Google announced on Tuesday that it will be introducing new policies for minors to have safer digital experiences, some of which include the removal of their images in Google Images search results, blocking ad targeting at users under the age of 18, and a safety section.
Google announces new policies for kids and safety online
Last month Google announced additional details about the new safety section which will allow app developers to provide more information to users about data that their apps might collect and why they have to collect such data. This, according to Google, is a means to provide more user transparency and to allow users the opportunity to make more informed decisions about how their data is collected, protected, and used.
Starting from October developers will have to provide all the information about the safety section for approval. This means that parents will have more information about apps that follow Google’s Family policy, as well as apps that are safe for their kids to download.
Already, Family Link allows parents to set screen time limits and reminders for their kids’ supervised devices. On Assistant-enabled devices, parents have more control through Digital Wellbeing tools available in the Google Home app. Google says that it will also roll out new Digital Wellbeing filters that allow people to block news, podcasts, and access to webpages on Assistant-enabled smart devices.
Google to give minors more control over their digital footprint
On YouTube Google will turn on take a break and bedtime reminders and turn off autoplay for users under 18. The bedtime feature, however, is already available on the app. The video-sharing platform said it will gradually start adjusting the default upload setting to the most private option available for users ages 13-17.
“Being mindful about tech use is key to everyone’s wellbeing. These new defaults for teens are protective; they increase safe, mindful tech use by making teens think about what they want to see and who they want seeing their content,” said Anne Collier, executive director of The Net Safety Collaborative.
Google added that they want to give younger users the tools they need to understand their use of technology.