5 of the best parental control apps to keep your children safe online

While the average internet user is aware of the dangers that lurk online, it’s often the youngest members of our family that can become the targets of identity theft, phishing scams and cyberbullying — especially if they own a smartphone.

Check out some of the best parental control apps and how they’ll help secure your child’s online presence.

1. Qustodio

• $$$$
• Free tier available with basic monitoring
• Compatible with iOS and Android
• Web portal and mobile app management available
• Social monitoring includes Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and WhatsApp

Although Qustodio is on the higher end of the price spectrum, cross-platform compatibility and easy-to-use tracking tools make this app popular among parents. Monitor how your child uses all internet-connected devices through the online platform or Parents’ App. Set time limits or block certain apps from view altogether. At the end of the month, get a full breakdown of your child’s online activity right to the inbox of your choice.

2. Norton Family Premier

• $$$$$
• Unlimited device monitoring
• Compatible with iOS and Android
• Web portal and mobile app management available
• Social media monitoring and access blocks

Norton Family Premier gives parents web, time, search and video supervision across a multitude of devices. See the sites your children frequent and block unsafe material through impressive content filtering options. Receive reports on their online activities to your inbox in the Norton parent portal and monitor which mobile apps they download on any Android device.

3. Net Nanny Parental Control

• $$$
• One device monitoring limit
• Compatible with iOS and Android
• Web portal and mobile management available
• No social media monitoring options available

Voted 2019’s Best Parental Control app by Tom’s Guide, Net Nanny is not only compatible with Android and iOS devices, but Kindle Fire products as well. Get alerts when your child accesses unsafe content, set up filters to block age-inappropriate websites and manage their web time with screen time management.

4. Bark

• $-$$
• Device monitoring limit varies by tier
• Compatible with iOS and Android
• Mobile app management available
• Social media monitoring options available

Bark monitors and blocks sites, tracks location and can scan online activities in 30-plus apps and social media accounts and then alert the parent. They also have a Bark phone for children. 

5. Kaspersky Safe Kids

• $$
• Unlimited device monitoring
• Compatible with iOS and Android
• Web portal and mobile app management available
• Social monitoring only includes Facebook and VK

Kaspersky Safe Kids is a cheaper web filtering option, but the app does offer many of the key features of competitor apps. The Premium edition includes an efficient online filtering tool, app usage controls, screen time management, a GPS child locator and Facebook activity monitoring. When the battery runs low on your child’s device, get a notification to your phone and receive real-time alerts when they attempt to access unsafe areas of the web.