PARENTS have the power to set “digital ground rules” thanks to a number of handy tools by Google.
In a digital age filled with gadgets, it can be hard keep kids in check all the time.
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In comes Family Link, a free service that allows you to manage children’s accounts and devices.
It first launched in 2017 but Google is constantly adding new bits and bobs to improve the feature.
With tablets and other devices likely under the tree this Christmas, there’s no better time to familiarise yourself with what’s on offer.
Setting up
First, you’ll need to get hold of you child’s devices to be able to control them.
Open Settings, then go to Google, followed by Parental Controls.
Follow the setup steps.
Then you can install the Family Link app on your own device.
Limit screen time
You can decide how long the kid’s Android devices are active, so they’re not sneakily using it after bedtime.
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There’s also a way to determine a limit on how long they spend on it for any given day.
So maybe they’re only allowed a maximum of two hours during the week, but over the weekend you allow a little more.
Downloads and purchases
Parents can control which apps the kids can and can’t have.
There’s a feature to approve or decline any app downloads they attempt from the Google Play Store.
The same goes for in-app purchases too.
App activity reports
Every app has a different purpose of course, so seeing three hours of reading will probably please you more than seeing three hours of gaming.
You can get app activity reports to see exactly how much time your child is spending with each.
From there, you can make decisions about what they have access to.
Activity controls
As a parent you also get a number of added protections.
For example, you can change or reset your son or daughter’s password should they forget it.
You have the power to edit the personal information on their account – and even delete the account altogether if necessary.
Location tracking
Family Link lets you see the location of their Android devices too.
Of course, it’ll need to be connected to the internet and recently active to work.
But it could be a useful feature whenever they’re out and about.
Although Family Link is made for Android devices, you can download the app to carry out these controls on iOS.
So if you own an iPhone, you can still set the rules on their Android kit.
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
