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What Happens When a Child Turns 13 on Google Family Link?

Published in Google Family Link Management 3 mins read

When a child associated with a Google Family Link account turns 13, a significant shift in account management options occurs, granting them more autonomy while still providing parents with supervisory choices. This transition marks an important step towards independent digital management for the child.

Key Changes at Age 13

Upon reaching their 13th birthday, a child with a Google Account managed through Family Link experiences a pivotal change in how their account is handled:

  • Child's Choice: On the very day they turn 13, the child is presented with the option to either take full control and manage their own Google Account independently or choose to continue having their parent manage it for them.
  • Parent's Option: Concurrently, parents gain the flexibility to remove supervision from their child's account at any point once the child is over the age of 13.

Child's Account Management Options

This milestone allows children to engage more directly with their digital identity. Here's a breakdown of the management landscape:

Account Aspect Before Age 13 At Age 13 and Beyond
Account Control Primarily managed by a parent Child can choose to manage their own account
Parental Supervision Mandatory via Google Family Link Parent can choose to remove supervision at any time
Privacy & Settings Guided and controlled by parent Child gains more control over their own privacy settings

If the child opts to manage their own account, they typically gain more direct control over settings, app downloads, and data privacy choices. Should they choose to remain under parental management, the existing Family Link controls may continue, but with the parent now having the explicit option to revoke supervision at will.

Parental Control Evolution

The transition at age 13 fundamentally changes the dynamic of parental oversight. While parents have significant control over accounts for younger children, the shift to teenage years introduces a partnership approach:

  • Removing Supervision: A parent can, at any time, decide to remove the Family Link supervision from a child's account once the child has turned 13. This gives parents the ultimate decision-making power regarding the continuation of supervised access.
  • Continued Oversight (Optional): If the child chooses to remain under parental management, or if the parent does not explicitly remove supervision, some aspects of Family Link's features, such as app approvals or screen time limits, might continue based on previous settings, until the parent decides otherwise.

Importance of Communication

Navigating this transition effectively often relies on open communication between parents and their children. Discussing the implications of managing an independent account, digital responsibilities, and online safety can help both parties make informed decisions about the future of the child's Google Account. This also provides an opportunity to teach valuable digital literacy skills.