How to set up Family Link, voice-purchase prevention and video-call safeguards on the Google Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max smart displays.
The Google Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max are smart displays that combine a touchscreen, Google Assistant, video calling and (on the Hub Max) a built-in camera. They sit on kitchen worktops and bedside tables where children can interact with them alone. Without configuration they can be asked anything, used to buy items by voice, or used to start video calls with anyone in the household's Google contacts. Family Link, Voice Match, Digital Wellbeing filters and the camera shutter together let parents constrain what children can do unsupervised.
Digital Wellbeing Filters
Google Home app > Settings > Digital Wellbeing
Restricts what the Nest Hub will answer or show. You can apply filters to everyone or to specific voices via Voice Match.
Voice Match
Google Home app > Settings > Google Assistant > Voice Match
Limits voice purchases, calendar entries and personal results to recognised adult voices. Children's voices fall back to the filtered general experience.
Payments and Voice Purchasing
Google Home app > Settings > Payments
Stops the Nest Hub from completing purchases when an unrecognised voice says 'buy' or 'order'.
Camera Shutter / Mic Off Switch
Physical switch on top of the Nest Hub Max / Mic mute switch on all Nest Hubs
Physically disconnects the camera and microphone. Useful in bedrooms or any room where a child might be alone with the screen.