Resources/ Handouts 

Parent Control Software Information:

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Built-in / Native Tools (Free, often a good starting place)  ​

Tool/Key Features/Notes & Limitations 

iOS / Apple Screen Time
Set app limits, downtime, content & privacy restrictions, limit web content. (Built into iPhones / iPads)
Apple’s built-in tools are quite capable; third-party apps may have limited access on iOS due to system restrictions.​

Google Family Link: 
Daily screen time limits, downtime schedules, app blocking or approval, filtering in Chrome, and “lock device” features. Google Play+2Impulsec+2
​Best for Android devices (some iOS support). As children grow older (13+), controls may reduce.

Windows / macOS / browser parental controls
Many operating systems (Windows, macOS) and browsers (Chrome, Edge) offer content filtering, time limits, supervised accounts.​
​Doesn’t always cover mobile devices or enforce across all browsers unless strictly managed.

​Third Party Parental Control/Monitoring Apps & Software

Software / AppOS-Device Compatibility*Core Features (monitoring, blocking, time limits) Approx. Price / Plan Strengths / Trade-offs Notes / Caveats for CA / U.S. Families

Qustodio

• Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Kindle
  
• App / game blocking, daily & app time limits, web filtering, location tracking, pause internet, alerts, social monitoring
  
• ~$99.95/year (Complete plan) Qustodio
  
• Very full set of features across platforms, good filtering, strong reputation TechRadar+3SafetyDetectives+3SafeWise+3
  
• On iOS some features (especially social / message monitoring) may be limited by OS restrictions

Kidslox

• Android, iOS
• App & web blocking, screen time scheduling, location
• See pricing on their site Kidslox
• Good middle ground app, easier user interface
• Useful for families wanting moderate control without too complex of a setup

Bark

• Android, iOS, Amazon & more (monitors social media, messages)
• Monitors texts, emails, 30+ social platforms, alerts for self-harm/cyberbullying, web & app control
• See pricing: (e.g. Bark Premium) Bark
• Strong in social / message monitoring, alerting, less emphasis on full device lockdown​
• ​Because of message / content scanning, privacy and ethical considerations are especially important

Net Nanny

• Android, iOS, Windows, macOS
• Real-time content filtering (with AI), web & app blocking, screen time schedules
• Varies (subscription model) – see product website
• Excellent content filtering, dynamic blocking, usable across devices TechRadar+1
• ​Some features may differ depending on OS (iOS tends to be more constrained)

OurPact

• Android, iOS
• Screen time scheduling, app blocking/unblocking, instant “lock,” content monitoring (screenshots), location services
• ~$6.99/month for “Premium” plan, ~$9.99/month for Premium+ OurPact
• Good cross-platform support (iOS & Android), screenshot content monitoring, tamper protection OurPact+1
• On iOS, deeper controls (e.g. app enforcement) are sometimes more limited; setup may require care

​AirDroid Parental Control

• Android, iOS
• Real-time screen casting, app usage monitoring, screen time limits, app blocking, geofencing, notifications
• $9.99/month (premium) AirDroid+1
• Strong for real-time screen view and cross-platform, good UIAs always, iOS versions will have restrictions; check which features work reliably

Screen Time (by Screen Time Labs)

• ​Android, iOS
• Daily / app usage reports, app blocking, setting limits, alerts
• ~$6.99/month Screen Time
• Simple, well known, decent basic feature set
• Good for families wanting straightforward screen limits; may lack advanced monitoring

Norton Family

• Windows, Android, iOS (some limitations)
  
• Web & app filtering, alerts on blocked attempts, schedules, monitoring search & YouTube
  
• ~$49.99/year Norton Strong in web monitoring and filtering, reliable alerts TechRadar+1
  
• ​Some features may not apply fully on all OSes (e.g. macOS, iOS)