Google Expands Parental Controls and Family Link Features With Android 17

Google Expands Parental Controls and Family Link Features With Android 17

Google introduced its new Android Parental Controls set of features alongside the Pixel 10 series last year, but they will be reaching more Android phones with Android 17. The new controls will give parents more control over their kids' phones and their digital wellbeing.

What Are Android 17's Parental Controls?

Parental Controls are built into Android's Settings menu and offer a convenient way to track your kids' screen time, create a downtime schedule, apply Google Play app filters, and limit the time spent on specific apps. Blocking apps altogether is also an option. For instance, parents can set up an automatic downtime, which will lock the device at night, for example.

What Are Google Family Link's Features?

Parental Controls will also provide parents a direct path to set up Google Family Link, which helps exert more control from a distance. It offers a range of features, including:

• School Time: To help ensure children focus on their studies.
• Google Play app download approvals: To prevent downloads or purchases without parental approval.
• Location alerts: To keep parents informed of their kids' whereabouts.

On Which Devices Will Parental Controls Be Available?

Both Parental Controls and Family Link will be available to phones updating to Android 17. This brings the tools to a much broader range of devices after previously being limited to Pixel phones.