Google Family Link is an app that can be put on devices to monitor your children through their Google Acccount. Many parents do it because it will have benefits.

Some of these benefits include screen time limits so the children don't spend hours on there devices. This can be very helpful as surely we don't want kids to spend a massive amount of time looking at a screen. There is also an option that enables parents to control the apps the child downloads, they have to ask before getting it. 

However, these benefits may be good but there is also negative things about Family Link.

Firstly, if you put a screen time limit on your child's phone, it means the phone automatically locks after an allocated time. While this seems like a great thing, it can also be bad. If the child was in the middle of texting someone and the limit ran out, they might not get to say something important. What if it was a question to a friend about homework for the next day?If they asked what to do, but the limit ran out before the friend replied, they may not see the reply and wouldn't know what to do. Sure, they could check their messages the next day but what if they didn't have time? If they failed their homework because they didn't have their one question answered, it would be very upsetting for the child.

Also, the idea that the phone is limited and supervised by parents may make children feel very angry with their parents, especially if they are older teens who feel they should have more responsibility. I know personally I used to argue about it a lot when I first had it. Just like me, you would probably get used to it in the end, but it is still frustrating for kids and it can cause lots of family arguements and strain on relationships.

Finally, the reviews on the actual Play Store are all very critical. Both kids AND ADULTS have said that they don't like the app because it comes across as an invasion of privacy from Google. The average app rating on the store is 1.3 stars,which is very disappointing.

I have the app on my phone and while I can see the benefits, I sometimes wish I didn't have it because I feel I am responsible enough with my phone. Just like many other people, I think the app invades your privacy way too much. It also glitches a lot and I don't think it is worth it, especially considering that you can just set a bedtime limit for kids on normal iCloud and Android settings at any time.

Google should stop the option to download Family Link and parents should take it off their children's phones if the child proves they can be responsible with their phone.