Google’s Family Link update adds ‘school time’ mode and new parental controls
Google’s Family Link app now includes ‘school time’ mode and better contact management, helping parents limit distractions and control screen time.
Google has updated its Family Link app with new tools to help parents manage their children’s screen time more effectively.
The latest features include a ‘school time’ mode, which restricts distractions during lessons, and enhanced contact management, allowing parents to control who their child can call or message.
What is Google Family Link?
Google Family Link is a parental control app that lets parents manage their child’s Android device. It offers features like app restrictions, screen time limits, location tracking, and now, more detailed contact management and school-friendly settings.
New ‘school time’ mode
The biggest update is the introduction of ‘school time’ mode on Android phones and tablets. Previously only available on certain smartwatches, this feature now allows parents to block distractions—such as social media and games—during school hours.
Parents can customise which apps are accessible, ensuring that educational tools remain available while other apps are restricted. Notifications are also silenced, helping children stay focused in class.
Better contact management for parents
A key concern for parents is knowing who their child is communicating with. The updated Family Link app now lets parents:
- Approve, restrict, or pause contact with specific people.
- Limit calls and messages to approved contacts only (for Android 14 and later).
- Receive requests from children to add new contacts.
Currently, these restrictions apply mainly to Google Messages and phone calls, but third-party apps like WhatsApp and Signal are unaffected, meaning children could still contact unapproved numbers through those platforms.
Easier navigation and multiple profiles
Google has also redesigned Family Link to make it easier to use. Parents can now:
- View all screen time settings in a single ‘Screen Time’ tab.
- Manage privacy settings and app downloads more efficiently.
- Swipe between multiple children’s profiles for faster account switching.
Will this keep kids off their phones in class?
While these updates give parents more control, they aren’t foolproof. Children can still access third-party messaging apps unless they are manually restricted.
However, the ‘school time’ feature is a step towards reducing classroom distractions, especially for younger kids who may not yet use multiple messaging platforms.
How to set up School Time mode on Google Family Link
To use ‘school time’ mode and contact management:
- Open the Family Link app.
- Navigate to the ‘Screen Time’ tab to set up school mode.
- Use the ‘Controls’ tab to manage contacts and privacy settings.
- Adjust settings for each child’s profile individually.
Google’s latest Family Link updates provide parents with better tools to manage screen time and online interactions. While not a complete solution for digital distractions, the new features make it easier for parents to set boundaries and encourage healthier tech habits.
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Authors
Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.
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