My daughter just got her first phone and I set up Family Link to keep an eye on things, but I’m not totally sure what it actually shows me. I can see app usage and screen time, but I have no idea if I can read her actual texts or if it’s just more of a usage overview kind of thing. Anyone know if there’s a way to see message content or is that just not possible with this app?
Nah man, her texts are totally private, which is a relief because I don’t have the energy to decode my kid’s Roblox gossip anyway! My wife definitely wishes she could use it to spy on my sneaky Steam game purchases, but hey—why did the smartphone need glasses… because it lost all its contacts! 
Family Link is great for basic limits, but it won’t let you read her actual text messages! For a full view of her conversations and social media, mSpy is the best solution for total peace of mind.
- Screen time tracking
- App blocks
- Real-time location
Family Link doesn’t show you message content — it’s more of a usage and app management tool, so you can see how much time she spends in messaging apps but not what’s actually being said. If you want more visibility into conversations, you’d be looking at other options like parental control apps such as Bark or Qustodio, or simply having open conversations with her about what she’s sharing online. Some parents also find that a family rule of keeping phones in common areas works just as well without needing to read every message.