Google play family account. Setting up a Google account for a child

We usually say "please keep it to one question per post" since that's how the Q&A site works. But I see that the topics are somehow related to each other, so let me try "multiple answers":

I can't tell other people. But I wouldn't even give my full/real details for my account unless it's really required (and I don't see this requirement for Google)
No, I wouldn't do that. And of course, don't link a "credit card" to a child's account (unless it's a prepaid CC specifically for the child)
I've never heard of these.
You can take a prepaid CC and load it with a minimum (e.g. $10). Or you can just use a "gift card" which are available here in Europe for 15/25/50 euros (I'm guessing similar values elsewhere).
Yes. Purchased apps are always associated with the account you purchased them with.

A gift card is a valuable insight (well, all your answers). This won't solve all the disappointment at Christmas when you can't play with them, but it does give me a strategy. Very grateful. More searching ahead. - rolfl 25 Dec 14 2014-12-25 21:59:47

We, of course, cannot solve this “13-year” boundary. But there are ways to make Android devices look like a baby. I wouldn't have a "bad conscience" creating an account with "fake credentials" for children to use. Save the credentials for you and configure the device accordingly, it should be fine. Later you can "unwind the locks" one by one as the child grows, so he can accept "paid apps". Enjoy the holidays! :) - Izzy 25 Dec 14 2014-12-25 22:46:39

Depending on the Android version, you can set all of this up using your main account. You then create a second account on your tablet. As of version 4.3, you have the choice between a full account and a limited account.

The restricted account is controlled by the main account. For example, you install all apps as a primary user and then decide which ones are available to a limited user.

The only thing I don't know for sure is whether it also inherits core account authentication and authorization.

Yes, you must lie. A separate google account is the only way to protect your minor child.

All other options have the following limitations:

no privacy settings.
Applications that use personal data cannot be restricted.
The child cannot install child safe games.
A child may not contact a parent using text messages.
The child always uses the parent account.
only one age, so only one child possible.
All child data is lost when the child is allowed their own account.
All children's apps are also your apps.
the child cannot have contact information.
you are not allowed to create a google+ page for your child.
children receive all notifications. For example. your personal email.

I just found out, he's not lying again. All the drawings, letters to grandma, games and games within the game, photographs, etc. are gone.

It looks like Google is launching a new program, Google Family Link, to address this need. It basically allows parents to create accounts for their children under the age of 13 and manage accounts for them. :

Google's Family Link app helps you stay informed as your child explores on their Android device. Family Link allows you to create a Google account for your little one, which, like your account, will also help you set specific digital rules for your family.

With a Google Account, your child will be able to use the Google ecosystem for the first time. Here's how it works: First, your child will need a new device running Android Nougat (7.0) or. Then download Family Link on your device (Android or iPhone) and create a Google account for them through the app. Finally, sign them into your new device, and then you can use the Family Link to help you:

Control the apps your child can use - allow or block apps your child wants to download from the Google Play Store.

Keep track of your screen time. See how much time your little one spends on their favorite apps with weekly or monthly activity reports and daily time limits.

Set Bedtime - Remotely lock your baby's device when it's time to sleep, or time to rest.

If you are a parent in the United States with a child under 13, you can request an invitation to the Family Link Early Access program. Once you receive your invitation, download and try the Family Link app.

Unfortunately, the program excludes people like me outside the US, and those with brand new Android devices (who buys an Android 7 device for their kids in 2017?), but I hope it expands soon .

As an administrator of a family group, you can invite up to 5 people to your family group. You can also kick members from a group or delete it.

How to add family group members

If you are the administrator of a family group, you can invite up to 5 people to it.

To join your family group, the user must live in the same country as you.

In the Google One app

How to remove members

If you are an administrator of a family group, you can remove users from it.

Children over 13 years old

If you have a child in your family group who is 13 years or older (age may vary by country) and you manage their account using Family Link, after you remove the child from the family group, parental controls for their devices and Google account will be disabled.

How to delete a family group

If you are an administrator of a family group, you can delete it.

What happens if you delete a family group

All former Family Group members will retain their Google Accounts and any content they purchased using the shared payment method.
Any former members of a family group will no longer have access to Google Play Family Library content added by other members.
Pending purchases made by former family members using a shared payment method will still be charged to your account, but you will be able to request a refund for unauthorized or accidental purchases.
If you have a family subscription to Google Play Music, everyone in your group will lose access to the service.
If your family group is subscribed to Google One, everyone in your family group won't have shared storage. If members run out of storage space, their old files will be retained, but they won't be able to add new ones. Learn more about what happens when you run out of storage space...
- Family members will also lose access to additional benefits and support from Google experts.
During the 12 months after deleting your group, you will only be able to join another family group or create a new one once.

How to delete a family group

Deleting a family group with children whose accounts have parental controls configured

If you created a Google Account for a family group member who is under 13 years of age (

Anyone who has children has most likely handed them their smartphones or tablets more than once, for example, to play or do homework. In order to make life easier for parents, Google has introduced a new application that makes it easy to control the actions that children perform using mobile devices.

However, the Family Link app is aimed more at children with their own Android devices. An adult must install the program on his phone, create a Google account for his child through it, and enter data on the device he plans to control.

For now, access to the app is by invitation only, only in the US, and only for those whose children are under 13 years old. In addition, the child’s device must run at least Android 7.0, but parents only need to have a smartphone or tablet running Android 4.4.

When the setup is done, parents have the opportunity to block certain applications on their children’s devices, as well as prevent the downloading of certain programs. You can also view a list of your child's most frequently used apps for the month or week.

Parents can choose their child's bedtime, at which time the phone will be completely blocked until the morning. As an alternative, a function is available that allows you to select the number of hours allotted for the child to use the device in one day.

Family Link is very reminiscent of the Restricted Profiles feature introduced with the release of Android 4.3. However, it is only available on tablets and is aimed specifically at those devices that are given to children for a while.

"We're just getting started and we'll be asking parents usingFamilyLink, share feedback on how to improve the project before the app becomes widely available."- said Google Vice President of Engineering Pavni Diwanji.

Google's official policies do not allow children under 13 years of age to create accounts. However, the parent has the option of making and managing their own account for the child. Below we provide instructions on how to create a child Google account and how to set up parental controls.

Create a new account for a child

To begin with, the standard procedure for creating a Google account. We go to the page where you can Create an account. We fill in the child’s details (for now – first and last name), come up with an email address and password.

By the way, after entering your first and last name, the service will generate a random possible account (mail) name.

And now we come to the main thing. Since we entered the date of birth of a child who is under 13 years old, Google asks to enter the parent's address or phone number to confirm registration. If you notice, Google is speaking directly to the child. It is assumed that he is the one who creates the account for himself.

Enter your address or phone number. You will almost receive a letter to confirm the creation of a child account, and a password will be sent to your phone.

Family Link app

The child's account has been created. Parents can establish control over their child's actions through Family Link app.

The program is installed on an Android smartphone or tablet. The application positions itself as a parental control option. But it is important to note that it is not control in the sense of supervision, but rather in the sense of education.

The application offers:

see how the child uses his device: what applications he uses most often;
protect your child from risky and generally any purchases on the Internet: confirmation of such purchases is directly linked to the parent’s account, he is always in the know;
the child constantly receives educational and entertainment recommendations: most games, applications and other content are selected by teachers;
set temporary restrictions on the use of the device: for example, the tablet can be blocked at night;
A useful feature for anxious parents is the ability to track where the child is.

So, we looked at the possibility of creating a Google account for the child. Nothing complicated: just fill out your personal information (first name, last name, age, create a password and address), enter your parent’s phone number or email address, and confirm the creation of your account.

We also learned about the Family Link application, an excellent parental control tool with extensive capabilities: limiting the time you use the gadget, viewing the content you are using, tracking your location, etc.

Google has a new tool for parents: Family Link, which allows them to keep an eye on what their children are doing on their devices, especially those under 13 years old. It has a good parental control structure, but lacks some tools. However, most parents will love the way it allows you to remotely control activity on another device: you can approve or deny your kids' requests from anywhere.

Family Link is Google's attempt to solve the problem of children's access to devices and the Internet during childhood. The service gives children real Google accounts, including Gmail addresses and access to most Google services such as Maps and search, but with restrictions that only parents can control.

The first thing you need to do is download the Family Link app so you can create a family group on Google, which sets the parent as the group manager. You then use the app to create a Google account for your child, which automatically becomes a restricted account.

You'll also need a credit card, as Google charges $0.30 for formal parental consent. This is done to obtain clear parental consent.

The child's account also has its own password, but the parent can always access the child's device using the parent's password.

Once you create a child's account, you simply use it to create a new device, just like you would for any Google account. This shows one of the strengths of Family Link: by and large, it is not a new system for parents and children, but just familiar Google.

However, while setup is simple, it takes longer than a typical smartphone purchase. First, Family Link asks the parent to become familiar with Google's pre-installed apps. This is a necessary step because most apps are not intended for children, so parents should take the time to check the permissions for each one.

Every app from Drive to Gmail has a rating (E for everyone, T for teens, etc.). Parents can (and should) deselect apps they don't want their kids using.

Approved applications have access level controls. For example, Chrome provides three levels of access: Unfiltered, SafeSearch (which filters out porn and other types of sites), and Restricted, where the parent must approve every website the children visit. Parents can block apps - they will still be on the device, but the child will not be able to access them.

Google Play automatically filters by age, so kids won't see adult content, be it apps, movies, or anything else. Parents can limit whether their child can download paid or free apps, and require children to ask for permission to make in-app purchases. You can even restrict any downloads (even free ones) without parental preview.

Google also lets you set app usage limits for each day of the week, as well as set a specific sleep period where your device is automatically locked at a certain time of day.

Google has done a great job of creating the infrastructure for Family Link, and it's up to you and your family to decide whether to use it or not.