Google Family Link gets location tracking plus better screen time limiting features
Highlights gives you information like your kid’s app usage, screen time, and recently installed apps. Google stated that it’s “just getting started with the Highlights tab,” so expect even more features in the future.
Controls is the tab that, well, as the name suggests, lets you control your kid’s device. It contains tools that let you limit their screen time and block and approve apps.
There is also a new feature called “Today Only,” which enables parents to set new screen time limits for just one day without changing or overriding the already set screen time settings. So, next time your child wants to watch one more video, you can just increase the screen time limit without the need to restore the previous settings again.
The third tab is Location. Here you can see, well, the location and battery percentage of your child’s device. The app also lets you ring the phone or tablet in order to find it more easily. Now, you can also receive notifications when your kid arrives or leaves specific locations, like home and school.
The Family Link app now also has a notification center. The update adds a new bell icon, which when tapped will display requests from your child for app downloads, purchases, and if they try to access blocked websites.
Also, if you don’t have your phone with you, you can now access Family Link on the web and still be able to access all the features the service offers.