Google’s Safety app just picked up a few new tricks for your kids

Google has just announced a range of new features as part of the June Android Drop, including new AirDrop support for more devices, better protection against spam callers, better ways to search outfits from images, and even save them directly in the Google Photos app. In addition to these, Google is introducing new features that will particularly appeal to parents of tweens.

It is expanding the Personal Safety app for kids aged under 13. While the regular edition for adults already lets you display emergency contacts on the lock screen, kids will get the additional option to display separate contacts for the parents, include their age, and list down any allergies.

Along with this, kids will also get the option to turn on Crash Detection on their devices, which will automatically call emergency services and their saved priority contacts in case of an accident. It doesn’t specify whether parents will also be able to manage these settings through Family Link or not.

Google also adds that teens will be able to use features such as Safety Check, which lets users schedule an automatic reminder to confirm they’re safe or else notify emergency contacts, and real-time location sharing. Google’s support page does not clearly state a minimum age requirement for users, so it’s possible these features may already have been available.

These features are expected to be available on all Android devices running Android 12 or later, which is the minimum requirement for Personal Safety. Google says the feature is “coming soon,” but doesn’t specify the exact rollout schedule.

Notably, certain devices may list the app as just “Safety,” while Samsung integrates its core features, such as real-time check-in and automatic emergency calling, under the Safety and emergency menu in One UI Settings.