Category: Parental Controls

Snapchat has experienced tremendous growth over the last several years. Due to its increased popularity among kids and teens, this app is available on almost every kid’s device. This social networking app lets everyone in the world quickly connect with each other, and it can be used on both Android and iOS smartphones.

This application is a lot of fun to use, and it comes with a wide variety of functions, such as how to Pin Snapchat Conversation on iPhone, Find Your Friend’s Location on Map and much more.  It is, nevertheless, surrounded by several online threats as well.

When the vast majority of parents believe their children are completely secure while using Snapchat, the reality is very different. If you care about your kid’s online safety, you must activate Snapchat’s parental controls.

Well, the application has gone through a number of changes since it was first released, and one of those updates included the capability to store photos and videos that were sent to you by other people. If you’re concerned about your child’s safety while using the app, it’s best to stay up-to-date on the most recent changes and follow the app’s official instructions for activating parental controls.

What Do You Need to Know About Snapchat as Parents?

Children and teenagers both are addicted to Snapchat these days due to its mind-boggling capabilities, but they have also complained about a number of issues such as the Snapchat Loading Screen issues and a few more. Beyond that, it’s likely that your child has already downloaded the app and is using it on their smartphone. There are several important considerations for parents about Snapchat. Snaps are used to describe all the stuff posted to this app. There are three methods to view the photographs on the app, and each one has a unique time limit.

The photos you share with your friends disappear as soon as they’re seen. The group photos, on the other hand, may be seen twice. Finally, photographs uploaded to stories are visible to anybody and everyone for a limited time only.

Without a doubt, Snapchat is a popular social app among young people. They like using this app because it facilitates discreet communication by erasing texts once they have been read. But parents should talk to their children about the potential consequences of using this app.

In your role as parents, you have a responsibility to inform kids that anybody may capture screenshots of their photos and send them to others. Everything you do online may be seen by everyone. Sharing photos of your kids on Snapchat is probably not a good idea if they are unhappy with the idea of having their photos posted online.

How Snapchat Parental Control Feature Can Help Parents?

Snapchat’s built-in Parental Control tool makes it simple for parents to limit access to certain functions. If you do this, you may lessen the likelihood of your kids being hooked to the app. You may prevent them from using the app by simply blocking it on their smartphone. Furthermore, time limits may be imposed on the device. The app’s usage is time-locked, so they can only access it for a certain period.

You can keep an eye on your children’s social media activity with the use of a parental control app. This will allow them to use the platform intelligently and efficiently.

How to Set Snapchat Parental Control for Your Kids?

Here is a step-by-step guide for parents on how to set up parental controls on any phone so they can ensure their kids are safe on Snapchat by keeping an eye on what they are doing.

First of all, you’ll need to make some changes to “Privacy Settings” in your kid’s Snapchat App. Take their smartphone, open the Snapchat app and find “Gear Icon” on the top right corner to enter into the Privacy Settings. Now, keep scrolling down and find “Who Can” and that’s the option where you may need to make changes.

Under the “Who Can” section, you’ll find different options in which you need to make changes. So instance:

• Option 1 – Contact Me

In Contact Me, you will see two different options – “My Friends” or “Everyone.” Don’t let strangers contact your child by choosing the “My Friends” option. It will stop all the calls, messages as well as snaps from an unknown person.

• Option 2 – View My Story

Under the “View My Story” section, you’ll find three different options – Custom, Friends Only and Everyone. Be sure to choose the option “Friends Only” to keep protecting your kid. However, the Custom option further allows you to choose which specific friends can have conversations with your child.

• Option 3 – See Me In Quick Add

The next option you’ll find is described as “See Me In Quick Add.” Be sure you uncheck the box that says “See Me In Quick Add” and now unknown people won’t be able to find your kid on Snapchat any further.

• Option 4 – See My Location

At this point, you may choose a few different ways to proceed. For instance, you may restrict your child’s location sharing to just friends, or to a select group of friends. Additionally, you may prevent certain friends from tracking your kid’s location.

However, Ghost Mode should be “On” so that no one can track your children. That will secure your kids completely from anybody who would want to harm them, including abusers, kidnappers, scammers, and even friends who can come up unexpectedly and bring your kid somewhere they don’t really want to go.

Besides, turn off the option to “Allow Friends to Request My Location” by scrolling down a little. If you don’t disable Live Location Requests, your child’s friends may still see where they are in real-time even when Ghost Mode is on.

Wrapping Up

It’s too easy to keep monitoring your kids through Snapchat’s built-in Parental Control feature. However, you may also protect any family member from potential risks by using a wide range of 3rd party applications that comprise many more features for extra security.

They are a great way to keep an eye on your kids’ online activities and ensure they’re safe by listening in on their calls, text messages, GPS positions, screenshots, keystrokes, and chats.

Streaming services offer a bounty of entertainment options for all ages. However, plenty of content is unsuitable for kids and only suited to teens and above. What is a parent to do that wants to protect their child from unsafe content?

Parental controls offer some of the best possible protection from content unsafe for younger eyes. To get the most from these options, you will want to know how to use them to your advantage.

Read on to learn more about using parental controls.

What Are Parental Controls?

In short, parental controls allow parents to block their children’s access to certain types of programming. For example, you could bar children from watching R or TV-MA-rated content. You can focus on catching up on your favorites without your kids watching what’s off-limits.

How to Set Up General Controls on Google Play or Apple Devices

General controls help provide an extra bit of security, and you will want to consider using them in tandem with the services’ controls.

Google Play Protect

Google Play Protect helps keep your kids safe by checking your devices and apps for suspicious behavior, a beneficial feature to use alongside parental controls. Open the Google Play Store app, then tap your profile picture on the upper right.

Next, you’ll need to tap Google Play Protect, then Settings. Then, turn on the option to Scan apps with Play Protect. This will make sure that your CouchTuner experience remains free of any malicious content. For instance, this feature helps prevent your child from mistakenly downloading malware. Moreover, the feature continuously checks your apps to ensure no suspicious behavior occurs.

Google Family Link

Google Family Link allows you to set up profiles for your kids under 13 to better protect them from harmful content or monitor an existing account. You’ll start by installing the Family Link app.

Use the Create New Account option when signing in, and enter the name, password, age, birth date, and email address for your child. Then, you’ll follow instructions showing you how to select your child’s settings from your Google Account.

iPhone/iPad

Although many iOS-compatible streaming apps have rental controls, it’s helpful to have controls for your child’s Apple devices. You’ll start by navigating to Settings, then tapping Screen Time. Next, find and tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.

Next, you’ll want to tap Content Restrictions. By selecting Movies or TV Shows, you can block programming with specific ratings, such as R or TV-MA.

Setting Up Parental Controls by Streaming Service

Using parental controls on each service is also essential, as most services (with the rare exception of  FuboTV) offer these controls.  A second line of defense is learning how to vet movies and shows for your kids using sites line Common Sense Media.

Hulu

One option that parents have on Hulu is to set up a Kids profile, which only allows content suitable for all ages.

You can also log in to your account, select Manage Profiles, and select Turn on PIN Protection. Anyone who wants to access the non-Kids profiles will have to input the PIN.

Netflix

Sign in to your Netflix account and find Profile & Parental Controls. You’ll need to click on the profile that you want to change the settings for. Find the setting for Viewing Restrictions and select Change. After entering your Netflix password, you can select the maturity rating for that profile.

Sling TV

Sling TV, in addition to allowing restricting content based on ratings, also allows parents to restrict other content they may not want their kids seeing, such as mature unrated programs, sports, and news. You can start this process by going to Settings in your account.

You’ll need to enter an existing PIN code or create one if you haven’t already. Select Parental Controls On. Next, you can opt to restrict content by thematic material or rating. Once set, these settings will apply to all devices with SlingTV access in your household.

DirecTV Stream

DirectTV Stream makes it easy for parents to restrict content across all devices their children may use. Although you’ll change your preferences by going to Settings regardless of whether you are using a TV or another device, there are some differences between the devices regarding what to do next.

On a streaming device connected to your TV, you’ll be to Preferences, then Parental Controls and follow the prompts. If using the Chrome or Safari browsers, you’ll find the Parental controls under General, enter your PIN, and select Turn Parental Controls ON. Parents using the app will select Parental Controls, toggle ON and enter their PIN to confirm their choice.

Disney+

Disney+ has an easy process for setting which content your child may access. After visiting Edit Profiles from your account, select the profile in question.

Choose Content Rating under Parental Controls, then enter your account password. Select the content rating you want the profile to access, then Save to put the controls into effect.

Paramount+

Like many other services, you’ll begin setting up parental controls on Paramount+ by going into your main account settings. Go to the Parental Controls and toggle the setting into the ON position. Enter your account password and select submit.

The next step will be to create a PIN that anyone using the service must enter before they watch anything restricted. As an extra precaution, you can lock the Live TV feed as well.

FuboTV

FuboTV is different from the other streaming services highlighted so far because it lacks parental controls. However, you can use the parental control options on your device itself to set up these preferences.

HBO Max

HBO Max offers kids’ profiles that help you control what types of content your children see. You’ll start this process by selecting your Profile icon, regardless of which device you’re using.

Go to the Switch Profiles option, selecting +Kid. If this account lacks a PIN, you’ll need to create one. You’ll add your child’s name and birth date at the next step. After selecting Next, you’ll be able to pick appropriate content ratings for your child. Finally, select Save to ensure your changes are final.

Summary

Parental controls make it easier to keep kids safe while streaming. A combination of controls available with most services, as well as device-specific controls, help provide the safety your child needs when watching their favorites.

Read more about keeping your kids safe with this parents guide to setting up smart tv safely.

Do you ever worry about what your kids are doing on their phones? With all of the dangers that lurk online, it’s natural for parents to want to keep their children safe. One way to do this is by using free parental control app for iPhone or Android. In this blog post, we will review the best phone tracker apps!

Key Benefits of Best Phone Tracker Apps For Parents

Today’s parental control software offers more features than ever before. Here are some key benefits of the best phone tracker apps that can help you keep your kids safe and secure:

• The ability to set up boundaries for your child’s device usage. For example, you can set a daily limit on app usage or restrict certain apps altogether.
• The ability to monitor your child’s phone usage. You can see who they’re calling, what apps they’re using, and how much time they’re spending on their phone.
• The ability to remotely lock child’s iPhone or Android device. This can be useful if they lose their phone or if you want to limit their screen time.
• The ability to track your child’s location at all times. This can be especially helpful if they are out with friends or at a crowded event.

The 5 Best Phone Tracker Apps for Parents on the Market

There’s no such thing as being too cautious when it comes to protecting your kids. But with so many phone tracker apps on the market, it can be hard to know which one is right for you to monitor child’s iPhone. Here are our top five picks for the best phone tracker apps for parents:

Google Family Link

Google Family Link is an excellent app for parents with kids of all ages. It lets you see which apps your child is using and how much time they’re spending on each one. You can also set limits on screen time and remotely lock your kids iPhone or Android devices if necessary.

Compatibility: Android and iOS

Main pros:

• Lets you see which apps your child is using
• Set limits on screen time
• Remotely lock the device

Main cons:

• Tracking feature is unavailable for older versions of iOS

Find360

Find360 is a family location-sharing app with an easy-to-use interface and many advanced features. It lets you create circles with your family members and check their real-time locations. You can also set customized notifications for activities or events, such as kids arriving home or visiting a particular place.

Compatibility: Android and iOS

Main Pros:

• Share location in real-time
• View unlimited location history
• All features are free to use

mSpy

How to monitor kids iPhone or Android gadgets?  Consider hiring a professional phone tracker if you’re looking for a more comprehensive solution. Services like mSpy give you access to a wide range of features, including GPS tracking, call, and text monitoring, and even Keylogger capabilities.

Compatibility: Android, iOs, Windows, and macOS

Main pros:

• GPS tracking
• Call and text monitoring
• Keylogger capabilities

Main cons:

• Premium version can be expensive

OurPact

OurPact is an excellent choice for parents who want to monitor kids iPhone or Android smartphones. With this app, you can block certain apps and websites, set up schedules for when devices can be used, and even track your child’s location.

Compatibility: Android, iOS

Main pros:

• More control over apps and websites
• Can set up schedules
• Tracks location

Main cons:

• Free version has limited features

Kaspersky Safe Kids

Kaspersky is a well-known name in the world of antivirus protection, and their Kaspersky Safe Kids app is the best free parental control app for iPhone. With this app, you can set limits on screen time, track your child’s location, and even see what they’re searching for online.

Compatibility: Android, iOs, Windows

Main pros:

• Well-known and trusted brand
• Set limits on screen time
• Track location
• See online searches

Main cons:

• Some features require a premium subscription

Qustodio

Qustodio is an Android and iPhone parental control app designed to help you keep track of your child’s online activity. With Qustodio, you can see what your child is searching for online, block specific websites and apps, and set limits on screen time.

Compatibility: Android, iOs, Windows, Mac

Main pros:

• See online searches
• Block websites and apps
• Set limits on screen time
• Monitor social media activity

Main cons:

• Some users report bugs

How to Pick the Best Phone Tracker Apps For Your Needs

Before choosing an iPhone kids tracker app or similar software for Android, it is essential to understand how they work and what features are vital for you. Here are some main tips:

• First and foremost, the app must be undetectable on the target device.
• It is also crucial that the app offers real-time tracking.
• Another key feature to look for is the ability to lock the device if it goes missing remotely.
• Finally, you’ll want to make sure the app you choose has a good customer support team if you run into any problems.

Conclusion

There is a lot of excellent Android and iPhone for kids tracking software out there that can help parents keep their children safe and secure. Each of these apps has its own unique set of features, so be sure to read through them all before deciding. And remember, no matter which app you choose, the most important thing is that you use it to keep your kids safe.

You don’t have to be a computer savvy parent to begin making sure your child is searching the internet with proper filtering. We provide filtering of Google that blocks all bad content in your kids search results.  This works well for schools and it’s a good start for parents at home.  Still, the Qustodio parental control app is recommended to keep kids safe online.

Apart from Google search, even if using a strict internet filtering, kids searching the web without a parental control app installed will be able to go directly to any website that one of their friends may have told them about. There are also social media concerns, such as cyberbullying, online predators or inappropriate images. 

School administrators can explore parental controls for schools to bring the same filtering and monitoring features that parents enjoy at home.  The ability to protect entire classrooms from dangers online is a game changer.

Parental Control App

Download Parental Controls for  All Family Devices

Qustodio Parental Controls for Schools

For use on all devices (Windows, Mac, laptops, Androids, iPhones, Tablets, Chromebook, Kindle):  Complete Online Safety for Students.

Safe Search Kids endorses these parental control app solutions according to the needs of your individual family. Multiple features provides the tools needed to keep kids of all ages safe online.  For starters, they have a robust internet filter to ensure harmful websites are blocked.  Parental controls also have an app blocker to give parents (and now schools) full control over what apps they allow their kids to use.

And what about harmful texts, such as the sending of personal photos that are best kept private? What about the innocuous threats, including too much screen time and time spent online late at night while kid should be sleeping? There are a wide variety of threats online and a search engine cannot control all of these issues. It takes parental controls for complete safety online.

The Qustodio Parental Control App for Families

Scan QR Code on your mobiles devices to install
compatible parental control app for free:

Parental control features include:

• SOS / Panic Button – get instant alerts when family members are in danger.
• Control screen time – custom set limits according to each child’s age.
• Family Pause – lock your child’s phone instantly from your parental dashboard.
• Set internet usage schedule – set daily and weekly time slots.
• Teen Safe Drive – be notified when drivers in your family speed.
• Control Contacts – access your child’s contact list and get alerts when they are contacted by someone who you have restricted.
• View Call History and remotely monitor texts sent and received.
• Track Web Browsing History – in addition to web filtering to prevent harmful websites you can see what sites your kids are searching for what sites they frequent.
• Control Installed Apps and Block Apps your won’t allow for each family member. Review how much time is spent on each app.
• Monitor which websites your kids are bookmarking.
• Pick Me Up Alerts – be notified when it’s time to pick kids up from school, the mall or a friends house.

All of these parental control features work in the background to keep kids safe their devices wherever they go.  Location history is always tracked.  At any time you can see where your kids have been and where they are presently.  Set up Geo Fences to be notified when they leave certain areas.

View all the places they visited over a period of time. Check all details like time and complete address to ensure their safety.  Instantly check where any family member is on a map.

• Explore All Parental Control Features for All Devices
• Create a Free Qustodio Parental Control Account
• Free Downloads for All Devices
• Download for Andriod

Parental Control App for iPhones, iPads, Android and Amazon devices

Parental control apps make it easier for parents to take control of their kid’s activities online, maintain their kid’s safety, manage their kid’s times on all devices, as well as manage their own time more effectively so that they can continue to do what they do best: Parent.

Effective Parental Controls include Web filtering including keyword and phrase filtering. The latest in app blocking or the setting of specific restrictions on apps like Snapchat. Monitor and manage users real-time activity. Easily access centralized management of multiple children on multiple devices, including iPhones, Android phones, tablets and Amazon (Kindle Fire).

Parental Controls becomes the “bad guy” monitoring your kids’ activity. While it blocks bad content and controls usage, it also puts the onus on your child to be responsible for what they do online. Individual levels of freedom can set up according to age and times of day. Read about how parental control apps can even encourage good driving habits with driving history reports.

Parents and guardians will also enjoy a slew of product enhancements, including:

• Chat filtering for texts and messaging apps.
• Security options to block system changes on computer.
• Alert notifications by email or text, such as when new apps are installed.
• Invisible / stealth operation. (Works in the background so it doesn’t interfere with device performance)
• Real-time tracking of users whereabouts and whether they are online or not.

When it comes to maintaining the safety and innocence of children, the Internet isn’t just a search engine anymore. So many other elements are needed in an effort to keep kids safe online. Not to mention, the more time parents spend managing screen time restrictions, social media friends, texting and photos – the less time parents have to focus on building a stronger relationship with their child.

It’s not enough to simply turn on safe search.  A trusted parental control App is necessary to fully protect kids online, including filtered web search and monitoring of social media and app downloads. It not only ensures that kids stay safe, parental control software can help build character in kids to make the right decisions on the internet.

As a parent, you no longer have to play the “guessing game” as to what their kid searches for online, who their friends are, and whether they are actually studying for that history project or just killing time on TikTok or playing games.

Beware of Fake Calculator Apps

There are apps on the app stores that hide other apps by masking themselves to look like a calculator. These are known as fake calculator apps or calculator vault apps.  You can manually check for these apps on your child’s phone through various methods.  Checking the app memory size will help determine if there is a larger hidden app behind it, such as a social media app or worse – a dating or chat app.  Calculators shouldn’t be any larger than 30 MB in size. 

Does your child have more than one calculator on their phone?  This could also be a tell.  Search the name of the calculator on Google or in the app store on their device to see it’s a legitimate app created purely for multiplication and addition. Parental controls takes the guess work out of troubling trends such as this.  They ensure you are remain fully aware of what apps your child is downloading in real time.  It’s one of the standard monitoring features.  It also prevents kids from downloading apps and hiding them through other means that smart phones allow users to do.

Monitor Kids Texts

The latest development in the wide variety of parental control apps available is the the ability to monitor kids texts.  At first mention this seems to be a severe invasion of kids privacy.  To clarify, what is being monitored is the detection of suspicious texts your child may be receiving.  You won’t have to peer into every conversation your kids are involved in.  Just like the monitoring of websites and social media activity, you will be notified of potentially harmful texts when they happen.  Or, if you notice your child is acting unusually upset after checking social media or receiving text, you can go into you parental control app dashboard a look at it.

Can you monitor SMS or Texts messages using Qustodio?  It depends on whether you have an Android or iOS device.

It’s good practice for parents to give their kids the freedom they need online within safe boundaries a parental control app sets up.  Let them know you are not watching their every move but with parental controls in place you will be notified when a line as been crossed.  This helps your younger child or teen learn responsibility while interacting with others online.

New Parental Control Feature for Qustodio App and Software

The Qustodio Care Plus provides an add on service that includes exclusive experience to all parents choosing a premium plan in USA.  This makes the most out of the app through a personalized assistance including the following services:

• Welcome Tour
• Priority Support through all available channels
• Technical support
• Device Set Up Assistance
• Ongoing Check-ins
• Remote Assistance for technical troubleshooting
• Early Access to New Features

How it works

Being an exclusive service, customers must confirm wanting to receive the personalized assistance from one of our specialists as it follows:

• Once customers decide which is the right membership plan, they will need to activate the service by checking the Care Plus box before proceeding with the payment.
• A specialized team will reach out to book the first call at the day and time that’s convenient for the customer.
• The service will be available in English or Spanish.
• All Qustodio’s Medium and Large plans include this service for free. However, need to be activate during the purchase.
• For the Small plan memberships, and only if the member decides to add the service, a one-time payment of $9.99 will be charged into the customer account.

Do you Know? (Internet Use by Kids)

Do you know what your kids are looking at online? 41% of U.S. teens say that their parents have no idea…

Do you know how often your kids frequent social networking sites? According to the Norton Online Living report, 76% of U.S. teens ages 13-17 are “constantly” or “frequently” visiting social networking sites.

Do you know if your child has been contacted online by a stranger? 16% of U.S. children have been approached online by a stranger. Is your child one of them?

What is YOUR Internet Monitoring Strategy?

You can rely on the search engines or safe search apps for filtering services, but they are not designed to include social media, app usage or screen time monitoring. It’s more than parental controls in the present, it’s about equipping kids to responsibly navigate the world wide web safely long after they grow up and leave home.

The Power of Parental Control Apps

• Discover how much easier it can be to have the Qustodio parental control app controlling internet access for every user in your home according to their age.
• Enjoy reduced stress no longer having to hunch over your child’s shoulder monitoring their online activity or asking for their phone to search for bad apps.
• Parental focus and peace of mind can be restored knowing that full control is within your fingertips via an app or on any computer.