This rapid development and advancement of technology also pose multiple risks to children, which is why you need a good parental app to monitor and control your child’s use of phones and tablets. Here are the top 5 parental control apps that you can use to monitor your children’s online and offline activity.
Note: Make sure you have open and ongoing conversations with your children about the importance of responsible device usage, so they don’t immediately plot to uninstall or find loopholes in whatever app you install.
Qustodio
Qustodio is available on all Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and even Kindles. The application allows you to log your children’s calls and texts. It also allows you to monitor and restrict your child’s device access to applications and websites. Qustodio has activity tracking and reporting features that also let you limit screen time on their devices. T
The app offers location monitoring features such as locating your child’s devices whenever you want and geofencing features. It also gives your children access to the panic button, which, when pressed, alerts the parents to the device’s location.
The app is easy to use and very user-friendly. The app has a free feature-limited version, and its premium packages cost $54.95, $96.95, and $137.95 per year, depending on the number of devices connected.
Bark
The bark is also available on most Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Amazon devices. It is the best app for monitoring social media, texts, and emails. Instead of using keywords to block and restrict apps and websites, Bark uses AI and machine learning to shield and protect children from sensitive content.
The app also offers content filtering, application and screen time management, and location tracking. Bark also offers a ‘check-in’ feature where the app notifies you when children reach a predetermined destination (School, Home, etc.).
Bark offers premium plans that cost $14/month or $99/annually for an unlimited number of devices. Bark also has a cheaper Bark Junior app for $5/month, which provides a limited number of features.
Net Nanny
Net Nanny is available on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Amazon. The application’s UI is incredibly user-friendly and easy to use for parents. The app lets the parents create their own custom filters and analyzes web pages instead of completely blocking them.
The app also has location tracking and managing options. Screen time management is also available. Net Nanny also filters content within social media apps like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. The only feature lacking in Net Nanny is the ability to monitor calls and texts. Net Nanny starts from $39.99/year for one device, $54.99/year for five devices, and $89.99/year for twenty devices.
Canopy
This app is available to install on all devices, including Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS. Canopy is an app designed to monitor and control the internet for older children. It is not overly restrictive and isn’t as invasive of privacy as other apps on this list. It doesn’t let parents read or monitor texts or calls, but it monitors and screens for inappropriate content in any applications or web pages.
The primary feature that sets this app apart is its ‘Sexting Prevention’ features. It detects and notifies parents if children are at any risk of sending or receiving inappropriate photos. The application also has features to block and restrict apps and games. The canopy also has a removal prevention feature that denies your children the ability to delete the app.
Canopy offers a one-week trial, and its basic plan starts at $8/month. You can protect up to five devices for $9.99/month or ten devices for $15.99/month.
OurPact
OurPact is available to download on Android and iOS. It lets you filter the content that your child accesses. It allows you to block apps and websites. The app also has location tracking features that keep you updated on your child’s location.
While it may not have the most features, it allows you to do the most basic parental filtering while being very easy to use. OurPact offers a free feature-limited version, while its premium costs $6.99/month or $9.99/month.
