android and Chromebook devices.
Family Manager's Phone
You must use the app to add a child account of any type.
Open Family Link.
When adding the child account, you'll be asked if the child have a Google account, select Yes.
You'll be reminded to get your child's device, and informed this process takes about ten minutes. Select Next.
You'll be asked to setup the Google Family Link for children & teens on your child's device, and a code is displayed.
Leave this message up on your screen. You'll need it in a few moments after setting up the app on your child's device.
Child's Phone
Launch the Play Store on your smartphone.
Select the search bar at the top.
Type in "Google Family Link for Children", then select Google Family Link for children & teens from the list.
Select Install.
Select Open to open the app.
You'll be asked which device you want to supervise. Select This device.
You'll be asked which account you want to supervise, select your child's account.
Enter the nine-character code from your Parent's device.
You'll be asked to verify your account. Enter your child's password then select Next.
Family Manager's Phone
On the adult's phone, you'll be asked to verify you want to supervise the child's phone. Select Yes.
Child's Phone
You'll be asked if you want to join the family group. Select Join.
You'll be shown what your parent can monitor on your device. Select More, then Next.
You'll be asked to allow supervision, select Allow.
You'll be asked to activate the profile manager. Select Activate this device admin app.
The next step is to name your device. You'll be asked to go to your parent to make sure the name is okay with them. Select Next.
Enter a name for this device, then select Next.
You'll be asked to review the apps on your Child's phone. For each app, select the switch on the right to turn them off or on (they all start 'on'). Select More after each page of apps.
At the end of the apps list, apps that are required for the device to work are listed. Select Next.
The device is now connected to the Family Link service, and can be monitored by the Adults in the family. Select Next.
Everything is now setup, select Done.
7. Create Child Account Note
Google does not allow individual accounts for children under the age of 13, normally.
The Google Families system makes an exception for this, allowing you to create the account as part of your family, specifically so you can more closely monitor and keep track of your child's activity.
If Your Child Is 13 Or Older
Visit gmail.com in your web browser with your child, and help them create a Google account, then add it to your Google Family.
If your Child Is Younger Than 13
You will need to use the Google Family Link app to create their account for them.
8. Create Young Child Account
You must use the app to add a child account of any type.In order to setup an account for a young child, you must have a credit card available. Your card will not be charged; this is used by Google as proof that you are an adult.
Open Family Link.
When asked if your child has a Google account, select No.
A message letting you know this will take about ten minutes is shown, select Next.
Enter your child's first and last name, then select Next.
Enter your child's birthday and gender (if you choose to do so), then select Next.
Enter an email address for your child, and select Next.
Enter a password for your child's account, then select Next.
You'll be informed that you need a credit card to complete setup for your child's account. As the message states, you will not be charged, but it is required to prove you are an adult. Select Next to continue.
The Family Link Disclosure for Parents is displayed. Scroll through and read this information carefully, and when you fully understand, select the two check boxes indicating you agree to the terms, then select Agree at the bottom.
It is critical that you read and understand this information. You are taking responsibility for the activities your child performs online.
Enter your credit card information, then select Accept.Again, your credit card is required to prove you are an adult. As you can see at the top, the charge for setting up the account is $0.00.
Follow the instructions on screen to complete setting up your child's account on their device.
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