Best Parental Control Apps of 2024

Use the comparison tool below to compare the top Parental Control apps on the market. You can filter results by user reviews, pricing, features, platform, region, support options, integrations, and more.

Parental Control Apps Overview

Parental control apps are software tools designed to help parents monitor and manage their children’s online activity. These apps provide a variety of features that allow parents to monitor, limit, or block access to certain types of content, websites, and applications.

One of the main purposes of parental control apps is providing protection against online dangers such as inappropriate content, cyberbullying, identity theft, sexual exploitation, and other threats. The app will also let you know if there is suspicious activity on your child’s device. Most parental control apps have the ability to track internet usage by setting time limits and blocking certain content. This feature allows you to ensure that your child isn’t spending too much time using the internet or accessing questionable material. Additionally, some apps may allow you to restrict access to specific devices or programs for specific times of day (i.e., bedtime).

Many parental control apps also offer monitoring features such as text message tracking and call logging so that parents can keep an eye on their child’s conversations and contacts. With these tools, you will be able to review all incoming and outgoing messages in order to make sure they aren’t getting into dangerous situations or engaging in inappropriate behavior with others online.

In addition to these safety features, parental control apps often come with location tracking capabilities so that parents can always keep tabs on where their kids are at any given time or set up “safe zones" for them with geofencing technology. Some even have panic buttons so that children can discreetly contact their parents for help if they ever find themselves in a potentially dangerous situation while away from home.

Finally, many parental control solutions offer additional features like web filtering which helps protect kids from offensive web sites; app blocking which prevents children from downloading certain applications; real-time alerts when certain words appear in texts/messages; scheduling tools; budgeting tools; age-appropriate content suggestions; device activity reports; and more.

Overall, parental control apps are an effective solution for helping parents keep their kids safe online while still allowing them a degree of autonomy and freedom necessary for developing good cyber habits early on in life.

Why Use Parental Control Apps?

Parental control apps are important tools to help parents monitor and protect their children as they navigate the digital world. Here are some of the reasons why:

1. To Monitor Internet Usage: By tracking and restricting internet usage, parental control apps can help you manage the time your child spends online, and protect them from websites and content that may contain inappropriate material or risks such as cyberbullying.
2. To Block Inappropriate Content: While many browsers offer built-in security features, they often lack comprehensive controls that effectively block adult sites or any other content deemed unsuitable for children. Parental control apps allow you to customize filters tailored specifically to your child's age group and interests to ensure they only access appropriate content.
3. To Track Location: You child's safety is a priority so being able to track their whereabouts is essential when it comes to helping keep kids safe while giving them the freedom they need. GPS-based parental control apps allow you to quickly and easily check in on their location.
4. To Monitor Device Usage: Parental control apps help monitor device usage, allowing you to see the websites your child visits, any applications they have downloaded, and who they are in contact with. You can also set time limits for specific activities or access restrictions for certain types of content. This gives parents greater peace of mind that their children are engaging in online activities responsibly.
5. To Manage Texting & Calls: Monitoring texts and calls is a great way to keep track of whom your child interacts with and ensure conversations remain safe, healthy, and appropriate. Many parental control apps offer features like text alerts when dangerous words or phrases are used or suspicious contacts are involved so that parents can take action if needed.

The Importance of Parental Control Apps

Parental control apps are becoming increasingly important in today's digital world. As technology advances and more children are exposed to the internet, parents have to be even more vigilant about what their children can access online. Parental control apps give parents the ability to monitor their child’s online activity and take action if necessary.

The most important benefit of parental control apps is that they allow for greater supervision over a child’s internet activities. Parents can set up filters and block certain types of content from being accessed, allowing them to limit exposure to inappropriate material such as pornography or violence. By limiting access to certain sites, parents can ensure that their children remain safe online. Additionally, with some parental control apps, parents have the option of setting time limits on how long their child can spend using technology each day so they don’t become too addicted or obsessed with screen time activities like gaming or social media use.

Another key benefit of parental control apps is that they offer remote monitoring capabilities. This feature enables parents to constantly keep track of what their kids are doing online even when they aren't physically present in the home. Through address book tracking and text message logs, for example, parents can be alerted if someone who isn't known by them attempts to contact their children or if suspicious messages appear online from strangers or unknown contacts. Remote monitoring also allows for greater transparency between parent and child while using devices, making it easier for both parties to stay aware of each other's digital habits.

In an age where digital dangers are prevalent and ever-changing, having a good parental control app installed can help protect a family’s digital life while providing peace of mind for busy parents everywhere.

What Features Do Parental Control Apps Provide?

1. Time Schedules: Parental control apps can be set to automatically turn off access to the device at certain times of the day or week. This feature allows parents to limit their child's device use according to their needs, as well as enforce a good bedtime.
2. Content Filtering: Parental control apps can help filter out certain types of content from being accessed by a child on their device, including websites, games, and videos that may contain inappropriate material or violate parental rules. Parents can also choose to approve certain sites before allowing them access.
3. Activity Reporting: Many parental control apps provide activity reports that detail which websites have been visited and for how long, what kind of content was consumed (e.g., videos watched), as well as when devices were used and where they are located (when connected to a GPS-enabled network). This helps parents better understand how they're children are using their digital devices and provides information they need make decisions on appropriate usage limits.
4. Location Tracking: Most parental control apps offer some form of location tracking, so parents know where their children are when they go out with the device in hand (or pocket). This is especially helpful for younger kids who may not yet know how to call home if they get lost or separated from friends while out exploring new places without supervision.
5. Social Media Monitoring: Today's social media networks present unique risks for young people's safety and wellbeing, so many parental control apps help monitor activity across these platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. This includes revealing who your kids' friends are online as well as flagging any concerning words or images that appear on your kid’s public profile page or elsewhere in their feed—all in real-time so you can address issues quickly before it escalates into something more serious.
6. Panic Button: Many parental control apps include this feature, which typically takes the form of an app or widget pre-installed on your child’s device. In case of emergency, all your kid needs to do is press the panic button and a text message will be sent out with the device's location information to all predetermined contacts; allowing you to respond quickly in order to help them get out safely.

What Types of Users Can Benefit From Parental Control Apps?

• Parents: Parental control apps allow parents to monitor their children’s online activity, keeping them safe from potential threats and giving them peace of mind.
• Teachers: Apps such as MobicipParent provide teachers with an easy way to keep track of what students are doing online in the classroom, allowing for more effective instruction and safer learning environments.
• Students: Students can benefit from parental control apps by being able to stay connected with their peers while still maintaining a safe environment. Apps such as Kaspersky Safe Kids also offer features that help protect young people from potentially harmful content or activities on the internet.
• Caregivers/Guardians: Caregivers and guardians who have been entrusted with looking after a child can use parental control apps to ensure their ward is kept away from dangerous online influences, helping them remain safe and secure at all times.
• Businesses: Companies that issue phones or devices to employees can also reap the benefits of using parental control apps like Mobile Fence by monitoring employee use through usage reports or blocking certain websites or apps on company-issued devices. This enables companies to ensure maximum productivity within the workplace while also promoting digital safety among its workforce.

How Much Do Parental Control Apps Cost?

Parental control apps are available in a range of prices, depending on the features and level of protection desired. Some basic free versions offer basic monitoring such as blocking inappropriate websites, setting time limits for device use, and allowing parents to block unknown contacts on their children’s devices.

At the mid-range cost of around $14 to $20 per month or an annual fee ranging from $90 to $220, you can get more comprehensive protection with added features such as location tracking, app usage monitoring and VPN services. These plans also usually come with customer service support.

Premium parental control apps typically include additional features like keyword filtering and access to detailed reports about your child’s online activity. They might also offer anti-theft protection that lets you track your child’s device if it gets lost or stolen. Prices for these plans generally start at around $50 per year and can go up to well over $150 annually depending on the number of devices being monitored and other features included in the plan.

All-in-one packages that include parental control and home security features can cost an average of $480 to $1,200 per year. These plans usually provide the same features as standalone parental control apps but with some added security features like motion sensors and door/window alarms.

Risks Associated With Parental Control Apps

The risks associated with parental control apps include:

• Data privacy concerns: Parental control apps may collect and store personal information about the children they monitor, including locations and activities. This can leave data vulnerable to hackers or other malicious actors.
• Loss of trust between parent and child: The use of parental control apps may create feelings of mistrust between a parent and their child, leading to strained relationships.
• Reduction in responsibility for children: While parental control apps can be useful tools for tracking a child’s activities, they should not replace appropriate guidance from parents. Too much reliance on these apps can lead to an unhealthy sense of entitlement or decreased motivation in children as they become over reliant on the technology.
• Violation of privacy rights: Depending on the specific features offered by parental control apps, there is potential for a violation of individual rights, such as monitoring conversations without permission or accessing private messages without consent.
• Potential for misuse: If the wrong person, such as a stalker or abusive partner, gains access to a child’s parental control app activity logs and starts monitoring their movements, it could be dangerous.
• Increased device and app complexity: Parental control apps can add an extra layer of complexity to an already complicated web of devices and applications, potentially leading to errors or misconfigurations that can leave a child’s data exposed.

What Do Parental Control Apps Integrate With?

Parental control apps can be integrated with other types of software to give parents more options to keep their kids safe online. Some of the types of software which work well in conjunction with parental control apps include browser extensions, mobile device management programs, virtual private networks, and security software. Browser extensions are used to expand the functionality of a web browser and offer parents additional ways to track and limit their children's internet activity. Mobile device management programs allow parents to monitor what their children are doing on their phones or tablets and even block certain apps from being installed. Virtual private networks provide an extra layer of security while kids are browsing online, allowing them to remain anonymous while they browse the web or participate in social networks.

Finally, security software can help protect your family’s computers by scanning for malicious content or downloading suspicious files that could pose a threat to your online safety.

Questions To Ask Related To Parental Control Apps

1. What type of device(s) can the parental control app be used on?
2. What features does the parental control app offer to protect my child from online threats, such as unwelcome content and malicious websites?
3. Can I monitor my child’s activity on social media platforms and apps?
4. Does the app block inappropriate or age-inappropriate websites and content?
5. Are there any additional costs associated with using the parental control app (such as subscription fees)?
6. How easy is it to set up and use the parental control app?
7. Is there customer support available if I have any questions or need help with the app?
8. Are there any features that block or restrict phone calls and text messages from certain numbers?
9. Can I limit the amount of time my child can spend on their device?
10. What privacy policies does the parental control app have in place to protect my family’s data?