Cyberbullying, pornography… Children are exposed to many dangers on the Internet. Given these risks, several parental control tools have been designed to protect them. Among them is Family Link, an application launched by Google in 2017.
It runs Android and iOS and is intended for children under 13, the age required to open a Google account in many countries, including France. It’s advertised as a way to “keep your family safe online” with “easy-to-use tools.” [qui] It will allow you to understand what your children do on their device, manage privacy settings, and much more.
Specifically, the application must be installed on the child’s smartphone and the parent’s smartphone. You must also create a Google family account.
· Limited usage time
Family Link gives you the ability to view your child’s activity in apps. Once the parental control tool is open, simply select your child, then press “Summary” and “Screen Time” to see how much time they’ve spent on each one.
With Family Link, you can also set usage time limits for kids’ apps and a bedtime, after which their smartphone will be locked. To do this, simply go to the app settings, then tap “Daily Limit” to set one by selecting the hour and minutes.
Similarly, you can set a break time from Family Link settings by tapping “Break time.” These two limits can be modified on a daily basis – by selecting “Modify by today” – or weekly – by selecting “Modify by week”.
The app also allows parents to remotely lock their child’s smartphone so that they can no longer use it. To do this, simply select your child’s account in the app. Once in Settings, tap your child’s device and tap “Lock (or “Unlock”).
· Limited access to content
Family Link does not allow you to block inappropriate content, but the application offers filtering options, which you can also find in certain Google applications such as its search engine or YouTube.
For the video platform, you can change a “content setting” by tapping “Content Restrictions” and then “Youtube” in Family Link settings. Three are offered: “Discovery” (generally suitable for viewers over 9 years old), “Découverte Plus” (generally suitable for viewers over 13 years old) and “Almost all YouTube videos” (almost all videos except those marked as reserved for those over 18 and content that may not be suitable for viewers using the supervised experience).
Family Link offers similar options for YouTube Kids. After tapping “Content Restrictions,” “Youtube,” and then “Youtube Kids,” you’ll be able to choose from three content categories: “toddlers” (ages 4 and under), “little ones” (ages 5 to 8). ) and “older children” (9 to 12 years old). The parental control application will also allow you to activate or deactivate the search on YouTube Kids, but also eliminate access to the platform.
· Block apps and purchases
For content that may be inappropriate for your children’s age, Family Link allows you to approve or block the applications they can download. To do this, simply select your child’s profile in the app and go to settings to press “App Limits.” From there, all you have to do is authorize or block the app of your choice.
It’s also possible to prevent your child from downloading apps intended for adults by selecting “Content Restrictions” and then “Google Play” in the settings. You can then choose a maximum rating of content that you allow your children to download or purchase based on age (3, 7, 12, 16 and 18 years old) for applications, games, movies and series.
For music and books, you can indicate whether you want to restrict downloading or purchasing explicit content.
· Locate your child
Family Link also offers the ability to see where your child is on a map with their device’s location. To do this, tap the “Position” tab and then “Set Location.” If this option is not available, simply select the child’s account you want to set up location for and turn on location sharing.
Family Link even offers to have “the most accurate possible position of your child’s device” by pressing “Position”, “More” at the top right and “Location Settings” to then select your child’s profile and enable “Location Accuracy”. position” or “High Precision” option.
This same tab also allows you to activate notifications to be notified when your child arrives or leaves a specific destination (school, library, etc.), ring their device if they have lost it, and check its battery level.
· Protect and secure your child’s account
If kids have their own Google account, parents manage it with Family Link. Specifically, you can manage the permissions (location, etc.) of the websites and extensions your child accesses from Chrome and the applications downloaded to their smartphone. The goal is to protect your child’s privacy.
You can also protect your account by changing or resetting your password if you forget it. To do this, simply select your child’s account in the app and tap Settings, then Account Settings, Account Information, and Change Password. Under Account Information, you also have the option to edit your child’s information, such as name, date of birth, or gender.
Finally, you have the option to remove your child’s Google account from Family Link so that the company no longer collects or uses their information. To do this, go to Settings after selecting your child’s device. From there, simply tap Reset & Delete Data.
Source: BFM TV
