Considering getting Bark for my kids' devices since apparently it flags concerning stuff automatically. But is it actually good or is it just security theater that makes parents feel better? And does it feel like spyware to kids or is it stealthy enough that they don't realize they're being monitored? $15/month seems steep but also if it catches something bad it's worth it?
It's good for the peace of mind if you've got a kid who's prone to seeking stuff out, less useful if your kids are generally straight-shooters. Really depends on your situation and your kid's age/judgment level.
Real question: are you considering it because you don't trust your kids or because you're trying to catch predators? Those are different problems and Bark is better at one than the other.
Don't underestimate the false sense of security part - people get Bark and then stop actually paying attention because "well the app would alert me." The app is a tool, not a babysitter replacement.
Bark is... maybe 70% useful? It catches a lot of concerning stuff but it also flags normal teen development conversations as "risk." It's not security theater but it's also not a replacement for actually knowing your kids.
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I used it for a year. Pros: it catches weird adults trying to contact your kids pretty well. Cons: you get alerts about stuff that's just normal kid drama and it creates false confidence that you're monitoring everything. You still need to actually talk to your kids.