Google’s ‘School Time’ Feature Expands To Android
In an era where digital distractions are at an all-time high, Google is taking a significant step to help students stay focused during school hours. The tech giant has announced the expansion of its “School Time” feature to select Android phones, tablets, and Samsung Galaxy Watches over the coming year.
What is ‘School Time’?
Originally introduced on the Fitbit Ace LTE smartwatch in May, “School Time” is a feature designed to limit device functionality during school hours. This expansion to a wider range of devices aims to minimize distractions in the classroom, helping students stay engaged with their studies.
Key Features
- App Restrictions: Parents can set limits on which apps their children can access during school hours.
- Communication Control: The feature allows parents to restrict phone calls and message notifications to certain contacts only.
- Customizable Settings: All these controls can be adjusted through Google’s Family Link app, giving parents flexibility in managing their child’s device usage.
Beyond ‘School Time’
Google isn’t stopping at just expanding “School Time.” They’re rolling out additional features to help students and parents:
- Focus Mode: For teens not supervised through Family Link, Android’s built-in Focus mode can be used to block notifications during study time.
- YouTube Account Linking: Coming later this summer, parents will be able to link their YouTube accounts with their teens, allowing them to monitor activity.
The Bigger Picture
This move by Google aligns with a growing trend of tech companies addressing digital well-being, especially for younger users. It follows Apple’s similar Schooltime feature for Apple Watch, though Google’s implementation spans a broader range of devices.
What’s Next?
While the expansion of “School Time” is a welcome development, Google has yet to specify which Android phones and tablets will support the feature.
As digital learning becomes increasingly prevalent, it will be interesting to see how other tech companies respond to the need for better focus tools in educational settings.
As we move forward in this digital age, balancing technology use with focused learning time becomes crucial. Google’s “School Time” expansion represents a step towards creating a more conducive digital environment for students.
It empowers parents and educators to guide young learners in developing healthy tech habits, potentially leading to improved academic performance and digital literacy. You can learn more about Google’s Family Link and other parental control features

Jim’s passion for Apple products ignited in 2007 when Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone. This was a canon event in his life. Noticing a lack of iPad-focused content that is easy to understand even for “tech-noob”, he decided to create Tabletmonkeys in 2011.
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