🛡️ Parental controls and family safety
Google Family Link
By Google. Visit Google Family Link
Desk research from the maker's own pages. Not yet tried by us. Checked 2026-10-24.
Google's free app for running a child's Google Account. A parent creates the account for a child under 13 (or links a teen), then uses the app or website to set screen time limits and downtime, approve or block apps from Google Play, filter Chrome, Search and YouTube, see the location of the child's Android phone, and turn Gemini on or off. The child just uses their Android phone or Chromebook; most controls do not reach iPhones or other browsers.
Our take: A sensible free default for families on Android or Chromebook; iPhone families should use Apple Screen Time instead.
| Ages it suits | any age; built for kids under 13 and supervised teens |
|---|---|
| What its terms say about age | No minimum age for a supervised account. A child under 13 (or the country's age, e.g. 16 in Germany) cannot run their own Google Account; a parent makes and manages it in Family Link. At 13 the child can choose to manage their own account; supervised teens 13-17 need a parent's approval to stop supervision. (terms) |
| Price | Free. Free (Oct 2026). Needs an Android phone or Chromebook for the child to get full controls. |
| Works on | Android, iPhone and iPad, Web, Chromebook |
| Account | A parent's account |
| Ads | None |
| In-app purchases | None |
| The AI in it | No AI in the controls themselves; parents use Family Link to switch a child's access to Google's Gemini chatbot on or off. |
What's good
- Free and built into Android and Chromebooks
- Parent approves every new Play app
- One place for YouTube, Search, Chrome and Gemini settings
- Location of the child's Android phone
Watch for
- Most controls (app limits, Chrome filter, screen time) do not work on iPhones or other browsers
- Kids can still see contextual ads in Google services
- Re-downloads and app updates skip parent approval
- Child can leave supervision at 13 in the US
Data and privacy
Google's notice for under-13 accounts says it collects searches, Gemini queries, Assistant voice recordings (if Voice & Audio Activity is on), videos watched, location from GPS, Wi-Fi and cell towers, and device data. Google says it does not show personalized ads to minors, but kids can still see contextual ads, and ads from other companies on non-Google sites. Read the privacy policy.
Does it work?
The maker's own claims only. Google itself says its filters are not perfect and that Family Link does not block all inappropriate content.
In the Big Index
- On the list 9 tablet and phone setups for kids in the AI era
- On the list 11 "kid-safe" AI chatbots and assistants, and what kid-safe really means for each
- On the list 10 kid-friendly smart speakers and displays, and how they handle kids
- Family Link
- The maker in the who's who: Google
Alternatives to Google Family Link
Desk researchPaid
Amazon Kids Tablets (and Fire Kids tablets)
Amazon · ages 3+ and 6+ versions
A reasonable first tablet if you want Amazon's controls plus real Android apps; families who want a tightly closed device may prefer a device without the Play Store.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Amazon Kids+ and Parent Dashboard
Amazon · ages 3-12
A good-value bundle for families already on Amazon devices with kids 3-12; skip it if your child mostly uses an iPad or a phone.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Apple Messages and FaceTime (Communication Safety)
Apple · ages any age with a parent-made child account; teens 13-17
Worth turning on for any child with an iPhone or iPad; pair it with contact limits for younger kids.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Apple Screen Time
Apple · ages any age under 18
The first stop for any family whose child uses an iPhone or iPad; it does nothing on Android or Windows.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Apple Watch For Your Kids
Apple · ages kids who don't have their own iPhone; no set age
Good for iPhone families who want a phone alternative with strong contact controls; cheaper kids' watches exist if you only need calls and location.
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Aura Parental Controls
Aura · ages kids and teens
Makes sense for families who already want Aura's identity protection; those who only need screen time limits can use free built-in tools.
Where these facts come from
- https://families.google/familylink/
- https://families.google/familylink/faq/
- https://families.google.com/familylink/privacy/notice
- https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/1350409?hl=en
- https://support.google.com/gemini/answer/16109150?hl=en
Prices, terms and features change. Nobody paid to be listed, nothing here is an affiliate link, and Peabody never rates itself. Where we and the maker disagree, the maker's own pages are the ones to trust.