Parenting in the digital age is very challenging. Today’s kids are growing in an increasingly connected generation. In fact, they have never experienced a world that is not connected to the internet. Aside from guiding kids in the right path, parents are also faced with monitoring the digital access of their kids. There are many positive things that kids can get from the internet such as education content, fun games, and connect with friends and family. However, if left unsupervised, kids can also be exposed to inappropriate content and security risks.
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Importance of Parental Control Software
Android, iOS and Kindle devices often come with free parental control tools. When you have toddlers and preschoolers, these would often be enough. However, as the kids grow older, the number of devices they use also increases making it necessary for parents to use parental control software and apps. As much as we want to always be there to monitor our kid’s technology use, it’s just impossible without using some help.
Basically, parental software and apps give parents the ability to block inappropriate web content, limit and monitor screen time, prevent the use of risky applications and even location tracking. For older kids, it’s nice if you to talk to them and explain why you are setting some restrictions so that they won’t feel that you are invading their privacy. Nothing is more important than a good communication line between parents and kids.
Below are some considerations is choosing parental control software and apps.
Compatibility with Your Devices
Most often than not, you use several devices in your household so in choosing the parental software, make sure it supports the devices you use. If your needs can be served by free parental control tools which come with your device, it’s better to use that for now.
Web Filtering and Tracking
Most kids connect to the internet to search in Google or YouTube. Although these websites have safe search options, some kids already know how to visit websites directly. A good parental software can be able to block access to websites with questionable content. It’s also good if you can keep track of your kid’s internet activity.
Messaging and Social Media
Social media is a good tool for older kids to get in touch and communicate with friends and family. As much as possible, do not let kids younger than 13 years old have their own social media account. For older kids, you may allow them to have their own account provided they install trackers.
Geofencing and Location Tracking
Geofencing and location tracking lets you keep tab of your child’s location and sends you notification if your child goes beyond your approved location limit.
Remote Management
Many parental control apps let you monitor and manage your child’s device use remotely. When your child exceeds time limit or visits a blocked site, or your child leaves a location, the app automatically sends you a notification. You can immediately control their activity and set additional restrictions if needed.
Best Parental Control Software & Apps 2020 Comparison Table
| Feature | Kaspersky Safe Kids | Net Nanny | Norton Family Premier | Qustodio | Mobicip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $15/year | $39.99/year | $49.99/year | $39.95/year | $39.99/year |
| Number of Devices | Unlimited | 1 to 20 (Depends of Plan) | Unlimited | 5 to 10 (Depends on Plan) | 5 to 20 (Depends on Plan) |
| Platforms | Android, iOS, Windows, Mac | Android, iOS, Kindle Fire, Windows | Android, iOS, Windows | Android, iOS, Kindle Fire, Windows, Mac | Android, iOS, Kindle Fire, Windows, Mac, Chromebook, Nook |
| Web Portal for Parents | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Call Logging | Android only | None | None | Android only | None |
| Text Logging | Android only | None | Android only | Android only | None |
| Geofencing | Yes | None | None | None | None |
| Location Tracking | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Web Filter | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Time limits | Yes | Yes | Android only | Yes | Yes |
| Scheduling | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| App management | Yes (limited on iOS) | Yes (limited on iOS) | Android only | Yes | Yes |
| Social Network Monitoring | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | None |
Best Parental Control Software & Apps 2020 Review
Kaspersky Safe Kids
Kaspersky is one of the best parental control software at a very affordable subscription price. Kaspersky lets you monitor your kid’s activities on Windows, iOS and Android devices but other features are platform dependent. Location tracking, geofencing, web monitoring and time limits work in iOS and Android. However, app management has limited function in iOS and call and text monitoring doesn’t work on iOS. Kaspersky’s paid version is only $15 per year and its free plan already has web filter, app management and time limits function.
Pros: VeryAffordable. A lot of free features. No limit on devices or child profiles. Robust web filtering. Geofencing and location tracking features.
Cons: Several iOS limitations. Web filtering limited to specific browsers.
Net Nanny
Net Nanny is multi-platform parental control app which make it ideal if you use several devices in your household. It supports Android, iOS, Kindle Fire, Windows. Net Nanny has a free version but limited only to the parent apps and you won’t be able to see your kid’s activity on any device.
Net Nanny has a powerful content-filtering function. It can perform a real-time check of the page being visited so you can decide whether to block it. Net Nanny also allows you to set schedules and time limits. Another excellent function of Net Nanny is that it lets you block apps in your child’s phone. However, it can’t monitor your child’s call and texts. Net Nanny has no geofencing function but it can track your child’s location. One good feature of Net Nanny is that it lets you review 30 days’ worth of location, online search, web history and screen-time usage.
Pros: Great design.Supports Android, iOS, Kindle Fire, Windows. Web-based configuration and reporting. Powerful real-time web monitoring. Has free version.
Cons: No geofencing.
Norton Family Premier
Norton Family Premier’s most features work well with Android and Windows and has no limit on the number of devices. Norton Family Premier’s location tracking, time scheduling, web filtering features work on iOS and Android but time limits work for only Android and Windows. Kids are pretty smart nowadays so if they try to create a Facebook account using a false age, Norton sends you a notification. You can opt to block social media sites entirely. Aside from Facebook, Norton can also monitor the videos your child watches on YouTube. Norton doesn’t have geofencing function but it can monitor your child’s location.
The best thing is, Norton Family Premier comes free with the Norton 360 Deluxe subscription plan and higher. That’s already a great deal.
Pros: Great web filters and monitoring. No limit on number of devices. Tracks child’s location. Comes free with Norton Security Premium Plans.
Cons: Expensive for a single device or child. No geofencing. Most features don’t work on iOS. No free version
Qustodio
Qustudio works in Windows, iOS, Android and Fire tablets but some features may have limited functions depending on platform. Qustodio’s free version is one of the most robust parental control apps which lets you set time limit and web filtering. The paid version has SMS monitoring, social media features and per-app controls. Qustodio tracks all social activity, including posts, pictures, and comments.
Qustodio lets you manage all apps in Android but limited on iOS. However, web filtering is more powerful in iOS while call and texts monitoring only works on Android. You can also set time limits for individual apps and devices.
Pros: Cross-platform support. Has time scheduler for internet, device, and application usage. Location tracking. Tracks Facebook.
Cons: Expensive. Some iOS limitations.
Mobicip
Mobicip is an excellent multi-platform parental control software. It supports Windows, Ma, iOS, Android, Kindle, Chromebook, and Nook. Mobicip has a free version and its different plans cater to different types of consumers. It has an Enterprise plan designed for schools. The premium plan includes online management tools, app monitoring on iOS and Android, browsing history reports, and time limits. Mobicip is ideal for families using multiple devices since a child’s profile can be applied to multiple devices.
Pros: Supports iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Chromebook, Kindle and Nook. Powerful content filter. Weekly Internet schedule. App control on Android.
Cons: No real-time parental notifications. No social media monitoring.
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