Google has introduced a new tool to help parents keep their children off their cell phones during school hours

Google recently announced that it is bringing the "School Time" feature of the Fitbit Ace LTE to more Android devices For reference, School Time allows parents to control the functionality of their children's devices While using this feature, parents can set their devices to display a more restricted home screen with access to a minimal number of apps at specified times on specified days

School Time allows parents to configure their devices to allow calls and texts from specific contacts within Family Link, Google's parental control app This feature can be set for any time of the day, not just during school hours Its adaptability and ease of control make School Time stand out as one of the best parental control apps

Google is also expanding its parental control options regarding YouTube Parents will soon be able to link their YouTube accounts to their children's accounts, making it easier to monitor what their children are watching Google also mentions how Family Link will be enabled for all ages, giving parents the flexibility to "determine what apps, products, and experiences teens can use, while continuing to monitor their activities and set digital rules, such as limiting screen time and sharing location information

Finally, Google has added default safety settings for all users under 18, including "turning on SafeSearch, enforcing content restrictions, and turning off YouTube autoplay" This is all "in addition to new safeguards recently introduced to limit recommendations of videos that contain content that may be problematic for repeated viewing, especially for teens (eg, content about body image)"

The rise of smartphones is undoubtedly a concern for parents It is good to see companies like Google working with parents and doing what they can to protect their children