If you want to keep your children safe online, you need a parental control application that monitors all their devices. Kids can get into all kinds of trouble on their phones or tablets, either on purpose or by accident. Perhaps they spend excessive time each day staring at a screen or accessing sites and apps not suitable for their age. Regardless, a reliable parental control app can help you regain your sense of control and carefully monitor any potential threats to your kid’s well-being.
In this blog post, we will be covering detailed information about the top parental control apps, their concepts, and how they help parents monitor and control their children’s devices.
What is a Parental Control App?
A parental control app is software designed to help parents monitor and manage their children’s digital activities on smartphones and tablets. These apps offer various features such as app blocking on Android & iOS devices, screen time management, location tracking, and web content filtering. They ensure children use their devices safely, avoid inappropriate content, and maintain healthy screen time habits.
The best Parental control apps for Android and iOS devices enable parents to set limits on device usage, monitor online behavior, and ensure a safer internet experience for their children. They can track location, restrict access to certain apps, and receive alerts about potential dangers. These apps are essential tools for modern parenting, helping balance digital technology’s benefits with the need for safety and responsible usage.
Benefits of Parental Control Apps
Before exploring the best parental control apps, let’s consider their numerous benefits.
- Screen Time Management: Parents can effectively use parental control apps to limit screen time. This helps ensure children don’t spend excessive time on their screens, promoting healthier habits and encouraging a balanced lifestyle with time for offline activities.
- Content Filtering: These apps enable parents to block access to inappropriate websites and apps. By filtering out harmful content, parents can protect their children from exposure to violence, adult content, and other unsuitable material, delivering a safer online environment.
- Location Tracking: Many parental control apps come with GPS tracking features. This allows parents to monitor their children’s whereabouts in real time, providing peace of mind and ensuring their safety when they are out of sight.
- App and Game Blocking: Parents can use Android’s restricted mode to limit access to specific apps and games. This helps prevent children from using distracting or age-inappropriate applications, ensuring their digital experiences are suitable and productive.
- Activity Monitoring: Phone monitoring apps for parents provide detailed reports on children’s online activities. Parents can review which websites their children visit, how much time they spend on various apps, and any potential risks, enabling proactive management of their digital behavior.
Top 10 Parental Control Apps for Android & iOS Devices
Let’s discover the best parental monitoring apps and how you can setup parental control on your devices.
1. Scalefusion MDM
Scalefusion is an end-to-end mobile device management solution offering strong parental control features. It helps parents monitor and manage their children’s device usage, ensuring a safe digital environment. With Scalefusion, parents can control app usage, set screen time limits, track locations, and filter web content, making it an ideal choice for comprehensive child safety management.
- Pricing: Starts at $2 per device per month (billed annually)
- Compatibility: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux
- Pros:
- Extensive device management features
- Advanced geofencing features
- Detailed activity reports
- Cons:
- Some advanced features might require additional configuration
2. Qustodio
Qustodio provides an intuitive interface and comprehensive monitoring capabilities, making it ideal for parents who want to effectively oversee their children’s online activities. It offers features that help set limits on screen time, track location, and control web content access, ensuring a safe and balanced digital exposure for children.
- Pricing: Premium starts at $54.95 per year
- Compatibility: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Kindle
- Pros:
- Comprehensive monitoring tools
- Easy-to-use interface
- Detailed activity reports
- Cons:
- Higher cost than some competitors
- Limited features in the free version
- Can be complex to navigate for beginners
3. Norton Family
Developed by the cybersecurity giant Norton, Norton Family offers strong parental control features designed to keep children safe online. It excels in web filtering and activity supervision, providing parents with tools to monitor their children’s internet usage and ensure a secure online environment.
- Pricing: Premium at $49.99 per year
- Compatibility: Android, iOS, Windows
- Pros:
- Excellent web filtering
- Reliable performance
- Precise location tracking
- Cons:
- Limited app blocking on iOS
- The interface can be a bit cluttered
- Occasional glitches in location tracking
4. Net Nanny
Net Nanny is a well-established parental control app that offers comprehensive monitoring and control features. It aims to create a safe digital environment for children through powerful internet filtering and customizable content controls.
- Pricing: Starts at $39.99 per year
- Compatibility: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Kindle
- Pros:
- Customizable content filtering
- Detailed monitoring features
- Location tracking
- Cons:
- Occasional app crashes
- Can be expensive for multiple devices
- Setup can be time-consuming
5. FamilyTime
FamilyTime is a feature-rich parental control app that offers unique tools like geofencing and SOS alerts. It provides an added layer of security for younger children and allows parents to monitor and manage their children’s digital activities effectively.
- Pricing: Starts at $29 per year for one device
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Pros:
- Geofencing and SOS alerts
- Screen time management
- Easy setup
- Cons:
- Limited advanced features on iOS
- Some features can be difficult to configure
- Customer support response time can be slow
6. Bark
Bark is designed to monitor content and detect potential risks such as impersonation attacks and online scams. It provides comprehensive alerts to parents, enabling them to intervene and protect their children from online threats.
- Pricing: $14 per month, $99 per year
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Pros:
- Extensive monitoring of online activities
- Alerts for potential risks
- Easy-to-use interface
- Cons:
- Limited support options
- Can be expensive compared to competitors
- Initial setup can be cumbersome
7. Mobicip
Mobicip offers efficient web filtering and real-time alerts, making it a versatile option for families with multiple types of devices. It helps parents manage and monitor their children’s online activities effectively.
- Pricing: Starts at $2.99 per month (billed annually)
- Compatibility: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Chromebook
- Pros:
- Comprehensive web filtering
- Multi-platform support
- Real-time alerts
- Cons:
- Higher pricing tier
- Limited customer support options
- Can be complex to set up
8. Boomerang
Boomerang provides flexible screen time scheduling and powerful application management tools, making it a strong contender for managing children’s online activities. It offers a comprehensive set of features for both parents and children.
- Pricing: $30.99 per year
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Pros:
- Flexible screen-time scheduling
- Comprehensive app management
- Location tracking
- Cons:
- Experimental geofencing feature
- The initial setup can be complex
- Limited web content filtering
9. Kaspersky Safe Kids
Kaspersky Safe Kids provides comprehensive monitoring at an affordable price, helping parents ensure their children’s online safety. It offers features like web filtering and app management, making it easy to set up and use. Parents can ensure their children’s safety by using Kaspersky Safe app to monitor kids’ phones, providing peace of mind and enhanced security.
- Pricing: Premium at $20.99 per year
- Compatibility: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS
- Pros:
- Affordable pricing
- Comprehensive monitoring features
- Easy setup
- Cons:
- Limited features on iOS
- Basic reporting tools
- Can be slow to update the location
10. OurPact
OurPact offers a simple yet powerful way to manage your children’s device usage and screen time. It allows parents to block apps, set schedules, and monitor their children’s digital activities effectively.
- Pricing: Premium starts at $6.99 per month
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Pros:
- Easy-to-use interface
- Effective screen time management
- App blocking features
- Cons:
- Limited web filtering options
- Higher cost for premium features
- Basic location tracking
Choosing the Right Parental Control App for Your Family
Selecting the right parental control app is essential for ensuring your child’s online safety. Each app reviewed here offers unique features and capabilities to suit different family needs. Scalefusion excels with its extensive device management features and cross-platform compatibility, making it ideal for families with diverse devices.
Consider what features are most important to you—whether it’s screen time management, web filtering, or location tracking—and choose an app that fits your family’s lifestyle and budget. Ultimately, the best parental monitoring app is one that provides peace of mind and supports responsible device usage. Scalefusion, with its vast capabilities and user-friendly interface, is a standout choice for managing and securing your family’s digital environment.
Connect with our team of experts to explore more. Get a free 14-day trial.
FAQs
1. What is an iOS Parental Control App?
An iOS parental control app is a tool that allows parents to monitor and manage their children’s device usage. These apps offer features such as screen time limits, app blocking, web filtering, location tracking, and activity reports to ensure safe and balanced device use. The best iOS parental control app provides a comprehensive set of features to help parents guide their children’s online activities and protect them from inappropriate content.
2. How to Delete Apps on iPad with Parental Control?
Deleting apps on an iPad with parental controls enabled requires adjusting the device’s settings:
- Open Settings: Go to the “Settings” app on the iPad.
- Screen Time: Tap on “Screen Time.” If it is not enabled, you will need to enable it and set a passcode.
- Content & Privacy Restrictions: Tap on “Content & Privacy Restrictions” and enter the Screen Time passcode.
- iTunes & App Store Purchases: Tap on “iTunes & App Store Purchases.”
- Deleting Apps: Tap on “Deleting Apps” and set it to “Allow.”
- Delete the App: Return to the home screen, find the app you want to delete, press and hold the app icon until it starts to wiggle, then tap the “X” button to delete it.
3. Are Parental Control Apps Safe?
Yes, parental control apps are generally safe when downloaded from reputable sources such as the Apple App Store. These apps are designed with security and privacy in mind. However, it’s essential to:
- Read Reviews: Check user reviews and ratings on the App Store.
- Understand Permissions: Be aware of the permissions the app requests and ensure they are necessary for the app’s functionality.
- Choose Reputable Apps: Opt for well-known and trusted parental control apps that have a track record of security and reliability.
