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Google Family Link now lets parents remove time limits on individual apps
Google is launching a families website featuring resources designed to help parents teach kids about tech and screen time from PBS Kids, Sesame Workshop and meditation platform Headspace.
How to manage your child’s screen time
In an age when we all have a tiny computer in our pockets, it's important that we learn to limit screen time in favor of actual human interaction and productivity. It's even more essential that we limit media consumption for children, especially since they're being exposed to things like phones and tablets at an increasingly younger age. Those devices are part of kids' lives earlier than ever, so it's important to keep tabs on how often they use them or watch TV. There are a number of reasons why you should do this as a parent, and, ironically, there's also a range of tech available to help with the task.
Google adds screen time management to Chromebooks
When Google brought its Family Link parental controls to Chromebook, they weren't all that useful because there were limited options available. Now, Google is offering parents more tools to supervise how their offspring use their laptops.
Google's 'Family Link' parental controls expands to teens
"Family Link," Google's parental controls for Android and Chromebooks, is growing up. Well, in a sense. For one, it's no longer limited to kids -- soon adults will also be able to manage their teen's devices with existing Google accounts. Wisely, that can only occur with the teenager's permission, and they can also "unlock" their devices after parental controls are enabled (though that'll send an alert to parents). The idea isn't to control teens, instead it's a way for adults to still be involved as their kids grow more attached to devices. Parents won't be able to change teen's devices or change their passwords, like they can for younger children.
Google's Project Fi lets you add younger kids to your family plan
Google added family plans to Project Fi a long time ago, but it wasn't really built for the younger children in your family. The company is fixing that today -- you can now add kids under 13 to your Fi group plan through a Google account controlled using Family Link. You can track and set alerts for your little ones' data usage, and use Family Link to set time and app limits.
Android and YouTube will help you manage screen time
Those rumors of Google launching tools to manage your screen time? They're true. The internet giant has used its I/O conference to unveil a string of digital well-being initiatives that will help you get away from tech. To start, Android P is getting a dashboard that will give you a clearer picture of how long you use your phone with given apps and how many notifications you receive. Do Not Disturb will also reduce visual distractions, while a Shush option will silence alerts when you flip the phone down. And when it's time to call it a night, Wind Down mode will both switch on DND and turn your screen gray scale.
Google reportedly plans Android tools to help you manage screen time
Google keeps dropping announcements ahead of tomorrow's I/O event, including bringing more Assistant features to Wear OS, new web site mute features in Chrome, Google Pay to the web and supporting even more devices with Google Assistant. Now, according to a report in the Washington Post, Google will be announcing more controls for its Android operating system that will help individuals manage the time they spend on mobile devices.
Google Assistant will tell your kids a bedtime story
Kids don't quite have the diction that adults do, which can make it hard even for us humans to understand them. Google knows this and has tweaked Assistant and Home to better pick up what your munchkins are laying down. The search juggernaut has also partnered with a number of providers for kid-specific things like stories from Disney and Sports Illustrated for Kids among others as well as simple games (like musical chairs). The just-announced Family Link will let you set up Google accounts for your youngsters under 13 too. The updates will be rolling out later this month.
Google opens up 'Family Link' parental controls for Android
Earlier this year Google rolled out Family Link controls for parents to manage children's usage of Android devices but it required an invitation for access. Now the Family Link app is available throughout the US without an invitation, with three basic groups of controls ready for use.
'Family Link' app gives kids their own child-safe Google accounts
For some time, child-proofing your tech meant using kid-specific login profiles to wall-off your progeny into the most harmless corners of your tablet. That's hardly a delicate or complex safety setup. Google has released an app, Family Link, that lets parents create dedicated accounts for their children. Want to toggle your kid's app permissions, limit their screen time and set a bedtime capping how late they can use their device? This one's for you.
OnStar's Family Link tracking package launching in mid-April (updated: hands-on)
Looks like OnStar's finally ready to go live with the Family Link program it was talking up last summer. The service, which lets family members track vehicles for the low, low price of $3.99 (on top of an existing OnStar package), is set to begin a phased rollout next month. Family Link revolves around two primary, similarly named features: Vehicle Locate and Vehicle Location Alert. The first lets concerned relatives view the vehicle's location on a map and the second sends an alert at a chosen interval, letting the vehicle's location be known via text or email. The initial roll out will be open to select subscribers in April, with more invitations hitting in June and a more complete rollout later in the year. We went hands-on with the service at an OnStar demo in New York City, tracking vehicles in both New Jersey and Detroit. Family Link was able to locate a connected truck in Detroit in a mere five seconds, zeroing in on the vehicle's precise location at OnStar HQ in Michigan (note: we had tracked another vehicle in New Jersey a few minutes before -- that time with a roughly 20 second delay). It's not designed for constant tracking -- you won't see the car icon moving down the map as you drive -- but it appears to be an excellent solution for keeping tabs on your kids as they drive OnStar-equipped vehicles. We also took a look at those handy text vehicle location alerts, that OnStar will push directly to any mobile device or email address at user-selected intervals. Jump past the break to see our hands-on with both Family Link components. Zach Honig contributed to this report.
OnStar Family Link brings loved ones closer together through vehicle tracking
Add this to the ever-growing list of things we're glad we didn't have back when we were teenagers. GM this week announced the release of Family Link, the latest addition to its OnStar service. The new feature lets subscribers track the exact location of vehicles at any time via an online map. Subscribers can also set up a text message alert to keep on top of the car's location. There's certainly potential for the feature as a safety tool, but it's also no doubt a long awaited addition for overbearing parents everywhere. The service is beginning life as an invitation-only pilot program that includes around 10,000 OnStar subscribers.
