Downtime does not stop activities

[chrisroat]

From the help:

• Activities that started before Downtime begins will continue. For example, you can play music before Downtime starts, and it'll continue to play until you stop it.

I would like to set time for my child so they cannot access media after that time.  From the above, it sounds like this is impossible with downtime if they had started media prior to the start of downtime. 

Is there another feature besides downtime I should use to enforce a quiet time for my child?

[pereztzum]

Hi @chrisroat,

This is a great question about managing screentime for your child. Downtime is a useful tool, but as you noticed, it doesn't fully block already playing media.

At Google, we understand the importance of setting healthy tech boundaries for kids. Here are a couple options to enforce a quiet time:

1. Parental Controls: Most devices have built-in parental controls. These are powerful tools that let you restrict app usage during specific hours. This would completely block media access during your designated quiet time.

   • Here are some handy resources to find parental control options for specific devices:

     • iPhone/iPad: https://support.apple.com/en-us/105121
     • Android: https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/1075738?hl=en

2. Double Down with Downtime: You can combine Downtime with parental controls! Downtime can prevent new media sessions from starting after quiet time begins, while parental controls can set a time limit on specific apps, stopping any existing sessions after a set duration. This creates a two-pronged approach for a stronger block.

The best approach really depends on your child's age and their device. Feel free to explore these options and see what works best for your family!

Best Regards,

Brandon.

[chrisroat]

Hi @pereztzum,

Thanks for your follow-up.  I didn't explicitly name the device we are using -- it's a Google Nest speaker.  I'm not aware of parental controls, other than Downtime, for the device.

I investigated automation via a routine, hoping I could stop the media at a specified time.  And then Downtime would prevent media from being restarted.

I was only able to find a way to turn the volume to zero, which leaves the music streaming... just inaudibly.  This is a partial solution, but not ideal.   

As far as directly controlling media, I can only find a way to play media -- but no way to stop playing media.

Do you have any additional advice?

[pereztzum]

Hi @chrisroat,

That's a great observation! You're right, currently Google Nest speakers with Google Assistant don't have built-in parental controls to directly stop media playback at a set time. While Downtime can help prevent restarting media after quiet time, it doesn't address what's already playing.

Here are some alternative approaches you can consider with your Google Nest speaker and Family Link for your child's quiet time:

• Family Link App Scheduling: While Family Link doesn't directly control Nest devices, you can use it to manage your child's account and indirectly influence Nest functionality. Here's the idea:

  • Set a bedtime routine on your child's device through Family Link. This can include app restrictions and screen time limits.
  • Since many media apps on phones or tablets often cast to Nest speakers, restricting those apps during quiet time through Family Link can indirectly stop media playback on the Nest speaker.

• Voice Match + Scheduled Routines: Nest speakers use Voice Match to recognize different users. Here's a potential solution:

  • Set up a separate "Child" profile on your Nest speaker.
  • Create a scheduled routine for the quiet time that only activates on the "Child" profile.
  • Within the routine, you can include commands like "Stop music" or "Goodnight" (which might have custom actions set to stop media based on your smart home setup).

While these methods aren't perfect solutions, they might offer some workarounds to create a quieter environment during your child's designated quiet time. We're always working to improve our products, so your feedback about  directly controlling media playback on Nest speakers is valuable.

Best Regards,

Best.

[chrisroat]

Thanks for the ideas. 

For the first idea, I couldn't exactly follow it for my case -- the apps that can be controlled do not include YouTube Music.   Or am I missing something?

For the second idea, it worked.  I set a custom action with "stop music".  As long as my child doesn't notice it and turn it off (since it is not a parental control), it should work out.  

[pereztzum]

Hi @chrisroat,

You're right, Family Link scheduling currently doesn't control individual apps like YouTube, but relies on recognizing the categories they fall under (e.g., games, educational apps). As a result, specific apps like "Angry Birds" or "Duolingo" can't be targeted with scheduling.

It's great that you found a creative solution using Voice Match routines! While it's not a traditional parental control, it can be effective if your child doesn't tamper with it.

We appreciate you letting us know about your experience and desired functionalities.

Best,

Brandon.