Here is our unbiased review of the 10 best parental control apps for keeping your child safe on their phone.
In today’s digital age, parents need to be more vigilant than ever to ensure their child’s safety while using smartphones and the internet. Parental control apps have become indispensable tools to help parents monitor their child’s phone usage and online activities. To help you choose the right app, we’ve compiled an unbiased list of the 10 best parental control apps, both free and with free trial offers. We do not make any money from this review and we are not affiliated with these apps in any way. Our aim is to provide you with a comprehensive overview of each app’s features, pricing, and trial offers, so you can make an informed decision.
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Kaspersky Safe Kids
Price: Free basic version; Premium version available for $14.99/year Free Trial: Not applicable for the free version
Kaspersky Safe Kids offers a range of features for monitoring your child’s online activities. With this app, you can:
- Manage screen time by setting device usage limits
- Block inappropriate content and apps
- Monitor your child’s location with GPS tracking
- Receive real-time alerts on your child’s activities
- Access detailed reports on your child’s app usage and online searches
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Qustodio
Price: Free basic version; Premium plans starting at $54.95/year Free Trial: 3-day trial for premium plans
Qustodio is a highly-rated parental control app that provides various monitoring features. The free version of Qustodio offers:
- Web filtering to block inappropriate content
- Time limits for device usage
- Monitoring of social media activity on platforms like Facebook and Twitter
- Location tracking to ensure your child’s safety
- Panic button for emergencies
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Norton Family
Price: $49.99/year Free Trial: 30-day trial
Norton Family is a trusted name in online security and offers a comprehensive parental control solution. With Norton Family, you can:
- Block unsuitable websites and content
- Set time limits for device usage
- Monitor your child’s search history and social media activity
- Receive weekly reports on your child’s online activities
- Locate your child with GPS tracking
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FamilyTime
Price: Plans starting at $27/year Free Trial: 3-day trial
FamilyTime is an excellent parental control app that provides a range of features to help you keep your child safe online. With FamilyTime, you can:
- Set daily screen time limits
- Block access to inappropriate apps and websites
- Monitor your child’s location with real-time GPS tracking
- Receive alerts when your child enters or leaves a designated safe area
- Access reports on your child’s app usage and online activities
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Google Family Link
Price: Free
Google Family Link is a free parental control app developed by Google that offers a simple and user-friendly way to monitor your child’s phone. With Google Family Link, you can:
- Manage your child’s app usage, including approvals and restrictions
- Set daily screen time limits and bedtimes
- Monitor your child’s location with GPS tracking
- Remotely lock your child’s device
- Receive weekly and monthly activity reports
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MMGuardian
Price: Plans starting at $3.99/month Free Trial: 14-day trial
MMGuardian is a powerful parental control app that provides comprehensive features for monitoring your child’s phone. With MMGuardian, you can:
- Block inappropriate websites and apps
- Set time limits for device usage
- Monitor your child’s location with GPS tracking
- Receive alerts for specific activities, such as attempts to access blocked content
- Access reports on your child’s app usage and online activity
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Screen Time
Price: Free basic version; Premium version available for $6.99/month or $39.99/year Free Trial: 14-day trial for the premium version
Screen Time is a popular parental control app that helps you manage your child’s device usage effectively. With Screen Time, you can:
- Set daily screen time limits
- Schedule downtime for device-free family time
- Monitor your child’s app usage and web browsing history
- Block specific apps and websites
- Access reports on your child’s device usage
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Kidslox
Price: Plans starting at $3.99/month Free Trial: 7-day trial
Kidslox is a reliable parental control app that offers a range of features to help you manage your child’s device usage. With Kidslox, you can:
- Set screen time limits and schedules
- Block or restrict specific apps and websites
- Monitor your child’s location with GPS tracking
- Lock your child’s device remotely
- Access reports on your child’s app usage and online activities
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Bark
Price: Plans starting at $14/month or $99/year Free Trial: 7-day trial
Bark is a comprehensive parental control app that focuses on monitoring your child’s social media, text messages, and email. With Bark, you can:
- Monitor over 30 social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat
- Receive alerts for signs of cyberbullying, online predators, or other potential issues
- Set screen time limits and filter websites
- Track your child’s location with GPS
- Access reports on your child’s online activity
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OurPact
Price: Free basic version; Premium plans starting at $6.99/month or $69.99/year Free Trial: 7-day trial for premium plans
OurPact is a user-friendly parental control app that offers a variety of features to help you manage your child’s device usage. With OurPact, you can:
- Set daily screen time limits and schedules
- Block or allow specific apps
- Monitor your child’s location with GPS tracking
- Receive alerts for specific activities or locations
- Access reports on your child’s app usage and online activities
Conclusion:
Parental control apps are essential tools for modern parents looking to ensure their child’s safety in the digital world. Each of the apps listed above offers a range of features for monitoring your child’s phone, including content filtering, location tracking, and time management. Whether you’re looking for a free solution or a premium app with advanced features, there’s an option to suit every family’s needs.
Fact Sources:
Kaspersky. (n.d.). Kaspersky Safe Kids. Retrieved from https://www.kaspersky.com/safe-kids
Qustodio. (n.d.). Qustodio Parental Control. Retrieved from https://www.qustodio.com
Norton. (n.d.). Norton Family. Retrieved from https://family.norton.com
FamilyTime. (n.d.). FamilyTime Parental Control. Retrieved from https://familytime.io
Google. (n.d.). Google Family Link. Retrieved from https://families.google.com/familylink
MMGuardian. (n.d.). MMGuardian Parental Control. Retrieved from https://www.mmguardian.com
Screen Time Labs. (n.d.). Screen Time. Retrieved from https://screentimelabs.com
Kidslox. (n.d.). Kidslox Parental Control. Retrieved from https://kidslox.com
Bark. (n.d.). Bark Parental Control. Retrieved from https://www.bark.us
OurPact. (n.d.). OurPact Parental Control. Retrieved from https://ourpact.com
