Best Parental Control Apps in 2022

Parental control apps are built to help parents monitor their children’s online activities. These apps can also determine how much time is spent on carrying out a specific task on another app. For example, most kids like to spend hours watching videos on YouTube or TikTok. But, you need to check if they are viewing age-appropriate content or not.

Before keeping an eye on your kid’s browsing activities, make sure you have a conversation with them about responsible internet use. However, if they continue to visit inappropriate websites or apps, then you can use the following apps to monitor and restrict their access:

Canopy

Canopy is an app for older kids to explore the digital world and stay safe no matter what they are doing. For example, your teenage kids may indulge in sexting, view pornographic or explicit photos or videos, or even visit places that are deemed inappropriate for their age. This app allows you to see what they are doing and manage their screen time without entirely restricting their access to such apps or websites.

How It Works

As a parent, you can install this app on your phone or PC and change safety settings by allowing access to relevant websites and blocking explicit material. It automatically detects texts, images, and videos that contain nudity or pornography that can be harmful to your kids. For example, if your child receives an inappropriate message on an app, Canopy will cover it with a white rectangle to restrict your child from viewing it. In addition, it allows you to track real-time locations to know your children’s whereabouts day and night.

The only downside is that it doesn’t scan phone calls, text messages, live videos, and emails. So, if you are not sure whether it’s the right parental control app for your, you can start your 30-day free trial. This way, you will know if it is effective enough to keep your children safe from online predators and cyberbullying. Moreover, Mediacom offers Total Defense Internet security software so you could safeguard your child’s device from malware or other security risks.

Depending on the number of children you have, you choose from a variety of packages. If you want to monitor three devices, Canopy will charge $7.99 per month. Similarly, it allows you to access five and ten devices for $9.99 and $15.99 per month.

Bark

Bark is known as one of the best, award-winning apps that let you save your children from exposure to digital dangers. From emails and text messages to more than 30 social media platforms, it monitors and filters out texts, images, and videos that are inappropriate for your children. In addition, it sends automatic alerts to parents so they could address their child’s online behaviors and browsing habits.

How It Works

To ensure that your children remain safe online, Bark lets you manage their screen time, limit access to certain websites, and restrict explicit content from showing up on their devices. Moreover, it sends notifications to let you know when your children leave home and wherever they go. You can also set and limit hours for your kids’ online activities, including gaming, browsing, streaming, and even texting.

Starting from $5.00 per month, Bark Jr. is ideal for parents who wish to monitor kids under 9 years of age. However, the downside of this package is that it doesn’t work on YouTube and other social media platforms. So, if you are looking for a package that lets you restrict your children’s access to inappropriate content and protects them from online predators, cyberbullying, and even suicidal ideation, go for Bark Premium. It costs $14.00 per month and works for kids of all ages.

Qustodio

If you are worrying that your kids are always busy talking to their friends via call and SMS, then Qustodio is the perfect solution for you. It lets you track the contact details of every call or SMS on your child’s phone. In addition, it ensures that your kids follow a proper daily routine by setting time limits on their smartphone usage after certain hours. Besides, it blocks websites, apps, and even games that contain explicit content and lets you track your kid’s browsing history, real-time location, and screen time on various apps.

How It Works

Qustodio is compatible with both, iOS and Android devices. It automatically restricts text messages, photos, and videos that may include pornographic content. Moreover, parents can receive their kids’ device usage reports on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. In case your child tries to view a blocked website or app, it will instantly notify you.

You can select any Qustodio package to monitor your kid’s interactions in the online world. To access 5 devices, it will cost as low as $54.95 per year, which is equivalent to $4.58 per month. However, if you want access to 10 or 15 devices, you will have to pay $96.95 or $137.95 per year.

Closing Thoughts

In the modern age, it is crucial to keep an eye on kids’ internet usage. You can simply monitor their activities through parental control apps without breaching their privacy. However, if you are skeptical about your child’s exposure to security threats or viruses, then you should consider signing up for Mediacom Internet. It ensures a safe browsing experience for your family members of all ages and secures devices from potential hackers on the internet.