Posted on: 14.03.2019.
The Internet originally opened the world up to everyone, but not many of us were using it back in the early days. Today, you can't think of anyone NOT using the internet. Today, even mobile devices have the ability to browse the web. Imagine, having a whole world of information neatly tucked inside your pocket. Although our connected lifestyles have simplified many things, there are also dangers that lurk online.
The internet gives anyone who uses it freedom to explore, which isn't necessarily a good thing at times. The web is full of content that isn't appropriate for anyone, let alone children. This is why monitoring your children's online activity makes sense. By monitoring your kids’ online habits, you ensure they don't accidentally stumble upon content that could cause them harm. This way, you will also know whether your child is a victim of cyber bullying.
For a while, it was easy to make sure your child doesn't have access to such content. All you had to do was install an appropriate program onto the computer and restrict access to content you didn't want your child to see. Nowadays, kids have mobile phones and tablets with online access, which makes things a bit more complicated.
While parents can't control the Internet, with the right solution, they can keep watch on what their children are doing online by using apps that monitor activities and habits on a child's personal device. In that regard, here are 10 great apps parents can use to track their child's mobile use.
Net Nanny was engineered to let parents know what their children are downloading, if they're viewing inappropriate content, accessing malicious apps or spending too much time playing video games. The solution greatly enhances safe web browsing and management of apps, downloads and time.
Features:
Pricing:
Learn more about it here.
Pumpic is a parental control software suite for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch and Android devices. The software allows remote communication. It also tracks photos, videos, gaming, emailing and social connections. The app essentially lets parents see how their children are using their mobile devices.
Pumpic starts at $6.99 a month for both Apple and Android devices. In order to use some of the features, the devices might have to be rooted/jailbroken first.
ZeroPC's DinnerTime Plus is an intuitive application that lets parents keep in touch with children, remind them to study, go to sleep or hurry home. DinnerTime Plus lets you set up limits on how long your children can use their apps and devices, and you can also block app and device use during specific times such as exam week or during dinner.
The basic DinnerTime Plus apps is free, while the one time premium upgrade costs $3.99 and unlocks powerful features such as an increased number of devices you can monitor, daily and weekly reports, custom warnings and 24 hour history.
FamilyTime is another parental control app that lets parents monitor anything their children are doing on their phones, and control certain aspects of phone usage as well. Knowing that children are naturally curious, the developers of the app have made sure parents have everything they need to keep the kids safe from innapropriate content.
FamilyTime Premium is available for Android, Apple and Kindle devices.
There are several subscription plans to choose from:
uKnowKids Premier is a social media monitoring app. By knowing your child's email accounts, user names and online handles, the platform locates social media accounts that may belong to your child and keeps track of all communication on your child's phone and social accounts.
There are no features for controlling activity, making uKnowKids Premier more an informational resource.
Pricing
uKnowKids Premier is on the expensive end with a $100 per year subscription. Luckily, there's a one week free trial. You can opt for a monthly fee of $10, or you can save money and get a lifetime subscription for $180. For Apple device users, there's also a one-time $60 fee that gives you access to the iOS support team and features. You will have to supply a valid credit card to take advantage of the trial.
If a family member is behind the wheel of a vehicle, TrueMotion Family Safety will tell you where they are and whether they're driving safely. The software grades driving, giving you insight into their driving habits: you will know whether they are driving responsibly or speeding, tailgating, texting or engaging in other risky behavior.
TrueMotion Family Safety is a free app.
Qustodio tracks children online activity across a range of devices. It has powerful social media monitoring tools, strong configuration and reporting capabilities, and a time scheduler for Internet, devices and app usage.
Subscriptions are $44.95 per year for five devices and profiles.
With Mobicip in place, parents can remotely manage computers and mobile devices. They will be able to track and control settings, and monitor app and Internet usage. Mobicip has a web-based and user friendly dashboard.
The basic version of Mobicip is free. The Premium package protects five devices for $39.99 a year. For the Enterprise package, which covers 20 or more devices, you will have to contact the vendor.
Norton Family Parental Control has a comprehensive array of parental monitoring and control features. Much like many of the security giant's products and services, Norton Family minimizes risk by letting parents see and help identify behavior and issues before they become dangers.
While a standalone app, Norton Family Parental Control is fully featured with a subscription. For Norton Security Premium, you can subscribe for one year at $89.99 or get a two year subscription for $179.99.
Kids Space Launcher is a sturdy app that turns devices into safe spaces while kids explore and learn. It has reliable parental controls and blocks all the ways someone might try to leave the safe space. You can stop certain persons from calling your children, can stop click-throughs on ads and sending SMS messages. Platform is optimized for working quickly even with devices that have hundreds of applications.
Kids Space Launcher is a free application.
