Using the Internet is a boon and a bane at the same time. Internet acts as a complete resource for education and entertainment for your kids but there is certain content that needs to be kept away from your children. Also, it is important to know what your kids are accessing online and which websites are most visited. This will help to monitor all the content surfed on your home network while continuing with your work. Let us look at the 10 best parental control software and maintain healthy browsing habits.
10 Best Parental Control Software In 2023
1. Qustodio
Qustodio is one complete suite of Parental Control Software that contains all the tools and utilities that you can think of. The best advantage that I love about it is that it is available on all major devices and OS like Windows, Android, Mac, iOS, and even Kindle and Nook. It is available in a free version that will allow parents to set time schedules and rules regarding internet usage and block unsuitable content like pornography. The paid version offers advanced features like SMS monitoring, App controls, and Social Media control.
Features –
- An extensive online dashboard with Usage records of apps, devices, and the Internet.
- Set and manage the limit on your children’s devices.
- Auto filter options protect the devices from cyber-threats.
To visit the official website, click here
Also Read: Best Parental Control Apps For Android
2. OpenDNS FamilyShield
If you were looking for a parental lock application that would block unwanted sites at your router level meaning no one using your internet would be able to access them, then OpenDNS is the one. It is a free application and can run on computers and smartphones. Besides, you can add it to your router making it easier and save the trouble to apply conditions in all devices separately. This application is known to improve DNS lookup speeds on many Internet Service Providers.
Features –
- Available in different packages for personal and professional use.
- OpenDNS settings apply to all devices including DVRs and Game Consoles.
- Inbuilt protection for malware domains.
To visit the official website, click here
Also Read: 11 Best Parental Control Apps For iPhone and iPad
3. KidLogger
KidLogger app has taken Parental Control Software to another level by introducing certain extra features recording keystrokes, activity logs, and apps used. It also can keep a copy of screenshots taken by a user in addition to storing the list of websites visited. It is available on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and even Blackberry. Another amazing feature is the secret inbuilt sound recorder that can record online calls.
Features –
- It informs about the most used applications.
- It sends pre-scheduled email reports from each device.
- This app keeps a record of the files and folders that were used during a session.
To visit the official website, click here
Also Read: iPad Parental Controls: The Ultimate Guide For Your Kid’s Online Safety
4. Spyrix Free Keylogger
Spyrix Free Keylogger is a different type of parental control software that lets you find out which apps your kids are using and what are they typing. In other words, it records all the keystrokes used to type in chat apps, emails, and other programs. Although this software has been used by many hackers to derive credentials and other personal information of others it was not intended for this. This was developed for a fair reason so that parents could monitor their children’s activities. One limitation of this parent lock app is that the free version does not allow you to block websites which is a feature in the premium version only.
Features –
- Users can keep a track of all applications that are installed on the client device.
- A special Analytics Module facilitates report generation.
- Screenshot of the desktop is collected without the user knowing about it.
- Allows controlling of Printer if connected to the same network.
To visit the official website, click here
Also Read: MacBook Parental Control Guide
5. Kaspersky Safe Kids
Now that we have reached the midway of this list of best parental control software but there is more to come. The next app on this list is the one that will satisfy most of your parental control requirements and it is called Kaspersky Safe Kids. It is available for all your devices like computers and mobiles. The tool allows parents to maintain a blacklist that acts as a filter for inappropriate content. The Screen time tool helps you to manage the device use, time used age restrictions, etc. The paid version offers an additional GPS tracking of your children’s mobile, check their social media time and interaction, and even get real-time alerts if your kids visit adult websites.
Features –
- Allows monitoring your kid’s location and battery level.
- Helps monitor YouTube history and block certain categories of search requests.
- Real-time alerts are provided if the monitored devices leave the safe area or access prohibited websites.
To visit the official website, click here
Also Read: How To Use Netflix Parental Controls On My Account?
6. Wondershare Famisafe
Another parental lock software that allows users to use up to 30 devices per account is Wondershare’s Famisafe. This is a premium application and offers all the necessary tools used for keeping your children away from harm. Parents can also set time limits, block inappropriate content, and also detect text messages and images. It can also block games, monitor your kids’ GPS, and apply Geofencing.
Features –
- Set limit for app usage and even block certain apps.
- Multi-Device Support with up to 30 devices with the annual plan.
- Detects potential risks of harassment, violence, and cyberbullying.
To visit the official website, click here
Also Read: How To Set Up Parental Controls On Your Mac
7. Bark
Moving ahead, we have a parental control app that focuses on Social Media apps used by the user and monitors the content shared through them. It is a perfect tool that allows you to monitor your kid’s phone without actually physically handling the device. It is easy to use and available for a trial version that lasts for 7 days. The best thing is that if uninstalled from a monitored device, it will inform the main account holder with a notification. The social media apps include Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, and YouTube. Emails monitored include all major email providers like Gmail and Apple.
Features –
- 24/7 detection of activities that hint at adult content, drug use, sexting, etc.
- Social Media tacking also includes GroupMe, Pinterest, and Twitter.
- Avoid manual monitoring your child’s device and build a trust factor.
To visit the official website, click here
Also Read: How To Setup Parental Control in Kodi
8. Net Nanny
Most households keep a nanny to care for their children while they are busy at work. But there is something a nanny would not be able to monitor and that is what the kids do on their smartphones and tablets. For this, you need parental control software like Net Nanny which is a paid app but all worthwhile. You can block specific websites and receive reports and logs about the activities on client devices. Also, you can also manage the screen time and bound your children’s device for a few limited hours only. However, there seems no option for social media monitoring on this app. You can block Adult porn websites and even enable location tracking on your children’s devices to know their exact location.
Features –
- Blocks Pornographic content on a real-time
- Tracks online activities of the device as well its physical location.
- Parent Dashboard can be accessed from any device online with an internet connection.
To visit the official website, click here
Also Read: Parental Control Apps To Keep Kids Safe Online
9. Norton Family Premier
A big name in the family of software developers, which is famous for its Antivirus, is Norton Family Premier. This app is available on Windows OS for now and has an excellent dashboard. Another advantage is that it is easy to set up, configure, and use. Being affordable and offering unlimited devices it is one of the extensively used parental lock software. Users can monitor their device via the mobile or web-based app and apply or change rules that were pre-set.
Features –
- Provides a location history of up to 30 days.
- Parents can instantly lock the children’s device.
- Email alerts are provided on the parent device if a blocked site is visited by your kid.
- Schedule the number of hours that can be spent on a device.
To visit the official website, click here
Also Read: Quick Guide on Setting up Parental Controls on Chromebooks
10. Clean Router
The final parental control software on this list is the all-powerful Clean Router app that works in place of your house router and allows you to put on parental control on every device on your network. This application allows the parent to enforce safe search and schedule internet time on specific devices. However, it is a little expensive as compared to others on this list.
Features –
- Allows users to block all the related websites searched by a keyword.
- It includes a 7 Layer Intellifilter technology that blocks gambling, drugs, nudity, etc.
- Users can set up time restrictions and even filter content on YouTube.
To visit the official website, click here
Also Read: How To Use Restricted Profiles For Parental Control On Android Tablets
The Final Word On 10 Best Parental Control Software In 2023
This concludes the list of best parental control software available in the market today. It is up to your choice to choose any of these parental control software as all the parental lock apps mentioned here are the best and meets a parent requirements. Although all apps work fine, KidLogger is one of the best that can truly help to monitor and filter out unwanted sites along with monitoring all your kid’s activities on the device.
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Suggested Reading:
Parental Control 101: How to Manage Screentime on Mac to Limit Usage
Make TikTok Safe For Kids With These Parental Controls
YouTube Parental Controls: Manage Your Child’s Content Experience