What steps do I need to take to restrict or manage the contacts on my child’s device using Google Family Link? I’m particularly interested in understanding how to limit their ability to communicate with certain individuals while still allowing them to stay in touch with family and friends. Are there specific settings or features within the app that can help me ensure their safety and privacy?
Google Family Link lets you manage some aspects of your child’s contacts, but it’s pretty limited:
- You can review and approve contacts if your child uses a Google account managed by Family Link (mainly for kids under 13).
- You can block or remove contacts, but you can’t whitelist only certain people—there’s no granular allow/block list.
- Communication apps (like WhatsApp or Messenger) aren’t fully controlled by Family Link, so kids can add contacts there unless you restrict app installs.
For more advanced control—like monitoring all calls, texts, and app activity, or setting up custom contact restrictions—mSpy is a much better solution. It’s compatible with Android and iOS, offers detailed monitoring, and gives you real-time alerts, making it ideal for transparent parental oversight.