Google Home – Parental Controls and Digital Wellbeing

Category: Google Home → Family & Parental Controls

Overview

Parental Controls and Digital Wellbeing help manage how children and other household members use Google Home devices.

These tools can be used to:

• Filter music content
• Filter video content
• Restrict news and podcasts
• Manage voice assistant access
• Schedule downtime
• Control device usage for children

Important: Children must be added to the Google Home household before parental controls can be applied.

Requirements

Before configuring Parental Controls:

✓ Google Home App

✓ Google Family Group

✓ Child Google Account

✓ Child Added to Home

✓ Supported Google Home Devices

Add a Child to the Home

1. Open the Google Home app.
2. Tap Add.
3. Tap Home Member.
4. Select or create a child account.
5. Follow the setup instructions.
6. Review permissions.
7. Add the child to the home.

Manage Parental Controls

1. Open the Google Home app.
2. Tap your Profile Picture.
3. Tap Home Settings.
4. Tap Parental Controls & Digital Wellbeing.
5. Select the child account or device.
6. Configure the desired restrictions.

Content Filters

Parents can control access to:

Music

Options include:

• Allow All Music
• Allow Non-Explicit Music
• Block All Music

Videos

Options include:

• Allow All Videos
• Allow Filtered Videos
• Block All Videos

News

Options include:

• Allow News
• Block News

Podcasts

Options include:

• Allow Podcasts
• Allow Non-Explicit Podcasts
• Block Podcasts

Content Filter Diagram

Content Request
↓
Parental Filter Check
↓
Allowed OR Blocked
↓
Response Delivered

Downtime Scheduling

Downtime limits when smart speakers and displays can be used.

During Downtime

Devices may:

• Ignore most voice commands
• Pause notifications
• Restrict media playback
• Prevent new automations from starting

Devices can still:

• Set alarms
• Set timers
• Report the current time
• Control compatible smart home devices

Create a Downtime Schedule

1. Open the Google Home app.
2. Tap Profile Picture.
3. Tap Home Settings.
4. Tap Parental Controls & Digital Wellbeing.
5. Select Downtime.
6. Create a schedule.
7. Save the schedule.

Downtime Workflow

Schedule Begins
↓
Device Restrictions Activated
↓
Limited Device Access
↓
Schedule Ends
↓
Normal Operation Restored

Edit or Remove Filters

1. Open Parental Controls & Digital Wellbeing.
2. Select the filter or schedule.
3. Choose:
   • Edit
   • Disable
   • Delete
4. Save changes.

Child Account Permissions

Child accounts are added as Members and may have additional restrictions.

Children generally cannot:

• Invite users
• Manage household settings
• Modify parental controls
• Manage certain voice assistant settings

Parents or Home Admins control these permissions.

Best Practices

✓ Create a Family Group before adding children.

✓ Use content filters for age-appropriate media.

✓ Schedule downtime during homework and bedtime hours.

✓ Review permissions regularly.

✓ Combine Voice Match with parental controls for a more personalized experience.

Quick Reference

Child Account
↓
Parental Controls Applied
↓
Content Filters
↓
Downtime Schedule
↓
Safer Device Experience