There is a diverse variety of technology and information at your child’s fingertip. Consequently, it can be pretty exhausting for you as a parent to continuously monitor your child’s activity. Amidst the umpteen number of social media applications and the internet, ensuring that your child is safe and not looking at anything untoward can be quite a grave concern. This has led to the surge in the popularity of the parental control application. These are enabling the parents to keep a tab on the child’s online presence. From blocking certain kinds of applications at specific locations to limiting screen times and filtering the content that your child sees, the safety applications enable the parents to customize the applications and make them child-friendly. So, here we will give you a quick round-up of some of the best safety applications, which can help the parents keep a tab on their child’s online activity.
Qustodio
‘If your primary concern is your child’s social media and web browsing safety, then Qustodio is the perfect application for you,’ shares Davis, an educator with forbeshints.
The application labels it as the internet’s best parental control application. It is a free app available for all platforms and devices, such as Kindle, Android, and iOS phones and tablets, and Mac and Windows PC. You will get a comprehensive database on this software, which helps you keep a check on your child’s online activity. In the free version of the application, you can see the tabs on your kid’s search engine and web use, set time controls, and track the Twitter and Facebook logins.
On the other hand, if you opt for the premium version of the software, you can block some apps and games, track the child’s location, monitor texts and calls, and do a lot more. The paid plans start at 44.95 USD annually for five devices or five children. This software is approved by industry leaders, such as Softpedia and Softonic.
Bark
‘If you need an application that can provide you with the most comprehensive online monitoring experience, then you need to try out the Bark software,’ shares Julie, an educator with EduWorldUSA.
It is your perfect solution to monitoring your child’s online activity. So, if you wish to guard your child against cyberbullying or exploring adult content or do app blocking, live tracking, web filtering, geofencing, keep a check on their messages, or set time limits, Bark will come in handy.
Even though Bark monitors everything that your child does on social media websites, the internet, etc., and see it in a simple overview. When there is suspicious activity, you will have to dig deeper to look for specific details, such as social media interactions and SMS.
The application works well because the overview presents you with a simple check-up without providing tons of details about what your child is doing. But, it can always provide you with the information, if you need more information.
SocialSheild
How to know who your child is speaking to online? Well, you use the SocialSheild application. The application enables you to keep a tab on your child’s social networking accounts. Further, it will let you whenever there is any suspicious activity or if someone suspicious tries to connect with your little one. It is a paid tool and gauges your child’s friends against a different database. Based on their comprehensive check, they will send you alerts if your child is in contact with someone who claims to be who they are not. Further, you will also get a notification when some adult tried to befriend your child online.
Mobicip
The Mobicip application is equipped with all the features, which a parent may want to be confident of the child’s safety on the internet,’ shares Donna, an expert tutor with TFTH.
With this tool, you can gather all the details pertaining to the device’s usage. For instance, you can block the applications and the sites and get notifications whenever your child tries to access any blocked websites. More so, it will update you when they search for any content that you have filtered. You can even block the applications and sites according to thirty categories and even block some applications, such as Snapchat, WhatsApp, etc.
If you wish to give your child the freedom to chat or send texts, then there is a feature that helps you see both sides of the conversations. To ensure that you do not waste your time browsing through the endless series of texts every week, you can set alerts for phrases like ‘sneak out’ or ‘don’t tell.’
One downside of this application is that you get notified via email or a portal, not texts. However, without jailbreak or rooting, you can set the application for five different devices. Furthermore, the price is reasonable at only 50 USD per year.
