Parenting Resources
If you're looking for digital parental controls to help keep your children safe from today's online threats, look no further than this digital parental controls directory.
Parenting Resources
If you're looking for digital parental controls to help keep your children safe from today's online threats, look no further than this digital parental controls directory.
Digital Parental Controls Directory
We make every moment count with solutions designed just for you.
Device-Level or Platform Native Controls:
These are built into major ecosystems and don't require installing third-party software:
Google Family Link
Free tool for Android and Chromebook; helps parents manage app downloads, screen time, and content access, plus location tracking
Apple Screen Time / Family Sharing
Built into iOS/macOS; allows download approvals, app limits, Screen Time controls across devices
Microsoft Family Safety
Free for Windows, Xbox, Android, iOS; includes screen-time limits, app usage tracking, web filtering, and activity summaries
OpenDNS FamilyShield
A free DNS-based web-filtering service that applies to all devices on a home network, thus working even for apps without built-in controls
Device-Level or Platform Native Controls:
These are built into major ecosystems and don't require installing third-party software:
Google Family Link
Free tool for Android and Chromebook; helps parents manage app downloads, screen time, and content access, plus location tracking
Apple Screen Time / Family Sharing
Built into iOS/macOS; allows download approvals, app limits, Screen Time controls across devices
Microsoft Family Safety
Free for Windows, Xbox, Android, iOS; includes screen-time limits, app usage tracking, web filtering, and activity summaries
OpenDNS FamilyShield
A free DNS-based web-filtering service that applies to all devices on a home network, thus working even for apps without built-in controls
Third-Party Cross-Device Control Apps
These work across devices and apps without requiring proprietary support:
Qustodio
Offers web & app filtering, screen-time limits, YouTube monitoring, social media and SMS/call tracking, location tracking, panic button, geofencing, uninstall protection. Highly featured and works well even on non-native apps.
Bark
Monitors texts, emails, over 30 social media apps, web browsers; alerts on cyberbullying, predation, etc.
Norton Family
Web and app filtering, screen-time scheduling, location tracking, activity reports; is included in Norton 360 bundles.
Aura Parental Controls
Provides web filtering, screen-time management, identity-theft protection bundle, antivirus, VPN, password manager; excellent for families needing both online protection and identity safeguards.
MMGuardian
Known for strong Android conversation monitoring (SMS, calls) and app control.
Mobicip
Cloud-based filter and VPN that filters web, manages screen time, blocks/permits apps, tracks location, and offers detailed reports across platforms.
Canopy (by Netspark)
Uses AI to filter out pornographic or objectionable content within websites or apps, blocks images/video selectively (not entire site), prevents tampering, screen-time management, sexting protection, with real-time alerts.
OurPact
Works on Android & iOS; offers geofencing, scheduling, screen-time control, app blocking, encrypted screenshots—though filtering is less granular; great for Apple-centric households.
Findmykids
Focused on location tracking and safety; offers real-time geolocation, geofencing, emergency alerts, remote audio monitoring. Works independently of in-app controls.
Net Nanny
Focused on content-control software marketed primarily towards parents as a way to monitor and control their child's computer and phone activity.
Third-Party Cross-Device Control Apps:
These work across devices and apps without requiring proprietary support:
Qustodio
Offers web & app filtering, screen-time limits, YouTube monitoring, social media and SMS/call tracking, location tracking, panic button, geofencing, uninstall protection. Highly featured and works well even on non-native apps.
Bark
Monitors texts, emails, over 30 social media apps, web browsers; alerts on cyberbullying, predation, etc.
Norton Family
Web and app filtering, screen-time scheduling, location tracking, activity reports; is included in Norton 360 bundles.
Aura Parental Controls
Provides web filtering, screen-time management, identity-theft protection bundle, antivirus, VPN, password manager; excellent for families needing both online protection and identity safeguards.
MMGuardian
Known for strong Android conversation monitoring (SMS, calls) and app control.
Mobicip
Cloud-based filter and VPN that filters web, manages screen time, blocks/permits apps, tracks location, and offers detailed reports across platforms.
Canopy (by Netspark)
Uses AI to filter out pornographic or objectionable content within websites or apps, blocks images/video selectively (not entire site), prevents tampering, screen-time management, sexting protection, with real-time alerts.
OurPact
Works on Android & iOS; offers geofencing, scheduling, screen-time control, app blocking, encrypted screenshots—though filtering is less granular; great for Apple-centric households.
Findmykids
Focused on location tracking and safety; offers real-time geolocation, geofencing, emergency alerts, remote audio monitoring. Works independently of in-app controls.
Net Nanny
Focused on content-control software marketed primarily towards parents as a way to monitor and control their child's computer and phone activity.
Network or DNS-Based Filtering Services :
These filter traffic on your network, independent of individual apps:
SafeDNS
AI-powered cloud filtering, works via DNS to categorize and block content; includes scheduling, usage reports, and works even when apps lack built-in parental controls.
OpenDNS FamilyShield
(Already covered under native) but worth noting again—it filters content across all devices via DNS, with no app installation required.
pfSense
A powerful and flexible platform that can be installed on commodity hardware, transforming it into a dedicated firewall and router. pfSense is known for its robust feature set, including firewall capabilities, VPN functionality, and DHCP/DNS services, making it suitable for both home and enterprise networks.
Network or DNS-Based Filtering Services:
These filter traffic on your network, independent of individual apps:
SafeDNS
AI-powered cloud filtering, works via DNS to categorize and block content; includes scheduling, usage reports, and works even when apps lack built-in parental controls.
OpenDNS FamilyShield
(Already covered under native) but worth noting again—it filters content across all devices via DNS, with no app installation required.
pfSense
A powerful and flexible platform that can be installed on commodity hardware, transforming it into a dedicated firewall and router. pfSense is known for its robust feature set, including firewall capabilities, VPN functionality, and DHCP/DNS services, making it suitable for both home and enterprise networks.
PC-Focused Monitoring Tools:
Best suited for Windows environments:
Spyrix Free Keylogger / Spyrix Phone Tracker
Keylogging, screenshot capture, app tracking on PC; premium adds Android support and social media/location tracking.
KidLogger
Basic free tool for monitoring browser history and messages on Android, but lacks screen-time control.
PC-Focused Monitoring Tools:
Best suited for Windows environments:
Spyrix Free Keylogger / Spyrix Phone Tracker
Keylogging, screenshot capture, app tracking on PC; premium adds Android support and social media/location tracking.
KidLogger
Basic free tool for monitoring browser history and messages on Android, but lacks screen-time control.
Application Specific Parental Controls:
We have created step-by-step app specific instruction guides on how to setup and configure parental controls and can be individually downloaded by enrolling into our FREE CyberSmart Parenting online course. Within this course you will find other useful resources that can help you secure you home network, individual apps, as well as learn to protect your family's data and privacy.
FREE! CyberSmart Parenting: Protecting Your Kids and Securing Your Home Course: Go to Course
Application Specific Parental Controls:
We have created step-by-step app specific instruction guides on how to setup and configure parental controls and they can be individually downloaded by enrolling into our CyberSmart Parenting Free online course. Within this course you will find other useful resources that can help you secure you home network, individual apps, as well as learn to protect your family's data and privacy.
Online gamer attacks on the rise
In 2022, there were over 7 million attacks targeting children through online gaming platforms. In the first half of 2024, attacks on young gamers rose 30%.
Online gamer attacks on the rise
In 2022, there were over 7 million attacks targeting children through online gaming platforms. In the first half of 2024, attacks on young gamers rose 30%.