Need something that works on Android and iPad for 3 kids (ages 7, 9, 12). Currently using Google Family Link and iOS Screen Time but feeling like I'm missing something. Any of you use actual third-party apps like Bark or OurPact? Worth the money?
Google Family Link is solid but if you want something with more granular controls, check out Bark. It tracks content across apps too, not just screen time. Works great for the 12-year-old age range where they start trying to hide stuff.
Fair warning: your 12-year-old will find a way around it no matter what app you use. The goal is more to discourage bad habits than to create an impenetrable fortress. We use Mobicip and adjust the settings as they get older.
Definitely avoid the free versions of most of these. You get what you pay for and the free options have so many gaps. Worth spending the 10 bucks a month for something reliable.
Whatever you pick, make sure it works on both devices because kids will absolutely find the loophole if one device is monitored and the other isn't. Found that out the hard way.
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We use Kidslox for our three and honestly it's the best one we've tried. You can set different rules for each kid which is important since your 7-year-old and 12-year-old obviously need different restrictions.