Installing parental control apps on your kids’ smartphones is good parenting.
As parents, it is common to be wary of our young teens having unsupervised access to the internet, especially in this generation where you can’t have screen time without getting past sensitive content.
We want to know what our kids are up to on their smartphones — the type of content they are consuming privately, the kind of friends they keep, and other online activities.
And if they are acting all suspicious whenever you walk up on them while on their phone, it might be the right time to install a parental control app on their device.
These apps will enable you to monitor every online activity, help track their location offline, and limit screen time. And here are the best ones to install:
Why You Should Install Parental Control Apps In Your Kids’ Smartphones
1. Limiting screen time
Smartphones can be addictive —we have seen that with adults let alone children.
It is only a matter of time before your kids get sucked into their devices once they find something they love doing with it.
Whether it is obsessively scrolling through social media, playing mobile games, or streaming content, it only takes one thread to get them hooked.
Sooner or later they will be couch potatoes, constantly being on screen with no zeal to do anything. And this can impact on their well-being.
Not only does excessive screen time lead to eye strain and headaches from constant exposure to blue light, but it also disrupts their sleep cycle and shuts them out from other physical activities.
Therefore, setting boundaries that reduce prolonged screen time will create time for real-world activities, while also encouraging a healthier digital lifestyle.
2. Monitoring Online Activity And Filtering Inappropriate Content
Having a smartphone is a gateway to the online world where adult content and disturbing messages are thrown on almost every corner of the way.
Kids, as adorable as they are, would secretly surf in and around these blocks to feed their curiosity.
But if you are on a parental controls app, you can monitor and know their every move — know the last apps or websites they have visited and block any access you deem unsuitable for your child’s age.
3. Better Educate Them On The Positive And Negative Influence Of Having A Smartphone
The technology is a double-edged sword. It has its positive and negative sides. While it can be an educational tool, it can also come back to bite them if used the wrong way.
The way I see it, it is best when you educate them on both aspects so they know their limits.
Remember, bad things attract children faster than good ones.
So kids can be easily hooked and vulnerable to adult content, online violence, controversial options or disturbing imagery that contradicts the morals and values you’ve laid down for them. These could lead them on a stray path right under your nose.
4. Track Their Location
There is a location tracking feature in parental control apps you can activate to keep close tabs on your kid’s whereabouts.
Nothing too clinching, but it is like having a GPS tracker on your Kids. This provides peace of mind and helps you locate them easily when needed.
5 Best Parental Control Apps For Your Kids Smartphone
1. Mspy
Mspy is definitely taking the first spot. With this app, you are a ninja in your Kid’s phone at night.
Knowing what your Kids are up to with their phones is one thing; not getting caught in the act is another.
Mspy lets you tiptoe in on their little secrets while sweeping off your footprints.
You can do everything from reading messages (ALL received, sent or even deleted SMS and text messages from any contact), view calls (both incoming and outgoing call logs), Track location, and see social media messenges from any device while staying invisible.
And you are using it graciously, without paying a Dime.
2. Kaspersky Safe Kids
This is one app you shouldn’t sleep on, considering it comes with premium-like features but is 100% free.
And the way it makes parental controls easy is why it has gained popularity over the years.
You can monitor and restrict content, track whereabouts and device habits, balance screen time, and more 24/7 under the radar.
Kaspersky Safe Kids sends you an instant alert upon the first worrying behaviors it gets from your Kids. You get every ounce of reports, even as little as battery status.
Information about all activities gets remotely updated to your phone every 5 minutes.
You don’t also have to worry about their device’s operating system either. Kaspersky Safe Kids will find its way in whether it is iPhone, iPad, or Android devices.
3. FamiSafe
FamiSafe is a lot like Kaspersky Safe Kids and mSpy but is more expensive. Even though it used to be US$119.88 compared to the current US$59.99 price, it is still pricier than the ₦28,923.00 per year plan of Kaspersky Safe Kids. Mspy isn’t far off.
So what are you getting for paying more on FamiSafe?
Well, FamiSafe is arguably the most reliable parental control app loved by 9 million users from 190 different countries. Aside from security, it has the most flexible packages and payment options; and has bagged a couple of prestige awards from some of the best-performing parental organizations.
What else?
It is compatible with Android, iOS, Windows, MacOS, and even Kindle Fire with almost unlimited user access.
4. Net Nanny
Net Nanny watches over your kids and protects them against sensitive content online. From denying them access to pornography and other disturbing messages from web pages to putting restrictions on screen time and whatnot.
More importantly, Net Nanny doesn’t forget her duty and ALWAYS calls to your attention once your children are trying to access porn, suicide, weapons, or drug-related content.
The best part is you can do all these without getting caught because no app icon will reflect on their phone. Traces are also wiped clean.
Installing and setting up the Net Nanny app is something that won’t longer than 5 minutes. And no jailbreak or robot is required!
5. Qustodio
I saved Qustodio for last since it is the most recommended for a digital family that values screen-free time but wants to strike a balance.
It is the kind of tool you need for core protection.
Their packages are second to none. The most popular choice costs around $99.95/year but what you are getting is worth every bit of a penny.
You can access an array of features including games & apps blocking, daily time limits, web filtering, location monitoring, pause the internet, custom routines, custom alerts, games & apps time limits, and calls & messages monitoring.
Whereas, the basic plan is about half the price of the premium —$54.95/year, with fewer features.
Qustodio is also compatible with Android, iOS, Windows, MacOS, and Kindle.
Conclusion
So if you want to install any parental control apps on your Kids’ phones, these are the ones you should be looking at.
The paid apps will of course have an extra bit of features that edge over the freemium. Still, the free ones are good enough to get the job done.
I also want to make this clear that you aren’t stalking your kids, even though it sounds like it. There is nothing wrong with keeping a close eye on your loved ones, should they make a wrong turn you will be there to direct them on the right path.
I don’t see anything wrong with that. So don’t (even for a second) feel guilty or like you’re doing too much.
Your kids; your responsibility.