As technology advances, we continually develop new strategies to safeguard our users’ online security. Today, we are announcing updates that reinforce our protections for users under 18. These improvements are designed to shield young people online and offer parents and guardians greater peace of mind.
Protecting Kids and Teens Online
In recent years, we’ve introduced several updates to give kids and teens experiences tailored to their ages on our products. For users under 18, we now enable SafeSearch by default, strictly block sensitive ads and age-restricted content on YouTube and Play, and introduce teen well-being features in our AI tools on YouTube. We are also launching a sensitive content warning in Google Messages. Adults can activate this in Android settings, but for users under 18, it’s enabled by default on supervised accounts with parental controls.
One of the most complex aspects of delivering age-appropriate protection is accurately identifying a user’s age. This year, we will pilot a machine learning model in the US to reliably estimate whether users are over or under 18. This enables us to apply the right protections. We plan to expand this technology globally in the future.
More Controls for Families
Every family is unique, so we designed Google Family Link to help parents shape their children’s digital habits in ways that suit them. Today, we are updating Family Link to make the primary tools for managing screen time easier to find. This streamlines the process for parents managing multiple children’s online activities across Android and Chrome devices.
We are adding features to Family Link that help kids concentrate during class by reducing distractions on their devices. Starting next week, we will roll out School Time on Android phones and tablets. This enables parents to automatically limit device use and restrict app access during school hours.
Next month, parents will be able to add contacts directly to their children’s devices and choose to limit calls and texts to those contacts. This ensures kids connect safely and intentionally.
Helpful Experiences for Kids and Teens
We want everyone, including kids and teens, to have access to the best of Google. That’s why we offer devices like Fitbit Ace LTE, Samsung Galaxy Watch for Kids, YouTube Kids, and Supervised Access to Gemini for teens at home and in school. Here are new ways we’re enabling kids and teens to explore, learn, and play securely online.
Soon, supervised Android users below the age of consent can use Tap to Play on their phones. Beginning this spring, parents can connect a payment card to their child’s Google Wallet. For in-store purchases, parents will manage card approval or removal and monitor recent transactions. Kids can also add gift cards and event tickets.
We aim to help teens develop essential skills for a future shaped by generative AI. We also want to demonstrate how this technology sparks creativity and enhances learning. Over the past two years, we have introduced features for teens such as AI overviews, Gemini, and Circle to Search. In the coming months, we will further expand access to these tools, including a new feature called Learn About, which uses generative AI for interactive learning.
We are committed to advancing technologies and partnerships that help keep kids and teens safe online.
