Android Family Setup

This guide helps you choose the right Android setup for your child’s developmental stage and needs. We recommend different levels of structure based on age and circumstances.

How Thriva Keeps You Informed

Thriva includes Permission Tamper Detection - a built-in feature that monitors critical Android permissions and alerts you within minutes if any are changed.

What we monitor:

Accessibility Service (required for Focused Mode)
Display Over Apps (required for blocking)
Usage Stats Access (required for app tracking)
Device Admin (required for Quiet Time)
Default Launcher (Focused Mode launcher)

When any permission is revoked, you’ll receive:

An email notification with specific details
An in-app alert in your Parent Portal
AI-powered talking points (for subscribers)

When permissions are restored, you’ll also receive:

A “permission restored” notification confirming everything is back to normal
This closes the loop so you know the situation has been resolved

This means you don’t need Google Family Link to know if something changes. Thriva’s Permission Tamper Detection works for all families - including those using Google Workspace accounts (which don’t support Family Link).

Which Setup Is Right for Your Family?

Quick Decision Guide

Is your child 13 or older and demonstrates self-regulation? → Light Structure
Is your child 10-13 and building self-regulation skills? → Moderate Structure (recommended for most families)
Is your child under 10, or has previously bypassed limits? → Full Structure
Do you use Google Workspace accounts? → Moderate Structure works perfectly!

Light Structure (Trust-Based)

Best for: Teens 13+, children who have demonstrated responsibility

What it provides: Collaborative Device Availability Plan, gentle reminders, full Thriva experience. Permission Tamper Detection still alerts you if permissions change.

Setup (5 minutes)

Download Thriva from downloads.thriva.app
Create a registration code in the Parent Portal
Register the device using the code
Grant requested permissions when prompted

Already at highest autonomy level - great job building trust!

Moderate Structure (Recommended)

Best for: Pre-teens 10-13, most families, Google Workspace users

What it provides: Parent as device owner + child as secondary user + Permission Tamper Detection. Blocks factory reset and provides instant accountability.

What You Get

Secondary User (Parent as Device Owner):

Blocks factory reset (child loses all data if they try)
Blocks adding other user profiles
Blocks device-level developer options
Parent can delete child’s profile entirely

Permission Tamper Detection:

Alerts within 5 minutes if any permission is revoked
Email + in-app notification
You know immediately if something changes

Setup (15 minutes)

Set up parent as device owner during device setup (or factory reset first)
Add child as secondary user (Settings > System > Multiple users)
Switch to child’s profile
Download Thriva from downloads.thriva.app
Register the device and grant all permissions
Done! Permission Tamper Detection is automatic.

Why This Works

Your child can still revoke permissions - but they know you’ll find out within minutes. This creates friction for impulsive choices without building a cage. If they feel the need to disable Thriva, that’s a signal to have a conversation about what’s not working.

Earning More Autonomy (Moving to Light)

Discuss these milestones as a family:

4 weeks following the Device Availability Plan consistently
Homework completed before free time 80% of days
No permission revocation incidents for 1 month

Full Structure (Optional Extra Prevention)

Best for: Under 10 who need maximum friction, or post-bypass situations

What it provides: Everything in Moderate Structure, plus Google Family Link to prevent permission changes (not just detect them).

What Family Link Adds

On top of Moderate Structure:

Locks specific permissions to “Only parents” (child cannot change)
Parent notified of supervision changes
Device locks if child force-stops supervision
Controls app installs, screen time, content filters

Setup (30 minutes)

Factory reset the device (or use new device)
Set up parent as device owner during initial setup
Add child as secondary user (Settings > System > Multiple users)
Set up Family Link on child’s Google account (must be personal @gmail.com, not Workspace)
Lock critical permissions to “Only parents” in Family Link:
- Display over other apps
- Accessibility Service
- Usage Access
Install Thriva in child’s profile
Parent grants Thriva permissions (child can’t since locked to “Only parents”)

Earning More Autonomy (Moving to Moderate)

Discuss these milestones as a family:

2 weeks following the plan without reminders
Self-stopping when timer goes off (not waiting for enforcement)
Asking before extra screen time instead of trying to get around limits

Setup Options Comparison

Setup	Can revoke permissions?	Parent alerted?	Can factory reset?
Light Structure	Yes	Yes (within 5 min)	Yes
Moderate Structure	Yes	Yes (within 5 min)	No*
Full Structure	No (locked)	Yes (prevented)	No*

* Secondary user profile blocks factory reset from child’s account

Google Workspace Users

If your family uses Google Workspace accounts (custom domain like @yourfamily.com or work/school accounts), you cannot use Google Family Link - it only works with personal @gmail.com accounts.

Good news: Moderate Structure works perfectly for you!

Permission Tamper Detection provides strong accountability without requiring Family Link. Your child can still revoke permissions, but you’ll know within 5 minutes. Combined with Secondary User setup (which blocks factory reset), this provides excellent structure.

When Things Go Wrong

If You Get a Permission Alert

First, take a breath. This is an opportunity for conversation, not punishment.

Conversation starters:

“I got a notification that you turned off one of Thriva’s permissions. What’s going on?”
“Can we talk about why you wanted to disable it? I want to understand.”
“The structure is there to help you build self-control. Let’s talk about whether something needs to change.”

After the conversation, consider whether the current structure level is right, or if adjustments are needed.

If Your Child Found a Workaround

Finding a workaround actually shows creativity and problem-solving skills! This is a conversation opportunity.

Frame it supportively:

“That took some clever thinking!”
“I’m not angry - I want to understand what wasn’t working for you.”
“Let’s figure out together what would help.”

Moving Between Structure Levels

Moving to less structure (earned autonomy): Have a family conversation about the milestones achieved. Celebrate the growth! Then adjust settings accordingly.

Moving to more structure (after struggles): Frame it supportively: “We’re adding more structure to support you, not punish you. This is temporary scaffolding while we work on this together.”

Known Limitations

We believe in honesty about what technology can and can’t do:

Permission Tamper Detection - Detects changes within ~5 minutes, not instantly. A determined child could disable permissions briefly.
Samsung Secure Folder - Family Link doesn’t restrict apps installed here. If your child discovers this, treat it as a conversation opportunity.
Age 13+ - Children can stop Family Link supervision (parent is notified, device locks temporarily).
Factory reset - Blocked in secondary user mode, but possible in recovery mode (loses all data).

The goal isn’t to build an unbreakable cage - it’s to provide enough friction that your child makes a conscious choice rather than an impulsive one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Google Family Link?

No! Thriva’s Permission Tamper Detection provides strong accountability without Family Link. Most families do well with Moderate Structure (Secondary User + PTD). Family Link is an optional extra if you want to prevent permission changes rather than just detect them.

Can I change structure levels later?

Absolutely. Structure levels aren’t permanent - they’re meant to adapt as your child grows and demonstrates responsibility.

What if my child is 13+?

Children 13 and older can choose to stop Family Link supervision. For teens, we recommend the trust-based Light Structure approach with Permission Tamper Detection for visibility.

What about Google Workspace accounts?

Family Link doesn’t work with Google Workspace accounts - but Thriva does! Use Moderate Structure (Secondary User + Permission Tamper Detection) for excellent accountability.

What about Samsung Secure Folder?

Family Link doesn’t restrict apps installed in Samsung’s Secure Folder. If your child discovers this, treat it as another conversation opportunity about why the structure is there.

Can I disable launcher alerts for my teenager?

Yes! In your child’s settings, you can turn off “Alert when Thriva is not default launcher.” This is useful for older teens who prefer their own launcher but still benefit from other permission monitoring. Other alerts (Accessibility Service, Display Over Apps, etc.) will still work normally.