Google Family Link Review with Other Parental Control Apps

Google has been an all-rounder in its efforts to provide a fulfilling digital space for online surfers. One such crucial insight into its user needs resulted in the development of a parental control tool, the Google Family Link app. This is a completely free tool designed to support busy parents and teenagers struggling to get online independence.

With some basic features and some top-notch restrictions, the Family Link app covers child-protecting basics using their Google accounts. However, it misses many advanced features offered by premium parental control applications.

In this guide, I am sharing an honest and in-depth Google Family Link review to help readers grab the best for their needs. So, let’s explore what Google offers and what not.

Table of Content

• Overview of Google Family Link
• How Do We Test?
• Google Family Link Full Review
• 3 Alternatives to Family Link Review
• FAQs about the Google Family Link App

Part 1. Overview of Google Family Link

In 2017, Google released Family Link, offering it as a completely free app for parental monitoring. Since then, the company has equipped the app with unique features to deal with a broader set of user requirements. The purpose of this app was to enable kids under 13 to get online independence while their parents watch and monitor their usage, location, and history.

Family Link for parents comes with a protected password; hence your child cannot uninstall it without knowing it. You can also manage in-app purchases and supervise YouTube watch lists.

Key Features:

• Fee: Charges no penny.
• Number of Devices: Connect unlimited devices.
• Call and text logging: Not supported.
• Call and text blocking: Not supported.
• Supported platforms: iOS (parental app only), Android & Chrome OS (child only).
• Location tracking and location history: Enabled.
• Geo-fencing: Not supported.
• App management and app blocker: Android only.
• Scheduling screen limits: Android only.

Part 2. How Do We Test?

I tested the Google Family Link parental control app on my own mobile phones and ChromeBooks.

After installing the app on multiple devices, I checked them from two perspectives: the parent and the child. I practically explored distinct features to give honest reviews to our readers. Also, I tried to go beyond limitations to know where an application actually lags.

Part 3. Google Family Link Full Review

This Google Family Link complete review covers essential aspects so you can see if it meets your family’s needs. And you can click here to set up Google Family Link on Android.

Pros

This Family Link review highlights some amazing features that can be life-saving for parents. For instance, your child cannot swipe clean the Google browsing history. Whatever site he/she tries to access is at your disposal, and you can check it using your kid’s Google account.

Family Link cannot operate for other search engines. However, you can open Family Link to enable the app filtering function. The feature will block your kid's access to unwanted browsers, making them stick to only Chrome for searching.

Setting your kid’s phone usage time and limits is quite handy with the Family Link app. It lets you create weekly schedules or individually set time limits for each day of the week. Also, you can keep the kid’s device “Locked All Day” or choose “No Limit” for a flexible day of the week. For instance, restrict screen time during school days and stretch it on the weekends.

Cons

The Family Link app uses Google’s in-built browsing history to enable parents to see what their child is consuming online. The downside of this feature is that no data is directly accessible via the Family Link app. You actually have to access your child’s Google account. You need the password to log in, go to Google Account Manager, and check the history.

If you want direct access to browsing history via the parental control app, you'd better switch to paid tools like FamiSafe. It lets you remotely monitor a child’s activities and maintain records too.

Family Link's web supervision feature is also barren compared to premium tools. It just blocks them outright. Meanwhile, paid parental control apps ask for your permission if your kid tries to access a certain site.

Family Link parental controls are only beneficial if your child uses Google Chrome for browsing. If he/she switches to other engines, Family Link won’t be able to filter content or enable parents to monitor their history. This is because Family Link solely operates on Google’s in-built features such as Safe Search and content filtering.

You can use Family Link Android to block texting apps, but unfortunately, the tool does not support tracking text messages and call logs. To track your kid's call and SMS history, you can try other apps like FamiSafe. It not only tracks contact history but also offers an extended list of features to make parenting quick, remote, and easy.

Real User Reviews Overview:

Pros:

• No charges.
• User-friendly interface.
• Seamless integration with Google services.
• Enables location tracking.

Cons:

• Drains battery power.
• Asks for a lot of parental permissions.
• Lacks call tracking.
• Lacks social media monitoring.
• Cannot operate in hidden mode.

Part 4. 3 Alternatives to Google Family Link App

Family Link for parents is ideal for tracking app usage, location, and screen time. If you are terribly concerned with web filtering, the Family Link app may not be an ideal candidate for you.

For parents who are highly concerned about online surfing and content filtering, paid tools are perfect. This Google Family Link review highlights the three best alternatives you can try to get in-depth insights into your kid's online activities.

FamiSafe

FamiSafe is an outstanding parental control application with an extended suite of tools. It is one of the most effective digital solutions for parents and employers who want to ensure risk-free online surfing. From call & SMS tracking to web filtering and app blocking, it offers everything parents these days are concerned about. Just install the app on both devices, pair them, and remotely monitor location, browsing history, driving speed, and call logs.

Key Features of FamiSafe:

• Compatible with all devices: iPhone, iPad, Android, Tablet, and Computer.
• Screen reviewers and timers to let parents monitor what kids are watching and how long the screen time is.
• Browsing history and activity reports are accessible via the app on the parent’s device.
• TikTok history and YouTube app control.
• Live location, geo-fences, and location history.

Qustodio

Want to remotely monitor your child’s online activity and set rules? Qustodio is here with robust monitoring and configuration tools that offer every support an anxious parent wants. Its AI-powered models help the app run while filtering and blocking unwanted content. It also blocks distracting games and applications on your kid’s device. You can also pause internet access to your kid’s phone.

Key Features of Qustodio:

• Time limits for applications and games while blocking the unwanted ones.
• Connect unlimited devices.
• Safe search and web filtering to nurture your kid's online space.
• Alerts on parent devices for web activity and blocked websites.
• YouTube calls and text messages monitoring.

Aura

When it comes to grabbing the best parental control app, Aura stands among the top reliable choices. Being a parent, you can connect as many devices as you want to track and manage. It is also supported on all devices: iPhone, iPad, Android, and Windows. Compared to the Family Link app, this tool lags behind as it gives you no clue about your kid’s location.

Key Features of Aura:

• Theft protection by securing your device, card, and identity.
• Additional features such as antivirus and VPN.
• Protects against scam calls.
• Resolves your concerns regarding cyberbullying and offensive content by sending immediate alerts to parents.
• Limit internet access to a specific application.

Comparison Table

Part 5. FAQs About Google Family Link App

Does Google Family Link Block All The Inappropriate Graphics and Pictures?

The app does not directly block inappropriate content; it just provides you with filtering options that may not perfectly do the job. Even after turning the web filtering options on for YouTube and Chrome, your child may still see some explicit graphics, pictures, and sites.

Can I Run Family Link on My iOS Device?

Yes, Family Link parental controls are available for iOS devices as well. Parents can use Family Link for iPhone to monitor their kid’s Android device or Chromebook.

Do I Need to Download the Family Link App to Control My Kid’s Device?

You can download the app to connect your kid’s device and monitor it. Meanwhile, all the operations are also available on the web browser. Instead of downloading the app, you can directly open Family Link on a web browser and control your kid's activities from there.

Can My Kids Delete the Spying App on Their Phones?

Yes. Your kids can delete the spying app you installed on their phones. Therefore, it is essential to have open conversations about online safety. Some apps, however, offer protection with a PIN code, preventing uninstalling without it.

Conclusion

Family Link is one of Google’s amazing creations to support online parental control for teenagers. Using Google’s built-in features, the Family Link app tracks the child’s location, browsing history, web filtering, and screen time. However, some downsides also exist that urge parents to go for more alternatives to Family Link, such as FamiSafe.

Moly Swift

staff Editor