What is "Google Add Family Member"?

Screenshot of Google Family Group settings page

"Google Add Family Member" is a feature that lets you create a family group in Google, adding up to five people to share access to Google services and manage parental controls. This is part of Google's Family Link program, which helps parents monitor and manage their children's online activities.

How It Works

When you add a family member, you become the family manager. You can then share access to Google services like YouTube, Google Play, and Google Drive. For children under 13, you can set up parental controls to monitor their activity and approve or block apps and content.

Main Types of Family Groups

There are two primary types of family groups:

Adults-only groups: All members are adults, and the group is used primarily for sharing access to Google services.
Family groups with children: Includes at least one child under 13, enabling parental controls through Family Link.

Where and Why It's Used

This feature is used to simplify family management online. For example, parents can approve or block apps, set screen time limits, and monitor their child's activity. Adults can also share access to family calendars, photos, and other Google services without sharing a single Google account.

Common Misconceptions

Many people confuse "Google Add Family Member" with simply adding contacts in Google. However, adding a family member creates a shared family group with specific permissions and controls, unlike adding a contact, which only adds an email address to your contacts list. To add a contact, visit how to add contacts in Google.

Fully Worked Example

To add a family member, go to the Family Link app or website. Tap "Get Started" and follow the prompts to create a family group. Once created, you can invite family members by entering their email addresses. For children under 13, you'll need to create a Google account for them through Family Link and set up parental controls.

I recently helped a friend set up a family group for her three children. She created a family group, added her children's Google accounts, and set up screen time limits and content restrictions. This gave her peace of mind knowing her children's online activities were monitored and controlled.

Conclusion

Adding a family member to your Google account simplifies managing shared access and parental controls. monitoring your child's online activity, this feature provides a convenient way to manage your family's digital life.