Google has announced a new policy set to be released within the next few weeks to give minors more control over their digital footprint. This new policy will make it possible for any minor to request the removal of their image from Google Search results. Parents and legal guardians will also be able to make this request on behalf of their minor children.
Unfortunately, removing an image from Google Search results will not eliminate it from the internet entirely. Along with this policy change, Google will also be making other changes to Google Accounts and even advertising to ensure the safety of users under the age of 18. The tech giant feels confident that this will give children more control over their images online.
YouTube will soon be changing the default upload setting to the most private for all teens between the ages of 14-17. Also, to ensure a safer search experience on Google Search, the ‘Safer Search’ option will be turned on by default on all Google accounts for younger users in the next few months. This includes new and existing users. The ‘Safe Search’ function will also extend to web browsers on the latest smart devices.
The Family Link app from Google already gives parents some support in monitoring and supervising their kids’ online activity. The upcoming safety section that will be introduced to the Play Store will further help parents monitor whether the apps their children download are appropriate. Also, children with supervised accounts do not have the option to turn on location history. This same security feature will be extended to all users under 18 and not just those with the Family Link enabled.
Google is also taking further steps to make sure that younger users have a safe experience online. This includes blocking ad targeting for kids, which is a safety measure we are all thankful for. These measures include additional safeguards to ensure that age-sensitive ad categories are not shown to children and younger users. These changes to advertising are expected to roll out globally within the coming months and will start block ad targeting based on gender, age, or interests of users under 18 years.
Closing words
As more and more younger users start exploring and using the internet, it is reassuring to see Google implementing more safety measures for children. Although there is still a lot that needs to happen to ensure a safe experience, these steps are already helping. I look forward to seeing what Google will do next to increase users’ safety online.
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