Parental Control Tools

Jack Hughes on Stop Parental Control Failures by Updating Your Devices

By Jack Hughes, President of Parent Tech Support Keeping up with parental controls device updates is one of the most overlooked aspects of protecting children online. Parental controls are only as strong as the software running them. Jack Hughes explains why keeping your devices updated is critical to maintaining effective parental controls and protecting your children online. Why Regular Updates Matter Many parents invest time setting up parental controls on their children’s devices, only to have those protections fail because the software is outdated. Operating system updates and app updates frequently include patches for security vulnerabilities and improvements to parental control features. When you skip updates, you leave gaps in your child’s protection. Outdated software can allow kids to bypass restrictions that were working perfectly before. Common Issues with Outdated Software Parental controls stop working after a bug – Software bugs can disable restrictions, and updates are the only way to fix them New apps bypass old filters – Newer apps may not be recognized by outdated filtering systems, allowing children to access content you intended to block Security vulnerabilities – Unpatched devices are more susceptible to malware, phishing, and other threats that can compromise your child’s safety Feature gaps – Apple, Google, and other platforms regularly improve their parental control features, but you only benefit from these improvements if you update Third-Party Parental Control Apps If you use third-party parental control apps like Bark, Qustodio, or Net Nanny, keeping them updated is equally important. These apps rely on up-to-date databases to filter content and monitor activity. An outdated app may miss new threats or fail to work with the latest version of your device’s operating system. Always check that your third-party apps are compatible with the latest OS version before updating. Tips for Keeping Parental Controls Updated Enable automatic updates – Turn on automatic updates for both the operating system and all installed apps so you never fall behind Schedule regular check-ins – Set a monthly reminder to review your child’s device settings and ensure everything is working correctly Test after every update – After an update, verify that your parental controls are still active and functioning as expected Stay informed – Follow Parent Tech Support and subscribe to the newsletter to learn about important updates that affect parental controls Update all devices – Do not forget about tablets, gaming consoles, and any other internet-connected devices your child uses Watch the Full Video Jack walks through the most common update-related parental control failures and shows you how to prevent them. Keep Your Defenses Current Outdated devices are unprotected devices. Visit Parent Tech Support for exclusive guides and the latest news on keeping your children safe. For more on related topics, read Jack’s articles on the ultimate parental controls strategy and 3 dangerous myths parents believe about parental controls.

Jack Hughes on 3 Shocking Reasons Kids Shouldn’t Have Access to the App Store

By Jack Hughes, President of Parent Tech Support Kids app store safety is a growing concern for parents as children gain access to millions of unvetted apps. Giving your child unrestricted access to the App Store might seem harmless, but it opens the door to serious risks. Jack Hughes explains three critical reasons why parents should disable or restrict App Store access on their children’s devices. Reason 1: Kids Use the App Store to Bypass Parental Controls One of the biggest dangers of leaving the App Store unrestricted is that children can download apps that circumvent the parental controls you have already set up. VPN apps, alternative browsers, and encrypted messaging apps can all be downloaded in seconds, giving kids a way around every safety measure you have put in place. Even if you have set up Screen Time restrictions and content filters, a single app download can undo all of that work. Jack explains how kids discover these workarounds through friends, social media, and online tutorials. Reason 2: Exposure to Inappropriate and Suggestive Content The App Store contains apps with mature content, suggestive imagery, and features designed to connect users with strangers. Dating apps, social media platforms with minimal moderation, and even some gaming apps contain content that is not appropriate for children. Age ratings in the App Store are not always reliable. Many apps are rated lower than they should be, and kids can easily access content that parents would not approve of. Reason 3: Unauthorized Purchases and Financial Risk In-app purchases and subscriptions can add up quickly. Children may not understand the financial implications of clicking “buy” inside a game or app. Jack shares real examples of kids racking up hundreds or even thousands of dollars in unauthorized purchases before parents realize what has happened. How to Disable or Restrict the App Store Use Screen Time on iPhone and iPad – Go to Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions → iTunes & App Store Purchases → set “Installing Apps” to “Don’t Allow” Require approval for downloads – Use Family Sharing’s “Ask to Buy” feature so every app download requires your permission Regularly review installed apps – Periodically check your child’s device for any apps you do not recognize Disable in-app purchases – Turn off in-app purchases in Screen Time settings to prevent accidental or unauthorized spending Caveats and Considerations Disabling the App Store does not mean your child can never get new apps. It means you control when and what gets installed. Jack recommends using a supervised approach where parents install approved apps together with their children and discuss why certain apps are or are not appropriate. Watch the Full Video Jack walks through each risk in detail and provides step-by-step instructions for locking down the App Store on your child’s device. Stay Informed and Take Control Restricting App Store access is one of the simplest and most effective steps you can take to protect your child online. Visit Parent Tech Support for exclusive guides and the latest news on keeping your children safe. For more on related topics, read Jack’s articles on the ultimate parental controls strategy and 3 dangerous myths parents believe about parental controls.

Jack Hughes on 3 Dangerous Myths Parents Believe About Parental Controls

By Jack Hughes, President of Parent Tech Support Parental controls myths can leave your children vulnerable online. Many parents install parental controls and assume their children are safe. Jack Hughes debunks three common myths that give parents a false sense of security and explains what truly effective online protection looks like. Myth 1: Parental Controls Are Set It and Forget It Reality: Parental controls require ongoing maintenance and updates. Children grow, technology changes, and new apps emerge constantly. Controls that worked six months ago may be completely ineffective today. Jack recommends reviewing and updating parental controls at least monthly. For a comprehensive approach, see his guide on the ultimate parental controls strategy. Myth 2: One Tool Covers Everything Reality: No single parental control tool provides complete protection. Effective online safety requires a layered approach combining: Device-level controls – Screen Time (iOS) and Family Link (Android) Network-level filtering – Router-based blocking for all devices. See Jack’s guide on network-level filtering App-specific settings – Privacy and safety settings within each platform Third-party monitoring tools – Services like Bark or Qustodio for additional coverage Myth 3: Smart Kids Cannot Bypass Controls Reality: Tech-savvy children can and do find ways around parental controls. VPNs, alternative browsers, friend’s devices, and factory resets are common workarounds. This is why parental controls must be paired with open communication and education about online risks. Watch the Full Video Jack breaks down each myth in detail and provides a realistic framework for protecting children online. Build Real Protection Effective online safety is a combination of technology, communication, and ongoing vigilance. Visit Parent Tech Support for complete guidance. For more on this topic, read Jack’s articles on incognito mode and blocking inappropriate content.

Jack Hughes on the Ultimate Parental Controls Strategy

By Jack Hughes, President of Parent Tech Support Most parents install one parental control app and assume their child is protected. That single-layer approach leaves massive gaps. Jack Hughes outlines his recommended multi-layer parental controls strategy that covers devices, apps, the home network, and communication—working together as a system rather than isolated tools. Why a Single Parental Control Tool Is Not Enough No single app or setting can catch everything. A child who is blocked on their phone can access content through a gaming console, a friend’s device, or even a smart TV browser. Each layer of protection covers the blind spots of the others. Jack’s layered strategy has four levels: Device-level controls (Screen Time, Family Link) App-level settings (in-app restrictions on each platform) Network-level filtering (router DNS settings) Communication and trust (ongoing conversations with your child) Layer 1: Device-Level Controls Start with the controls built into your child’s primary device. On iPhones, Apple Screen Time lets parents set app limits, block specific apps, restrict content ratings, and prevent app installation. On Android, Google Family Link provides similar controls. Device-level controls are the foundation because they apply across all apps and browsers on that device. Set them up first before adding any other layers. Layer 2: App-Level Settings Every major platform offers its own parental settings. These include: Instagram’s parental supervision TikTok’s Family Pairing Discord’s safety settings YouTube Kids configuration App-level settings handle platform-specific risks that device controls cannot address. Walk through each app your child uses and configure its safety settings. Layer 3: Network-Level Filtering Router-level DNS filtering protects every device on your home network—including gaming consoles, smart TVs, and guest devices that you cannot install apps on. Services like CleanBrowsing or OpenDNS block categories of content at the network level. This layer catches what device and app controls miss, especially on devices that do not support parental control apps. Layer 4: Communication and Trust Technical controls are a safety net, not a substitute for parenting. Jack emphasizes that open, ongoing conversations about online safety are the most effective protection. Children who understand why controls exist and feel comfortable talking to their parents about what they encounter online are safer than children who are monitored in silence. Discuss the reasons behind each restriction. Review your child’s online activity together rather than just monitoring it from a distance. Adjust controls as your child matures and demonstrates responsibility. Watch the Full Video Jack walks through each layer of this strategy with practical demonstrations and specific tool recommendations. Build Your Family’s Protection System Protecting children online requires more than one tool. Build a layered system that combines device controls, app settings, network filtering, and open communication. Visit Parent Tech Support for step-by-step guides on implementing each layer. For specific tool recommendations, read Jack’s guide on the top parental control tools every parent needs.

Jack Hughes on How to Actually Make YouTube Kids Safe

By Jack Hughes, President of Parent Tech Support YouTube Kids was designed to be a safer version of YouTube for children, but it is far from bulletproof. Inappropriate content regularly slips through the filters, and the default settings leave gaps that parents need to close. Jack Hughes walks through how to configure YouTube Kids properly, what its limitations are, and when to skip the app entirely in favor of stricter alternatives. Why YouTube Kids Is Not Safe by Default YouTube Kids uses algorithmic filtering to screen content, but automated systems miss disturbing videos disguised as children’s content. Elsagate-style videos, violent animations with cartoon characters, and channels that push fear-based content have all appeared on YouTube Kids despite its filters. The app’s default settings are too permissive. Out of the box, YouTube Kids allows search, gives access to a broad content library, and does not restrict viewing time. Parents must manually tighten every setting. Step-by-Step: Configuring YouTube Kids Create a parent-managed profile – Use Google Family Link to set up a supervised account for your child Select the right age group – YouTube Kids offers content tiers for ages 4 and under, 5-8, and 9-12. Choose the appropriate tier Disable search – Turning off search prevents your child from finding content outside the curated library Approve content only – In the strictest mode, only parent-approved channels and videos appear Set a timer – Use the built-in timer to limit viewing sessions The Approved Content Only Mode Jack recommends that parents use the most restrictive setting: approved content only. In this mode, the child can only watch videos and channels that the parent has manually selected. It requires more upfront work but eliminates the risk of algorithmic content suggestions surfacing inappropriate material. Parents can curate a library of educational channels, trusted creators, and age-appropriate entertainment. This approach turns YouTube Kids from a free-for-all into a controlled viewing experience. When to Skip YouTube Kids Entirely For children under 5, Jack suggests considering whether YouTube Kids is necessary at all. Dedicated streaming services like PBS Kids or Disney+ provide curated content libraries with no algorithmic recommendations and no user-generated content risks. If you do use YouTube Kids, combine it with device-level controls. Use Apple Screen Time to set daily app limits and prevent your child from switching to the regular YouTube app. Block Regular YouTube Completely The biggest risk is not YouTube Kids itself but the regular YouTube app and website. Children frequently find ways to access standard YouTube, which has no meaningful content restrictions. Jack recommends blocking regular YouTube entirely on children’s devices and using router-level filtering as a backstop. Watch the Full Video Jack demonstrates each setting in YouTube Kids and shows parents exactly how to lock down the app for their child’s age group. Make YouTube Safe for Your Family YouTube Kids can be a useful tool when configured properly, but the default settings are not enough. Use the approved-content-only mode, disable search, set timers, and block regular YouTube on all devices. Visit Parent Tech Support for more guides on every platform your child uses. For more on controlling content across devices, read Jack’s guide on the top parental control tools every parent needs.

Top Parental Control Tools Every Parent Needs in 2025

In 2025 there are dozens of parental control tools on the market. Choosing the right one depends on the age of your child, the types of devices you own and whether you want a tool that monitors communications or simply blocks dangerous sites. Here are some of the most trusted options and what sets them apart. **Bark** Bark uses artificial‑intelligence to scan your child’s texts and social‑media posts for signs of bullying, depression, sexual content, violence and more. The service alerts you to potential issues rather than showing you every message. According to an overview of Bark’s Snapchat monitoring, the service can analyze texts, searches and contacts on Android devices but has limited access on iOS; parents can set sensitivity levels, schedule screen‑time, and block apps completely, but Bark can’t read messages or view photos/videos【739420649145555†L25-L76】. Bark is best for families who want monitoring across many platforms while respecting privacy. **Apple Screen Time & Google Family Link** Apple’s built‑in Screen Time tool on iPhones and iPads lets parents disable specific apps and hide them from the Home screen【220682292583291†L409-L423】. You can also restrict web content by limiting adult websites and adding sites like YouTube to a “never allow” list【220682292583291†L474-L485】. Google’s Family Link app provides similar controls for Android devices — you can approve or block apps, set daily screen‑time limits and bedtime schedules, and locate your child’s device. These built‑in tools are free and are a good first layer of protection on Apple and Android devices. **DNS Filtering (NextDNS & CleanBrowsing)** Instead of installing software on every device, DNS filtering blocks inappropriate content at the network level. A cyber‑security expert notes that DNS filtering acts like a “digital security guard” that adds a checkpoint to every web request and blocks porn, violent content, malware, predator platforms, gambling sites and intrusive advertising【154624002489161†L26-L84】. Because it works at the DNS level, it protects all devices, has a low impact on performance and can be managed from a single dashboard【154624002489161†L84-L115】. CleanBrowsing explains that updating your router’s DNS settings to a family‑filtering service blocks porn and unwanted websites across every device【457716114632254†L110-L118】 and shows how to change the DNS addresses on your router to enable the filter【457716114632254†L155-L190】. Services like NextDNS let you create profiles for different ages, use predefined blocklists, view analytics and set time‑based restrictions【154624002489161†L84-L115】. DNS filtering is ideal for families who want network‑wide protection with minimal software. **Qustodio** Qustodio is a cross‑platform parental control suite that includes customizable web filtering, screen‑time schedules, app‑blocking, location tracking and a YouTube monitoring feature that shows what your child watches. The service works on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS and Kindle devices. Qustodio is often recommended for parents who want detailed activity reports and real‑time location tracking, although it does not monitor social‑media messages like Bark. **Net Nanny** Net Nanny has been a trusted parental control program for many years. Its key features include real‑time internet filtering to block pornography and violence, screen‑time limits, app management and location‑tracking. Net Nanny’s Family Feed provides alerts about your child’s online searches and app usage. While it doesn’t monitor social‑media messages, Net Nanny is known for its powerful web filter and is available on all major platforms. **Choosing the right tool** There is no one‑size‑fits‑all solution. Many families start with the free controls built into their devices and then add a monitoring service like Bark for older kids or a DNS filter to protect every device in the home. Whatever tool you choose, remember that parental controls should supplement — not replace — conversations about digital safety.