Is Google News Safe for Kids?
Age rating is set by Google Play, not by Unstar. This page explains it and adds what parents report in reviews. Not affiliated with Google LLC.
What Google News's age rating means
Google News is rated Para mayores de 13 años on the Google Play, meaning it targets older teenagers, not young children. With parental controls and an honest conversation, many teens use apps like this fine, but the rating exists for a reason.
Things for parents to check
- Google News shows ads. Ads inside kids' apps can lead to unexpected content or accidental taps that open other stores or links.
What parents and users report about Google News
Users frequently report issues with articles not opening when clicked, making the app frustrating to use. Many complain about excessive ads and poor content quality, including clickbait and paywalled articles. Some users also mention bugs, crashes, and a lack of customization options.
Summarized from 196 recent 1-3 star reviews. These are user reports, not verified claims.
How to keep your child safe with Google News
Settings, Screen Time, Content & Privacy Restrictions. Set an age limit for apps, require Ask to Buy for purchases, and restrict or remove Google News if it is above your child's age.
Use Google Family Link to approve installs, set a Play Store content rating limit, require purchase approval, and block or uninstall Google News on your child's device.
Google News for kids: frequently asked questions
Is Google News safe for kids?
Google News has an official age rating of Para mayores de 13 años on the Google Play, aimed at older teens rather than young children. It can be appropriate with guidance, parental controls, and a conversation about what to share and who to talk to.
What age rating does Google News have?
The Google Play rates Google News as Para mayores de 13 años. This is the store's own content rating, set from the app's features and content, not our opinion. Use it as the starting point for whether it fits your child's age.
Can my child use Google News safely?
If you decide to allow it, use device parental controls: Screen Time and Content & Privacy Restrictions on iPhone, or Family Link and Play Store parental controls on Android. Turn on purchase approval, set age-appropriate content limits, and keep the account under your family group so you can see activity.
How do I block or remove Google News from my child's phone?
On iPhone, open Settings, Screen Time, Content & Privacy Restrictions, then restrict or delete the app and block reinstalling it. On Android, open Family Link, select your child, find Google News and block or uninstall it. You can also set a store age limit so apps above your child's age cannot be installed.