Can my kid just turn off Family Link?

Not easily. If they try to remove the supervision from their device settings without your password, it will trigger a '24-hour lockout' where the device becomes useless until you unlock it. However, at age 13, Google gives them the legal right to opt out.

Does it work on iPhones?

The parent app works on iPhone so you can manage your kid, but it cannot supervise an iPhone. If your child has an iPhone, you need to use Apple's built-in Screen Time features instead. Family Link is for supervising Android and ChromeOS devices only.

Can I see my kid's text messages?

No. Family Link does not let you read their private conversations in apps like Messages, WhatsApp, or Discord. It only shows you how much time they spend in those apps and lets you set limits on them.

What happens when my kid turns 13?

Google will send them an email asking if they want to manage their own account. If they say yes, all your controls (limits, location, app blocking) vanish instantly. It's a great time to renegotiate your digital 'contract' with them.

Family Link – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Family Link

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

app2017

72%

WISE Score

4.7

App Store

The digital equivalent of 'because I said so,' but with maps, app approvals, and a hard 'off' switch for bedtime.

Family Link

app

Everyone, 2017

72%

WISE Score

4.7

App Store

The digital equivalent of 'because I said so,' but with maps, app approvals, and a hard 'off' switch for bedtime.

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Where to Find

App Store

Google Play

Screenwise Verdict

Family Link is the baseline for any family in the Android ecosystem. It’s not flashy, and it certainly won’t win you any 'cool parent' awards, but it does the heavy lifting of managing screen time and app access without charging you a monthly fee.

It’s a utility, not a miracle worker. It won't stop your kid from seeing something weird on a friend's phone, and it won't replace the need for actual parenting. But as a way to enforce a 9:00 PM 'phone in the kitchen' rule? It’s indispensable. Just be prepared for the inevitable technical glitches and the 'I hate this app' rants from your ten-year-old.

Age Fit

This is for parents (18+) to manage their children's devices. It's most effective for kids ages 5 to 12; once they hit 13, Google's own policies make supervision much more of a 'opt-in' negotiation.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It promotes healthy boundaries and family communication about tech use, though the 'policing' aspect can create friction if not handled with care.

Imaginative

This is a utility app for settings and restrictions. It is the literal opposite of imaginative.

Safe

Its entire purpose is safety. It provides robust tools for location tracking and app filtering, though it is not a 'set it and forget it' solution and smart kids can find workarounds.

Enriching

It doesn't teach the kid anything directly, but it provides parents with the data needed to have meaningful conversations about digital habits.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Granular app control lets you approve or block specific apps before they ever hit the phone.
Location tracking is surprisingly accurate and includes 'arrival' and 'departure' alerts for school or home.
It's free, which is a massive win compared to the monthly subscription fees of competitors like Bark or Qustodio.
Screen time 'bonuses' allow you to reward kids with extra time without permanently changing their daily schedule.

⚠

What to Watch For

The 'Age 13' Cliff: In many regions, Google sends kids an email on their 13th birthday letting them opt out of supervision entirely. If you aren't ready for that, you need to talk about it before the email arrives.
Bypass culture: Kids are clever. They will try to use 'Guest Mode,' factory resets, or secondary accounts to get around limits. It is a tool, not a bulletproof shield.
Buggy UI: The app can sometimes be slow to sync, meaning a 'lock' command might take a few minutes to actually trigger on the kid's device.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think we have a 'downtime' scheduled for 9:00 PM?"
"If you could change one rule in Family Link, which one would it be and why?"
"How do you feel about me being able to see where you are on the map?"

Deep Dive

The Android Tax (In a Good Way)

If your kid has an Android phone or a Chromebook, Family Link is basically mandatory. Because it's baked into the operating system at the account level, it has permissions that third-party apps just can't touch. You can see exactly how many minutes they spent on TikTok versus Khan Academy, and you can remotely lock the device when it's time for dinner.

The Friction Points

It isn't perfect. The interface can feel clunky, and as recent reviews in 2025 and 2026 have noted, Google hasn't always been quick to fix the 'sync' bugs. Sometimes you'll grant a 15-minute extension and it just... won't happen. This leads to the 'Parent Tech Support' shuffle, which is nobody's favorite way to spend a Tuesday night.

"While Family Link helps you manage your child’s purchases and downloads... it does not make the internet safe."

That quote from Google's own documentation is the most important thing to remember. It’s a fence, not a bodyguard. It’s great for stopping a 7-year-old from accidentally downloading a gambling app, but it’s less effective at stopping a 12-year-old from seeing something they shouldn't on a browser.

The 13-Year-Old Problem

Google’s policy on the 'Age of Consent' for data is the biggest hurdle. At 13, the power dynamic shifts. Your kid gets the option to take over their own account. If they do, supervision is turned off, and you get a notification. This is a feature, not a bug, but it can feel like a betrayal if you aren't expecting it. Use the years between 8 and 12 to build the trust so that by 13, the 'supervision' is more of a shared agreement than a digital leash.

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