Microsoft has released the first preview of the Microsoft Family Safety app for Android and iOS users. The app is designed to protect users and help them maintain their digital wellbeing.
While the app is still in early development, Microsoft has added some nifty features like content filters and location sharing among family members. Here's the full list of features that are currently available for Microsoft Family Safety app:
Content filters: Create a safe space for your kids to explore online. Set healthy boundaries with web and search filters to block mature content and set browsing to kid-friendly websites on Microsoft Edge.
- App and game filters
- Web and search filters
- Content filter requests
Screen time limits: Set screen time limits that work across devices. If you know your kids will be on devices longer for online learning, you can set limits on specific apps or games instead.
- App and game limits (Xbox, Windows, Android)
- Device limits (Xbox and Windows)
- Screen time requests
Activity reporting: Get insights on your family’s digital activity and have a conversation about what it means. Parents and kids can both view kids’ activity reports of screen time, top websites visited, and terms kids are searching for online.
- Activity summaries
- Weekly email reports
Location awareness: Stay connected even when you’re apart. See loved ones on a map with location sharing and save places they visit most to know where family members are at a glance.
- Location sharing
- Saved places
If you're interested in trying out the app then here's how you can gain access to the preview:
- Set up a family group (click on "Create a family group" and follow the steps to create a new group).
- Fill up Microsoft's Family Safety form to get access to the app.
If selected, you will receive an email from Microsoft with the instructions and link to download the app. Microsoft will be sending invitations on a rolling basis to the selected users in the coming weeks.
The app is currently limited to 10,000 users on iOS and 10,000 users on Android and is available globally except for China, Japan, countries and regions with right to left written languages, and the US embargoed countries and territories.
