In a new announcement, Google is introducing new policies and updates that will allow teens and pre-teen users to have greater control of their internet experience while increasing their online safety. Some of Google’s popular apps will be further catered to its users below 18 years old while allowing for more parental control. Most of these new features are set to be rolled out in the coming months.
Remove your kids’ images from Google search results
Not everyone wants their photos to be shared online for the world to see especially when it involves underage children. To provide better control for parents and children below 18 years old, Google will soon introduce a new policy to make it easier to request image takedown from their Google Image search result.
Although this won’t remove the photo completely as the images are hosted by third-party websites, Google believes it is a step in the right direction to provide younger users better control of where they can appear.
At the moment, Google is offering options for users to request removal of personal information from Search. However, it is offered if the said information or photo poses a risk of identity theft, financial fraud, or other specific harms. The current process to request a takedown is quite tedious and hopefully, Google will offer a friendlier interface that can be used easily by parents and their kids.
YouTube video privacy settings
Google is also applying new default settings for teenagers’ user accounts that they will be able to change later on. The visibility settings of uploaded videos will automatically be set to the most private. If they intend to change the visibility of a video to the public, YouTube will notify them on who will be able to view them. Autoplay will also be disabled by default as well.
SafeSearch automatically turned on
Google’s SafeSearch, which filters out explicit content will also be turned on by default for minors under the new policy update. This also applies to teens registering for a new Google account. Smart devices that utilise Google Assistant will also have SafeSearch turned on by default as a security measure.
More parental control
Parents looking to manage and set device-level rules for their kids can do so with the Family Link app (available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store). While parents have been able to set viewing limits for kids’ YouTube apps, kids will now receive notifications when it’s time to take a break or go to bed. This allows the digital wellbeing of kids and teens to be preserved while also curbing overconsumption. Additionally, parents will soon be given the option to block access to websites, news and podcasts on devices that support Google Assistant.
Parents will also be able to make better decisions for the apps that their kids can download. Beginning early next year, parents can check if a Google Play Store app is family-friendly, as apps are now required to share safety information. If that’s not enough, parents can also find out the kind of data that a particular app collects from their children’s usage as well.
Location History automatically disabled
When it comes to Location History, all accounts have this feature turned off by default. Previously, kids’ accounts under Family Link were not able to turn it on at all, and this setting will soon roll out to all users below the age of 18.
Having Location History turned off means that Google will not be able to track the locations that you visit and will not be able to provide targeted ads. In fact, Google will also cease to show targeted ads that cater to the interests, ages, or genders of teenagers.
Google Workspace for Education updates
As more and more kids and teenagers are required to attend school classes online, there have also been changes to Google Workspace for Education. Admins can set limits on students’ browsing activities such as YouTube, and SafeSearch will be automatically activated. To use Guest Mode and open incognito browsers, students will soon have to manually enable the feature.
Educating kids on Google’s data practices
Not only that, Google is working to publish simplified resources on its data collection practices. Kids and parents will be able to understand how Google gathers its data as well as types of data, and why.
The timing of Google’s child safety extension announcement is rather interesting. It comes only a few days after Apple announced that its iOS 15 update will include a neural detection tool that scans iCloud photos for child porn, which was not received well.
To clean up the Play Store from potential vulnerabilities, Google has also updated its policy to remove app developers who have failed to update their apps after one year of dormancy. Starting 1st September 2021, Google will also ban sugar dating and other apps that promote sex-related entertainment or escort services.
