Managing Screen Time: Android 17 Brings Advanced Parental Controls to More Devices

If you’ve been looking for better ways to keep tabs on your children’s digital habits, Google has some welcome news. Originally debuting as an exclusive perk for the Pixel 10 lineup, a robust suite of parental control features is making its way to a much wider range of smartphones with the upcoming Android 17 update.

Keeping kids safe online is a balancing act, and these built-in tools are designed to take the guesswork out of the equation. You can find these controls right inside your phone’s main Settings menu, making it easy to:

Monitor daily screen time: Keep an eye on how long devices are being used.
Set downtime schedules: Automatically lock devices at night or during study hours.
Filter Google Play content: Ensure the apps being downloaded are age-appropriate.
Manage specific apps: Limit usage time for individual apps or block them entirely.

Beyond the basic settings, Google is streamlining the connection to Google Family Link. This allows for even more granular oversight, such as the handy “School Time” mode, remote approval for app downloads, and real-time location alerts to give you peace of mind while they’re out and about.

Whether you’re trying to curb late-night scrolling or just want a better view of how apps are being used, these updates offer a much more intuitive way to manage family digital wellness. Keep an eye out for these features as your device makes the jump to Android 17.