Google today announced that it is adding support for kids’ profiles on Google TV. The feature comes as a welcome addition to the offering, as Google TV currently does not offer support for multiple profiles to allow catering content on the TV based on individual preferences. With kids’ profiles, parents can now control the content served to children, their screen time, and more.
The feature allows users to create separate profiles for children by either adding their Google accounts that are managed by Family link or by creating a profile just with the child’s name and age. Parents can then pick the apps that are to be offered for those profiles. These apps offer kids-friendly suggestions that the kids can choose to watch. Users can also share purchased TV shows and content with the kids’ profiles through Google Play Family Library.
Parents can also limit their child’s screen time by enforcing daily watch limits and bedtime schedules. Additionally, for those profiles connected via Family Link, users can monitor screen time across devices and apply screen limits accordingly – along with blocking access to certain types of content or apps. Users can also prevent their children from switching to their parents’ profiles by locking them using PINs.
Kids profiles also come with some personalization options. Users can choose between three “kid-friendly” themes – “Under the sea,” “Dinosaur jungle” or “Space travel” that feature colorful backdrops with fun illustrations. The search giant adds that in the coming weeks, it will introduce new avatars for kids to choose as a profile picture.
Kids’ profiles will begin rolling out first to Chromecast with Google TV and other Google TV devices in the U.S. starting this month. It will make it to more devices globally “over the next few months”, says the search giant, adding that it is planning on “finding more and more ways to make Google TV work for the whole family” – likely hinting at support for multiple adult profiles.