When Google parent company Alphabet Inc. announced in October that it was buying Nest, a home security and automation company, many people were surprised. Nest is known for its camera products, not the internet of things. But if Alphabet is serious about building a future for the internet of things, it may want to consider hiring two parents as managers for Google Family Link, the division that oversees the company’s family-friendly policies. The idea of having two parents manage Google Family Link has been around for years and has been floated by some employees as a way to keep families together while also providing more control over their children’s online lives. It would be an unusual role for a parent to take on at a tech company, but it could be an important one if Alphabet wants to build a future where everything is connected.
