Android Parental Controls Are Now More Customizable
Android is redesigning parental controls to give caregivers easier access to their child’s data, and is also bringing School Time features that were originally only available on smartwatches to phones and tablets for the first time.
Now it’s easier to find Screen Time tools on Android.
First, all of Family Link’s screen time tracking tools are combined into one tab. This reflects changes Google made to Family Link’s screen time tools during the pandemic, giving parents more granular information about what apps their children are using on their phone. This was necessary for distance learning where screen time was sometimes required, but it also may have bloated the app’s interface a bit. Now, aside from a general overview of your total screen time, you won’t be bothered by screen time data unless you start looking for it.
More powerful controls and improved support for multi-family homes.
Likewise, the Controls tab now has direct and open buttons for approving app downloads, blocking certain websites, and adjusting data settings, so you no longer have to dive into settings or scroll down multiple times to access those frequently customized options.
Homes with multiple children also get a small bonus in this update, as a floating slider in the top left corner allows parents to switch between their children’s profiles without leaving the page they’re on.
School Time mode limits apps during school hours
By far the biggest updates here are the introduction of School Time and parent-managed contacts.
Although Google has already promised to bring School Time to Android , it looks like that moment has finally arrived. Initially introduced, oddly enough, on the Fitbit Ace LTE smartwatch, School Time will begin rolling out to Android phones and tablets next week. Essentially, this feature allows parents to set up recurring time slots for, say, school activities that limit the phone’s functionality and turn off notifications.
Essentially, while school is active, applications are limited to a specific list selected by parents. This ensures that the child can only use the apps they need for school, although parents can schedule breaks to allow the child to use all the functions of their phone, such as during recess or lunch. This can also be used for scheduled weekends and holidays, and since school times are set on a daily basis, weekends can also be easily included in the schedule. There’s also a “Mute for Today” button on a child’s phone that parents can use to quickly turn off school time (presumably with a code, although I asked Google for confirmation). Essentially, School time takes what could be a labor-intensive process—restricting apps at one time and allowing them at other times—and automates it.
Google has also previously said that school time for Android phones will limit calls and texts to a specific list of contacts, although today’s press release makes no mention of this. As with the “Mute for Today” button, I’ve reached out to the company for clarification and will update when I hear back.
School Time also technically doesn’t have to be active only during school hours, and it works in addition to a separate Down Time mode that prevents your child from using the phone for non-emergency situations when they should be sleeping.
Get ready to start stamping your kids’ contacts
Finally, “in the coming months,” parents will be able to limit their children’s general calls and texts to certain contacts only. This will allow you to set up contacts for your child through Family Link, after which you can limit all calls and text messages to just those contacts (as well as emergency numbers). However, if your child makes a new friend, they can send new contacts and request approval for them.