best phone + computer parental control apps?

[Anonymous]

I've tried Qustudio for my middle schooler's Mac. It is fine, but interfered with some of her applications so I removed it for now and got a refund. We've tried Life 360 on her phone, but the constant notifications are a bit of a nuisance to her though I like the updates, e.g., "Larla arrived at camp at 8:53am."

Anyone try Bark? It seems like that may be a good next attempt and the guy at Protect Young Eyes likes it, but I would love to hear what other parents here use and have found effective. Apple's screen time doesn't really give me what I want re: location alerts and web + application (e.g., Discord) detail for computer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've tried Qustudio for my middle schooler's Mac. It is fine, but interfered with some of her applications so I removed it for now and got a refund. We've tried Life 360 on her phone, but the constant notifications are a bit of a nuisance to her though I like the updates, e.g., "Larla arrived at camp at 8:53am."

Anyone try Bark? It seems like that may be a good next attempt and the guy at Protect Young Eyes likes it, but I would love to hear what other parents here use and have found effective. Apple's screen time doesn't really give me what I want re: location alerts and web + application (e.g., Discord) detail for computer.

You tell me if you find something. Quisido is OK and helps to limit and filter things, but def got issues with VPN and sometimes other connections. Apple screentime completely sucks and doesn't work the way it needs to on the iphone. Works on my daughter's great, no idea why exact same settings do not trigger same limits on my son's phone.

If someone has a better idea for iphone/Verizon service combo please share!

[Anonymous]

Apple has come along way on blocking inappropriate images, porn etc using Apple’s parental controls via Apple’s family sharing or on their device. You just have to turn them on. They sync across all devices.
(Desktop, iPad, iPhone). You can also add all the sites you don’t want them on to be blocked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Apple has come along way on blocking inappropriate images, porn etc using Apple’s parental controls via Apple’s family sharing or on their device. You just have to turn them on. They sync across all devices.
(Desktop, iPad, iPhone). You can also add all the sites you don’t want them on to be blocked.

OP here. For some reason Apple’s controls constantly freeze or fail. I have an older phone perhaps that’s why, though the iOS is up to date.

[Anonymous]

Bark works well, and they have good customer service if you do have any issues. It's a little fussy to use, but I'm satisfied with it. It's flagged some text threads that were concerning, and when I spoke with my son about them we had some good discussions about topics I otherwise would not have known were on his mind.

[Anonymous]

We use Circle. It seems to work and it also shows attempted websites but blocked by circle. And the visited ones.

We can also block specific websites.

[Anonymous]

My kid could tell your kid how to get around it in about 3 minutes.

Don't waste your time.

[Anonymous]

iPhone. Limits worked for about a year then they can get around them and you have to give up. Just accept it and don’t torture the whole family with unrealistic expectations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid could tell your kid how to get around it in about 3 minutes.

Don't waste your time.

+1. The only effective control is if you physically take the device when you don’t want them on it. That wont stop what they access when they have it. They will always be two steps ahead of you once they reach a certain age.

[Anonymous]

Circle.