Android Already Has Parental Controls. Here’s How to Use Them. Keeping Kids Safe Online

Google Family Link, free and built in

Before you spend a dollar on a screen time app, know this: Google already makes one for Android. It’s called Google Family Link, and it’s free. It works on Android phones, Android tablets, and Chromebooks. See Google’s Family Link page for details and a device compatibility list.

What It Does

• Sets daily screen time limits and a bedtime
• Requires parent approval before a new app installs
• Blocks or filters content by age
• Locks the device remotely, on demand
• Shows a weekly activity report

How to Find It

• Parents: install the Google Family Link app on your own phone from your app store.
• On your child’s Android device: the controls show up under Settings, then Digital Wellbeing and parental controls.

Why It’s Worth Starting Here

Family Link is built by Google, not by a third party trying to work around Android’s own permissions. That means fewer workarounds, fewer bugs, and no monthly bill.

The Catch

• At 13, teens can choose to stop supervision, and Family Link lets you know if they do
• It covers apps and time, not text messages or social media content
• A tech-savvy teen can find ways around any parental control, and this one is no exception

Bottom Line

If your family’s biggest need is screen time limits and app approval, start with Family Link. It’s free, it’s official, and it covers the basics well. Only look at a paid app if you need something Family Link doesn’t do, like content monitoring or detailed location history.

Meet Our Help Desk

Getting a computer is just the beginning. Every give IT. get IT. participant can use our free Help Desk for troubleshooting, software questions, password resets, and getting started. Want to set up family safety tools on your give IT. get IT. computer? See our Windows 11 guide  or our Linux Mint guide, and call us if you get stuck.

• Email: helpdesk@giveitgetit.org
• Phone: (207) 322-9555
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 am to 7 pm ET
• Online: Request Training or Technical Support

Most issues can be solved remotely, by phone, by email, or with direct access to your device. No driving, no waiting rooms. Learn more about our Help Desk.

Please note: the Help Desk supports the computers we provide. give IT. get IT. does not provide or support Apple or Android devices.

Need a Computer? Apply Through give IT. get IT.

give IT. get IT. provides warrantied, refurbished computers, with free user support, to eligible individuals and families. Every system comes with Windows 11 or Linux Mint, plus access to our Help Desk.

• Who can apply: legal residents of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Vermont whose household income and goals fit our program guidelines
• Good to know: this program is not free. There is a participation fee, and sponsors or grants may help cover it. If cost is a concern, call (207) 338-4233 and select Option 3 before you apply
• A tip for families with kids: desktop computers are the easiest to supervise. Choose a laptop only if you need to carry it

Ready? Apply for a computer at giveitgetit.org

Parent & Teacher Resources for Online Safety

• FTC Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) guidance: what apps are legally required to do with a child’s data
• Common Sense Media: age-based reviews of apps, games, and shows
• NetSmartz (National Center for Missing & Exploited Children): internet safety lessons for kids and classroom-ready materials for teachers
• Common Sense Education: free digital citizenship curriculum for classrooms
• AAP Family Media Plan: a tool for building household media rules together

Related Reading: Safety Guides for Every Device

Every guide in this series is written for beginners. Pick the one that matches your device.

• Android Users: Your Free Screen Time Tools: Google Family Link for Android phones, tablets, and Chromebooks (you are here)
• Apple Users: Your Free Screen Time Tools (iPhone and iPad): Apple Screen Time on iPhone and iPad
• Apple Users: Your Free Screen Time Tools (Mac): Apple Screen Time on a Mac
• Windows 11 Users: Your Free Family Safety Tools: Microsoft Family Safety, built into Windows 11
• Linux Mint Users: Your Free Screen Time Tools: Free tools for the Linux Mint computers we provide
• Kids360 Review: Is It Worth Paying For?: What a paid app adds, and where it falls short

More from give IT. get IT.

• We’re With You Every Step of the Way: The give IT. get IT. Help Desk
• Understanding Your Computer: A Plain-English Guide for Beginners
• Back to School, Back to Basics: 5 Ways Students Can Stay Secure Online
• Your Guide to Scam Prevention Resources

give IT. get IT. helps families navigate technology safely, regardless of budget. Reach out to our team for a free digital literacy session. Learn more at giveitgetit.org.