The Best Parental Control Apps for Tracking and Managing Kids’ Screen Time in 2025

In the digital age, screen time is a growing concern for parents. With the increasing use of smartphones, tablets, and computers, kids are spending more time online than ever before. While technology offers numerous benefits—such as educational content, social connections, and entertainment—excessive screen time can have a negative impact on children’s physical health, mental well-being, and social development.

As we move through 2025, the need for effective parental control solutions has never been more urgent. With kids spending increasing amounts of time online, parents must equip themselves with the right tools to monitor, manage, and limit screen time in ways that foster healthy habits. Parental control apps allow parents to enforce screen time limits, block inappropriate content, monitor online behavior, and track their children’s whereabouts. These tools not only help cultivate healthier screen habits but also provide an extra layer of safety in an increasingly complex digital landscape.

In this article, we’ll dive deep into the best parental control apps available in 2025, helping you navigate the options to find the right fit for your family. We’ll cover the essential features to look for and share our top recommendations. Let’s explore how you can take charge of your child’s digital habits and create a well-rounded, balanced screen time experience.

Why Screen Time Matters

Before diving into the best parental control apps, it’s important to understand why managing screen time is crucial for kids. The effects of excessive screen time go beyond just “spending too much time online.” Here’s how too much screen time can impact children:

Physical Health Impacts:

Excessive screen time is often associated with sedentary behavior, leading to health issues like obesity. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), children who spend more than two hours per day on screens are more likely to experience physical health issues. For instance, prolonged screen use contributes to:

• Poor Posture and Eye Strain: Hours spent hunched over devices can lead to back and neck problems. Blue light emitted by screens can also cause eye strain, leading to discomfort and potential long-term vision problems.
• Sleep Disruptions: Studies have shown that children who engage with screens close to bedtime experience disrupted sleep patterns. The blue light emitted by devices inhibits the production of melatonin, a hormone responsible for regulating sleep.
• Reduced Physical Activity: When kids are glued to screens, they’re less likely to engage in physical activity like playing outside, leading to a sedentary lifestyle that can contribute to obesity.

Mental Health and Social Impacts:

While screens offer educational content and social media, they also introduce risks that can affect a child’s mental and emotional health:

• Cyberbullying: Online platforms can expose kids to bullying and harassment. Social media apps, in particular, can create environments where kids face pressure to conform, leading to self-esteem issues.
• Social Isolation: Excessive screen time can lead to a lack of face-to-face interaction with peers, contributing to feelings of loneliness and social isolation.
• Mental Health Struggles: Children spending too much time on screens may be more prone to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, especially when exposed to negative content or unrealistic online personas.

Impact on Development:

Spending too much time on screens can also interfere with important developmental milestones. For instance, prolonged screen time may:

• Affect Cognitive Development: Children need time to engage in real-world, non-digital activities to develop critical thinking, creativity, and social skills. Excessive screen time can take away from these essential developmental opportunities.
• Distract from Schoolwork: For older children, the lure of games and social media can divert attention away from homework and other educational activities, leading to lower academic performance.

Thus, it’s clear that managing screen time is not just about limiting the hours spent on devices—it’s about ensuring that screen time doesn’t interfere with your child’s overall well-being and development.

Key Features to Look for in Parental Control Apps

When choosing a parental control app to manage your child’s screen time, there are several features you should prioritize to ensure that you can monitor and manage their digital usage effectively. Here’s a detailed look at the key features to keep an eye out for:

1. Screen Time Management

• Custom Time Limits: Set specific limits on how much time your child can spend on apps, games, or the device as a whole. Some apps allow you to set different limits for weekdays vs. weekends, or even by category (e.g., educational apps vs. entertainment apps).
• Scheduled Downtime: Schedule periods during which the device will be unusable, such as during meals, study time, or bedtime. Downtime is a helpful tool for ensuring your child isn’t using devices during crucial offline activities.
• Real-Time Pause: Some apps allow you to instantly pause all device activity from your own device. This feature is useful if you need your child to take a break immediately—whether they’re gaming, using social media, or engaging with any other apps.

2. App Blocking and Content Filtering

• App Blocking: Apps like gaming platforms or social media may become a major distraction for kids. With app blocking features, you can block or restrict access to specific apps that your child may be spending too much time on or using inappropriately.
• Content Filtering: Filtering harmful content is essential, especially for younger children. With content filtering, you can block websites, videos, and apps that may not be suitable for your child’s age or maturity level. Many apps provide customizable settings so that you can tailor content filtering to your specific needs.

3. Activity Monitoring

• Real-Time Tracking: Keep an eye on what apps your child is using at any given moment. Many apps provide real-time updates on which apps are active, how long your child has been using them, and even provide a live feed of their activities.
• Detailed Reports: Parental control apps often generate weekly or monthly reports on your child’s screen time usage. These reports may show how much time was spent on each app or category, giving you insight into your child’s habits. Reports may also provide suggestions or alerts about excessive usage, providing an opportunity to address issues before they become problematic.
• App Usage Patterns: Some apps track how often specific apps are being used and for how long. This helps you identify patterns, such as frequent use of certain apps late at night or excessive gaming, so you can make adjustments to screen time limits or introduce breaks.

4. Location Tracking

• GPS Tracking: If your child has a smartphone or tablet, you can track their real-time location using GPS. This is especially useful for ensuring they’re where they say they are, whether it’s at school, extracurricular activities, or a friend’s house.
• Geofencing: Geofencing allows you to set virtual “safe zones” for your child, such as home, school, or a friend’s house. You can receive alerts whenever your child enters or leaves these areas, helping ensure they’re following the boundaries you’ve set.
• Location History: Some apps provide a detailed location history so you can track where your child has been throughout the day. This feature can be useful if you want to monitor your child’s movement and ensure they’re staying within safe or designated areas.

5. Social Media Monitoring

• Social Media Tracking: Social media monitoring allows you to oversee your child’s activity on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok. While you don’t necessarily want to invade their privacy, this tool helps you ensure they’re engaging in safe and healthy online interactions.
• Alerts for Concerning Content: If the app detects harmful or inappropriate content (e.g., explicit language, cyberbullying, or adult content), it can send you an alert. This allows you to address the issue quickly and prevent further exposure to harmful material.

6. Usage Reports and Analytics

• Weekly/Monthly Reports: Detailed reports that summarize your child’s screen time habits are invaluable for understanding their digital consumption. These reports help you see patterns in their usage, such as which apps they use the most or the times of day they spend the most time online.
• Behavioral Analytics: Some apps use AI-driven analytics to assess your child’s digital behavior and provide insights into whether they are spending too much time online or engaging with risky content. This data can help you make informed decisions about adjusting your parental controls or screen time rules.

Comparison Grid: Best Parental Control Apps for 2025

A side-by-side comparison table of the top 5 apps will help readers quickly understand their differences and make a more informed choice.

Pros & Cons Breakdown

To make the information even easier to digest, a quick pros and cons section for each app can highlight what sets them apart.

Qustodio

• Pros:
  • Comprehensive control over screen time and apps.
  • Excellent social media monitoring.
  • Easy-to-read reports and detailed usage tracking.
• Cons:
  • Some of the more advanced features require a paid plan.
  • Can be pricey for families with multiple children.

Norton Family

• Pros:
  • Effective website filtering and real-time alerts.
  • Integrates seamlessly with Norton’s antivirus software for added security.
  • User-friendly interface, especially for beginners.
• Cons:
  • The free version is quite limited.
  • Doesn’t offer as much social media monitoring as other apps.

Bark

• Pros:
  • Detects cyberbullying, inappropriate language, and signs of mental health struggles.
  • Supports more than 30 social media platforms.
  • Sends real-time alerts to parents about concerning behavior.
• Cons:
  • Lacks GPS tracking features.
  • No in-depth screen time management or app blocking capabilities.

OurPact

• Pros:
  • Family locator and geofencing provide peace of mind.
  • Simple setup with the ability to block apps and set time limits.
  • Affordable for larger families.
• Cons:
  • Limited content filtering options.
  • Doesn’t provide detailed reports on device usage.

FamilyTime

• Pros:
  • Easy-to-use interface with a focus on younger children.
  • Geofencing and location tracking features.
  • Remote lock feature to control device usage.
• Cons:
  • Limited social media monitoring.
  • Lacks advanced filtering features found in some competitors.

Key Features Grid

This grid will help highlight the unique features of each app, making it easier for readers to choose based on what they need.

Visual Elements: Screenshots and Charts

Including screenshots of the apps’ dashboards or key features can further engage readers, providing them with a visual of what to expect when they use the apps. Additionally, you could use a chart to compare how each app performs in different categories, such as ease of use, coverage of features, or cost.

For example:

• Ease of Use: A 5-point rating system for how user-friendly each app is.
• Feature Coverage: A bar graph showing the range of features (e.g., time limits, social media monitoring, app blocking, etc.) each app offers.
• Price Comparison: A simple table comparing the cost of each app’s free and premium versions.

Final Tips for Parents

As you navigate the world of parental control apps, it’s important to approach screen time management with flexibility, communication, and an understanding that your child’s needs will evolve over time. Here are some key tips for parents to help create a balanced approach to screen time:

1. How to Adapt as Your Child Gets Older

As your child grows, so too should your approach to managing their screen time. What works for younger children may not be necessary or effective for teens. Start by transitioning from more restrictive controls, such as app blocking and time limits, to guidelines based on trust. Open conversations about why these boundaries exist will help your child understand the importance of balancing screen time with other activities. Encourage responsibility by allowing them to make choices within agreed-upon limits, such as deciding when to take breaks or which educational content to explore.

2. How to Start Using Parental Control Apps

If you’re new to parental control apps, starting can feel overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be! Begin by selecting an app that suits your family’s needs. Once you’ve chosen an app, follow these simple steps:

• Install the App: Download the app from the appropriate app store or platform (most apps are available for iOS and Android).
• Set Up Profiles: Create profiles for each child and set their appropriate age and screen time limits.
• Customize Settings: Adjust features like app blocking, content filtering, and time limits to suit each child’s needs.
• Monitor Regularly: Check reports and activity logs to ensure the app is working as intended and make adjustments as needed. This setup will give you peace of mind knowing your child’s digital world is being monitored, while allowing them to safely explore technology.

3. Balancing Trust and Control

While parental control apps are an invaluable tool for managing screen time, it’s important to remember that they should complement—not replace—open communication with your children. Use these apps as a way to foster healthy conversations about the digital world. Encourage your child to be transparent about their online experiences and teach them the importance of digital responsibility. By combining the structure of parental controls with trust-building, you’ll create a more harmonious relationship with your child as they develop their own understanding of how to balance their online and offline worlds.