How good is Google's Parental Control

Google released a parental control system called Google Family Link. According to the developers, it works on Android 7 and newer versions.

The program is so deeply integrated into the Android system that it cannot be removed even after flashing the phone. The system requires separate Google accounts for the parent and child's phones. The Google Family Link app must be installed on both the parent and child devices. The control settings are configured online by synchronizing with the child's Google account. When a Google account is created for a person under 12 years old, the Google Family Link service is automatically activated.

After installing and applying the default settings, the child will not be able to find 18+ information in Google Search. If the child tries to enter a forbidden website directly, the Google browser will request permission from the parent.

How reliable is this filter? Practice shows that it is possible to bypass it if you disable the Google account during the search. To do this, you need to click on the Google icon and then on the account icon. In the list that appears, select the option to Work without an account.

Now, adult information will become available in Google Search. In particular, it will be possible to view 18+ images. However, accessing adult websites requires an alternative browser to Google Chrome. Therefore, parents should disable all other browsers except for Google Chrome.

This option allows you to completely prohibit running any apps, leaving the phone usable only for calls, both incoming and outgoing. To do this, on the parent’s phone in the Family Link app, you should find the Daily Limit group and click the Edit link.

For each day of the week, you can limit the total time using phone apps. For all remaining time, it will simply be a phone.

Additionally, you can set a strict bedtime so that the child doesn’t damage their eyesight at night. This is very useful for training circadian rhythms.

If it seems that the child is clearly abusing the phone, you can remotely block all programs permanently and unblock them again on command from the parent phone.

However, there is one danger. If the parent’s phone gets lost or becomes unavailable, the child’s phone will remain just a phone. Remote unlocking from the server is not provided.