Modern children can open almost any source with a tap; that’s why protection has become an issue of utmost concern among parents. From simple tricks to social networks, which are absolutely safe, it is tough for a parent to find that golden mean.
Parental control apps have come a long way, evolving to offer advanced tools like screen time limits, location tracking, and content filtering, empowering you to manage your child’s digital life.
If you need the best parental control apps for iPhone or Android devices to block apps, set a limit on screen time, or monitor online activity, this guide will be helpful for you.
Why Read This Guide?
Given the many choices available, deciding on the best parental control apps can be a real challenge. In this article, you will find descriptions of the popular apps with the ultimate usefulness rating for 2024 and the list of advantages and pitfalls.
Indeed, ranging from the question of iOS and Android support to the app’s ability to lock during a trial period and other aspects, we look at everything from every side so that you feel comfortable keeping your children safe.
What is a Parental Control App, and Why is it Important?
Parental control apps are more than just monitoring tools; they’re a way to give kids the freedom to explore the digital world safely.
The best parenting application of 2024 is not just an all-inclusive monitoring tool. Thanks to screen time and geofencing, for instance, you will stay assured that your child is able to access only those websites that are acceptable in your family code of conduct.
Parents turn to these apps to help children block or filter whatever they consider not suitable for them, set how long the child will be allowed to use electronic devices or protect the child from possible harm.
Whether for monitoring app downloads or blocking specific apps, parental control apps offer a range of functionalities that help you keep your kids safe online.
Essential Features to Look for in Parental Control Apps
When evaluating parental control apps, look for these essential features:
- Content Filtering: Some applications, such as Rablenge, offer safeguard settings that censor suitable websites, applications, or even social media posts. In the case of colored filters, the glass produced should be customizable to meet the client’s preferences.
- Screen Time Limits: Very useful to set the limit of hours one can spend with gadgets, the limits for screen time help the user to maintain balance between being online and going offline.
- Location Tracking: Thanks to GPS tracking a parent can learn where the child is at the moment and it’s very useful when children are on their own.
Also, many apps provide an opportunity to practice the application under the conditions of free trial to use specific options. For these reasons alone, the parental control app would be useful since it provides these specific functionalities as a notification function as well as an ability to manage applications on the device.
Top-Rated Parental Control Apps for 2024
Let’s explore some of the best parental control apps available:
Google Family Link
For Android, the most used and, at the same time, the free option is Google Family Link, which offers the basic functions of a parental control application.
Parents are able to control and supervise the child’s activity within the iPhone, set the time when a child uses the iPhone, and view the activity of applications and the location of the child.
Pros:
- Free Access: Family Link doesn’t cost a dime, and this makes it ideal for families who are tight on their pockets.
- Activity Reports: The details of usage allow parents to clearly identify the applications on which their child spends most of his time.
- Location Tracking: Again, one of the most important benefits of using real-time tracking is that the parents are able to find the location of their child at any time.
Cons:
- Limited to Android: Nevertheless, the application of Family Link does not support iOS fully; therefore, it is limited to iPhone users only.
- Basic Features: Some additional options like social media control and web filtering are missing, which some parents apparently need.
- Ideal For: Guardians in search of a simple Android-based parental control application without any charge for regulating screen time and location.
Norton Family
Norton Family is an all-inclusive solution for parents wishing to monitor their wards across the several devices that they use, such as the iPhone, iPad, Android devices, etc. It has content filtering, usage and time scheduling, social media, and app control features.
Pros:
- Multi-Device Support: Works both on iOS and Android operating systems, thus suitable for families that use both operating systems.
- Detailed Monitoring: It will give a thorough analysis of web browsing, social network activity, and application usage.
- Customizable Filters: Enables parents to first set the internet filtering options with reference to the age limits required.
Cons:
- Subscription Cost: One drawback, however, is that Norton Family is a paid application that, unlike most of Norton’s other offerings, is still not available for a one-time fee; its monthly subscription is $14.99, while the annual subscription is $49.95.
- Complex Setup: A few of the users who took part in the study complained of time consumption while configuring the devices.
- Ideal For: Parents who are in need of a full array of monitoring tools with the ability to specify parameters for each child.
Kaspersky Safe Kids
The Kaspersky Safe Kids solution offers a few basic parental control features such as location, time, and web control. Its basic form is free of charge, while it has a pro version depending on the needs of the family.
Pros:
- Affordable Premium: For one, Kaspersky’s premium version is way cheaper than most of its rivals.
- Flexible Options: This is slightly more costly than other PPTs but comes with a free version for those working on a tight budget.
- Real-Time Alerts: The parent has real-time notification if a child tries to access prohibited material.
Cons:
- Inconsistent iOS Features: Some of the functions fit better in the Android environment than in the iOS.
- Limited Social Media Monitoring: App monitoring of social media activity is minimal as compared to the other apps.
- Ideal For: Parents seeking a simple app they could use for child monitoring that doesn’t come with a steep price tag.
Bark
Bark arises from the rest of the parental control apps since it specializes in keeping track of what happens on social media platforms. It surveys the social sites, email, and text messages that could have negative implications for their parenthood to allow them to take precautions.
Pros:
- Comprehensive Social Media Coverage: Supervises a number of sites for any obscene, abusive, or otherwise dangerous content, threats, and contact.
- Real-Time Alerts: Alerts the parent immediately on any prohibited material or any undesirable conduct or practice by the child.
- User-Friendly Interface: User-friendly options are perfect for parents who are not very fluent in technology.
Cons:
- Subscription-Only: It lacks a free version; it has a monthly subscription to the premium version.
- Limited Location Tracking: Although it lacks an advanced location tracking mechanism compared to other apps,
- Ideal For: The particular focus is on how parents use social media and the extent to which they are worried about monitoring and other risks, which include cyberbullying.
Qustodio
Qustodio is one of those versatile apps for parental control, with features including web filtering, screen time, and location. It is a versatile and straightforward software that runs on all popular operating systems.
Pros:
- Comprehensive Web Filtering: These adaptability and content filtering options mean that the customer will be able to browse safely.
- Cross-Platform Support: Works on iPhone, iPad, and Android, Windows, and macOS devices, helpful for families with diverse gadgets.
- Daily Reports: Proactively offers so-called activity reports, which show the child’s activity throughout the day and allow parents to monitor the consequences of the use of certain sites in the long term.
Cons:
- Pricey Subscription: It costs users more than most of the products in its category, but the brand’s premium line is equally pricey compared to its rivals.
- Occasional Slow Performance: Some of the defects that a few users have pointed out include latency when, at times, hopping from one feature to another.
- Ideal For: Families in search of what may be a single app that can offer them rich information concerning different devices.
Net Nanny
Most parents are familiar with Net Nanny because of features like real-time content filtering and screen time restrictions. It works on both iOS and Android and provides children with a safe browsing experience.
Pros:
- Excellent Content Filtering: Real-time content filtering also makes it very suitable for young ones who require close monitoring.
- Intuitive Interface: Parents who have no time or inclination to fiddle with complicated layouts and designs of various apps will find this one easy to use.
- Screen Time Scheduler: This permits enhanced formulation of the time that children spend on the screen; thus, it helps control children’s activities on the screen.
Cons:
- Higher Cost: Net Nanny needs to be purchased or obtained at a subscription fee.
- Limited Location Tracking: Some parents probably might think its location tracking function is not so developed.
- Ideal For: Parents concerned about appropriate content and the amount of time their children spend on the device.
OurPact
Among OurPact’s features are scheduling articles and screen time as well as being able to block certain applications. It also has the option of the app disappearing, which assists parents in controlling the amount of time a child spends on the device.
Pros:
- Innovative App Blocking: The feature enables you to make the app disappear and also makes the application usage control easy for parents.
- Screen Time Scheduling: Has specific Case Scheduling choices for assuming a well-coordinated routine.
- Flexible Plans: There is a freemium model where parents get an opportunity to choose between a free plan and a paid plan, depending on their preference.
Cons:
- Inconsistent Performance on iOS: Some functionalities perform well on Android.
- Subscription Cost: A subscription is needed to have full access to view the information.
- Ideal For: A parent resource for finding unique methods of reducing screen time through app blocking.
Each of these parental control apps brings unique strengths to the table, from Google Family Link’s affordability to Qustodio’s cross-platform compatibility and Bark’s advanced social media monitoring.
Now, whether you need good content filtering, probably the best location tracking, or even both, each of these families has one.
Free vs. Paid Parental Control Apps: Which is Best?
Is it worth paying for parental control apps? Free apps, like Google Family Link, offer basic functionalities but may lack the depth of paid versions.
Paid apps often provide enhanced features like location tracking, advanced screen time limits, and the ability to monitor multiple devices.
Here’s a quick comparison of free vs. paid parental control apps:
Paid options are usually more versatile and permit the user to monitor more devices at the same time – that is great if you have several kids in your house.
Finally, the decision is based on whether simple app restrictions and tracking are enough or if you require a more efficient type of parental control application.
Screen Time Limits: Guidelines for Achieving Moderation in Internet Use
Controlling the amount of time children spend on screen is essential, especially in today’s world, given the availability of attractive games or other content. Parental control apps like Google Family Link and Norton Family let you set screen time limits, ensuring kids get a balanced mix of activities.
Here’s how you can make the most of screen time limits:
- Use Time Slots: Schedule the use of the devices for specific hourly time slots. For instance, promote the use of screens in the evening but discourage the use of apps before homework time.
- Incentivize Offline Activities: Help children spend more time outdoors by letting them be actively present online.
Organization of some lessons involving the television is more than just the prohibition; it’s about instilling responsibility. By setting these boundaries, parental control apps help kids develop a healthier relationship with technology.
Using GPS Tracking to Merged Your Children’s Safe
Whenever children are outside, their parents always have a fear for their safety. Location tracking is a valuable feature in parental control apps, allowing you to know your child’s whereabouts.
Real-time tracking and alert options are options provided by the Norton Family and Google Family Link apps to inform you a child has reached or left a specific place.
The function becomes handy, especially for parents who can most often be around their children. With location tracking, you can breathe easily, knowing your child is safe while at the same time enjoying the privacy they need to play, get lost in, or roam around within their allowed radius.
Social Networking Monitoring And Content Banning
The use of social media is both good and bad for children. While it serves as a unifying factor among them the same, it presents them with the various risks that exist out there.
Parental control apps offer social media monitoring and content filtering to ensure your child only interacts with appropriate content.
For instance, Norton Family features encompass the notification to the parents any time the children try to bundle into prohibited social media sites.
In this manner, parents can manipulate settings and set filters so as to produce safe internet environments free from prohibited content.
Choosing Parental Control Apps for iOS and Android Devices
Compatibility is crucial. Parental control apps are available for iOS and Android, with some apps exclusive to either platform. Here’s what to consider:
- iOS Options: For iPhone users, it’s better to check Norton Family and Kaspersky Safe Kids, which perform app blocking and content filtering on iOS gadgets.
- Android Options: The most prominent and versatile Android application to monitor your child’s activities is Google Family Link, which contains basic features that are available for free, including location tracking and screen scheduling.
You must choose a parental control app that is relevant to your device type. It is also wise to look at different capabilities and options in an application during a trial-free period to determine their suitability to one’s family.
What to Look for When Testing Parental Control Apps
Testing parental control apps before committing can save you from potential disappointments. Most apps provide a 30-day free trial, meaning you can use the app blocking, the screen time, and the location locating, to name but a few.
Checklist for Testing:
- Ease of Use: Does it take a lot of time to install the app and find its way around it?
- Feature Availability: It has standard controls such as application blocking and content filtering, but does this matter?
- Compatibility: Does it have the capability of supporting more than one device in your home?
The software we reviewed, such as Norton Family, uses friendly interfaces to ensure that monitoring is easily accomplished.
By testing, you will discover how advantageous or disadvantageous each of the applications is and make a rational decision.
Real-Life Reviews of Parental Control Apps
Parents who’ve tried various parental control apps your child have valuable insights. As mentioned before, the Norton Family has very positive feedback; the following quote sums it up perfectly:
This app was very helpful for me and provided me with security for being a parent and understanding that my children are safe while being online and the screen time features that make sure children won’t spend too much time on their devices.
You may hear this feedback from a parent on Google Family Link. I get a free account, which meets basic requirements, and I may pay for more restrictions.
The actual app experiences let gathered figures define how particular applications perform in a given scenario and provide a more accurate depiction of the potential benefits of parental control software.
FAQs About Parental Control Apps
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Are parental control apps safe to use?
Yes, parental control apps are safe when downloaded from reputable sources like the App Store or Google Play. Such apps focus on the protection of the user’s identity so that parents can effectively monitor or restrict internet usage without threats to the safety of the kid. This can quickly be done by just checking the permissions an app requires and reading the reviews about it before installation.
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Which Parental control app is suitable for iPhone users?
If you use an iPhone, Norton Family and Kaspersky Safe Kids are very suitable for you. There is a content restriction with both apps, screen time management, and device location tracking. Some of the apps limit their functionality on iOS as Apple is rather strict with the apps available on their devices. Nevertheless, the Norton Family and Kaspersky are two parents looking to monitor their children using iPhones and iPads. They would not be disappointed as both Norton Family and Kaspersky have been assigned high ratings as they offer all-around monitoring apps.
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Can I monitor social media activities with parental control apps?
Yes, some parental control apps, like Bark and Norton Family, provide social media monitoring. On the other hand, Bark stands out for its aggressive social media monitoring feature, which informs parents where there is any problematic activity, such as bullying or the use of wrong content. However, monitoring through apps might be a little different across the social media platforms, therefore considering the features offered by each app on the respective social media available.
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Are these apps applicable for iPhone and Android smartphones?
Most parental control apps, like Qustodio and Net Nanny, work on both iOS and Android, but some are platform-specific. For instance, the Google Family Link pet prefers Android, while the Norton Family is compatible with iOS, Android, and Windows. Before downloading, check that the app will work on all the devices in the household for easy surveillance.
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Are there free parental control apps?
Indeed, there are free options like Family Link which provides basic features of controlling your child’s smartphone without a major need to pay for it. Kaspersky Safe Kids also has a free version that offers the most basic functionality for monitoring kids. Still, most free applications are simpler in their functionality; getting a paid version generally adds better functionalities like the filtering of content as well as social media monitoring.
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Knowing where I can find the apps, how can I set screen time limits?
Screen time limits can be set directly within most parental control apps, like Norton Family and Qustodio. It lets the parents set daily or weekly bounded time or define particular hours when the child is allowed to use the apps, and they can also freeze apps. I consider it beneficial to avoid setting the same pattern of screen time for children because this way, it is easier to achieve a better balance between screen and non-screen time.
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Can parental control apps track my child’s location?
Yes, many parental control apps, such as Google Family Link and Norton Family, include location tracking. This feature harnesses GPS to give you the real-time location of your child and can also alert you when they get to or from a specific place. It’s a worthwhile tool for making sure that children remain protected whenever they are out of their homes.
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Are parental control apps suitable for teenagers?
Yes, parental control apps can be beneficial for teenagers, but transparency is key. Some apps are more or less restrictive, and many allow parents to monitor their children’s use of the device and gradually increase their control as the child becomes older. As a more effective system to ‘police’ the use of social media, encouraging parental controls that remind adolescents of how they could properly use the internet instead of r Kate’s methods helps teens feel respected rather than policed.
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Is app blocking similar to content filtering or how does it work?
App blocking gives an option to disable a single app, such as games or social networks. Content filtering prevents specific categories of sites or content (such as adult material) from being accessed in any internet usage. Both features increase the degree of safety while being on the Internet, but they differ in their intended purpose — either to track or to block.
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Which parental control app works best for me and my family?
Be sure to think about your family’s particular requirements and compatibility of devices. If you’re concerned with social media monitoring, then, undoubtedly, Bark will fit. For this, with some broader features and the ability to connect across multiple devices, it may be better to go with Qustodio or Norton Family. It is also possible to try out different apps and see how many of them could increase your family’s productivity. It is also possible to test paid versus free apps, which would be helpful in choosing the right app to use for your family.
