Best parental control apps for iphone
Explore our curated list of the best parental control apps available for iPhone users. These apps provide essential tools to monitor and manage your child's online activities, ensuring their safety and well-being. Ideal for parents who want to set limits, track location, and protect their children from inappropriate content.
Qustodio
Qustodio is a highly rated parental control app that allows parents to set screen time limits, monitor social media usage, and block inappropriate content. It features a user-friendly interface and offers detailed activity reports, helping parents understand their children's digital behavior. Qustodio's geolocation feature aids in tracking children's whereabouts, ensuring their safety.
Best for: parents seeking comprehensive monitoring
Pros:
- Comprehensive monitoring
- Real-time location tracking
- User-friendly interface
Cons:
- Subscription required for premium features
Bark
Bark is a leading parental control app focused on monitoring children's activities on social media platforms, emails, and text messages. With its advanced algorithms, Bark can detect signs of cyberbullying, depression, or other potential issues. It sends real-time alerts to parents, offering peace of mind that they can intervene when necessary.
Best for: monitoring social interactions
Pros:
- Advanced monitoring
- Real-time alerts
- Wide social media coverage
Cons:
- Some false positives
Norton Family
Norton Family provides a suite of features designed to keep children safe online. With the ability to schedule screen time, block unsavory websites, and track web activity, this app empowers parents with the controls they need. Its web portal is accessible from any device, allowing parents to make adjustments on the go, and supports multiple device monitoring.
Best for: families with multiple devices
Pros:
- Multiple device support
- Powerful web filtering
- Screen time scheduling
Cons:
- Some features may affect device performance
OurPact
OurPact is a versatile parental control app that helps parents manage their children's screen time effectively. It allows scheduling of app usage, blocking or granting access to apps, and providing location tracking to ensure safety. The app also offers a Family Locator feature, providing real-time location tracking of children. OurPact is highly intuitive and easy to set up.
Best for: parents wanting detailed app management
Pros:
- Easy setup
- Family Locator feature
- Detailed app management
Cons:
- Premium features require a subscription
FamilyTime
FamilyTime is a multifaceted parental control app offering location tracking, geofencing, and web filtering. Parents can plan specific times to lock devices and monitor calls and texts. Its interface is intuitive, and its geofencing feature provides alerts when children leave designated safe zones. FamilyTime gives parents peace of mind with its customizable settings.
Best for: location and activity tracking
Pros:
- Geofencing
- Customizable settings
- Call & text monitoring
Cons:
- Subscription needed for complete features
ScreenTime
ScreenTime is geared towards helping parents manage and control how their children use their iPhones. It features an array of tools such as daily time limits, bedtime restrictions, and instant pause, allowing parents to have complete control over their child's device usage. This app is particularly useful for ensuring educational balance.
Best for: educational balance seekers
Pros:
- Daily time limits
- Instant pause feature
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Limited features in the free version
Kidslox
Kidslox enables parents to limit screen time across all devices, using a single interface to manage access. Features include switching devices to lockdown mode and creating daily screen-free periods. While it provides robust control, it remains simple and intuitive for parents more inclined towards straightforward solutions.
Best for: simple yet powerful protection
Pros:
- Simple interface
- Comprehensive device control
- Lockdown mode
Cons:
- Advanced features require subscription
Comparison Overview
| App | Rating | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qustodio | 4.8 ★ | subscription | Qustodio is a highly rated parental control app that allows parents to set screen time limits, monitor social media usage, and block inappropriate content. |
| Bark | 4.7 ★ | subscription | Bark is a leading parental control app focused on monitoring children's activities on social media platforms, emails, and text messages. |
| Norton Family | 4.6 ★ | subscription | Norton Family provides a suite of features designed to keep children safe online. |
| OurPact | 4.5 ★ | subscription | OurPact is a versatile parental control app that helps parents manage their children's screen time effectively. |
| FamilyTime | 4.4 ★ | subscription | FamilyTime is a multifaceted parental control app offering location tracking, geofencing, and web filtering. |
| ScreenTime | 4.3 ★ | subscription | ScreenTime is geared towards helping parents manage and control how their children use their iPhones. |
| Kidslox | 4.2 ★ | subscription | Kidslox enables parents to limit screen time across all devices, using a single interface to manage access. |
Quick Tips
- Utilize geofencing to automate safe-zone alerts.
- Regularly update apps to benefit from new features.
- Educate children about online safety to complement app controls.
- Capitalize on free trials to find the best app.
- Set realistic screen time limits based on kids' schedules.