5 Best Parental Control App for Android
Since the evolution of technology began, parents have been increasingly concerned about its adoption by their kids. This is why parental controls are quite essential on modern day smartphones and tablets. This allows the parents to reserve only some part of the device so as to keep them away from objectionable content.
Thankfully, there are some decent parental control apps on the Android platform that can help you shield your kids from the evils of the internet. There are quite a few of these apps, though, but we’re going to talk about five of the best parental control apps currently available for the platform.
5 Best Parental Control App for Android
Norton Family parental control
This is an incredibly useful tool to keep your kids safe from the internet, and it comes with security layers to keep your device locked up and secure. Rules can be set for the kids within the app, and the parent will get a notification if a rule has been broken. App control is an important feature of such apps, and this app by Norton doesn’t disappoint. You can hide and display apps that you find suitable for your child. The app will also keep a track of all the apps and services your child has installed on the device.
The app also gives parents the ability to know whom the kids are texting. A parent can further limit the time of use on the device, effectively locking them out after the timer runs out. What’s important here is that the parents can maintain communication with their kids on the device even when the device is locked out.
Device monitoring is also a given here, and you can find the precise location of your kids on a map. This feature filled app is a free download on the Google Play Store and has no ads or in-app purchases. The app is compatible with devices running Android 4.0.3 and up.
Kid’s Shell
This is a well designed app that gives parents extensive control over the usage of their child’s mobile device. You can lock or unlock apps as you choose, while also keeping an eye on the apps they install. Further, kids cannot click on ads using this app, and are unable to make in-app purchases. This is an excellent feature to have if you’re sharing your smartphone or tablet with a child in the house.
As the app’s name suggests, this is a shell that keeps the kids safe. So removing the lockdown is just as easy, and the parent will have to enter their predefined arithmetic password. This basically gives your kids access to all the apps that they love, with the ability to limit the time they get to use the device. Kid’s Shell is a free download on the Google Play Store and comes with in-app purchases. An in-app purchase will unlock the Pro license which brings features like custom wallpapers, built-in video player, and restricting all internet access.
Kaspersky SafeKids
Kaspersky is a name synonymous with internet security, and it’s no surprise that they have their very own parental controls app. SafeKids provides an option for the parents to keep the internet safe and clean for their kids. The best part about this app is that it even comes with a desktop version for Windows and Mac, allowing you the freedom to locate your kids even through a computer. Among the app’s features are the ability to censor sensitive and adult content on the internet, allow access to some websites remotely, monitor internet traffic, and even set device screen time limits.
The app also shares useful tips on how to enhance internet security and keep them from venturing into uncharted territory. The app offers additional “Pro” features, which requires an in-app purchase. This unlocks the ability to monitor your kids Facebook activity. GPS tracking is only enabled with the Pro license, unfortunately. With over half a million installs, the app is definitely one of the best in terms of parental controls. It’s a free download on the Play Store with no ads.
Kids Place
This app helps you create a safe environment for your children, even if you’re sharing your own device. Naturally, this makes a great deal of sense if you’re planning to give your child a phone, as the app allows you to control almost every aspect of the child’s online activity. You can pick and choose the apps your kids will see on their phones and the ones that they won’t. One handy feature here is the ability to block all incoming and outgoing calls, although this can be disabled by the parent.
The parent can also choose to disable Wi-Fi on the device so that the phone doesn’t connect to a public network, thus exposing the device to malware attacks. Crucially, the app cannot be deleted by the child and requires the parental password for any activity. Taking these factors into account, Kids Place is certainly an app worth considering for every parent. It’s a free app on the Play Store but is packed with ads and in-app purchases.
Screen Time Parental Control
This is pretty similar to the other apps that we’ve spoken about, in that it allows parents to primarily control the amount of time their kids spend on their phones or tablets. You can block certain apps, cut off access based on a timer, and even reward kids with some extra time for good behaviour. The app also has something known as the “family screen time pact” which allows you to discuss the rules to follow with your child.
As with the other apps on this list, Screen Time also has a paid version which allows parents to block certain apps at a specific time of the day, a feature that is absent from the free version. Luckily, the developers are kind enough to offer a free 14-day trial of the paid feature, so be sure to check it out. There are no ads.