The best parental control apps of 2023

Specs: Free version: No; plans start at $5/month | Device limits: Unlimited | Screen time limits: Y/N | App Store rating: 4.1 | Google Play rating: 4.0

Bark is meant to help control your child’s mobile device with in-depth, comprehensive monitoring. Its content monitoring covers a whole bunch of different communication types, including text and email. It also covers YouTube, as well as more than 30 apps and social media platforms. 

You can still block adult sites, but you also have the option to choose from specific categories like streaming services and online gaming. Bark is a multi-faceted tool that goes far beyond just adult content, specifically looking for signs of cyberbullying, sexual predators, suicidal ideation, and threats of violence. If such an issue exists, an alert will be sent to warn parents of the activity. 

You can also control your children’s use with custom time limits and schedules that monitor not only cell service connections but those via Wi-Fi, too. If you purchase the companion Bark Home, you can also monitor all Wi-Fi-connected devices in your home, including smart TVs, laptops, and video game consoles, for comprehensive protection.