Looking for a good App or software to control teen's internet use
Hi,
I'm overwhelmed by the plethora of apps out there that filter content and restrict time on the internet for kids. Does anyone have direct experience with one they really like? I'm looking at Net Nanny, for instance. Also Screenlimit. There is a new one called unPlug that sounds great but the reviews are awful. My 14 y/o daughter has an Apple Pro Book and some of them don't work with MacOS. I need something that can work with our smart TV, her iPhone and Pro book, and that I can set up on my PC and access on my Android phone. Thanks for any help.
Aug 7, 2017
Parent Replies
This is hard... The only things I have found to be effective are (1) set mobile-data restrictions on their phone (time based), which you can do with Verizon and Sprint and probably other providers, and (2) turn off the internet at a specific time. You need to figure out how to do this with the administrative controls of your firewall since just unplugging it is easily worked around. Also make sure you are the only one who knows the passwords for those things.
We love and use Qustodio. Not sure it does all you need but it's been a godsend to keep our homeschooled kids on track when it's time to focus on classes.
The tech stuff with kids has been very overwhelming!
Right now we have Circle by Disney ($99) attached to our wifi router. It lets you assign certain devices including the tv to each member of the household and then set limits on wifi use by that person. So at home it gives control over screen usage that needs an internet connection. You can extend time with "rewards" or set certain times of day w/o internet access and set bedtimes and wakeup. The controller is on the parent's phone and password protected :)
Downsides: family devices we all use are a grey area, our main computer which is connected by cable to the router is not controlled, non-internet screen use and downloads are not controlled. Out and about cell use on a phone is not controlled unless you pay a monthly Circle Go fee. It is tricky to assign devises as they all look the same---I had to learn how to match the MAC Addresses online!
Pluses: It shuts stuff off not you---you have buttons to grant more time. You can see which sites are being visited if you care too. Gives summary by day and week of usage. Bedtime and wake up automatic is lovely. Interface is pretty good. Not at all perfect but I feel it helps give parents a baseline of control over an area that can easily get out of control---it is really bad for a relationship to be repeatedly trying to communicate to someone lost in a show or game that their "time is up".
Summary: not perfect by any means but it is a start :)
We just purchased Quistodio. Doesn't work on the TV but it does work on most phones and tablets Kindle, Mac and android. SO NICE to not have to fight about when the phone or computer need to be off. We don't do anything, it's simply not accessible. Easy interface with lots of detailed control e.g. apps, internet, text, phone can all be controlled independent of each other. For example, our kid has always-on phone access but internet apps such as instagram are only available during certain hours. Finally, there is a maximum amount of use allowed per day for ALL things. We set it to a maximum of 3 hours. So, use everything in the first 3 hours it's available and that's it for the day. We *hope it will help our kid learn some boundaries and self-control. *I know it's wishful thinking.
Thank you for the replies so far. This is helpful. Our TV doesn't have cable- it's a Roku that is wired by our internet access so I think Quistodio should work fine on that too. I don't know why I don't want to get the Circle with Disney. I bought it and returned it. I thought it would be complicated to set up and also concerned my daughter would probably think it's baby-ish to get a Disney warning. Any more responses very welcome!