What has happened to the lock device option on family safety

Hello Kevinmason3,my name is Oskayra, I will be happy to help you in any way possible. The device lock option in Family Safety has been removed in the February 2024 update. This update focused on improving the safety and privacy of children, and the device lock option was deemed less necessary than before . I hope the information is helpful to you, if not, let me know that I will be happy to continue helping you, good luck and happy day. Sincerely, Oskaira.

So how do I remove allowance at short notice?

Hello, Press the Home button and select Start/Sleep > Restart. Once your device has restarted, log in and restart the game, that is the solution

The device lock function was the thing I used the most on the Family Safety app. So it’s not good for me that it has been removed. I’m betting I’m not alone in that!

When one of my kids requests time on their laptop, I can allow it but then if I want to cancel it I can’t. Not a great setup.

If anyone has the same problem, you can add time and cancel it from the Xbox Family app.

Hello Kevinmason3,my name is Oskayra, I will be happy to help you in any way possible. The device lock option in Family Safety has been removed in the February 2024 update. This update focused on improving the safety and privacy of children, and the device lock option was deemed less necessary than before . I hope the information is helpful to you, if not, let me know that I will be happy to continue helping you, good luck and happy day. Sincerely, Oskaira.

This is wonderful news, however device locking feature was an excellent tool used to part the child with the computer at the given point in time without going through the hoops of setting up screen time.

I speak for myself of course, but im sure lots of parents would be happy if this feature is brought back.

Wow! This is pretty thoughtless. The main reason I replaced my son’s MacBook with a windows laptop was this feature. Now I have to physically take the laptop away. Approving time is addition to what is already left. The ability to lock the laptop on demand ensured he was not still playing games.

I really hope they bring this back.

Roblaw1080

Removing the lock feature was a horrible, misguided decision by a tech company that puts “respect for child as an individual” ahead of need of parents who need to parent children who cannot yet manage their own behavior on the tech company’s product.

My recommendation is put the lock option back or be ready for an appropriate backlash from frustrated parents who have been undermined by this decision.

Agreed. Microsoft - Please re-instate the device lock feature.

Agreed this was the primary reason why I use the app, please reinstate as soon as possible

I just updated the app, not willingly, and I am very upset the lock feature is gone and as I can see from this thread all parents are equally upset. What can we do to contact Microsoft to complain? Does anyone know who we could contact and how?