Free family-friendly tools and apps include:
- Amazon Kids+ Parental Controls (Fire tablets and other Amazon devices)
- Apple: Parental controls for iOS (iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch)
- Apple: Screen Time on Mac
- Google Family Link (Free for Android devices as a download)
- Microsoft: Controls for Windows 10 & Xbox
- YouTube Kids, Messenger Kids, TikTok Family Pairing
Gaming platforms and consoles:
There are, of course, many third-party tools; some are free, and others cost money. ConnectSafely does not recommend specific tools, but here are links to credible independent sources for reviews of parental control tools:
- CNET: Best apps to put on kids’ phones to keep them safe
- Common Sense Media: Parents’ Ultimate Guide to Parental Controls
- ConsumerAdvocate.org: Top 10 Parental Control Apps of 2021
- Digitaltrends: The best parental control apps for Android and iOS
- PC Mag: The Best Parental Control Software (updated annually)
- PC World: Screen Time, Family Link, and FreeTime vs my 7-year-old son: Which parental controls are best?
- Tom’s Guide: The best parental control apps for Android and iPhone 2021