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Managing Access

Control who can view and manage your family's FamilyCast hub with role-based permissions, display access controls, and security features.

Overview​

FamilyCast provides granular control over what each family member can access and manage. Set appropriate permissions based on age, responsibility, and trust level.

Access Control Areas:

  • Dashboard and settings access
  • Calendar editing permissions
  • Display management
  • Photo album access
  • Message sending
  • Integration management
  • Billing and account settings

Who Manages Access: Account owners and family admins

Permission Levels​

Account Owner​

Full Administrative Access:

  • ✅ All dashboard features
  • ✅ Manage billing and subscription
  • ✅ Add/remove family members
  • ✅ Delete account
  • ✅ Manage all integrations
  • ✅ Configure all displays
  • ✅ Access all calendars
  • ✅ Manage all photos
  • ✅ Full message access
  • ✅ Export family data

Who Gets This:

  • Account creator (primary parent)
  • Cannot be downgraded
  • Can transfer ownership

Family Admin​

Administrative Access (No Billing):

  • ✅ Manage family members
  • ✅ Configure displays
  • ✅ Manage integrations
  • ✅ Edit all calendars
  • ✅ Manage photos
  • ✅ Send messages
  • ✅ View all content
  • ❌ Billing access
  • ❌ Delete account
  • ❌ Transfer ownership

Who Gets This:

  • Co-parent or spouse
  • Trusted adult family member
  • Recommended: 2 admins per family

Parent/Guardian​

Standard Parent Access:

  • ✅ View all family content
  • ✅ Edit family calendar
  • ✅ Manage own calendar
  • ✅ Send messages
  • ✅ Upload photos
  • ✅ View all displays
  • ✅ Manage kids' settings
  • ❌ Add/remove family members
  • ❌ Manage integrations
  • ❌ Configure displays
  • ❌ Billing access

Who Gets This:

  • Standard parents
  • Extended family with oversight

Teen (13-17 years)​

Limited Access:

  • ✅ View family calendar
  • ✅ Manage personal calendar
  • ✅ Add own events
  • ✅ View family photos
  • ✅ Send messages (approved displays)
  • ✅ View assigned displays
  • ❌ Edit others' calendars
  • ❌ Manage displays
  • ❌ Add family members
  • ❌ Access integrations
  • ❌ Change family settings

Who Gets This:

  • Teens 13 and older
  • Can be restricted further by parents

Child (Under 13)​

View-Only Access:

  • ✅ View personal schedule (on display)
  • ✅ See age-appropriate family content
  • ✅ Check off chores (if enabled)
  • ✅ View messages sent to them
  • ❌ Dashboard access
  • ❌ Calendar editing
  • ❌ Photo management
  • ❌ Send messages
  • ❌ Any administrative features

Who Gets This:

  • Children under 13
  • Fully managed by parents

Guest/Extended Family​

Read-Only Access:

  • ✅ View family calendar (limited)
  • ✅ View family photos
  • ✅ See family messages
  • ❌ Edit any content
  • ❌ Send messages
  • ❌ Upload photos
  • ❌ Manage anything
  • ❌ See private events

Who Gets This:

  • Grandparents (optional)
  • Temporary guests
  • Extended family

Display Access Control​

Assigning Displays​

Display Ownership: Each display can be assigned to specific family members:

Personal Displays:

  • Bedroom displays (one person)
  • Private office displays
  • Individual schedule only
  • Personal photos/messages

Shared Displays:

  • Kitchen (all family)
  • Living room (all family)
  • Family calendar + shared content
  • Everyone can view

Restricted Displays:

  • Parents-only displays
  • Adult content allowed
  • Work/private information
  • No kids' access

Display Management Permissions​

Who Can Configure Displays:

Account Owner + Admins:

  • Create new displays
  • Delete displays
  • Change layouts
  • Assign displays to family members
  • Configure display settings

Parents:

  • View all displays
  • Cannot modify settings
  • Can request changes
  • See what kids see

Teens:

  • View assigned displays only
  • Cannot modify
  • Can request layout changes
  • Limited customization (future)

Children:

  • View assigned displays only
  • No modification rights
  • Parents control everything

Display Access Settings​

Per Display Configuration:

  1. Go to Displays → Select display
  2. Click Access Settings
  3. Configure:
    • Viewers: Who can see this display's content in dashboard
    • Managers: Who can edit layout and settings
    • Privacy Level: Public, Family, Private, Kids-Safe

Privacy Levels:

Public:

  • All family members can view
  • Guest mode friendly
  • No sensitive content
  • Example: Living room display

Family:

  • All family members only
  • No guest access
  • Family events and photos
  • Example: Kitchen display

Private:

  • Specific family members only
  • No kids (unless specified)
  • Sensitive content allowed
  • Example: Parent's office

Kids-Safe:

  • Age-appropriate only
  • Safe mode enforced
  • Filtered content
  • Example: Kids' bedroom displays

Calendar Access Control​

Calendar Permissions​

Family Calendar:

  • Owner/Admin: Full edit access
  • Parents: Full edit access
  • Teens: View + add own events
  • Children: View personal events only
  • Guests: View public events only

Personal Calendars:

  • Owner: Full control of own calendar
  • Parents: Can edit kids' calendars
  • Teens: Can edit own calendar only
  • Children: Parents manage for them

Shared Calendars:

  • Managed by calendar owner
  • Permissions set per member
  • Can be view-only or edit

Event Privacy​

Event Visibility:

  1. Go to Calendar → Create/Edit Event
  2. Set Visibility:
    • Public: All family members see
    • Adults Only: Hide from kids
    • Private: Only event owner sees
    • Specific Members: Choose who sees

Who Can Override:

  • Account owner can see all events
  • Admins can see all events
  • Others see based on permissions

Photo Access Control​

Album Permissions​

Photo Access Levels:

Full Access (Owners/Admins):

  • View all albums
  • Upload photos
  • Delete photos
  • Assign albums to displays
  • Manage photo settings

Upload Access (Parents):

  • View family albums
  • Upload to shared albums
  • Cannot delete others' photos
  • Cannot manage settings

View Access (Teens):

  • View family albums
  • Cannot upload (unless granted)
  • Cannot delete
  • Cannot manage

Restricted View (Children):

  • View kid-safe albums only
  • No upload capability
  • Parents control all access

Album Assignment​

Per Display Album Settings:

  1. Go to Displays → Select display
  2. Configure Photo Settings
  3. Choose albums:
    • Family Albums: All ages appropriate
    • Kid-Safe Albums: Curated for children
    • Private Albums: Adults only
    • Personal Albums: Individual family member

Message Permissions​

Sending Messages​

Who Can Send:

Parents/Guardians:

  • Send to any display
  • Create scheduled messages
  • Priority messages
  • No approval needed

Teens (13-17):

  • Send to approved displays only
  • Parent notification (optional)
  • No priority messages
  • May require approval

Children (under 13):

  • Cannot send messages
  • Parents send on their behalf
  • May request messages via parent

Guests:

  • No message sending
  • View-only

Message Moderation​

Approval Settings:

  1. Go to Family → Members → Select teen
  2. Enable Message Approval
  3. Options:
    • No approval: Messages post immediately
    • Pre-approval: Parent approves before posting
    • Post-notification: Message posts, parent notified
    • Specific displays: Approval only for certain displays

Moderation Queue:

  • Parents see pending messages
  • Approve/reject/edit
  • Notification to teen
  • History maintained

Integration Access​

Who Can Manage Integrations​

Account Owner Only:

  • Connect/disconnect integrations
  • Authorize accounts (Google, etc.)
  • Configure integration settings
  • Manage API keys/credentials

Why Restricted:

  • Security: Integration credentials sensitive
  • Billing: Some integrations cost money
  • Complexity: Requires technical knowledge
  • Accountability: Single point of control

Delegation:

  • Owner can share credentials (not recommended)
  • Admin role can be granted integration access (custom)
  • Contact support for multi-admin integration access

Security Controls​

Password and Authentication​

Account Password:

  • Account owner sets primary password
  • Required for:
    • Billing changes
    • Account deletion
    • Adding integrations
    • Member role changes

Family Member Passwords:

  • Each member has own password
  • Required for dashboard login
  • Cannot access others' accounts
  • Reset via email or owner

Display Passwords:

  • Optional: Password-protect display settings
  • Prevents tampering
  • Different from account password
  • Set per display

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)​

Setup (Recommended):

  1. Go to Account → Security
  2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication
  3. Scan QR code with authenticator app
  4. Save backup codes

What's Protected:

  • Dashboard login
  • Billing changes
  • Integration management
  • Family member changes
  • Sensitive settings

Who Should Enable:

  • Account owner (strongly recommended)
  • Family admins
  • Any parent with full access

Session Management​

Active Sessions:

  • View all logged-in devices
  • Desktop, mobile, tablet
  • Location and last active
  • Logout remotely

Security Actions:

  1. Go to Account → Security → Active Sessions
  2. Review sessions
  3. Logout All Other Sessions if suspicious

Sharing and Guest Access​

Temporary Guest Access​

Use Cases:

  • Grandparents visiting (1 week)
  • Housesitter (while on vacation)
  • Nanny or caregiver (short term)
  • Exchange student (semester)

Setup:

  1. Go to Family → Members
  2. Click Add Guest
  3. Configure:
    • Name and email (optional)
    • Access duration (auto-expires)
    • Permissions (view-only recommended)
    • Which displays they can see
  4. Send invitation or share link

What Guests Can See:

  • Public calendar events only
  • Guest-approved photos
  • Public displays
  • No private/sensitive content

Auto-Expiration:

  • Set end date
  • Guest access removed automatically
  • Notification sent to guest
  • No action required

Guest Mode for Displays​

When Guests Visit:

  1. Enable Guest Mode on specific displays
  2. What changes:
    • Personal schedules hidden
    • Only public calendar shown
    • Private messages hidden
    • Switch to curated photo album
    • No sensitive information

Quick Toggle:

  • From dashboard: Displays → Guest Mode On/Off
  • Manual switch per display
  • Automatically restores when disabled

Parental Controls​

Kids' Access Restrictions​

Age-Based Controls:

Ages 3-5:

  • No dashboard access
  • View-only displays
  • Fully parent-managed
  • No technology interaction

Ages 6-12:

  • No dashboard access
  • View displays assigned to them
  • Parents manage calendars
  • Can check off chores (optional)

Ages 13-17:

  • Limited dashboard access
  • Manage own calendar
  • View family calendar
  • Restricted message sending
  • No administrative access

Ages 18+:

  • Upgrade to parent role
  • Full access (if granted)
  • Manage own content
  • Can be restricted if living at home

Feature Restrictions​

Restrict by Feature:

  1. Go to Family → Members → Select member
  2. Feature Access section
  3. Toggle features:
    • ✅ View family calendar
    • ❌ Edit family calendar
    • ✅ View photos
    • ❌ Upload photos
    • ✅ Send messages (approved displays)
    • ❌ Send messages (all displays)
    • ❌ Manage displays
    • ❌ Manage integrations

Custom Permissions:

  • Override role defaults
  • Grant/restrict specific features
  • Teen with more freedom
  • Child with limited interaction

Screen Time & Display Schedule​

Display On/Off Schedule:

  1. Per display: Set active hours
  2. Example for kids' bedroom:
    • On: 6:00 AM
    • Off: 8:00 PM
    • Display turns off automatically
    • Encourages bedtime routine

Content Restrictions:

  • School nights: Educational content only
  • Weekends: More relaxed settings
  • Bedtime: Calm, minimal content
  • Morning: Energizing content

Audit and Monitoring​

Activity Logs​

What's Tracked:

Account Owner Can View:

  • All calendar changes (who added/edited events)
  • Photo uploads (who added which photos)
  • Message history (who sent what, when)
  • Display configuration changes
  • Family member additions/removals
  • Integration connection/disconnection

Access Logs:

  1. Go to Account → Activity
  2. Filter by:
    • Family member
    • Action type
    • Date range
    • Display

Use Cases:

  • Accountability: "Who deleted my event?"
  • Security: Detect unauthorized changes
  • Compliance: Track data access
  • Debugging: Understand what happened

Notifications​

Activity Alerts:

Configure Notifications:

  1. Go to Account → Notifications
  2. Enable alerts for:
    • ✅ Family member added/removed
    • ✅ Integration connected/disconnected
    • ✅ Display configuration changed
    • ✅ Calendar event deleted
    • ✅ Message sent by teen (if moderated)
    • ⬜ Every calendar change (noisy)
    • ⬜ Every photo upload (noisy)

Delivery:

  • Email notifications
  • Push notifications (mobile app)
  • Daily summary (batch mode)

Best Practices​

Start Restrictive​

Initial Setup:

  • Begin with minimal permissions
  • Gradually grant more access
  • Build trust over time
  • Adjust as kids mature

Example Progression:

  • Age 8: View personal schedule only
  • Age 10: Can check off chores
  • Age 13: Teen account, manage own calendar
  • Age 16: Message sending to approved displays
  • Age 18: Full parent permissions

Regular Reviews​

Monthly:

  • Review family members list
  • Update ages (kids' birthdays)
  • Adjust permissions as needed
  • Check display assignments

Quarterly:

  • Audit activity logs
  • Review guest access (remove expired)
  • Update security settings
  • Revisit role assignments

Annually:

  • Major permissions review
  • Teen privilege expansions
  • Account cleanup
  • Integration audit

Communication​

Transparency:

  • Explain permissions to family
  • Discuss why restrictions exist
  • Involve teens in decisions
  • Build digital responsibility

Expectations:

  • Clear rules about access
  • Consequences for misuse
  • How to request more access
  • Regular check-ins

Security​

Protect Account:

  • Strong password (12+ characters)
  • Enable 2FA
  • Don't share credentials
  • Regular password changes

Monitor Access:

  • Review active sessions monthly
  • Logout unknown devices
  • Check activity logs
  • Report suspicious activity

Troubleshooting​

Family Member Can't Access Feature​

Check:

  1. Their role and permissions
  2. Feature availability in subscription plan
  3. Age restrictions (for kids)
  4. Custom permission overrides

Solutions:

  • Adjust role if appropriate
  • Grant specific feature access
  • Verify age setting correct
  • Check subscription includes feature

Can't Remove Family Member​

Possible Reasons:

  • They're the account owner (cannot remove)
  • They have displays assigned (reassign first)
  • They have active calendar events (will be marked "Former Member")

How to Remove:

  1. Reassign their displays to someone else
  2. Go to Family → Members
  3. Click member → Remove
  4. Confirm removal
  5. Their events remain but marked as former member

Forgot Password​

For Account Owner:

  1. Click Forgot Password on login
  2. Email sent with reset link
  3. Create new password
  4. Login with new password

For Family Members:

  • Same process as above
  • Or: Account owner can reset their password
  • Go to Family → Members → Reset Password

Display Shows Wrong Content​

Check Access Settings:

  1. Verify display privacy level
  2. Check who display is assigned to
  3. Confirm Safe Mode setting (for kids)
  4. Review album assignments

Fix:

  • Adjust display privacy level
  • Reassign display to correct family member
  • Enable Safe Mode for kids' displays
  • Switch to appropriate photo album

Next Steps​

Family Management:

Features to Configure:

Display Setup:

Questions? Contact [email protected] or check Common Issues