Google to Soon Roll Out ‘School Time’ Feature to Android Devices, Samsung Watches: What It Is and How It Works

Google is expanding its services for kids with the launch of a Schooltime feature on Android phones, tablets, and Samsung WearOS watches that lets parents restrict their kids’ phone activity.

The feature was introduced to provide parental controls over children’s smartphone usage, according to Mindy Brooks, Google’s kids and families domain manager. The feature helps parents ensure their child’s smartphone only performs certain essential functions, such as calling and texting. Once School Time is activated, the child’s smartphone will go into limited functionality mode for a certain number of hours.

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How to use the lesson feature

Parents can turn this feature on while their children are studying to avoid distractions. It can also be used whenever parents want their children to take a break from the screen.

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Parents can use the Family Link app to schedule days and times and select apps to limit use while allowing kids to call and text certain contacts. For example, parents can set up school hours to run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. This can be unlocked at any time.

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Your child will see a black screen showing the study time and activity duration. Your child can access unlimited apps using the shortcut available in the lower left corner of the phone.

The Classtime feature will roll out to select Android phones and tablets, as well as Samsung Galaxy watches, next year. It debuted on the Fitbit Ace LTE smartwatch, which Google launched earlier this year for kids aged 7 to 14. It includes a location and fitness tracker along with game studio features.

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Similarly, YouTube is developing a feature that will allow parents to monitor their children’s YouTube activity. The feature will require parents to link their accounts and is expected to be released soon.

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