Table of Contents
Many people wants to know How to Set up Google Home Parental Controls. If you have kids and more than one smart speaker, you know that they are very comfortable using the technology, shouting commands to Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant like it’s nothing. Even if your kids know more about your smart speakers and what they can do than you do, you might not want them to have access to every feature or piece of information. For example, you might not want them to hear music with inappropriate lyrics or hear a list of your work meetings. Smart speakers are fun to use, but they can also let your kids listen to things you might not like.
Enabled by Google Assistant You should check out the parental controls on Nest speakers and smart displays. Because Google Home is so easy to use, it could be abused, especially by your family’s younger and more vulnerable members. Downtime and Content Filters for Google Assistant are both part of Google’s Digital Wellbeing feature. It can remind you that there is a real world outside of the Google Home app. Here’s how to Set up Google Home Parental Controls that the whole family can use.
What are Google Home parental controls?
Google Home has a set of features and settings called “parental controls” that help parents manage and control how their children use Google Home devices and services. With these controls, you can set up a digital environment for kids that is safer and better suited to their age. Google has two types of parental controls for smart speakers and displays: “Filters” and “Downtime.”
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| YouTube Restricted Mode | Blocks explicit content from playing on YouTube. |
| Web & App Activity | Lets you see what websites and apps your child has been using. |
| Screen Time Limits | Sets limits on how much time your child can spend using their device. |
| Bedtime Mode | Turns off your child’s device at a set time each night. |
| Purchase Restrictions | Blocks your child from making purchases from the Google Play Store. |
| Content Filters | Blocks specific websites and apps from being accessed. |
| Google Play Store | Download Now |
| iOS Store | Download Now |
Filters let you decide what kind of content Google Assistant can get. This includes the kinds of videos, music, news, and podcasts. On top of that, you can turn off features like making calls if you want to.
Why should you use Google Home parental controls?
- Safety: Ensure your children’s online safety by filtering explicit content and restricting access to age-inappropriate websites.
- Content Management: Control the type of content your children can access, ensuring it aligns with their age and maturity.
- Screen Time Management: Set limits on screen time, promoting a healthy balance between digital and offline activities.
- Bedtime and Downtime: Schedule specific times for device usage, helping your children maintain a healthy sleep routine and focus on other activities.
- Homework Focus: Minimize distractions during study hours by restricting access to entertainment content.
- Skill Development: Allow your children to explore and learn through Google Assistant while keeping a check on the interactions and information they receive.
How to Set up Google Home Parental Controls
Set parental controls using Family Link App
- Android or iPhone device Open Google Family Link app.
- Choose child for Google Assistant.
- Tap Controls.
- Choose Restrictions on content, tap Google Assistant.
- Click Parental controls, then Set up.
- Follow instructions on screen to finish setting up.
Use the Google Home App to set up parental controls
- Start the Google Home app on an iOS or Android device, like an iPad or iPhone.
- Tap the Settings button in the bottom right corner.
- Choose Google Assistant from the list of Home features.
- Tap Controls for parents.
- Follow the instructions on the screen.
Use Google Assistant to set up parental controls
- Turn on Google Assistant on your device Make a gesture, press a button, use the Google Assistant app, or say “Hey Google.”
- Say “Open Assistant’s settings.”
- Pick out “Check out all of the settings for the Assistant.”
- Tap “Controls for parents.“
- Follow the steps on the screen to finish setting up.
How to edit parental control settings
- Open Family Link app.
- Select kid.
- Tap Controls, then tap Content restrictions.
- Choose Google Assistant use.
- Tap Controls for parents.
- Select desired option in that section.
- Choose child’s treatment preferences.
Resources for more information on Google Home parental controls
- Google Support: Google’s official support page has detailed instructions and information on how to set up parental controls on Google Home: Google Home has tools for parents.
- Family Link App: This app lets you control what your child does online on different devices, like Google Home. Here’s where you can learn more: Link to Google Family
- YouTube Tutorials: Look for step-by-step video guides to setting up and using parental controls on Google Home on sites like YouTube.
- Tech blogs and websites: Websites like CNET, TechCrunch, and Android Authority often have guides and articles on how to set up and manage parental controls on smart home devices like Google Home.
- Community Forums: Websites like Reddit or Google’s own community forums can be great places to find real-world experiences and solutions from other users who have set up parental controls on Google Home.
Questions and Answers
You can turn off personal results in the Google Home app so that no one else can see private information like reminders and calendar entries on your device. This can be set for each device separately, so you can give a device in your bedroom different access to your information than a device in your kitchen.
If you add their Google Account and voice to a shared device, your child under 13 (or whatever age is allowed in your country) can use Google Assistant. Some of the shared devices are speakers with Google Assistant, Smart Displays, and Smart Clocks.
Google doesn’t have a speaker for kids (yet), but you can limit what they can do with Google Home. It will be mostly the same as the experience for adults, but you can make a few changes to keep them from causing trouble or getting to things you don’t want them to.
To set Chrome’s parental controls, you can turn on SafeSearch, which keeps explicit Google search results from showing up. You can also use Google Family Link to track and limit how much time your kids spend on screens.
