Google Chrome update: The new age-appropriate access settings “make it easier for administrators to tailor user experiences based on age when using Google services.”
After announcing a number of new educational features last week, Google is updating privacy and security settings for students using Chrome, as well as accounts and other apps managed by schools.
Google is starting by updating privacy notifications for teachers, parents and students to make it easier to understand what information is being collected and why, 9To5Google reported.
The new age-appropriate access settings “make it easier for administrators to tailor user experiences based on age when using Google services.”
All elementary and secondary school administrators must specify which of their users, such as teachers and staff, are 18 or older using organizational units or groups in the Admin Console.
Beginning Sept. 1, students under 18 in K-12 schools can only view teacher-designated content on YouTube.
They will not be able to post videos, comment, live streaming or even cast on TVs using a school-managed Google account.
Similar restrictions will be placed on Search, Google Play (content restrictions), Maps/Earth and Photos, and other products will be completely unavailable.
Unless administrators make a choice by Sept. 1, elementary and middle school users will default to the service for children under 18, and higher education users will default to the service for children 18 and older.
Finally, for middle and high school students using Chrome, SafeSearch and SafeSites will be enabled by default, and guest mode and incognito mode will be disabled.
