Posted by Mindy Brooks – Senior Director, Android Platform
App builders play an important function in shaping how individuals of all ages work together with know-how. Whether or not your app content material is particularly designed for teenagers or just attracts their consideration, there may be an added accountability to make sure a protected and trusted expertise. Google is right here to help you in that work. In the present day, we’re sharing some necessary reminders and updates on how we empower builders to construct high-quality, participating, and age-appropriate apps throughout the Android ecosystem.
Assist Decide Android Person Age with Digital IDs
Understanding a consumer’s age vary might be essential for offering minors with safer and extra applicable app experiences, in addition to complying with native age-related laws. Android’s new Credential Supervisor API, now in Beta for Digital IDs, addresses this problem by serving to builders confirm a consumer’s age with a digital ID saved to any digital pockets software. Importantly, Android’s Credential Supervisor was constructed with each security and privateness at its core – it minimizes information publicity by solely sharing data essential with builders and asks the consumer for specific permission to share an age sign. We encourage you to check out the Beta API for your self and look ahead to listening to your suggestions.
Whereas digital IDs are nonetheless of their early days, we’re persevering with to work with governments on additional adoption to strengthen this resolution. Android can be exploring how the API can help a variety of age assurance strategies, serving to builders to soundly affirm the age of their customers, particularly for customers that may’t or do not wish to use a digital ID. Please understand that ID-based options are only one instrument that builders can use to find out age and the most effective method will rely in your app.
Protect Younger Customers from Inappropriate Content material on Google Play
As a part of our continued dedication to making a protected and optimistic atmosphere for youngsters throughout the Play Retailer, we just lately launched the Limit Declared Minors (RDM) setting throughout the Google Play Console that permits builders to designate their app as inappropriate for minors. When enabled, Google Play customers with declared ages under 18 won’t be able to obtain or buy the app nor will they be capable of proceed subscriptions or make new purchases if the app is already put in.
Past Play’s broader youngsters security insurance policies, this new setting offers builders a further instrument to proactively stop minors from accessing content material which may be unsuitable for them. It additionally empowers builders to take a extra proactive function in guaranteeing their apps attain the suitable viewers. As a reminder, this function is solely one instrument of many to maintain your apps protected and we’re persevering with to enhance it based mostly on early suggestions. Builders stay solely liable for compliance with related legal guidelines and laws. You’ll be able to study extra about opting in to RDM right here.
Develop Trainer Authorised Apps and Video games on Google Play
Nice content material for teenagers can take many types, whether or not that’s sparking curiosity, serving to youngsters study, or simply plain enjoyable. Google Play’s Trainer Authorised program highlights high-quality apps which are reviewed and rated by lecturers and baby growth specialists. Our workforce of lecturers and consultants internationally overview and fee apps on components like age-appropriateness, high quality of expertise, enrichment, and delight. For added transparency, we embody data within the app itemizing about why the app was rated extremely to assist dad and mom decide if the app is true for his or her baby. Apps in this system additionally should meet strict privateness and safety necessities.
Constructing a teacher-approved app not solely helps elevate app high quality for teenagers – it may possibly additionally enhance your attain and engagement. All apps on this program are eligible to look and be featured on Google Play’s Children tab the place households go to simply uncover high quality apps and video games. Please go to Google Play Academy for extra details about how you can design high-quality apps for teenagers.
Keep Up to date With Google Play’s Households Insurance policies
Google Play insurance policies present further protections for youngsters and households. Our Households insurance policies require that apps and video games focused to youngsters have applicable content material, present advertisements appropriate for youngsters, and meet different necessities together with ones associated to personally identifiable data. We incessantly replace and strengthen these insurance policies to make sure that Google Play stays a spot the place households can discover protected and high-quality content material for his or her youngsters. This contains our new Baby Security Requirements Coverage for social and courting apps that goes into impact in January.
Builders can showcase compliance with Play’s Households insurance policies with a particular badge on the Google Play Knowledge security part. That is one other good way you could higher assist households discover apps that meet their wants, whereas supporting Play’s dedication to supply customers extra transparency and management over their information. To show the badge, please go to the “Safety practices” part of your Knowledge Security type in your Google Play Developer Console.
Further Sources
Defending youngsters on-line is a accountability all of us share and we hope these reminders are useful as you put together for 2025. We’re grateful in your partnership in making Android and Google Play implausible platforms for pleasant, high-quality content material for teenagers and households. For extra sources:
- Watch our interactive Play Academy programs on complying with Play’s Households insurance policies, together with SDK necessities, deciding on your goal age and content material settings, and extra.
