Today’s kids are growing up in a world filled with apps, games, and social media—and as parents, keeping up with it all can feel overwhelming. Based in Dehradun, our parental control team has tested the best tools out there to help you take back control. Whether you’re worried about screen time, harmful content, or online predators, here are the 10 must-have parental control apps in 2025 that truly protect, guide, and support your child’s digital journey.
Want to know where your child is without constant check-ins? FamilyTime offers advanced GPS tracking and the ability to set up safe zones like school or home. Get instant alerts when your child enters or leaves these areas. The location accuracy is within 5 metres, and it’s designed to be gentle on your child’s battery life—so you’ll get peace of mind without draining their phone.
Google Family Link is ideal for Android households. Built into the Android ecosystem, it allows parents to manage screen time, approve or block app installs, and keep an eye on location. It also uses Google’s AI to suggest safe, kid-friendly content. With over 60% of UK Android families using it, it’s a solid, no-fuss solution.
Kaspersky Safe Kids is perfect for families who want flexibility. You can create different settings for each child based on their age, maturity, and online habits. Manage screen time, filter content, monitor YouTube searches, and track location—all from one dashboard. With a 92% user satisfaction rate, it’s one of the most adaptable apps available.
Qustodio is the total package—reliable, user-friendly, and packed with features. It blocks over 95% of inappropriate content, monitors screen time and social media use, and lets you track your child’s location. It works on both iOS and Android and has a 4.7-star average from over 10,000 UK users. If you want one app that does it all, Qustodio is your go-to.
If your home is Apple-only, Screen Time is a built-in tool that’s already on your family’s devices. It allows you to set app limits, restrict content, and schedule downtime—all without installing anything new. It’s straightforward, effective, and used by 78% of iOS families in the UK.
Bark is your digital watchdog, quietly scanning your child’s texts, emails, and social media for signs of trouble—like cyberbullying, inappropriate messages, or signs of depression. It sends real-time alerts, flagging around 8 issues per child per month on average. For parents who want to stay ahead of online risks, Bark is an excellent choice.
If you’re after full coverage without the hefty price, Norton Family delivers. For around £30 a year, you get everything from web filtering to screen time supervision and location tracking—plus antivirus protection for the whole family. That’s up to £50 in savings compared to buying each service separately. It supports unlimited devices, making it perfect for larger households.
Net Nanny goes above and beyond basic blocking. Its AI reads actual content—not just URLs—to detect and filter out inappropriate material in real time, even in apps and games. It blocks 99% of adult and violent content, outperforming the average app by 10%. If you want top-tier content protection, this is the app for you.
Mobicip shines in multi-kid households. Its all-in-one dashboard lets you customise settings for each child, manage different age groups with ease, and oversee up to 5 devices or more. Parents using Mobicip report saving about an hour a day in device management. It’s a huge time-saver for busy families juggling different needs.
Struggling with screen overuse? Screen Time helps you create a healthy digital balance. You can schedule device-free times, limit usage by app, and even reward good behaviour with extra screen time. Families using the app see a 30% reduction in daily screen use—making it a smart choice for parents who want to cut down on digital dependency.
Parental control apps are tools that help parents keep track of what their kids are doing online. Whether it’s browsing websites, chatting on social media, or downloading new apps, these tools help you monitor and manage it all. In the UK alone, the use of parental control apps has risen by 40% in the past three years—proving how crucial they’ve become.
Here are the top features to look for:
Content filters to block harmful websites
Screen time controls to prevent overuse
App management for restricting downloads
Real-time GPS tracking
Activity reporting for full visibility
When used together, these features can reduce exposure to harmful content by 70% and help lower screen time by up to two hours per day.
With UK children spending an average of 6 hours online each day, the risks are everywhere—from cyberbullying to explicit content. One in five children has faced online abuse, and over half have seen adult material. Parental control apps act like a digital seatbelt—keeping your child safe while they explore the web.
While most UK kids get their first phone between ages 10 and 12, the right time depends on your child’s maturity. Whenever that moment comes, pairing their phone with a parental control app ensures a safer, more guided introduction to the digital world.
Parental control apps should be used to guide, not spy. Have an open chat with your child about why you’re using these tools. As your child matures and earns trust, gradually loosen the settings. Families who take this gradual approach report 30% fewer digital incidents.
Concerned about privacy or trust? Here’s what studies say:
80% of kids feel safer knowing their parents are monitoring
70% of teens say parental controls helped them form better habits
Only 15% felt their privacy was invaded
Used openly, these apps are more empowering than intrusive.
Choose apps that take security seriously—look for GDPR compliance, encrypted data, and optional two-factor authentication. Only two major data breaches related to parental control apps have been reported in the UK in the past five years. Stick with trusted brands for peace of mind.
Most modern parental control apps are designed to run quietly in the background. They use less than 5% of processing power and reduce battery life by just 2–3%. If you notice a slowdown, update the app or consider switching to a lighter option.
Let’s face it—kids are clever. Some might try to use VPNs or reset the device to bypass restrictions. That’s why top apps offer tamper detection, uninstall prevention, and suspicious activity alerts. But remember, the best defence is still communication and education.
Not all apps are created equal. Apple Screen Time works best with iPhones, while Google Family Link is made for Android. For families with mixed devices, cross-platform options like Qustodio or Norton Family offer the smoothest experience.
You’ll find everything from free to premium options. UK families spend around £40 a year on average. Norton Family stands out for its combination of price, features, and unlimited device support—great value for any size household.
Getting started is easy:
Install the app on your device
Create a parent account
Add your child’s device
Adjust settings to suit your needs
Most setups take 15–30 minutes. Involve your child during the process—it builds understanding and cooperation.
Tailor controls to your child’s age. Use stronger restrictions for younger kids, and review settings every few months as your child matures. Many apps let you set profiles for different children under the same account.
These apps give you insights into browsing habits, screen time, app usage, and even online conversations. Use this data to start supportive conversations—not just as a way to enforce rules.
Apps work best with clear, agreed-upon family rules. Decide together on limits for screen time, bedtime usage, and what content is allowed. Writing them down helps keep everyone accountable—parents included.
The most powerful tool is conversation. Ask open-ended questions like:
“What apps are you loving right now?”
“Have you ever come across something online that felt off?”
“Do you know how to stay safe if someone online seems dodgy?”
The goal isn’t control—it’s connection.
As your child demonstrates responsibility, adjust the settings gradually. Maybe start by extending screen limits or loosening content filters. Just remember: regular conversations should grow with them too.
Hi, my name is Joseph Kennedy.
I work in technology for a firm in North Carolina. As a hobby, I write about anything tec related.
In this blog I wanted to express my interests but also to bring interest in specific subjects such as product analysis and review together with an insight into product development that is happening in the tec world
