Google is expanding its age-assurance technology, Play Signal API, which will be available worldwide by the end of 2026. The initiative aims to provide developers with a method for identifying younger users without accessing personal information like date of birth. Parents can share their child's age range directly through Google’s Family Link dashboard.

The move comes as lawmakers and regulators globally push for better protection measures for minors online, similar to Apple’s recent implementation of age-verification tools in February this year.

Google highlights the convenience factor, stating that parents won’t have to manage sharing this information app by app. Instead, they can centralize their settings within Family Link, making it easier to control and customize experiences for their children across multiple apps.

The feature will join other safety tools on Google Play, including restrictions on child discovery of certain apps. Parents can continue using the Family Link app to manage screen time limits, approve downloads, or set content filters.

While this is a step forward in digital safety, it remains to be seen whether these measures are enough to protect children in an increasingly tech-driven world.