Here are eight of the best parental control apps, and information about two services, that moms and dads may want to keep on hand. Once it is set up, the Google Family Link app, which is available on iOS and Android devices, can also track the location of the connected smartphone, making this service a solid child tracking app. Google Family Link is a fantastic tool with almost all the features that other apps charge a monthly membership fee for. Price: Free Download For: The iOS app is limited to only the tracking feature, but it works well by logging the GPS coordinates every minute and syncing that data to the web dashboard, which can be checked from any device by a parent or guardian. The data also provides links to Google Maps, which can be incredibly useful for working out where someone is. Price: Free Download For: Parents can set specific screen time windows, outside of which the device becomes unusable, and the advanced web filtering limits the content minors can view while surfing the web, whether they use Safari, Firefox, Edge, or another browser. Price: Free download and trial. Premium plans start at $54.95 at publication. Download For: In addition, the Bark Premium parental control plan gives busy parents peace of mind by monitoring more than 30 different social networks 24/7. The app also monitors YouTube usage, texts, emails, cyberbullying, online predation, and suicidal ideas. Price: At publication, Bark Jr. is $5 monthly and Bark Premium is $14 monthly after free trial. Download For: The yearly premium subscription unlocks web filtering, which restricts what kids can see online and also unlocks a tracking tool for parents to pinpoint where their child is in the real world, but these are features that are offered elsewhere for free. Parents can also monitor all activity from the ESET website, which is convenient for households with only a few smart devices. Cost: Free version and Premium version for $29.99 annually at publication. The RealizD app can be downloaded and used on a device by one person for free, meaning all parents need to do is download the app onto their child’s device and check it whenever they want. If you pay for the premium upgrade, though, you can view data from other users on other devices from your own smartphone or tablet, which can make tracking the entire family much easier. All family members are included in the one premium upgrade. Cost: Free download with in-app purchases available. Download For: The true power of the app lies in its ability to restrict how much the Nintendo Switch is played per day. Parents can set time limits in the app in just a few seconds and suspend the console completely after bedtime. Price: Free Download For: This app includes free location tracking, web filtering, app blocking, and scheduling for up to six family members. The app’s content filters create a safe environment for children of any age by designating suitable sites that are always allowed as well as those that are never allowed. For parents whose children are on the go, an upgrade to Microsoft 365 Family ($9.99/month) adds premium features beyond the Xbox, such as geofencing and location alerts. Additional premium features of particular interest to the parents of teens are the driving safety reports and driving history. Price: Free with in-app purchases available Download For: Once activated, these parental control settings can limit how much time children can spend playing video games each day and between what hours. Parents can also select which age ratings they’ll allow for video games, digital media, and DVD and Blu-ray discs, which can really bring peace of mind whenever the kids are playing by themselves. Price: Free service What’s particularly impressive is how, once set up, the security settings affect every single device in a household, from personal computers to smartphones and tablets. Price: Free service
