Perils of Modern-Day Parenting and Parental Apps for iPhone
Parenting kids of the modern age is a tough job. Teens and baby product trends rely heavily on smartphones for most of their needs, such as education, entertainment, communication, shopping, and more. Most families choose iPhones or Android smartphones as primary hand-held devices. Consequently, parents who wish to help their kids develop healthy relationships with technology opt for parental apps for iPhone and Android devices. But why exactly do we need such apps?
Perils of Modern-Day Parenting
Though technology has improved almost every aspect of our lives, we cannot turn a blind eye to the evils that came with its advancement. Nowadays, parents struggle with issues such as:
- Cyberbullying
- Racism
- Online grooming
- Technology addiction (uncontrolled screen time)
- Cybercrimes (piracy, identity theft, phishing, hacking, malware)
Most of these problems either did not exist in the past or were not so common. All these issues demanded effective solutions and prevention mechanisms, which paved the way for the development of parental apps for iPhone and Android devices. The worst thing is the negative impact of these issues on kids’ mental and physical health.
Impacts on Kids’ Psychological and Physical Health
Excessive use of technological devices, including iPhones, Android smartphones, social media apps, online games, and the internet, may lead to several health issues in kids and teens. A few such problems are listed as follows:
- Sleep deprivation
- Shrinking attention span and impaired learning
- Social media’s role in teen depression and unrealistic body/lifestyle standards
- Screen addiction and Computer Vision Syndrome
- Obesity and imbalanced eating habits
Parents can prevent many of these problems in their kids’ lives with the help of parental apps for iPhone and Android devices.
Top 5 Parental Apps That Can Help
Here is a list of the five best apps to make digital parenting easier:
1. FamilyTime
This app is popular among the parental community for several reasons, such as compatibility, affordability, and top-tier security features.
Pricing:
You can either avail its 3-day free trial or buy one of its four premium packages ranging between $1.15 to $2.25 per month.
Compatibility:
It works well with both iPhones and Android devices.
Features:
Parents can keep an eye on their kids’ whereabouts using its Location Tracking and Geofence features. You can ensure kids’ digital safety by restricting their internet access and content with the help of Internet Filter and Internet Schedule services. Moreover, you can help your kids balance their time management with Screen Time Limit & Schedule features. Encourage responsible screen usage in kids with the help of App Usage Report and App Blocker. Keep teens safe on the road with Teen Safe Drive. FamilyTime parental control app for iPhone goes above and beyond to protect kids from unforeseen threats.
2. Qustodio
Qustodio is well-known for its compatibility range.
Pricing:
Parents can try Qustodio’s free version with basic features or purchase any of the three premium ones ranging from $4.58/month to $11.5/month.
Compatibility:
It is compatible with iOS, Android, Amazon, Windows, and Mac operating systems.
Features:
It offers a Panic Button, location tracking, internet filters, geofence, application management, screen time limit, calls & text message monitoring, and more. Parents can block or approve whatever apps they like/dislike. They can also manage their kids’ social media platforms.
3. Bark
Bark offers several security features and affordable rates, which makes it an appealing choice for many parents.
Pricing:
It offers monthly and annual payment plans. You can opt for any package from $5/month to $14/per month.
Compatibility:
It works well on iPhones and Android devices.
Features:
Bark has the edge over other parental apps because it can monitor all social media accounts, emails, call history, text messages, as well as the web browser history of kids. While most parental apps can only track individual apps, Bark can track in-app interactions too. It monitors real-time interactions and conversations, including all shared images or videos.
4. Norton Family
If you are looking for a cheaper option with only basic safety features, then Norton Family is the perfect choice for you.
Pricing:
It offers a 7-day free trial and you can purchase its full version for a $49.99 per year payment.
Compatibility:
It works well with iOS, Android, and Windows operating systems.
Features:
Norton Family offers real-time location tracking, application management, internet filters, call & text message monitoring, screen time limit, and more. However, parents cannot manage kids’ social media accounts with this app.
5. Kaspersky Safe Kids
If you are looking for the cheapest Parental Apps for iPhone, Kaspersky Safe Kids is the best choice for you.
Pricing:
Parents can benefit from its 30-day free trial or buy its premium version for only $15.99/year.
Compatibility:
It is compatible with iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac devices.
Features:
It offers screen time limits, screen time schedule, location tracking, app management, internet filter, and more. It sends instant alerts in case kids try to access inappropriate content.
Final Thoughts
Though you can find several parental apps for iPhone and Android devices, not all of them offer a foolproof security system. Unlike the FamilyTime app, many apps lack features such as Teen Safe Drive, Pick-Me-Up, Family Pause, and more. These unique features make FamilyTime the best parental app of all.