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As parenthood in the digital age poses new challenges, many parents struggle to keep up with their tech-savvy children‘s activities. Monitoring your kids has become incredibly difficult with the rise of smartphones, social media, and the endless internet. Thankfully, a variety of ingenious parental control gadgets and software have hit the market to assist worried parents.
This comprehensive guide reviews 10 of the top-rated monitoring tools on the market today. It analyzes leading GPS trackers, smartwatches, web filters, and parental control platforms. While no device or software can replace good old-fashioned parenting, these gadgets provide the visibility parents need to keep their kids safe. Read on to determine which solution best fits your family‘s needs.
Kids GPS Tracker Devices
GPS trackers utilize cellular and satellite networks to provide real-time location tracking for your kids. Highly accurate and discreet, these devices offer peace of mind when your kid travels independently.
1. Jiobit
Jiobit represents the cutting-edge of GPS tracking technology. This tiny, lightweight tracker lasts over a week on a single charge and uses multiple positioning technologies to locate your child indoors and out. It offers best-in-class encryption and allows parents to receive alerts when kids enter or exit designated safe spaces. At $120 plus a monthly service fee, Jiobit strikes an excellent balance of size, battery life, reliability and security.
2. AngelSense
AngelSense focuses specifically on tracking children with special needs or developmental disabilities. Beyond providing minute-by-minute location data, this tracker has a built-in speakerphone to allow two-way voice communication. Additional useful features include transport tracking, voice-of-God audio messages and monitoring of device removal attempts. It represents the top choice for parents of at-risk kids, albeit at a premium price.
3. Tracki
For a bare-bones real-time GPS tracking device, Tracki fits the bill. While the technology doesn‘t provide the same rich feature set as Jiobit and AngelSense, its global 4G LTE connectivity guarantees location accuracy. At just $10 for the device itself, the low upfront cost makes it accessible for most families. Plus, slim dimensions allow easy and subtle carrying in a backpack, pocket or purse. Just be prepared to pay monthly cellular fees.
| Device | Price | Key Features |
| Jiobit | $120 + service fee | Tiny size, long battery life, advanced encryption |
| AngelSense | $70 + service fee | Special needs tracking, speakerphone, voice messages |
| Tracki | $10 + service fee | Low cost, global connectivity |
Smartwatches With Location Tracking
GPS isn‘t just for standalone tracking devices. Many new kids‘ smartwatches integrate location tracking and safety features. For technophile teens, a cutting-edge smartwatch may provide more appeal than a basic tracker.
4. Angel Watch
This clever device looks just like a smartwatch but operates as a hidden GPS tracker. Parents can monitor location, review route history and set up safe zones. Two-way emergency communication options give kids a direct link to contact parents or other trusted adults. With a sleek, stylish design, most kids won‘t even realize they have a tracking device on their wrist!
5. TickTalk 4
TickTalk 4 combine the features of a smartphone and GPS tracker into one neat package for kids ages 5-12. It allows regular voice and video calling through WiFi or nationwide 4G LTE. Its accurate GPS positioning, school mode capabilities and emergency SOS button provide parents necessary peace of mind. At $200 this gadget isn‘t cheap, but it eliminates the need for both a phone and separate tracker.
| Device | Price | Key Features |
| Angel Watch | $200 | Hidden tracker, safe zones, SOS calling |
| TickTalk 4 | $200 | Smartwatch/phone functions, GPS tracking |
Well-designed smartwatches allow both monitoring and communication without making kids feel like they are carrying tracking devices. For parents willing to cover the monthly connectivity fee, they offer an all-in-one wearable solution.
Web Filtering Software
Blocking inappropriate or dangerous websites provides the first line of defense for internet safety. Rather than combing through browsing history yourself, web filters automatically block unacceptable sites.
6. SafeDNS
SafeDNS gets top marks for the accuracy and breadth of its web filtering capabilities. It uses an ever-updating database with over 100 million sites classified as safe or unsafe. Custom filter settings allow tailored restriction levels for different family members. Real-time ad blocking provides additional protection. Starting under $20 a year, SafeDNS offers thorough and precise web filtering.
7. Google Family Link
For parents deeply entrenched in the Google ecosystem, Family Link seamlessly integrates with Android devices and Chromebooks. Parents can easily set screen time limits, approve/block apps from the Google Play Store and monitor overall usage. While the filters focus exclusively on Google products, the simplicity and automatic device integration makes this an excellent basic monitoring system for Android families.
8. Net Nanny
Net Nanny stands out for social media monitoring capabilities across 30+ platforms, detecting concerning posts about subjects like cyberbullying, depression and violence. Automatic keyword flagging alerts parents to unsafe communications. Largefamilies can add unlimited child profiles for just $8 a month. For comprehensive social media oversight, Net Nanny is hard to beat.
Web filters represent must-have software to supervise kids‘ internet usage. Balancing protection and permission, these tools allow customized site access based on child age and maturity level. Most provide additional visibility into social media and app use as well.
Comprehensive Parental Control Platforms
All-in-one parental control solutions combine location tracking, web filtering, app oversight and usage monitoring. Rather than managing multiple devices or software systems, consolidated platforms help parents coordinate their kids‘ digital lives through a single dashboard.
9. Qustodio
Qustodio sits at the top of most expert recommendation lists for parent dashboard solutions. It tracks texts, calls and SMS messages to monitor for concerning communications. Time controls and daily schedules promote healthy usage habits. Parents gain deep insights into app and game use while blocking inappropriate options entirely. With no limit on profile number, Qustodio can cover all family members for around $55 annually.
10. Bark
Bark stands out as the leading option for serious social media oversight. It scans texts across 30+ platforms for signs of cyberbullying, depression, online predators and more, alerting parents in real-time to concerning posts before harassment escalates. It pairs this social media focus with standard filtering options like time/app limits for a uniquely specialized toolkit. Pricing scales based on number of kids but starts around $9 monthly.
11. Norton Family
The Norton brand provides trusted authority, and Norton Family provides one of the best content filters in the business. Backed by the experts at Symantec, parents can feel confident kids can safely explore online without exposure to inappropriate or high-risk content. Easy-to-interpret activity reports help turn monitoring data into meaningful conversations and guidance opportunities. Bundled deals with other Norton security products help families protect all devices and accounts.
People love the concept of consolidated platforms but product quality varies. Focus on solutions with advanced social media features, highly accurate filters and intuitive control. Avoid options pushing lots of extras that create feature bloat. Identify your unique concerns as a parent and seek specialized software that aligns with your priorities.
Take Control with the Best Parental Control Gadgets and Software
In the modern world, eliminating technology from kids‘ lives is not realistic. Instead, parents must educate themselves on the smartest gadgets and apps for maintaining visibility and directing usage. Protect innocent exploration while limiting harmful habits.
The parental control solutions reviewed above aim to balance insight with independence appropriate at every age. Do your homework to determine the right fit. Tech can provide parents power rather than weakening parental authority. By embracing monitoring gadgets and software, parents can keep kids safe while allowing learning, growth and responsible freedom.
