Chrome OS used to have something called “Supervised Users” that parents used to set up accounts for their kids. Recently, the team decided to switch to Android’s Family Link and removed Supervised Users from Chrome OS.

You could install the Family Link app on any Chromebook that supports Android apps and set up kids accounts using it. Family Link a lot of nice features that lets you create a safe and controlled tech environment for your kids.

A flag that I spotted in the latest Canary version of Chrome OS is preparing for tighter integration between Family Link and Chromebooks, by putting Parental Controls back into Chrome OS Settings.

First, the flag.

Enable Parental controls settings

Enable Parental Control options in settings. – Chrome OS Enable Parental controls settings

chrome://flags/#enable-parental-controls-settingsEnable Parental controls settings

Enable Parental Control options in settings. – Chrome OS Enable Parental controls settings

Initially I thought this is a new Chrome OS solution to move away from the Family Link app. However, this changed when I looked at the Chrome OS Settings app after enabling this flag.

There is a new section within the Chrome OS app called “Parental Controls”. However, the description states that it uses Family Link. Clicking “Set up” launches an empty popup screen for now.

I did not have the Family Link app installed on my Chromebook while testing this. This could be the reason why that popup was blank. I am unable to install the app at the moment because of a known issue that affects Chromebooks (Beta and Canary as far as I can see). Android apps are not able to connect to the internet on affected devices.

I’m really curious to find out how this will look and work. Will this launch the Family Link Android app? Or, are we going to see a Chrome OS version of parental control again, named Family Link?

Stay tuned for more!