Android Parental controls Upgrade is a well-known movement that believes the internet and social media apps aren’t ideal places for children to spend their time.
Although smartphones come equipped with basic safeguards or parental controls, Google’s latest developer preview of Android 16 enhances protections even further.
Recent Improvements
Last week, Google revamped its complex developer preview and beta testing process by introducing new Canary builds of Android.
These early versions offer potential new features, changes, bug fixes, and more for developers to test on Pixel devices ahead of a worldwide release.
In the newest Android 16 Canary channel build, notable enhancements in parental controls are evident, aimed at boosting child safety on devices.
Situated just beneath the Digital Wellbeing options within the settings menu is a brand-new feature called “Parental Controls,” which highlights digital ground rules and screen time restrictions.
Based on current observations, Google is developing methods to improve child safety by creating easily accessible tools.
Android already includes features like screen time limits, and we have noticed similar functionalities being tested under the name “Supervision” tools.
As reported by Android Authority, it appears that these controls are currently non-functional. Since this is an early Canary build of Android 16, much development work remains ongoing.
Nevertheless, Google might be working on refining existing features while introducing new ones aimed at enhancing online safety for children.
If this new menu functions similarly to how the Supervision tools operated in earlier Android 16 beta releases, we anticipate a toggle that activates enhanced device protections for children.
This may encompass web content filtering, rules for apps and online services within digital playgrounds, and even options to block specific sites or explicit content on Google Search.
As expected, all these features are secure and should be easily accessible with a password or PIN
Conclusion
However, there is a strong likelihood that the new parental controls in a dedicated settings menu may launch with the major September release of Android 16 or make their debut alongside Google’s new Pixel 10 this fall.
Once again, while Android offers several methods for managing content on a child’s device, its parental controls are in need of an update.
The Family Link setup is adequate; however, having a dedicated menu for these controls directly on the device would be much more practical and might be exactly what parents have been anticipating.
Now we simply need to wait patiently to see if this feature will become available soon.
Source: Android Authority
