Google is testing new Parental Controls in Android

TechExpert

Google is bringing some new Parental Controls to Android. The options aren't working yet, but the plan seems to be clear.

Android Authority has discovered a new section has appeared in the Settings app called Parental Controls, that is currently available in the latest Android Canary build for Pixel phones. The report mentions that the setting's description reads "Digital ground rules & screen time limits". However, it appears that the section is not functional at the moment.

Google Parental Controls Android

Prior to this, a page called Supervision had been spotted in the settings that let users set up content filters for browsing the web, to protect children from inappropriate content. It also had options for SafeSearch on Google Search. The Supervision section requires users to set up a PIN for the supervised account, after which it lets you manage the various options. These Supervision tools are expected to be announced in a future update, and it is possible that the section has been renamed as "Parental Controls".

Normally, Android users have to go through Digital Wellbeing to manage options to set up Family Link. It offers options to block/approve apps, manage app permissions, manage devices, set content restrictions for search and apps, find the location of the child's device, set screen time restrictions, monitor their app usage, lock devices remotely, etc.

Android Parental Controls

So, why have such options in two places? That's not what's happening here. Google seems to be moving the parental controls under their own section, likely to make them easier to access, instead of hiding them under multiple menus under Digital Wellbeing. Hopefully this new section will be made available for other devices in the future.

Apple also has similar parental controls including Screen Time on iOS, iPadOS, macOS. These are good options for parents who are worried about the online safety of their kids, and as a bonus, they don't require installing third-party apps.

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