How To Setup Google Family Link in Nigeria

Google Family Link is an app that allows parents to view their child’s smartphone activity, manage the apps they can use and download, set screen time limits, lock their device, and even track their location.

Family Link does not block inappropriate content, but some apps have their own filtering options. Google apps, such as Search and Chrome, have filtering options that you can find in Family Link.

For parents of teens 13 and older, Restricted Mode on YouTube is an optional setting that can be used to help filter out mature content.

However, Google notes that these filters are not perfect, so explicit, graphic, or other content you may not want your child to see makes it through sometimes.

Kids and teens that use Android devices running version 7.0 or higher can use Family Link. Some devices running Android versions 5.0 and 6.0 may be able to run Family Link.

Parents can use Family Link on any Android devices running versions 4.4 and higher as well as iPhone running iOS 9 and higher.

Family Link also runs on Chromebook. With the Family Link app, you can choose what websites your child can access using Chrome, supervise your child’s app usage, and more. Family Link can be used with Chromebooks running Chrome OS versions 71 or higher.

How To Set Up Family Link on a Smartphone

• Start by downloading the Family Link app onto your own device (Android or iPhone).
• If your child already has an account, Family Link will walk you through linking you and your child’s account. As part of that process, your child may also need to download the Family Link Child/Teen app on their phone to complete the process of linking the accounts.
• If your child does not already have a Google account (or Gmail), you can also create a Google Account for your child so that you can use Family Link. You can create a new Google account here. You can also use Family Link to create a Google Account for any child under 13.
• Once complete, children can sign-in to their device with the new account.
• Once the accounts are linked, use Family Link to set digital ground rules for your family.

How To Block Or Unblock An App

On the Family Link App

• Open the Family Link app.
• Select your child.
• Find the Apps installed card.
• Tap More.
• Tap the name of the app you want to allow or block.
• Turn Allow app on or off.

On Family Link on the Web

• Go to Family Link on the web.
• Select your child.
• Click Android apps.
• Turn the app on or off.

How To Require Your Approval for New Apps on Google Play

On a Computer

• On your computer, visit the Google Play My Account page.
• Click Family Group.
• Click a family member’s name.
• Select All content, All paid content, Only in-app purchases, or No approval required.

On an Android

• On your Android phone or tablet, open the Play Store app.
• Tap Menu.
• Tap Account.
• Tap Family.
• Tap Manage family members.
• Tap a family member’s name.
• Tap Purchase approvals.
• Select All content, Only paid content, Only in-app purchases, or No approval required.

On an iPhone or iPad

• On your iPhone or iPad, visit the Google Play My Account page.
• Find the Family Group section.
• Tap a family member’s name.
• Select All content, All paid content, Only in-app purchases, or No approval required.

Find Your Device’s Version of Android

To ensure that you’re following the right set of directions, you’ll first want to check the version of Android your device is running. If it’s not current, you may have the option to update. It’s best to update whenever possible to ensure you have access to all the latest features.

• From the home screen, press the Settings button.
• Scroll down and select About Phone or About Tablet.
• Scroll down to Android Version. The number under this heading is the version of Android running on your device.

How To Prevent Your Child From Downloading Mature Apps

You can set up parental controls to restrict the content your child can download or purchase from Google Play.

• Open the Family Link app.
• Select your child.
• Find the Settings card.
• Tap Manage.
• Tap Controls on Google Play.
• Under Content restrictions, choose your filters

How To Choose Permissions for a Certain App

If your child uses multiple devices, repeat these steps to choose their permissions for each device.

• Open the Family Link app.
• Select your child.
• Find the Apps installed card.
• Tap More.
• Find the Allowed list.
• Tap the app you want to change your child’s permissions for.
• Tap App permissions.
• Switch the permission on or off.

How To Change a Permission Across Multiple Apps

• Open the Family Link app.
• Select your child.
• Find the Device card.
• Tap Settings.
• Tap App permissions.
• Tap a permission.
• Below your child’s device, switch the permission on or off.

How To Prevent Your Child From Changing Their Own App Permissions

• Open the Family Link app.
• Select your child.
• Find the Device card.
• Tap View settings.
• Tap App permissions.
• Tap a permission.
• Select Only parents or Your child and parents.

If you select “Only parents,” your child won’t be able to give that permission for any new or existing app. However, it doesn’t change permissions that have already been granted.

How To See Your Child’s App Activity

You can see how much time your child spent using apps on their Android devices or Chromebooks. Time is tracked when the app is open and shown on the screen, but not when the app is working in the background.

• Open the Family Link app.
• Select your child.
• Find the App activity card.
• Tap Set up.
• After you turn on App Activity, you’ll see your child’s app activity in a few hours

How To Manage Your Child’s Screen Time

When you set a limit for your child’s screen time on their Android device or Chromebook, they’ll get a notification when:

• Screen time is set for the first time (Android devices only)
• Their device is about to be locked

When the device is locked, your child:

• Can’t see notifications
• Can’t unlock the device or use any apps
• Can answer phone calls, and tap Emergency to make a call if the device has a calling plan (Android phones only)

1. Open the Family Link app.
2. Select your child.
3. Find the Daily limit card.
4. Tap Set up or Edit limits.
5. Follow the instructions on the screen to set daily limits.

How To Set Time Limits for Individual Apps

If your child’s Android device is running Android Nougat or newer, you can set time limits on apps to manage how much time your child can spend on a specific app each day.

• Open the Family Link app.
• Select your child.
• On the “Today’s activity” card, tap Set limits.
• Next to your desired app, tap Set limit.
• Set a daily time limit for the app.
• Tap Set.

Tip:

• Time limits will apply to apps installed on all of your child’s devices.
• System apps aren’t supported by the app limit functionality. Limits can only be set for Android N+ devices.

How To Change Website Permission Settings

You can decide whether your child can give site permissions to websites they visit, including permission to use location, camera, and notifications.

• Open the Family Link app.
• Select your child.
• Find the Settings card.
• Tap Manage settings.
• Tap Filters on Google Chrome.
• Tap Chrome dashboard.
• Turn Permissions for sites and apps on or off.