How Chromebooks work with Family Link
- Change some of your child’s Google Account settings Manage your child’s apps on supervised devices: Decide which apps your child can download or purchase, block or allow apps, and change app permissions. Manage your child’s screen time on supervised devices Set a bedtime or daily screen limits, and see how much time your child spends on certain apps. Check your child’s device location Restrict mature content on Google Play Children can’t browse in private. You need Chrome Sync to use some parental management features. Note that your child can turn off certain kinds of data collection when sync is on. You can manage which websites children can visit and limit their ability to grant permissions to websites. You can set Chrome to block most sexually explicit and violent sites.
Getting started with Family Link
Decide which apps your child can download or purchase, block or allow apps, and change app permissions.
Set a bedtime or daily screen limits, and see how much time your child spends on certain apps.
Note that your child can turn off certain kinds of data collection when sync is on.
You can set Chrome to block most sexually explicit and violent sites.
Download the Family Link app on the parent’s device (available on iOS and Android). Create a Gmail account for the child. (Or, if the child is 13+ and has an existing account, use that one). For Chromebooks, log into the device using the new Gmail account For Chromebooks, children under 13 are supervised automatically when you log into the device with the Gmail account. For children 13+ on Chromebook, the teen must invite a parent through Settings. On your child’s Chromebook, open Settings. Next to People > Parental Controls, click Set up. Follow the steps to set up supervision on the child’s account. Your child will need to give their consent during the setup process. Need more help? See Google’s support page.
Family Link device requirements
- For kids and teens: Family Link runs on Android devices running version 7.0 (Nougat) and higher. Family Link can also be used with Chromebooks running Chrome OS (versions M71 and up). For parents: Family Link runs on Android devices running versions 5.0 (Lollipop) and higher, and iPhones running iOS 11 and higher.
How to create a Google Account for kids
(Or, if the child is 13+ and has an existing account, use that one).
On your child’s Chromebook, open Settings. Next to People > Parental Controls, click Set up. Follow the steps to set up supervision on the child’s account. Your child will need to give their consent during the setup process. Need more help? See Google’s support page.
Turn on the new device and follow the instructions on screen to set up the device. When you’re asked to sign in with your Google Account, tap Create new account. If you don’t see “Create new account,” tap More options first. Enter your child’s name, birthday, gender, email address, and password Follow the instructions to sign in with your own Google Account. You will need to provide parental consent and pick your child’s settings, too. Go here if you need additional instructions on how to create a child’s Google account.
Add your child’s Google Account to a Chromebook
If you don’t see “Create new account,” tap More options first.
You will need to provide parental consent and pick your child’s settings, too.
How to manage your kid’s activity on a Chromebook
- Set up the Chromebook.If you’re signed in to your Chromebook, sign out.On the bottom, click Add person.Enter the Google Account email address and password, then click Next.Follow the steps that appear.Need more help? See Google’s support page.
Manage browsing
- Open the Family Link app. Select your child. On the Settings card, tap Manage settings > Filters on Google Chrome. Choose a setting: Allow all sites; Try to block mature sites; Only allow certain sites. Tap Manage sites to manually allow or block certain sites Go here if you need additional instructions on how to manage browsing.
Block or allow websites
- Open the Family Link app. Select your child. On the Settings card, tap Manage settings > Filters on Google Chrome. From there, select Manage sites > Approved or Blocked. In the bottom right corner, tap Create +. Add a website or domain. In the top left, tap Close x. Go here if you need additional instructions on how to block or allow websites.
Manage site permissions
- Open the Family Link app. Select your child. On the Settings card, tap Manage settings > Filters on Google Chrome > Chrome dashboard. Turn “Permissions for sites and apps” on or off. Go here for additional instructions on how to manage site permissions.
Manage screen time
Open the Family Link app. Select your child. On the Bedtime card, tap Edit schedule. Follow the on-screen steps to set a bedtime. Go here for additional instructions on how to manage screen time.
Open the Family Link app. Select your child. On the Daily limit card, tap Edit limits. Follow the on-screen steps to set a daily limit. Note: Daily limits apply to each device your child uses. Go here for additional instructions on how to manage screen time.
See or delete search history on Chrome
On your child’s Chromebook, open Chrome. In the top right, select More (three dots) > History. This page shows your child’s recent Chrome history. Go here for additional instructions on how to manage Chrome history.
Open the Family Link app. Select your child. On the Settings card, tap Manage settings > Filters on Google Chrome > Chrome dashboard. In the “History” section, tap Clear history.
Remotely lock or unlock
- Open the Family Link app. Select your child. On the card for one of your child’s devices. Tap Lock now or Unlock. Go here for additional instructions on how to manage screen time.
