Microsoft has announced that its family settings that have been available for Windows 10 and Xbox One devices will be expanding to Android devices via the Microsoft Launcher app. Additionally, the company will be implementing new features in the family sharing as a whole, allowing users to set specific limitations across all three platforms.
In addition to being able to set screen limits across devices, users will also be able to set limits at the app and game level. This is especially useful for parents, as the greater control will be able to allow them to limit play time but give their children more flexibility to finish important homework.
Microsoft is also making it so that parents can set these limitations only once, and have the time allotment shared among the Xbox One, Windows 10 PC, and Android device. This means that the child cannot cheat the time limit system set for specific apps by simply switching devices.
Microsoft has also added more customization to the time limit settings as a whole, as well. Parents will be able to have different limits applied on the weekends as opposed to the busier weekdays.
When the time limit is about to be up, users will receive a notification twice beforehand—15 minutes ahead and again 5 minutes prior to the limit. Children can choose to ask for more screen time, and the parent will be notified of the request via email (and Microsoft Launcher if installed) and can choose to accept or reject the request.
In order to take advantage of these settings, the parent will need to set a family group with his or her child. This means the child will need his or her own Microsoft account—which can be linked to the parent account via the family group.
What do you think of these changes? Let us know in the comments area below.
Further reading: Android, Microsoft, Microsoft Launcher, Windows 10, Xbox One
