Raising a child comes with its fair share of unique challenges. But those challenges are often intensified in a digital age where online activity can put a child in harm’s way, just as much as it could benefit them.
And with most children having a cell phone by the age of 12, according to Stanford Medicine, many parents are looking for new and improved ways to monitor their child’s internet and cell phone activity.
Enter parental control apps.
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These apps ensure kids can use their devices safely by filtering content, limiting screen time, monitoring online behavior, and much more. Parents can then view this data and adjust preferences accordingly.
Common features of parental control apps include screen time management, app blocking, call and text monitoring, location tracking, social media and web monitoring, controlling purchases, and device locking.
Three of the highest-rated parental control apps
Parental control apps are quickly becoming a must-have tool for parents around the world. But like most apps and software programs on the app store today, not all parental control apps are created equal.
That’s why some parents, including one of our loyal readers, are looking for suggestions.
“My daughter just got a phone. She just started middle school, she’s in all of these after school activities so decided it was time,” our reader wrote. “What apps do you recommend to monitor a child’s phone?”
While there are literally dozens to choose from, let’s narrow your options down to three of the best.
3. Bark – Parental Controls
Bark is one of the more popular parental control apps today, protecting more than seven million children and detecting nearly three million severe self-harm situations and five million severe bullying situations.
It scans through text messages, dozens of different social media apps, email accounts, web browsers, and more to ensure you have a running history of everything your child is doing and seeing when online.
The app costs $14 per month, but you can add an unlimited number of devices and accounts. They also have a Bark Phone designed for kids and a Bark Home device to monitor their TVs and game consoles.
2. Qustodio Parental Control
Qustodio is another parental control app that’s gaining steam in the parenting community. With more than six million subscribers and more than three billion threats averted, it’s easy to see why so many trust it.
The app protects your child from online predators, mental health issues, sleep problems, identity theft, cyberbullying, inappropriate content, online addiction, education issues, and excessive screen time.
The “Basic Plan” is $55 per year and includes everything a parent needs to get started. The “Complete Plan” costs $100 per year and comes with additional features, including call and text monitoring.
1. Aura Parental Controls
If you want a parental control app that celebrities use and trust, then look no further than Aura, which has Robert Downey Jr. listed as a brand advocate, investor, strategist, and member of its board of directors.
He has been on a mission to increase online safety and protection ever since his Instagram got hacked in 2019. “I’m joining Aura to tackle the issue of online safety for families head on,” he said in a statement.
Aura is usually $250 per year, but the software is currently on sale for 60% off ($100 per year). The subscription covers unlimited kids and devices and can be used to track activity on video games, as well.
Other tips for keeping your child safe in a digital age
Parental control apps are constantly evolving to ensure parents have the tools necessary to protect their family from online and offline threats. But don’t think of these apps as the be-all and end-all for safety.
Instead, these apps should be used in conjunction with other best practices, almost like a supplement.
For example, parents should still be teaching their children to be mindful of what they post and the many dangers they expose themselves to when surfing the internet, using a mobile app, or messaging friends.
Make sure they understand what’s okay, and what’s not okay. And while screen time can be beneficial to a child, don’t let it override the need for physical activity, face-to-face interactions, and social skills.
And if you plan on downloading a parental control app, do your research and read testimonials from other parents who have tried the app you’re interested in. They all have different features, so make sure it has what you need!
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The internet is a crazy place. But with the right tools, parents can keep their children out of harm’s way. Luckily, parental control apps can give you the peace of mind you’ve been searching for all these years.