Google Family Link

Getting started: Creating a child account

Before using Google Family Link and making use of the parental controls, your family must all have Google accounts. This will automatically create a Family Group.

To create a child’s account:

Step 1 – Sign into your Google account and go to your profile in the web browser. Click Add another account > Create account > For my child.

Step 2 – Read and follow the prompts that come up on screen. Then, fill out your child’s details and create their email address. Click Next.

Step 3 – Enter your own email address (for any child under 13). Click Next. Read through and agree the provided information.

Step 4 – Enter your account password to confirm parental responsibilities. Then read through the provided information to fully understand what this means.

Step 5 – If you’re ready to customise parental controls, choose Manual personalisation. If you want to do that later, select Express personalisation instead. Read through the information and follow the prompts. Click continue or close the window to finish.

Getting started: Creating a family group

If your child already has a Google account, you can set up a family group within Family Link. They must have an account for you to do this.

To create a family group with Google:

Step 1 – Open the Google Family Link app or Sign in here. Select whether your child has an account. If they don’t, you will need to set one up.

Step 2 – When asked if your child has a Google account, select No for now (even if they have one).

Step 3 – Click Get started > Create a family group. Click Confirm to become the family manager.

Step 4 – You can then add up to 6 users in your family group.

Getting started: Setting up Family Link

Once you’ve created a family group on Google Family Link, you can have up to 6 users in the group.

To add family members:

Step 1 – From your account on the Family Link app or site, click on Manage family. Then select Send invitations under Your family group members.

Step 2 – Select people to add or manually enter their email addresses, including your child’s. Click Send.

Step 3 – Once users accept the invitation, they’ll be added. Work with your child to add them to the group on their account or set it up for them.

How to manage screen time

With Google Family Link’s parental controls, you can monitor and manage screen time.

To view device and app usage:

Step 1 – From your Family Link account, select your child’s name. Under this, click Highlights.

Step 2 – Review how much time is spent on each device and in each app. This will give you an idea of where they spend most of their time and where restrictions might be needed.

Set screen time limits

Once you know where you want to set limits, you can do this through your Family Link dashboard.

To set general screen time limits:

Step 1 – Under your child’s name, select Controls > Daily limit.

Step 2 – Set custom schedules for devices. You can base these on individual days, weekdays or weekends.

To set screen time limits for apps:

Step 1 – From the Controls screen, select App limits.

Step 2 – Here, you’ll see a breakdown of time spent on different apps. You can block apps that they’ve spent too much time on. Select which app you’d like to do this for.

Step 3 – Block the app. Or select App details to learn more about the app and its PEGI rating to see if it’s appropriate for your child’s age.

Where to set up downtime

Whether it’s getting ready for bed, doing homework or something else, you can schedule downtime to help children focus on the tasks they need to without device distraction.

To set up downtime:

Step 1 – On your child’s Controls screen, select Downtime.

Step 2 – Add as many schedules as you need to for when the device should be locked. Discuss with your child what times would be the best to set for downtime to help them feel a part of the choice.

How to restrict content

To help your child avoid content inappropriate for their stage of development, Google Family Link helps you set restrictions so they only see what’s appropriate.

To restrict content with Google:

Step 1 – On Google Family Link, select Controls under your child’s name and then Content restrictions.

Step 2 – Select which Google service you’d like to customise. These include Chrome, YouTube, Search and more.

In this example, we use the Google Play Store. Here, you can set which purchases, if any, need your approval. You can also set age levels for Apps & games, Movies and Books. Explore the other services to set customisations for each.

Manage account settings for your child

To help limit where your child uses their Google account, you can customise their account settings.

To set up account limits on Google:

Step 1 – On Family Link, click on Controls under your child’s name and then Account settings.

Step 2 – Select Controls for signing in to set up restrictions on where your child can sign in to their account (i.e., on other devices).

How to monitor different devices

If you allow your child to sign in to their account on different devices, this is a way to monitor the account use. This is a good feature to check in on whether someone else has also gained access to their account.

To monitor account logins on Google:

Step 1 – On Google Family Link (the app or website), click on Controls under your child’s name and then Devices.

Step 2 – Click on the listed device to show platform-specific controls. You’ll see those that are already Supervised as well as Others. Other Google devices offer the most options for controls.

How to set location alerts

Location alerts can help you stay on top of your child’s safety offline. While it’s a good tool to give peace of mind, ensure conversations with older children set clear boundaries on both sides.

To set up location alerts on Google Family Link:

Step 1 – From the Family Link Hub, select Location under your child’s name. This will show where they are on supporting devices.

Step 2 – Click the three horizontal lines on the map to open the menu. Then click the refresh icon for the latest location update.

Step 3 – Select the Family places tab. Add addresses for your child’s school and home along with any other important addresses (such as other family members). You’ll then receive alerts when they arrive or leave that location.