How Google’s New Parental Controls Enhance Online Safety for Children: A Complete Guide

Google says it has provided tools to manage device use along with practical tips for building healthier viewing habits for caregivers worried about what their kids see online. The announcement comes as global tech companies increasingly beef up protections for young users, and Google appears to be joining that effort by highlighting these features.

The headline feature is Family Link, which lets parents control their children’s device time. Through the app, parents can check screen time, set daily limits and bedtimes, and even approve app downloads and in-app purchases.

Google Search applies SafeSearch by default for users under 18, blocking or blurring adult and violent content. In the Google Play ‘Kids’ tab, you’ll find expert-recommended educational apps along with helpful information about each one.

YouTube also offers age-tailored options: YouTube Kids for those under 12, supervised child accounts where parents set content levels, and teen accounts with built-in protections. The platform has added a daily watch-time timer for Shorts and implemented systems to reduce repeated recommendations of videos that could harm teens—such as content that encourages appearance comparisons.

A Google Korea spokesperson said, “We will continue to refine safety tools so parents can use technology with confidence.”

Earlier, Google Korea launched a video series called GuSeobang to showcase the company’s latest news and AI technologies, and it collaborated with YouTube creator Sanso Brothers TV on joint videos.