10 Best Apps for Parental Control to Keep Kids Safe Online

Introduction

In a time when children are increasingly navigating the vast and often risky digital world, parents find themselves facing a significant challenge: ensuring their safety online. Many families are turning to technology for help, leading to a growing demand for effective parental control apps. This article explores the ten best apps for parental control in 2025, showcasing their unique features and how they can empower guardians to foster a safer online environment.

Can these tools truly bridge the gap between digital exploration and safety, or do they merely scratch the surface of a much deeper issue? Together, let’s delve into this important topic.

Gigabit IQ FamilyGuard+: Advanced Network-Level Parental Controls

In today’s digital age, many guardians rely on apps for parental control to ensure their children navigate the online world safely. Gigabit IQ’s FamilyGuard+ offers sophisticated network-level controls designed to help you oversee your child’s online activities with ease and confidence. In 2025, 63% of parents are aware of network-level parental controls, and 34% actively use them, reflecting a growing trend towards enhanced digital safety for families.

Key features of FamilyGuard+ include:

• Content Filtering: Customise filters based on age to block inappropriate content, ensuring your children access only suitable material.
• Screen Time Management: Set limits on internet usage to promote healthy digital habits, helping your family balance online engagement with offline activities.
• Real-Time Alerts: Receive notifications about potential risks or inappropriate content access, enabling you to respond proactively to digital threats.
• Comprehensive Coverage: Works across all devices connected to your home network, ensuring a safe browsing environment for every family member.

This solution not only safeguards your youth but also empowers you to oversee and guide their internet activities, fostering a safer digital environment at home. Families that have successfully deployed FamilyGuard+ report significant improvements in their children’s digital safety, with guardians expressing greater assurance in managing their offspring’s online engagements. As digital threats continue to evolve, advancements in apps for parental control, such as those offered by FamilyGuard+, are essential for protecting families in our ever-changing digital landscape.

Aura: Best Overall Parental Control App for 2025

Aura stands out as one of the best apps for parental control in 2025, designed with the needs of modern parenting in mind. We understand that navigating your child’s online world can be challenging, and Aura is here to help.

• Comprehensive Monitoring: With Aura, you can easily track your child’s online activity across various platforms. This feature offers valuable insights into their digital interactions, helping you guide their behaviour in a safe and informed way.
• Content Filtering: Protecting your child from harmful websites and inappropriate content is crucial. Aura effectively blocks such content, allowing you to customise filters that align with your family’s values and needs.
• Screen Time Management: Establishing healthy digital habits is essential. Aura empowers you to set daily limits and schedules for device usage, promoting a balanced approach to screen time.
• Real-Time Alerts: Stay informed with instant notifications about potential dangers, like cyberbullying or access to unsuitable content. This proactive feature allows you to engage in your child’s digital life actively.

Parents consistently praise Aura, one of the leading apps for parental control, for its user-friendly interface and extensive functionalities, making it a trusted partner in creating a safe online environment. With a remarkable satisfaction rate of 93.5%, many guardians appreciate how Aura helps them oversee and manage their children’s digital experiences effectively. Together, let’s ensure your child’s online journey is safe and nurturing.

Qustodio: Best for Location Tracking

Qustodio stands out as one of the leading apps for parental control, especially for location tracking, providing parents with peace of mind about their children’s safety. With its key features, you can feel reassured:

• Real-Time Location Tracking: Keep an eye on your child’s whereabouts in real-time, ensuring their safety.
• Geofencing Alerts: Set up safe zones and receive notifications when your child enters or leaves these areas.
• Location History: Review a timeline of your child’s movements, giving you insights into their daily activities.

But that’s not all. For parents seeking apps for parental control to effectively manage their family’s online experience, Gigabit IQ’s FamilyGuard+ is worth considering. This innovative tool allows you to customise internet settings for each family member, helping you set healthy usage limits, prioritise bandwidth for essential devices, and block inappropriate content. With FamilyGuard+ providing apps for parental control, families can enhance their online safety and digital wellbeing, making it a perfect complement to Qustodio’s features. This app not only assists in tracking physical locations but also integrates seamlessly with other apps for parental control functionalities, creating a holistic solution for modern families.

Bark: Best Parental Control App for Features

Bark is truly a lifeline for caregivers, addressing their diverse needs with a range of thoughtful features. Let’s explore how it can help you feel more secure about your child’s online presence:

• Content Monitoring: Bark diligently scans texts, emails, and social media for signs of cyberbullying, suicidal thoughts, and other potential dangers. In 2023 alone, it processed over 5.6 billion activities, revealing that 33% of tweens and 57% of teens faced self-harm or suicidal situations. This underscores the app’s vital role in protecting our youth.
• Screen Time Management: With Bark, parents can set limits on device usage, promoting healthier habits and reducing excessive screen time. This is crucial, especially since 72% of parents with teens have used at least one of the apps for parental control.
• Location Tracking: The app provides real-time updates on your loved one’s location, ensuring their safety. Parents can request check-ins, which enhances peace of mind about their children’s whereabouts.
• Alerts and Notifications: Bark sends alerts for concerning content, allowing for proactive parental involvement. This feature is particularly beneficial, as 65% of kids whose guardians have set restrictions reported discussing internet safety with them in the past month.

By focusing on safety and monitoring, Bark empowers guardians to stay informed about their children’s online activities while promoting the use of apps for parental control to foster open conversations about digital safety. Real-life stories illustrate how caregivers have effectively used Bark to combat cyberbullying, reinforcing its importance as an essential tool in today’s digital world.

Norton Family: Best for Web Monitoring

In 2025, Norton Family emerges as a top choice for guardians seeking effective apps for parental control. It addresses the real concerns parents face in today’s digital landscape, offering features that truly matter:

• Web Filtering: Norton Family shines in blocking inappropriate websites and content. Parents can tailor settings to fit their family’s unique needs. This capability is crucial, especially since 66% of guardians rely on apps for parental control to safeguard their children online.
  The apps for parental control provide valuable insights into children’s internet activities, including search terms and visited sites. This empowers guardians to stay informed about their kids’ digital interactions through apps for parental control, fostering a sense of security.
  Parents can use apps for parental control to set limits on device usage, encouraging healthier online habits. This feature is particularly important, as 72% of guardians actively use apps for parental control to monitor their children’s screen time and combat excessive use.
  Norton Family, as one of the leading apps for parental control, sends real-time alerts when children try to access blocked content, allowing parents to respond quickly to potential risks.

Norton Family is considered one of the top apps for parental control, as it offers robust web monitoring features that help guardians create a safe online environment while encouraging responsible internet use. It stands out as a leading option for families navigating the challenges of digital safety together.

Net Nanny: Best for Content Filtering

Net Nanny truly shines as a top choice among apps for parental control, allowing guardians to ensure their children are safe online. With its impressive features, it offers a sense of security that every parent seeks:

• Dynamic Content Filtering: This feature blocks inappropriate content in real-time, adapting to new threats and providing ongoing protection for your loved ones.
• Customisable Filters: You can tailor the app to meet your child’s specific needs by setting categories to block, ensuring personalised safety measures that resonate with your family’s values.
• Screen Time Management: Net Nanny empowers caregivers to set daily device usage limits, promoting healthier digital habits among children and encouraging a balanced lifestyle.
• Alerts and Notifications: The app keeps you informed by sending notifications when your child tries to access restricted content, allowing you to stay engaged in their online activities.

As we look ahead to 2025, it’s heartening to see that many caregivers are embracing apps for parental control, reflecting a growing awareness of the importance of digital safety tools. Real-life stories illustrate how guardians effectively use Net Nanny to protect their children, reinforcing its role in fostering responsible internet use. By prioritising dynamic content filtering, Net Nanny helps create a safe digital environment, encouraging open conversations about internet safety within families.

On the other hand, Gigabit IQ’s FamilyGuard+ features apps for parental control that allow parents to customise internet settings for each family member. With the intuitive Gigabit IQ app, managing screen time limits and blocking inappropriate content becomes a breeze. This comprehensive approach to internet management ensures that families can enjoy a safe online experience while maintaining control over their digital environment.

Google Family Link: Best for Google Users

Google Family Link truly shines as one of the best apps for parental control for families using Google services. It offers a range of features designed with your family’s needs in mind:

• App Management: You can easily approve or block apps your children want to download from the Google Play Store, ensuring they only access age-appropriate content.
• Screen Time Management: This app allows you to set daily time limits and schedules for device use, helping your kids develop healthier digital habits.
• Location Tracking: With real-time location monitoring, you can feel more at ease knowing where your children are, enhancing their safety.
• Activity Reports: You’ll receive detailed insights into your children’s app usage and online activities, making it easier to have informed discussions about their digital behaviour.

By seamlessly integrating into the Google ecosystem, Family Link equips you with essential tools to effectively manage your children’s digital experiences. As of late 2023, around 48% of parents are using apps for parental control, highlighting a growing trend towards proactive digital parenting. Real-life stories show how families are leveraging apps for parental control, such as Google Family Link, to foster safer digital environments, reinforcing the app’s vital role in promoting responsible technology use.

Microsoft Family Safety: Best for Microsoft Store Users

Microsoft Family Safety truly shines as one of the best apps for parental control for families using Microsoft products. It offers a range of robust features designed with your family’s needs in mind:

• Activity Reporting: Stay informed about your child’s online activities across all Microsoft devices, ensuring you’re always in the loop about their digital interactions.
• Screen Time Management: Set limits on device usage and control app access, promoting healthier screen time habits for your kids.
• Location Tracking: With real-time location monitoring, you can keep track of your child’s whereabouts, providing peace of mind.
• Content Filtering: Customise settings to block inappropriate content and websites, creating a safer online environment for your family.

In 2025, many households reported using apps for parental control from Microsoft, showcasing the app’s effectiveness in safeguarding children online. Real-life stories illustrate how families have successfully leveraged Microsoft Family Safety to enhance their internet safety practices. As Dr. Edward Hallowell emphasises, managing screen time is crucial for youth development, making tools like Family Safety essential for modern parenting. Together, we can navigate the digital landscape with confidence, ensuring our children are safe and supported.

Mobicip: Best for Real-Time Alerts

Mobicip stands out with its robust real-time alert capabilities, making it an ideal choice for guardians who care deeply about their children’s online safety. Here’s how it can help:

• Instant Notifications: Parents receive immediate alerts for any suspicious activities or attempts to access inappropriate content, allowing for timely intervention.
• Location Tracking: The app enables real-time monitoring of your child’s location, ensuring their safety while they’re out and about.
• Screen Time Management: Mobicip allows guardians to set limits on device usage, sending notifications when these limits are reached to encourage healthier habits.
• Content Filtering: With customizable settings, the app blocks harmful websites and material, creating a safer digital environment for your child.

In 2025, a significant 73% of guardians turned to monitoring applications to oversee their children’s internet usage, underscoring the growing reliance on real-time notifications. Mobicip empowers guardians to stay informed about their children’s online activities, fostering a proactive approach to digital safety. As one expert noted, “Instant alerts are essential for guardians to effectively oversee their children’s digital experiences and ensure their safety.” Real-life stories illustrate how guardians have successfully used Mobicip to navigate the complexities of online safety, reinforcing its vital role in today’s digital landscape.

FamilyKeeper: Best for Lightweight Monitoring

FamilyKeeper truly shines as the ideal lightweight among the apps for parental control for guardians who value simplicity. It addresses the real concerns parents have about their children’s online safety with ease. Here are some of its key features:

• Basic Monitoring: This feature provides essential monitoring capabilities without overwhelming complexity, making it user-friendly for all parents.
• Content Filtering: It effectively blocks harmful websites and content, allowing for customizable settings tailored to your family’s unique needs.
• Screen Time Management: Guardians can establish boundaries on device use, helping to cultivate healthier screen habits for their children.
• Location Monitoring: With real-time oversight of your child’s whereabouts, FamilyKeeper offers reassurance that every guardian seeks.

By focusing on straightforward oversight, FamilyKeeper presents a practical solution for managing your child’s internet experiences through apps for parental control while promoting safe web usage. In fact, many guardians prefer simple monitoring solutions, reflecting a growing demand for apps for parental control that are user-friendly. Real-life stories show parents successfully using FamilyKeeper to maintain a safe online environment for their children, reinforcing its reputation as a top choice for lightweight parental control in 2025. Together, we can ensure a safer digital world for our kids.

Conclusion

As our lives become more intertwined with digital interactions, ensuring our children’s safety online is more important than ever. Exploring the top parental control apps for 2025 reveals a range of tools designed to empower you in managing your child’s online experiences effectively. With features like comprehensive monitoring, content filtering, real-time alerts, and location tracking, these apps help create a secure digital environment for families.

Throughout this article, we’ve highlighted key insights into each app, showcasing their unique strengths. For example:

• Gigabit IQ’s FamilyGuard+ excels in network-level controls
• Aura provides an all-encompassing monitoring solution
• Qustodio stands out for its location tracking capabilities
• Bark focuses on content monitoring to tackle pressing issues like cyberbullying

Each app plays a vital role in promoting healthy digital habits, fostering open conversations about internet safety, and enhancing your involvement in your child’s online life.

As digital threats continue to evolve, the importance of utilising these parental control apps cannot be overstated. By taking proactive measures, you can navigate the complexities of the online world with confidence, ensuring your child is not only protected but also educated about safe internet practises. Embracing these tools is a crucial step toward fostering a safer digital landscape for the next generation, encouraging families to engage in meaningful discussions about online behaviour and security.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Gigabit IQ’s FamilyGuard+?

Gigabit IQ’s FamilyGuard+ is an advanced network-level parental control solution designed to help guardians oversee their children’s online activities, ensuring a safe digital environment.

What are the key features of FamilyGuard+?

The key features of FamilyGuard+ include content filtering, screen time management, real-time alerts, and comprehensive coverage across all devices connected to the home network.

How does content filtering work in FamilyGuard+?

Content filtering allows guardians to customise filters based on age to block inappropriate content, ensuring children access only suitable material.

What is the purpose of screen time management in FamilyGuard+?

Screen time management helps set limits on internet usage, promoting healthy digital habits and encouraging a balance between online and offline activities.

What kind of notifications can guardians expect from FamilyGuard+?

Guardians receive real-time alerts about potential risks or inappropriate content access, enabling them to respond proactively to digital threats.

How does FamilyGuard+ ensure comprehensive coverage for families?

FamilyGuard+ works across all devices connected to the home network, ensuring a safe browsing environment for every family member.

What is Aura and how does it compare to FamilyGuard+?

Aura is a leading parental control app for 2025 that offers comprehensive monitoring, content filtering, screen time management, and real-time alerts, making it user-friendly and effective in managing children’s digital experiences.

What unique feature does Qustodio offer for parental control?

Qustodio is known for its location tracking features, including real-time location tracking, geofencing alerts, and location history, providing parents with peace of mind regarding their children’s safety.

Can FamilyGuard+ and Qustodio be used together?

Yes, FamilyGuard+ can complement Qustodio’s location tracking features by providing additional parental control functionalities, helping families enhance their online safety and digital wellbeing.

List of Sources

1. Gigabit IQ FamilyGuard+: Advanced Network-Level Parental Controls

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• Exploring the awareness and usage of parental controls to support digital safety (https://internetmatters.org/hub/news-blogs/research-tracker-awareness-usage-parental-controls)

2. Aura: Best Overall Parental Control App for 2025

• Exploring the awareness and usage of parental controls to support digital safety (https://internetmatters.org/hub/news-blogs/research-tracker-awareness-usage-parental-controls)
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3. Qustodio: Best for Location Tracking

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4. Bark: Best Parental Control App for Features

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5. Norton Family: Best for Web Monitoring

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• 10 Ways Parents Can See Their Kids’ Search History Safely (https://gigabitiq.com/10-ways-parents-can-see-their-kids-search-history-safely)

6. Net Nanny: Best for Content Filtering

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7. Google Family Link: Best for Google Users

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• Google Family Link brings new supervision tools for parents (https://blog.google/technology/families/family-link-updates-february-2025)
• Parental Control and Monitoring App 2025-2033 Trends: Unveiling Growth Opportunities and Competitor Dynamics (https://archivemarketresearch.com/reports/parental-control-and-monitoring-app-38665)

8. Microsoft Family Safety: Best for Microsoft Store Users

• Test: This Is How Well Parental Control Software Actually Works (https://av-test.org/en/news/test-this-is-how-well-parental-control-software-actually-works)
• Parental Control Software Market Expands with Growing Concerns Over Online Safety and Kids’ Screen Time (https://einpresswire.com/article/765400305/parental-control-software-market-expands-with-growing-concerns-over-online-safety-and-kids-screen-time)
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• Parental Control Software Market Size, Share & Growth [2032] (https://fortunebusinessinsights.com/parental-control-software-market-104282)
• Top 10 Quotes on Screen Time and Parenting — Rijul Arora | (Screen Time and Parenting Expert) — Rijul Arora (https://rijularora.com/blog/top-10-quotes-on-screen-time-and-parenting)

9. Mobicip: Best for Real-Time Alerts

• Best Parental Control Apps 2025 – Forbes Vetted (https://forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/article/best-parental-control-app)
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• (PDF) Screen Time and Safety: How Parents Can Monitor and Protect Their Kids Online (https://researchgate.net/publication/393432447_Screen_Time_and_Safety_How_Parents_Can_Monitor_and_Protect_Their_Kids_Online)
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10. FamilyKeeper: Best for Lightweight Monitoring

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