Google is currently working on developing a new feature that gives parents greater control over their children's use of artificial intelligence tools by imposing daily time limits for using the Gemini assistant on accounts subject to family supervision.
Details of this feature were spotted in the latest beta version of the Google app, numbered 17.72.13.sa.arm64, where the code revealed text messages and alerts that appear on children's devices when the allocated time is nearing its end or has run out completely. This indicates the company's move toward providing more flexible parental control options rather than the current binary option of blocking or full permission via the Family Link app.
What the Code Revealed
The APK teardown showed several clear strings designed to appear on the child's phone, most notably:
- A notification stating that the parents have set a daily time limit for using Gemini.
- An instant alert telling the user that the allowed time limit has been changed when modified by the parents.
- A lock screen that appears when the allocated time is exhausted, including a button to close the app while clarifying when the assistant will become available again or when the daily limit will be reset.
- A message confirming that the daily time restriction has been completely deactivated if the parents remove it.
Why This Development Matters
Until now, the parental control tools provided by Google through Family Link have been limited to a binary approach: either completely allowing children to experience artificial intelligence or blocking it entirely without middle-ground solutions. This development represents a practical step toward providing a more balanced digital environment for the family, allowing children to benefit from the technology with clear time limits that prevent excessive use.
Limitations and Aspects Not Yet Available
Despite the clarity of these code indicators, it remains unknown whether these time restrictions will be limited exclusively to the standalone Gemini app, or if they will include other experiences of the assistant such as the overlay user interface and integrations available within other apps like Google Messages. It is also not yet clear what the actual parental control interface will look like.