Software to Keep Kids Safe Online

January 14, 2025

I have just read an article on a news post discussing the use of a software to keep our children safer online and decided to see how much it would cost. I was a little taken aback to see that a single licence for 1 device costs just under $70 per annum. So given kids have a smart phone and a tablet/laptop etc, this would be quite an outlay for just one device let alone parents with more than one child.

Here are some of the software that AI suggests to which I have added some pricing to give you a better idea:

1. Qustodio

  • Features:
    • Comprehensive activity monitoring: Tracks apps, web browsing, social media, and screen time.
    • Block inappropriate content: Filters harmful websites and content.
    • Location tracking: GPS tracking to know your child’s location.
    • App management: Allows you to block or limit app usage.
  • Pros:
    • User-friendly interface.
    • Works across multiple devices (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS).
    • Provides detailed reports on activity.
  • Cons:

2. Bark

  • Features:
    • Monitors social media, email, and text messages for risky behavior like cyberbullying, explicit content, or signs of depression.
    • Sends alerts to parents about potential issues.
    • Covers a wide range of apps and platforms.
  • Pros:
  • Cons:
    • Less emphasis on app blocking or screen time control.

3. Norton Family

Honorable Mentions:

  • Net Nanny: Excellent content filtering and user-friendly design.
  • FamilyTime: Offers customizable controls and geofencing alerts.

It’s worth bearing in mind the age of your children; making sure that young children have stricter controls while potentially leaving a longer rein on older kids to foster trust and communication. Yes, more than likely, the first thing a child will do is head off to pastures new to explore areas which were previously forbidden… didn’t we all do more things when we were allowed to stay out longer with our friends growing up?

However, the difference now is we don’t know who they are playing with online and whilst I assume most adults are careful to check the age of anyone they randomly chat with online for example, some are less bothered about ages, and there is always a few who are actively seeking to connect with people under 18.

It’s scary and yet at some point, we do have to let go and trust that our children have learnt the importance of keeping safe online, the equivalent of teaching them the Green Cross code when they were younger.

I remain a firm believer that social media platforms need far greater controls and welcome the UK’s Online Safety Law; if, as a business owner, you supply a faulty product, it’s your liability. Websites selling products that claim to cure XXX will be reported, can be fined and taken down for making false statements.

I’ve lost count of the accounts on Instagram that are a marketplace for sellers of illegal goods and services and yet they are still online and plying their daily trade, adding details of new accounts on a daily basis. Yes, some may for example be genuine yoga instructors, but most seem to post videos of themselves twerking or crotch photos – who goes to yoga class wearing only a thong and non existent bra ?!

At the moment, it’s all about the popularity stakes with social media and accounts (duplicates etc) all have value which is currently placed higher than the content these accounts upload on a daily basis. Quantity and clicks, especially the ones who pay for their content to be sponsored appear to be more important than moderating content.