Microsoft's Family Safety parental control app opens for testing

guest · May 11, 2020

Microsoft's Family Safety parental control app opens for testing
May 11, 2020
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/ne...afety-parental-control-app-opens-for-testing/

Microsoft has announced today that users can signup to preview their Family Safety parental control app on Android and iOS devices.

Family Safety features have always been a part of Windows 10 and Xbox and these tools are finally available on mobile devices, which should allow users to manage their family safety features on the go.
Screen time limits
The app will allow you to set screen time limits across Windows and Xbox devices. You can set limits for a specific app or game and activities such as learning online. The kids can also ask you for additional screen time if they run out of screen time set by you.
Create a safe space
Another feature will allow you to create a safe space for kids to explore the Internet. You can use web and safety filters to block mature content and you can also set browsing to kid-friendly websites on Microsoft Edge across your devices.
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Location sharing
The third key feature of the Microsoft Family Safety app lets you track the location of your loved ones.

"We have limited availability for additional users on Android and iOS and invite you to sign up. As a participant in the preview, you gain early access to the app and get to help shape the product by sharing feedback about your experience," Microsoft said.
You can register for the preview from here.
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guest · Jul 28, 2020

Microsoft Family Safety app for iOS and Android helps parents monitor their kids
July 28, 2020
https://betanews.com/2020/07/28/microsoft-family-safety-app/

What does the app actually do?
Quite a bit actually. For instance, parents are provided with weekly activity reports, so they can see what their child (or children) are doing online. Based on this report, parents can then limit the child's screen time allotment. If a child needs to be punished, a parent can decrease the allowed screen time as a deterrent from bad behavior. Got a D+ on a math test? Cut their screen time in half for the week!

Drilling down further, parents can use the Microsoft Family Safety app to block specific websites to limit them to kid-friendly sites or block them from "adult" sites. If you are worried about them spending real money on games an apps (or in-game purchases for virtual weapons and such), you can limit that too -- requiring a parent approve any purchase.
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If you are worried about privacy abuses, don't -- Microsoft vows that your data "will not be sold or shared with insurance companies or data brokers."
If you want to download the Microsoft Family Safety app, it can be had here for iOS and here for Android.
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TechCrunch: Microsoft’s new Family Safety app offers parental controls across phones, PCs and Xbox

Meanwhile, the web filtering aspects of the new app take advantage of Microsoft’s newer browser, Microsoft Edge across Windows, Xbox, and Android.

You’ll note, however, that some of Family Safety’s experience don’t fully extend to iOS and Android, like purchase controls and web filtering. On iOS, the app can’t even track screen time usage as Apple makes no API available for this, even after launching its own screen time service and shutting down competing apps.
That’s due to how other platforms have their own operating systems and ecosystems locked down to encourage customers to only buy and use their devices.
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Microsoft says it will soon roll out two new features to Family Safety following its launch. These include location alerts and drive safety (e.g. aimed teen drivers),, and will be a part of a paid Microsoft 365 Family Subscription.
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Microsoft: Now available: Microsoft Family Safety app—helping you protect what matters most

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