Parents of teens glued to their smartphones now have a new way to pry them away from their gadgets - Getty Images Contributor

Parents of teenagers glued to their smartphones now have a new way to pry them away from their gadgets.

Google has launched new tools on its free Family Link app designed to set "digital ground rules" for teenagers.

The app was launched in March and provides parents with weekly activity reports on their child's phone usage. It also allows parents to block certain apps and lock their child's device remotely.

Up until now, the app was designed to help control the smartphone habits of children 13 and under. However, the new update extends those controls to teenagers.

Google has also added the ability for parents to remotely lock their teenagers' accounts on the app using Google Assistant.

Google has launched new tools on its free Family Link app designed to set "digital ground rules" for teenagers

For example, parents can say 'Hey Google, lock Harry's device,' and teens will have a few minutes to finish what they are doing before their smartphone is turned off.

Teenagers, however, have the ability to override the controls, although Google says it will let parents know if they do.

If teens choose to turn off the tools they will have to wait 24 hours until the phone is unlocked.

Google family and kids director Paulo Golgher said: "Over the coming days, we’ll make Family Link available to more families, on more devices, and in nearly every country in the world."

The app is only available on Android smartphones and iPhones. According to Google's PlayStore it has been downloaded more than a million times. Family Link will also soon be available for Chromebook laptops.

Google's updated parental controls come as Apple releases its new iPhone XS, which comes with its iOS 12 software that will allow parents to manage children's screen time. Google is also set to add new screen time monitoring tools built into its operating system with its next Android update, so users can check their own tech addiction.

Tech companies have been introducing features that can promote "digital wellbeing" in an effort to hit back at the addictive perception of their technology.

The Telegraph has been running a Duty of Care campaign calling on the Government to add a legal duty for tech companies to better monitor what content is shown to young people.