The 8 Best Parental Control Apps for Android/iOS in 2024

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In today's digital age, where smartphones are almost extensions of our children’s lives, ensuring their online safety is paramount. Parental control apps offer a crucial layer of protection, helping parents monitor their children's online activities, set limits, and create a safer digital environment. With a myriad of options available, choosing the right app can be overwhelming. Let's explore some of the top-rated parental control apps for Android and iOS.

These apps provide a range of features, from screen time management and app blocking to location tracking and website filtering. It's essential to select an app that aligns with your family's specific needs and preferences. Consider factors such as the age of your child, the level of control you desire, and the app’s compatibility with your devices.

By carefully evaluating different parental control apps and their offerings, you can make an informed decision to safeguard your child's digital well-being. Let's delve into two popular options to get you started.

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The Best Parental Control Apps List

Below are 8 of the best parental control apps that worth to try, and these were chosen based on their features, ease of use, compatibility with most devices, and more.

1. Qustodio: Comprehensive Parental Control

• Paid (offers a free trial)
• Comprehensive features including app blocking, website filtering, screen time limits, location tracking, and social media monitoring.
• Suitable for parents seeking granular control over their children's online activities.

Qustodio is a well-rounded parental control app that offers a wide array of features to protect your children online. With Qustodio, you can monitor your child's device usage, block inappropriate content, and set screen time limits. The app also provides location tracking, allowing you to know where your child is at all times. Qustodio’s advanced reporting features offer insights into your child's online activities, helping you make informed decisions about their digital habits. Whether you're concerned about cyberbullying, online predators, or excessive screen time, Qustodio can provide peace of mind.

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2. Norton Family: Trusted Protection

• Paid
• Emphasizes web filtering and content monitoring.
• Offers location tracking, app control, and time management features.
• Strong reputation for security and protection.

Norton Family is a well-known name in cybersecurity, and its parental control app extends that reputation to online safety. This app offers a robust suite of features to help parents manage their children's digital lives. From website filtering and app blocking to screen time management and location tracking, Norton Family provides comprehensive protection. Parents can also access detailed reports on their child's online activities, helping them stay informed and make informed decisions. While Norton Family might be slightly less feature-rich compared to some competitors, its strong reputation for security and reliability makes it a solid choice for many parents.

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3. OurPact: Screen Time Management and Beyond

• Paid
• Offers screen time management, app blocking, and location tracking.
• User-friendly interface with easy-to-use features.

OurPact is a popular choice for parents looking to balance screen time with other activities. It excels in scheduling screen time limits, blocking specific apps, and monitoring device usage. With OurPact, you can create custom schedules for different days of the week, ensuring a healthy digital-life balance. Beyond screen time management, the app also offers location tracking, allowing you to know your child's whereabouts. While it might not have as extensive features as some other options, OurPact's simplicity and focus on screen time management make it a strong contender for many families.

4. Net Nanny: Strong Focus on Content Filtering

• Paid
• Website Filtering
• App Blocking
• Screen Time Management
• Social Media Monitoring
• Location Tracking
• Report and Alerts

Net Nanny is a veteran in the parental control arena, renowned for its robust content filtering capabilities. It goes beyond simple website blocking, analyzing individual web pages to determine their suitability for your child. This granular approach ensures a higher level of protection against harmful content.

Beyond content filtering, Net Nanny offers features like screen time management, app blocking, and location tracking. While it might not be as feature-rich as some competitors in terms of social media monitoring or detailed activity reports, its core strength lies in safeguarding your child from inappropriate content.

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5. Google Family Link: Built-in Parental Control

• Free
• Designed specifically for families with Google accounts.
• Offers screen time management, app approval, location tracking, and digital wellbeing features.
• Ideal for parents who already use Google services.

Google Family Link offers a seamless parental control solution for Android devices. Directly integrated into the Google ecosystem, it provides a convenient way to manage your child's digital experience. With Family Link, you can set screen time limits, approve or block apps, monitor device location, and even create a Google Account for your child. As a bonus, it offers a supervised YouTube experience, ensuring age-appropriate content. While it's primarily designed for Android, it also works with some Chromebook models. However, it's essential to note that Family Link doesn't offer the same level of granular control as some dedicated parental control apps, such as those designed for iOS devices.

6. Bark: AI-Powered Protection

• Paid
• Focuses on AI-powered content monitoring for social media, SMS, and emails.
• Detects cyberbullying, explicit content, and other potential risks.
• Best for parents concerned about online safety and well-being.

Bark is a unique parental control app that leverages AI to monitor your child's digital activity across multiple platforms. It goes beyond basic monitoring by detecting potential issues like cyberbullying, depression, threats of violence, and exposure to adult content. Bark analyzes text messages, emails, and social media posts to identify red flags and sends alerts directly to parents.

Beyond safety, Bark also offers screen time management features, allowing you to set limits and create healthy digital habits. While it primarily focuses on proactive monitoring and alerting, it provides essential tools to protect your child's online well-being.

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7. Kidox Kids Lock: Simple and Effective

• Paid
• Screen time management
• App blocking
• Website filtering
• Location tracking

Kidox Kids Lock offers a straightforward approach to parental control. Designed with simplicity in mind, this app focuses on essential features without overwhelming users. It allows you to easily set screen time limits, block specific apps, and monitor your child's device usage. While Kidox Kids Lock might not have the extensive features of some other options, it excels at providing basic parental control in an intuitive manner. If you're looking for a no-frills solution to manage your child's screen time, Kidox Kids Lock could be a suitable choice.

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8. Kaspersky Safe Kids: Robust Protection

• Free version: Provides basic features like web and app filtering, screen time limits, and some level of content monitoring.
• Paid version: Offers more advanced features such as location tracking, social media monitoring, geofencing, and in-depth reports.

Kaspersky Safe Kids is another excellent choice for parents seeking comprehensive protection for their children. This app combines robust security features with user-friendly controls. With Kaspersky Safe Kids, you can block harmful websites, monitor app usage, and set time limits for your child's device. The app also offers location tracking and a panic button for added safety. Additionally, Kaspersky Safe Kids provides valuable educational resources to help parents and children navigate the digital world responsibly.

Conclusion

While these apps offer robust protection, it's crucial to maintain open communication with your children about online safety. Establish clear rules and guidelines, and regularly review their device usage. By combining parental control apps with effective parenting, you can create a safer digital environment for your child to thrive.