While Google’s Family Link gives parents much-needed control over what apps children can download and use, who they talk to via the Messages app cannot currently be controlled. As we explain in our Family Link review, texting apps like Messages can have time limits applied or be blocked entirely, but there aren’t any granular settings allowing some contacts but not others.
It looks like Google is planning to close this loophole soon. A code dive by AssembleDebug for PiunikaWeb has revealed some hidden flags on version 20240416_00_RC01 of the Google Messages app that suggest more parental control is incoming.
