The Best Parental Control Apps for Tracking and Managing Kids’ Screen Time in 2025
As a parent, managing your child’s screen time and online activities can often feel like a balancing act. With kids spending more time online—whether for learning, socializing, or entertainment—parental control apps are becoming more essential. These tools help parents monitor screen time, block inappropriate content, and ensure their child’s safety while using devices.
In this article, we’ll explore 10 top-rated parental control apps for 2025. We’ll break down their key features, pros, cons, and what they’re best for. We’ll also share real-life examples of how these apps are used, offer tips for easing restrictions as your child grows, and touch on important legal and ethical considerations in digital parenting.
Why You Need Parental Control Apps
The digital world offers countless opportunities for learning and entertainment, but it also comes with risks. As children spend more time online, they are exposed to content that may not be appropriate for their age. Parental control apps give you the tools to monitor screen time, block harmful content, and track your child’s location—all from one convenient dashboard.
These apps help you stay involved in your child’s digital life, ensuring they are safe while using their devices. By setting boundaries and monitoring their activity, you can encourage healthy screen time habits and protect them from online dangers.
10 Best Parental Control Apps for 2025
We’ve compiled a list of the best parental control apps available in 2025. Each one offers unique features designed to help parents manage their children’s screen time and online safety. Here’s what you need to know:
1. Qustodio
- What It Does: Qustodio is an all-in-one app that allows you to monitor your child’s online activity, set screen time limits, and block harmful content.
- Key Features:
- Real-time activity tracking
- App usage limits
- Social media monitoring (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
- Web filtering and alerts
- Pros:
- Easy-to-use dashboard
- Detailed activity reports
- Customizable controls for different family members
- Cons:
- Premium features are locked behind a subscription
- Limited options for non-smartphone devices (e.g., computers)
- Best For: Parents looking for a comprehensive app to monitor screen time, online activity, and social media usage.
2. Bark
- What It Does: Bark monitors your child’s social media accounts, text messages, and emails, alerting you to potential risks like cyberbullying and inappropriate content.
- Key Features:
- Monitors 30+ social media platforms
- Real-time alerts for harmful content
- Screen time management tools
- Pros:
- Excellent social media monitoring
- Detects cyberbullying and explicit content
- Works with many popular platforms
- Cons:
- No GPS or location tracking
- Limited app usage controls
- Best For: Parents focused on social media monitoring and online safety, especially for older kids and teens.
3. Norton Family
- What It Does: Norton Family offers a range of tools to track your child’s online activities, block inappropriate websites, and manage screen time.
- Key Features:
- Web filtering and website blocking
- Time management and screen time limits
- Real-time location tracking
- Daily/weekly activity reports
- Pros:
- Simple, beginner-friendly interface
- Strong web safety features
- Integration with Norton antivirus
- Cons:
- Limited social media monitoring
- Premium version required for advanced features
- Best For: Parents looking for straightforward web safety and time management features.
4. OurPact
- What It Does: OurPact allows you to set screen time limits, block apps, and track your child’s location in real-time.
- Key Features:
- App blocking and usage limits
- Screen time scheduling
- Family locator and geofencing
- Pros:
- Affordable and user-friendly
- Effective location tracking
- Simple setup for families with multiple devices
- Cons:
- Limited content filtering options
- Lacks social media monitoring
- Best For: Families who need an easy-to-use app for managing screen time and tracking locations.
5. FamilyTime
- What It Does: FamilyTime offers screen time control, app blocking, and location tracking, with additional features like geofencing and remote locking.
- Key Features:
- Screen time control and scheduling
- App and website blocking
- Geofencing and location tracking
- Remote lock for device-free time
- Pros:
- Great for younger children
- Simple, intuitive interface
- Geofencing for location-based alerts
- Cons:
- Limited social media monitoring
- Premium features are behind a paywall
- Best For: Parents with younger kids who want to control screen time and monitor location.
6. Kaspersky Safe Kids
- What It Does: Kaspersky Safe Kids helps parents manage screen time, block harmful content, and track their child’s location.
- Key Features:
- Time limits and app blocking
- Social media monitoring (Facebook, YouTube)
- Location tracking and geofencing
- Pros:
- Affordable, with a free version available
- Provides strong content filtering and monitoring
- Supports multiple devices
- Cons:
- The interface is less intuitive compared to other apps
- Social media monitoring is somewhat limited
- Best For: Parents who need an affordable, straightforward solution with content filtering and location tracking.
7. Circle with Disney
- What It Does: Circle with Disney offers a simple way to manage screen time, block content, and track internet usage across all devices in the home.
- Key Features:
- Device-level controls for internet usage
- Screen time limits and filtering based on age
- Internet pause feature and bedtime settings
- Pros:
- Works with all Wi-Fi-connected devices
- Family-friendly interface
- Effective pause feature for device-free times
- Cons:
- Requires a Disney Wi-Fi router for full functionality
- Lacks detailed activity reports
- Best For: Families looking for a home-wide internet management solution with flexible controls.
8. mSpy
- What It Does: mSpy is a robust app for monitoring text messages, social media activity, location, and browsing history on your child’s phone.
- Key Features:
- Social media and messaging app monitoring (WhatsApp, Instagram, etc.)
- GPS location tracking and geofencing
- Call and text message logs
- Internet browsing history tracking
- Pros:
- Excellent for monitoring teens’ social media interactions
- Comprehensive location tracking and geofencing
- Cons:
- Expensive compared to other apps
- Better suited for teens rather than younger children
- Best For: Parents of teens who need in-depth social media and messaging monitoring.
9. Screen Time
- What It Does: Screen Time is an easy-to-use app designed to manage screen time, block apps, and provide usage reports.
- Key Features:
- Screen time reports and activity tracking
- App blocking and time limits
- Remote lock feature
- Pros:
- Simple and intuitive interface
- Allows remote locking to enforce device-free time
- Free version available with basic features
- Cons:
- Limited social media and content monitoring
- Less customization compared to other apps
- Best For: Parents looking for an easy-to-use, no-fuss app for managing screen time.
10. Family Link by Google
- What It Does: Family Link helps parents manage screen time, approve app downloads, and track their child’s location on Android devices.
- Key Features:
- App approval and download management
- Screen time control and usage tracking
- Location tracking and device finder
- Pros:
- Free to use
- Seamless integration with Android devices
- Easy setup for parents new to digital parenting
- Cons:
- Limited functionality for non-Android users
- Fewer features compared to premium apps
- Best For: Parents of younger children using Android devices who want a free and simple solution.
How to Choose the Right Parental Control App
With so many options, choosing the right app for your family can feel overwhelming. Here’s what to consider:
- Age of Your Child: Younger kids may need basic screen time controls, while teens might benefit from more advanced features like social media monitoring.
- What You Want to Monitor: Do you need to focus on screen time limits, location tracking, or social media activity? Choose an app that aligns with your priorities.
- Ease of Use: Some apps are more user-friendly than others. Look for apps that are easy to install and navigate.
- Budget: Many apps offer free versions with limited features, while premium versions unlock more advanced options. Make sure the app fits your budget.
- Platform Compatibility: Make sure the app supports the devices your child uses, whether it’s Android, iOS, or both.
Conclusion
Choosing the right parental control app is essential for managing your child’s screen time and ensuring their online safety. Each of the apps we’ve covered offers different features to meet a variety of family needs. Whether you’re focused on screen time limits, social media monitoring, or location tracking, there’s an app that’s right for you.
As your child grows, it’s important to balance safety with independence. With the right app and ongoing communication, you can guide your child through the digital world safely while promoting healthy screen time habits.
