Great Parental Control Apps for Android and iOS Users

Meta Description: With Qustodio, you can filter explicit content as well as monitor the social media activity of your child. Net Nanny has a comprehensive dashboard. Explore more apps here.

Both Internet and cable TV should be accessible to all without any restrictions, right? Most of us would wholeheartedly agree. After all, they are the best source of information and entertainment. If you have services like Spectrum Specials, you’d know that these offer a wealth of channels; entertainment, politics, sports, you name it.

Now back to the question. Should such services be used without any restrictions? The answer is no. Why, because the digital space isn’t safe for everyone. Users, especially children, can be exposed to explicit content on the digital domain. The good news is that you can limit your child’s access to cyberspace with parental control apps. 

Here is a list of several awesome parental control apps for both Android and iOS platforms: 

Qustodio 

Qustodio is widely considered the app for social media monitoring. It comes with some brilliant features such as location tracking, web filtering, and blocking, etc. The app is available in both free and premium versions. The free version lets you access basic features like web content blocking. You can upgrade to the premium version after a free trial period that lasts for three days. Additional features include a panic button, screen time, and social media monitoring. The panic button is arguably the greatest feature of the app. It allows parents to access the exact location of their kids after the latter hit the panic button on the Qustodio app. This pinpoint accuracy can be of great utility in emergency instances.  

Moreover, the advanced Facebook monitoring option allows you to monitor the contents of your child’s photos, posts, and messages. Qustodio also allows you to track messages and calls as well as block inappropriate contact on your child’s Android device. 

The premium tier is available in different pricing categories. Qustodio offers coverage for up to 15 smart devices. The most expensive plan will cost you around $140 per year. The basic version offers coverage for a single device and offers limited features. The sophisticated app is designed to monitor the online activities of tech-savvy teens. 

Net Nanny 

Net Nanny enjoys a great reputation for offering some amazing features. It is, however, a little expensive than most parental control apps. For example, the Windows version costs around $40 with support for a single device. The Family Protection Pass is priced between $55 and $90. It supports up to 20 devices. These include both smartphones and tablets. 

The setup is also quite difficult. The whole process to set up Net Nanny on one device can take about an hour. But the results are nothing short of impressive. You can easily restrict access to certain apps and websites. Furthermore, the remote time-out tool is great. 

Other features include a porn websites blocker, location tracking, logs and reports, and an amazing dashboard. The app is designed to scan content in real-time and block suspicious sites in an instant. It is great for parents concerned about screen time and accidental pop-ups of explicit material on their children’s phones. 

Bark 

Bark is a powerful parental control app with simple yet amazing features. The company states that the use of the app has prevented over a dozen school shootings. They add that it has identified about 10,000 incidents involving self-harm. Bark makes use of an algorithm to monitor digital content with questionable material. It tracks photos, emails, social media posts, and text messages. 

That may sound invasive but the app tracks content deemed to be potentially dangerous or harmful. You can monitor your child’s cell phone activity without asking them to hand over their phone to you. It sends customized alerts in case of suspicious activity. The biggest perk of Bark is that it encourages parents to adopt a proactive engagement approach. 

You can get the premium version for $99 per year. That sounds expensive but the features offered by Bark are some of the best in the entire market. You can test the app with a seven-day free trial. Moreover, there is no limit to the number of devices you can protect with Bark. It is one of the most comprehensive parental control apps out there. 

Kaspersky

If you’re looking for a low-priced app, Kaspersky is the right choice. It supports up to 500 devices for just $15. Kaspersky is an amazing parental control app for large families. Features include low battery alerts, geofencing, app management, content filtering, and tips and advice. The next time your child makes a “couldn’t pick call due to low battery” excuse, show them that you already knew of the low battery level.