Best parental control app that actually works?

1w ago·1 min read

Tried Google Family Link, tried Apple Screen Time, neither one feels bulletproof. Kids are getting too tech savvy and I've caught my oldest trying to work around the restrictions. I'm looking for something that feels more secure but isn't so invasive that he feels like I'm spying on him constantly. We need to trust each other but also I'm his dad and he's 13, I need to know what he's up to online. What are you guys using that's actually solid?

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Comments(5)

TTom M.Regular1w ago

Google Family Link has been solid for us honestly. The key is not trying to make it bulletproof because nothing is. Your kids are gonna find ways around it. Better to use it as a tool and have actual conversations about why limits exist.

MMarvin T.Regular1w ago

Yeah, they're getting too smart for their own good. My oldest figured out workarounds too and honestly we ended up just having harder conversations instead of relying on the app to do all the work.

IIsaiah T.New Dad1w ago

This is the real challenge right now. The apps help but they're not foolproof like you said. Between practice nights and everything else I'm always one step behind on the tech stuff.

BBrett M.New Dad1w ago

Tried a bunch of these and honestly the best parental control is just being present and engaged. Sounds annoying but if you know what they're doing and why, the apps become backup not the main strategy.

CChris M.Regular1w ago

Kids getting smarter than the tech is the real problem. My stepdaughter figured out how to bypass screen time on her iPad in like 2 weeks. We switched to just taking devices away at certain times instead. More work but actually works.