Guide to Google Account Privacy Settings for Students

Even if your student doesn’t use a Chromebook, they may have a Google Apps for Education (GAFE) account, which is essentially a Google account provided by the school. GAFE accounts can be accessed from any browser, and the privacy settings affect your student regardless of which browser they use to log in to GAFE. In order to maximize your child’s privacy, we advise changing the settings below.

If your child’s school issued them a Chromebook, be sure to also check out our Guide to Chromebook Privacy Settings for Students.

Activity Controls

Using any web browser, open the URL https://myaccount.google.com/privacy and make sure you are signed in to your Google account. Then, click “Activity controls” on the left, under “Personal info & privacy”. Then, make sure all the slider/toggles are to the left (“paused”). Additionally, under “Your searches and browsing activity”, uncheck “Include history from Chrome and other apps in your Web & App Activity.”

Ads Settings

Click “Ads settings” on the left, and then click “Manage Ad Settings”

Then, make sure “Ads based on your interests” is toggled to the left (“Off”)

Congratulations! You’ve successfully enabled the most privacy-protective settings in your child’s GAFE account!

And don’t forget, if your child’s school issued them a Chromebook, be sure to also check out our Guide to Chromebook Privacy Settings for Students.