Apple Screen Time (iOS) and Google Family Link (Android) are free, built-in, and provide screen time limits, app restrictions, content filtering, and location tracking. That covers most of what paid apps offer.
What Built-In Controls Already Do
Last verified 2026-08-20. Start with Screen Time on iOS and Family Link on Android before paying for a third-party monitor.
Apps like Bark, Qustodio, Net Nanny, and mSpy charge $5-15 per month to monitor your child's device. Before you pay, consider this: Apple and Google have built comprehensive parental controls directly into their operating systems. These tools are free, deeply integrated, and harder to bypass than third-party apps.
Apple Screen Time (iOS) and Google Family Link (Android) provide:
- Screen time limits: Daily limits, downtime schedules, app-specific limits
- App restrictions: Block apps, require approval for downloads
- Content filtering: Age-appropriate restrictions on apps, movies, music, websites
- Location tracking: See device location, location history
- Communication limits: Restrict who can contact your child
- Purchase controls: Require approval for all purchases
This covers the core functionality that most parents need.
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Continue for when built-in controls are enough — and when paid apps actually make sense.
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