Free Tools

Qustodio

  • Works on Windows, Mac (Apple), Android, iOS, Kindle and Nook
  • Easy to download and install
  • Blocks inappropriate content
  • Enforce time limits
  • Up to 2 devices
  • Monitor web usage
  • The full history of websites visited up 7 days ago
  • For paid version, you get: Up to 5 devices, 30 days of detailed website history, Social monitoring (Facebook/twitter), games/application blocking, time control by the device
    • For Android phones: location and text/call tracking

K9 Web Protection

  • Works on Windows, Mac (Apple), Android
  • Blocks access to certain categories of websites (gambling, dating, etc.)
  • Time limits
  • Choose between different levels of protection
  • Force safe-search on search engines
  • Allow/Deny specific websites
  • Does not follow apps, programs, or games

 

Paid Tools:

Net Nanny Social

  • 15.99/year
  • monitors a child’s friends, pictures, and posts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, Google+ and LinkedIn
  • detects harmful language and notifies parents
  • sends all pictures posted of child or by a friend to parents
  • Sign up via app, but accessible on any web browser
  • Doesn’t identify possible dangerous friends

 

TeenSafe

  • 14.95/month
  • iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Android phones
  • Able to view sent and received texts (deleted if on iPhone
  • View incoming/outcoming calls
  • Location tracking
  • Instagram posts, comments, followers
  • Sent and received Whatsapp/Kik messages (only for iPhone)
  • Website history
  • View contacts
  • Cannot see images/videos sent

PhoneSheriff

  • 49.00/6 months, 89.00/yr
  • Limit cellphone/tablet usage
  • Block specific numbers from contacting
  • Location tracking
  • Monitor full text messages and call information (incoming and outgoing)
  • Log of apps installed
  • Website filtering/app blocking
  • Profanity/Intrusion alerts
    • Will notify you if something is being done that’s against restrictions
  • Logs all photos were taken on the monitored device
  • Full log of website history
  • Not available for computers

Zabra

  • 9.95/month
  • brand new
  • detects specific keywords and sends alerts
  • alerts sent to email and as texts
  • engages children in the monitoring process
  • Monitors Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
  • only shows messages and posts that have flagged keywords
  • doesn’t flag photos

 

Tips for keeping your kid safe on social media

  • Light, Bright, and Polite
  • Monitor their social media usage
  • Make sure you have their login information
  • Have them use technology in a public space (living room rather than their bedroom)
  • Keep track of who their friends/followers are
  • Know what form of social media they’re using
  • Be there when they’re setting up their social media
  • Warn them of the dangers of the internet
  • Encourage positive social media use- staying in touch with old friends, etc.

 

“Bad” social media sites for tweens

  • YikYak
  • Chatroulette
  • Tinder
  • Omegle
  • OKCupid
  • Kik
  • 4chan
  • Reddit
  • Tumblr
  • WhatsApp
  • WeChat

 

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