Exciting New and Upcoming Settings from Google!
Written by: Ellie Pearson
Google is rolling out some new features aimed at helping families manage technology use more effectively. Here’s a look at what’s new and what’s coming soon:
Introducing ‘School Time’
Google has just announced a new feature called School Time, currently available on Fitbit Ace LTE smartwatches. But that’s not all—this feature will soon extend to Android phones, tablets, and Samsung Galaxy Watches over the next year.
What Does School Time Do?
School Time allows parents to set their child’s device to a special mode during school hours. When activated, the device will display a home screen message like, “School time is active until 3:00pm,” effectively limiting access to apps and functionalities. Parents can tailor this setting through the Family Link app, enabling or restricting specific features, such as allowing calls or texts from certain contacts.
Purpose of School Time
The goal of School Time is twofold. First, it helps minimize distractions during school hours, allowing students to stay focused on their classes. Second, it ensures that students can still reach out to important contacts if needed, balancing safety with productivity.
Upcoming YouTube Supervision Feature
Later this summer, Google will introduce a new feature allowing parents and teens to link their YouTube accounts. This will give parents greater visibility into their teens’ YouTube activity, helping them monitor and manage what their children are watching.
Family Link and Google Products
Family Link is Google’s parental control platform, similar to Apple’s Screen Time settings. It helps parents set screen limits, enforce content restrictions, and manage device usage. If you need assistance setting up Family Link or managing Google device settings, Smart Gen Society is here to help!
Stay tuned for these updates and reach out if you need support setting up or using these features. Google’s new tools are designed to support a healthier, more balanced approach to technology use for families.
