14 Best Parental Control Apps to Keep Your Child Safe Online [2023]

As a parent, keeping your child safe online is a major concern. With social media, inappropriate content, cyberbullying and more, the online world poses many risks.

Parental control apps allow you to monitor your child‘s activities and restrict access to protect them. In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss the 14 best parental control apps for 2023.

What is a Parental Control App?

A parental control app is designed to monitor a child‘s online activities on their smartphone and other devices. It provides various monitoring and restriction features such as:

• Content filtering – Block access to inappropriate websites and apps
• Screen time limits – Control how much time your child spends online
• Location tracking – View your child‘s location in real-time
• Text message monitoring – View texts sent and received
• Social media monitoring – View social media activities
• Remote management – Ability to configure controls remotely

Parental control apps empower parents to keep their kids safe online without completely prohibiting internet access. The controls can be customized based on each child‘s age and needs.

Benefits of Using a Parental Control App

There are many advantages to using a parental control app:

• Prevents access to inappropriate content – Apps can block websites and apps with mature content. This protects kids from being exposed to content not suitable for their age.

• Monitors cyberbullying – Many apps monitor popular social media platforms for signs of cyberbullying. This allows parents to address issues before they escalate.

• Limits screen time – Apps allow you to limit the amount of time your child spends on their device each day. This promotes healthy technology habits.

• Tracks location – View where your child is in real-time for safety purposes. Useful for monitoring tweens and teens.

• Deters online predators – Restricting social media access and monitoring communications can deter predators.

• Promotes good habits – Features like setting study time encourages productivity and goal achievement.

• Gives parents peace of mind – Having visibility into your child‘s digital activities provides great peace of mind.

Using parental controls allows kids to benefit from technology while staying safe. The controls can be eased as the child becomes more responsible and matures over time.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Parental Control App

There are a few key factors to evaluate when selecting a parental control app:

• Device compatibility – Make sure the app works on your child‘s smartphone OS and other devices.

• Monitoring capabilities – Look for monitoring features that are important to your family like social media tracking.

• Content filtering – The ability to block adult websites and apps is essential.

• Ease of use – The app should be simple enough for parents to configure and manage without frustration.

• Child-friendly design – If kids will access the app, it should have an intuitive child mode.

• Price – Subscription fees can range from free to over $100 per year depending on the solution.

• Customer support – Look for responsive customer support via phone, email or chat in case issues arise.

Once you evaluate your priorities and needs, you can zero in on the parental control app that fits your family best. We‘ve done the research for you and compiled the top options below.

14 Best Parental Control Apps

Here are the top parental control apps to consider in 2023:

1. Qustodio

Key Features

• Time limits and scheduling
• Website and app blocking
• Location tracking
• Social media monitoring
• Usage reports
• Works on iOS, Android, Mac, Windows and Kindle

Qustodio is one of the most powerful and robust parental control solutions available. It has extensive monitoring capabilities and works across devices.

Some key benefits are the ability to set time limits and block apps on your child‘s devices. Qustodio will alert you if your child tries to access blocked content. You can also closely monitor popular social media platforms.

The usage reports provide helpful insights on your child‘s habits. A great solution for managing screen time and blocking inappropriate content across devices.

2. Bark

Key Features

• 30+ social network monitoring
• Text and email scanning
• Filters for cyberbullying, depression, suicidal ideation
• Parental alerts for concerning activity

Bark leverages AI and machine learning to analyze your child‘s online activities across social media, texts, emails and more.

It is constantly scanning for signs of cyberbullying, depression, suicidal ideation, drug use and other potential threats. You‘ll receive alerts when Bark detects something that may require your attention.

Bark creates an online safety net and provides insights into your child‘s digital life. It can play a pivotal role in identifying early warning signs of issues.

3. Boomerang

Key Features

• Screen time limits and scheduling
• App and website blocking
• Location tracking
• Works across Android, iOS, Mac, Windows and Chromebooks

Boomerang delivers solid parental controls with sleek and simple management from your smartphone. It‘s affordable, starting at only $4.99 per month.

Some useful features are location tracking, app blocking and setting per-app time limits. You can completely customize your child‘s access based on the device and time of day.

If your needs are basic and you want an intuitive solution, Boomerang is a great option worth considering. The Family Plan supports an unlimited number of kids.

4. Norton Family

Key Features

• Time management
• Content filtering
• Social media monitoring
• Video blocking
• Works on Windows, iOS, Android and browsers

Norton Family by cybersecurity leader Norton provides stellar monitoring and controls. It supports an unlimited number of devices across Windows, Mac, iOS and Android.

You can monitor social media, set age-based filters, limit screen time and even block access to apps and games. Useful video blocking capabilities are included as well.

Advanced features like House Rules allow setting granular permissions based on the device, app and website categories. Solid all-around solution.

5. Net Nanny

Key Features

• Filters websites and apps
• Sets time limits
• Monitors social media and texts
• Works across Windows, Mac OS, iOS and Android devices

Net Nanny delivers multi-platform support so you can manage all of your child‘s devices. It provides website and app filtering tailored to your child‘s age.

Time limits and schedules promote healthy amounts of screen usage. You can enable monitoring for social media platforms and text messages.

Net Nanny blocks inappropriate and dangerous content. It fosters digital responsibility and literacy as your child matures.

6. Kaspersky Safe Kids

Key Features

• App blocking
• Screen time limits
• Location tracking
• Social media monitoring
• Works on Windows, Mac, iOS and Android

Developed by cybersecurity leader Kaspersky, Safe Kids provides powerful and flexible parental controls. It installs locally on your child‘s devices without impacting performance.

You can block access to apps, monitor texts, set time limits and track your child‘s location in real-time. Restricted users are unable to tamper with the client to bypass restrictions.

Advanced dashboard alerts notify you of suspicious activity. Kaspersky Safe Kids provides robust multi-platform protection.

7. MMGuardian

Key Features

• App blocking
• Location monitoring
• Text message monitoring
• Customizable content filters
• Works on Android and iOS

MMGuardian focuses on monitoring your child‘s location and activities on their smartphone. It blocks usage during study time and limits access late at night.

Powerful filters allow blocking content by category across apps and websites. You can set a maximum daily screen time limit across all apps to prevent overuse.

If your child has an Android phone or iPhone, MMGuardian provides robust controls focused on their mobile experience.

8. FamilyTime

Key Features

• Screen time scheduling and limits
• App blocking
• Content filtering
• Location tracking
• Call and text monitoring

FamilyTime is an affordable monitoring solution available for Android and iPhone. It provides real-time location tracking of your kids right from your app dashboard.

You can easily set screen time limits based on schedules that make sense for your family life. Appropriate apps and content can be blocked with categories tailored for kids and teens.

FamilyTime supports rewards like extra app time for completing chores which encourages responsibility. It focuses on the mobile experience.

9. Screen Time

Key Features

• Activity monitoring by app and website
• Daily time limits
• Scheduled device access
• Cross-platform support
• Child and family dashboard

Screen Time provides detailed visibility into how your child is spending time on their devices. The intuitive dashboards make it simple to set time limits across all devices.

You can easily block app and website categories for their age. Schedules promote healthy technology habits and encourage interests outside of gaming.

Useful features like location tracking and distraction-free learning help children focus and stay safe. Screen Time is competitively priced with family plans starting at $6 per month.

10. Kidslox

Key Features

• Child-friendly design
• Content filtering
• App blocking
• Time limits and scheduling
• Real-time monitoring

Kidslox makes parental controls simple through an easy-to-use app tailored for parents. It provides deep visibility into your kids‘ activities across their devices.

With Kidslox you can block apps, filter websites, set schedules and monitor in real-time – even receiving alerts for attempts to circumvent the controls. Very flexible and intuitive design.

Their child mode provides a fun interface. Kidslox is affordably priced starting at $7.99 monthly for up to 5 devices. It works great for younger kids.

11. McAfee Safe Family

Key Features

• AI-powered web filtering
• Cross-platform support
• Text message monitoring
• Location tracking
• Time management

McAfee Safe Family leverages AI to dynamically block harmful web content and apps. Advanced machine learning adapts to your child‘s interests and risk profile.

You can monitor your child‘s texts across a range of popular apps. McAfee will send alerts on potential issues like cyberbullying and depression.

Other useful features include time management, location tracking and robust cross-platform support. You can monitor an unlimited number of devices with a single account.

12. uMobix

Key Features

• Track GPS location
• Monitor calls & SMS
• View browsing & app history
• Remote screen capture
• Stealth mode

uMobix provides comprehensive monitoring and control over your child‘s smartphone. You can track your child‘s location in real-time and view location history.

Calls, texts, instant messages, web history, social media and apps are easily monitored. uMobix runs completely invisible in the background without reducing performance.

Useful safety features like safe zones and road speed alerts provide protection when your kid is on-the-go. Affordable plans start at just $10.99 per month for basic monitoring.

13. Google Family Link

Key Features

• Set daily screen time limits
• Block specific apps
• View activity reports
• Locate children in real-time
• Free to use

Google Family Link provides free parental controls if your child has an Android device. It offers basic functionality like setting daily screen time limits and bedtime restrictions.

You can block usage of specific apps and get activity reports summarizing how time is spent. Family Link displays your child‘s location on a real-time map.

While it lacks advanced monitoring features, Family Link is a great free starting point for Android users. It works seamlessly with your Google account.

14. Spyrix

Key Features

• Monitor calls, texts, browsing history
• View photos, videos and chats
• Includes keylogger
• Real-time location tracking
• Hidden installation

Spyrix provides extensive monitoring capabilities with hidden installation on your child‘s devices. However, it is important to carefully consider privacy concerns before using stealthy spying apps.

It enables secretly monitoring calls, texts, location, apps, keystrokes and more. Spyrix runs undetected in the background gathering intel on your child‘s activities.

All communication and social media chats are logged. This powerful access comes with risks if used improperly. Proceed cautiously with utmost consideration for your child‘s rights.

Tips for Choosing the Best Parental Control App

Here are some tips for choosing the right parental control app for your family:

• Consider your child‘s age and maturity level – Controls should be more extensive for younger kids and eased up gradually as they get older.

• Involve your child in the process – Discuss why you‘re implementing controls and get their input. This promotes openness.

• Focus on safety without invading privacy – Monitor to keep them safe online but avoid spying on every minor interaction. Find the right balance.

• Make sure your child‘s devices are compatible – Check that the parental control app works on all of your child‘s phones, computers, tablets, etc.

• Test out the parental dashboard – The dashboard and alerts should provide the visibility you need while being easy to use.

• Understand the service limitations – Factor in whether the app works when devices are offline and any impact on battery life or performance.

• Consider technical skills – Advanced teens may be able to work around basic controls so choose a robust solution.

Selecting the right parental control app takes research and an understanding of your family‘s needs. Keeping your child safe online is crucial, but you also want to allow them room to build digital responsibility. With the apps discussed in this guide, you can find the right balance of protection and freedom.

Frequently Asked Questions About Parental Control Apps

What are the advantages of using a parental control app?

Parental control apps provide many benefits including blocking inappropriate content, limiting screen time, monitoring location and communications, deterring predators, promoting good habits and giving parents peace of mind.

Do parental control apps work when the child‘s device is not connected to WiFi?

Most parental control apps work via WiFi connectivity. However, some offer limited functionality offline by leveraging on-device clients to enforce restrictions which sync back data when online again.

Can I monitor my child‘s activity from my smartphone?

Yes, most parental control apps provide apps for Android and iPhone that allow parents to view monitoring data and manage controls right from their smartphone.

How much do paid parental control apps cost?

Subscription costs range greatly but are generally $5-$15 monthly for full-featured parental control apps covering multiple devices and children. Some apps offer free basic functionality.

Are parental control apps detectable by children?

Many parental control apps run undetectable in the background. However, some do have child profiles that allow limited app access. Kids may infer monitoring is occurring by the restrictions in place but not necessarily detect the app itself.

Can these apps monitor direct messages on social media?

Some parental control programs can directly monitor popular social media messaging platforms like Instagram, Snapchat and WhatsApp. This capability varies across apps so research social media access thoroughly.

Conclusion: Keep Your Child Safe Online

Parental control apps allow you to protect your child online while still allowing them to benefit from modern technology. Take time to thoroughly evaluate your family‘s needs and find a solution that promotes your child‘s safety and responsible digital habits.

By establishing effective parental controls, you can feel at ease while your child explores the digital world. Monitor their activities, limit screen time, block inappropriate content and lead them on a path to online safety and success.