Google Family Link Review 2023: Beyond the Flashy Commercials - Our Verdict

Google Family Link is a free service offered by Google that provides a way for parents to supervise their children's activity. This service has a few different features, including GPS coordinates, Parental controls, and Nomophobia prevention. There are some important things to consider before signing up for it, however.

App supervision

Google Family Link is a nifty little app that can help you monitor your child's online activity. It's free and lets you control what your kid gets to see on his or her Android phone. The app is also a useful way to set time limits on phone use.

As far as parental controls go, this isn't the most complete package. For instance, you can't lock the phone itself, but you can limit its use. There are some other features to try though, such as blocking new apps and accessing your kid's viewing history.

Luckily, the aforementioned app isn't the only one that can do that. You can also block text messages, track your kids' location, and even check out their Web searches. But, if you're looking for a full-fledged solution, you'll have to pay a bit.

In fact, Google is so keen on providing parents with the tools they need to keep their kids safe online that it has a special set of digital ground rules. These are based on the needs and wants of your family.

While you'll have to wait for the update to roll out on your Android phone, you can sign up for a free Family Link account today. You can also take advantage of the features on Chromebooks. A couple of weeks after launch, you'll be able to use the Google Assistant to lock your phone with a voice command.

Lastly, if you're looking for the best parental control app for your kids, you're going to have to do a little research. Check out Qustodio, OurPact, and the other aforementioned options to see what's available for your household. After all, each has its own merits.

Web supervision

Google Family Link is an app that helps parents monitor their kids' activity on their devices. The app works with Android, Chromebook, and iOS, and is accessed through a web application. However, it's not as comprehensive as other apps that offer similar features.

Rather than filtering and blocking inappropriate content, Google Family Link only gives the parent limited control over specific types of content. It blocks the use of Chrome and other browsers, but it doesn't prevent access to YouTube and other popular websites. Moreover, the app lacks geofencing and time-limit tools.

Parents can add supervision to an existing Google account or create a new one. They must have a child's account before adding it to theirs. After they've added it, the parent will be able to view the child's Google activity and set limits. This allows them to control the child's usage remotely.

If the child chooses to stop supervision, the parent will get a notification. He or she can then lock the device for 24 hours. During this period, the kid can still download apps.

Google Family Link is an entry-level app that offers basic supervision features. Fortunately, there's also a lot more to it than just that.

One of the biggest issues with Google Family Link is that it's not compatible with all operating systems. You can't set up the app on a Windows, Linux, or macOS computer, and many of its other features won't work on iPhones. Despite these limitations, it's a decent app.

In addition to web supervision, Google Family Link also has a video feature. When activated, the app will play the child's last known location on Google Maps.

GPS coordinates

If you have a kid with an Android device, you've probably seen the app on occasion. Google Family Link can be a boon to your sanity as well as your child's well being. Aside from allowing you to track their activities, Google also allows you to see which apps they're using, which devices they are most likely to be carrying with them at all times, and much more. In fact, there's even a free service available for Apple devices.

The app is not all that slick, but it is a great way to keep an eye on your children. While you can't exactly do everything, you can at least make sure they're not making a fool of themselves. This is especially true when your offspring are playing with devices they shouldn't be. For example, you can block social media, block games, and more. Not to mention you can set timers for certain activities. Plus, you can set up notifications so that your kids know when it's time to stop playing video games or turn off the TV. Lastly, you can even lock up their devices before they get to bed. That's a feat in itself!

While you're at it, you may want to check out this app's fumbled and splattered clone: Google Play Games. It's actually quite fun to play around with, and is a great way to spend quality time with your kids. Fortunately, it's free, which is a boon in itself.

Parental controls

Google Family Link is a free app that allows parents to control what their kids can and can't do on their Android devices. It has several features, including the ability to lock the device, and block access to specific apps and websites.

In addition, the app lets you set daily screen time limits and manage in-app purchases. You can also ring the device, monitor its battery life, and get notifications when your children reach specified locations.

The app is easy to use and has a helpful help center. There is even a FAQ page.

Google Family Link has a number of unique features, but it lacks the depth of competitors. For example, it does not allow kids to delete records from their Google accounts. However, it does offer one of the best parental controls.

Moreover, the web filtering feature is not user-friendly. The web filtering functionality only works in the Google Chrome browser.

Another noteworthy feature is the app's ability to manage Google Play purchases. Kids can request to make in-app purchases, but they can only do so with their parent's approval. This is a handy feature for parents who want to keep track of their kids' spending habits.

Finally, Google Family Link has a handy help center. You can ask questions and get advice from Google representatives via the app. They can help you figure out the best way to setup your child's account.

Overall, Google Family Link is a solid entry-level parental control app. Despite its shortcomings, the app has some nice features and it's definitely worth a try.

Those looking for more robust parental control features should check out apps like Norton Family, Qustodio, or Net Nanny. Among these, Qustodio offers a streamlined ticket system and prioritized phone support.

Nomophobia prevention

Nomophobia is the fear of not being able to use a mobile device. This can include losing your phone, not having cellular coverage, or even breaking your phone. It can affect a person's social and emotional well-being.

Nomophobia is a growing problem in the modern world. Many people rely on mobile phones for everything from work to entertainment. But excessive smartphone use can have long-term negative effects on a person's health and well-being.

Among adults, 12 percent say that they think smartphones can hurt relationships. However, this is just a small fraction. Smartphones have been linked to reduced physical activity and academic achievement. So, how can you avoid nomophobia?

One strategy is to turn off your phone before you go to sleep. Another is to engage in a hobby to distract yourself. The best way to prevent nomophobia is to talk to a mental health professional. They can help you identify symptoms and treat them if needed.

Other treatment options include exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. Both therapies are designed to replace unrealistic thoughts with realistic ones. Exposure therapy involves gradually facing fears. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is similar, but focuses on autonomous behavior.

Several studies have explored the prevalence of nomophobia. Most have reported moderate to high rates of nomophobia. For instance, one study in Saudi Arabia found a high prevalence of nomophobia among DHH youth. Similarly, another meta-analysis included 20 studies from ten countries. A meta-analysis of these studies revealed that 70 percent of participants had a moderate to severe level of nomophobia.

Nomophobia can cause stress and anxiety, and is associated with low self-esteem. Symptoms may include dizziness, elevated heart rate, and nausea.