GoGuardian
For Families · Online Safety
GoGuardian Parent
Parents have access to the GoGuardian Parent App, a mobile app designed to provide insight and control over your student's online activity when using a school-managed Chromebook.
First, GoGuardian Parent provides an overview of your children's online activity when using a school-managed device and Google account — including what websites and online documents your student has visited. Second, it provides an additional set of internet controls that you can set for out-of-school hours and locations. Our hope is that it encourages open, honest conversations at home that nurture responsible browsing habits.
What's Included in the App
Top 5 Overview
A summary of your student's online activity — the apps, extensions, documents, and websites they visit most.
30-Day Activity View
A 30-day overview of your student's online activity, including websites, videos, and documents.
Teacher Interventions
See any teacher interventions related to your student's online activity — how often teachers locked screens, blocked sites, and opened or closed browser tabs on classroom devices.
Block Websites at Home
Block specific websites on school-issued devices during out-of-school hours and locations.
Pause the Internet
Pause internet access on school-issued devices during out-of-school hours — on demand, or on a schedule (dinner time, bedtime, homework-first).
A Partner in the Conversation
A bird's-eye view that helps you engage with your child's online life, manage screen time, and work alongside their teachers.
Getting Set Up
- Download the GoGuardian Parent App from your phone's app store — Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
- Open the app and enter your email address registered with the school. If you've forgotten which email is registered, reach out to your student's school. Note: it can take 24 hours after a change for the app to accept a new email.
- Check your email and verify. Tap "Verify your email" in the message to go straight into the app. If you can't access that email on the device you're using, tap "Login with verification code" and copy the code from the email into the app.
Good to Know
- School devices only — the app covers your student's school-managed Chromebook and school Google account, not personal devices
- District filtering never turns off — school devices are filtered at school and at home, whether or not you use the app
- Parent controls work outside school hours — during the school day, the district's filtering applies and manages devices; your blocks and internet pauses apply during out-of-school hours
- You can add, not subtract — parents can block additional sites at home, but can't unblock anything the district filters
Common Questions
Does the app show activity on my child's personal phone or tablet?
No. GoGuardian Parent covers activity on your student's school-managed Chromebook and school Google account only. Personal devices and personal accounts are not monitored.
Is my child's device still filtered if I don't use the app?
Yes. The district's internet filtering runs on every school-issued device at all times — at school and at home — whether or not a parent installs the app. GoGuardian Parent simply adds visibility and optional extra controls for your household.
Why can't I pause the internet or block a site right now?
Parent controls apply during out-of-school hours. During the school day, the district's filtering and classroom management are in effect, and parent-set blocks and pauses are unavailable — though you can still view activity summaries anytime.
The app says my email isn't recognized. What do I do?
The app works with the email address registered with your student's school. If you're not sure which address that is, or you need to update it, contact your student's school office. After a change, it can take 24 hours for the app to accept the new email.
Where can I learn more about what the app can do?
GoGuardian's own guides are the best deep dive: App Features, Getting Started with GoGuardian Parent, and the Getting Started video.
Raising Good Digital Citizens
GoGuardian is a tool — the real filter is the conversation at home. These free resources from Common Sense help families build safe, balanced, kind online habits at every age:
Family Resources
- Digital Citizenship for Parents (Common Sense Media) — age-based guides, app and game reviews, screen-time advice
- Ready-to-Teach Digital Citizenship Lessons — the same lessons schools use, free for families
- More from Common Sense Education — research and resources on kids and technology
Conversation Starters
- "Show me something cool you made or found online this week."
- "What would you do if something online made you feel uncomfortable?"
- "Which sites help you with schoolwork — and which ones just eat time?"
- "What do you think makes someone kind online?"
Questions about your student's Chromebook or GoGuardian? Visit Technology for Parents or contact your student's school. Go Bears!