Google introduced the  Family Link  app for one purpose:

To help parents set digital ground rules for their kids — even as they learn, play, and explore online.

Ultimately, you want to build trust with your children while keeping them safe from the 'negatives' of the web, including pornography, inappropriate sites & apps, drugs, and cyberbullying.

Almost 50% of children aged 9-16  surveyed by the Australian Institute of Family Studies had encountered sexual images within a month.

Since children have easy access to technology, it's critical to set digital guardrails and limit the content they have access to.

Family Link is entirely free and helpful in controlling screen time and tracking your kid's location. Unfortunately, even without a PIN, you can bypass it by simply clearing the Google Play Store's data (thereby erasing parental control settings).

But don't worry, we'll share some of the best alternatives to Google Family Link. 

Tech Lockdown

Tech Lockdown is the most effective blocker for all of your devices.

Tech Lockdown helps you set up a powerful blocking system to stop compulsive porn viewing on your smartphones, computers, and any internet-enabled devices. Unlike many apps, it's compatible with just about any device that can connect to the internet.

Unlike Google Family Link, which you can bypass, you can seamlessly configure your devices in a way that's difficult to disable or override the adult content filter. 

How cool is that?

Filtering is active while browsing the internet at home or while roaming, no matter the network you're on.

Key Features

• Best-of-class DNS filtering that supports just about any network
• Compatible with all major platforms
• Advanced blocking techniques
• Step by step tutorials on how to configure a bulletproof porn blocker
• Priority support
• Extra features add privacy and allow reviewing the browsing history of any device that uses the filter

Pros

• It is arguably the most robust and affordable porn blocking option on this list.
• Block porn on multiple devices without an additional cost - Windows, Android, iOS, Chromebook, and many other devices.
• DNS filtering is very difficult for children and adults to bypass compared to most options. 
• Get help setting up filtering with guided tutorials.

Cons

• The initial setup is a little more challenging compared to some apps because the step-by-step tutorials show you how to configure your devices to enforce blocking apps and filtering solutions.

Net Nanny

Net Nanny is a parental control app with a content filtering option.

Net Nanny is a parental control tool and website blocker with easy-to-use features.

It's an excellent choice for parents who want to monitor and manage their child's online activities. 

One of the best features of Net Nanny is its ability to limit the amount of time a child can spend on a screen. 

These settings can be set via the scheduler. During specific periods (like mealtimes), the program blocks the user's access to the internet. 

Key Features

• Website Logging
• Parental Controls
• Alerts and Reporting
• Screen Time Management
• Pornography Blocking
• Internet Filter

Pros

• It's easy to block apps that are not age-appropriate for your kids.
• Easily block websites from being accessed.
• Monitor your kid's online activity.
• Get automatic alerts when your kids attempt to visit unapproved sites.
• You're in control of when your kids can access the internet on their devices.

Cons

• It's pretty expensive for one device protection (pricing starts at $39.99/month)
• There's no trial period 
• The setup process could be a lot easier (for new users)

Kaspersky Safe Kids

Kaspersky Safe Kids is the best solution for budget-savvy parents.

Kaspersky Safe Kids is a trusted Parental Control software. It allows you to safeguard your kids' activities, monitor their online behavior, and properly teach them self-control.

Kaspersky Safe Kids is an ideal solution if you're concerned about your kid's online safety. 

This parental control software works with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices. 

It works by installing a monitoring app onto the child's device and a monitoring app onto yours. 

While this is a helpful feature, it's not comprehensive and isn't particularly flexible. 

You can only monitor the usage of one device at a time — although you can adjust the settings accordingly.

Key Features

• Block access to inappropriate websites
• Set screen time limits per kid, per device
• Track your kids' location with GPS
• It supports macOS, Android, and iOS
• YouTube Safe Search
• Get notified when your kids are low on battery

Pros

• No limit on child profiles or devices
• Adjust your settings to block harmful websites.
• Monitor your kid's online activity with ease.
• Use it on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android devices.
• Set screen time limits for each child per device.

Cons

• It can be easily bypassed by booting into safe mode
• It requires a bit of a learning curve
• The free plan has limited features (e.g., no GPS child locator) 

Norton Family

Norton Family is one of the best apps to keep your child free from distractions.

Norton Family is a well-known Parental Control Solution for iPhone and Android users.

Parents can keep their children safe online using parental controls with the Norton Family app. 

The parental control app also helps parents monitor their kids' online activities. You can block inappropriate websites and apps and block content from various categories. 

A parent can set up parental controls, send warnings to their children, and even write notes about their conversations to build trust with their kids.   

Key Features

• Get started with a 30-day trial. No financial commitment is required.
• Monitor age-appropriate content for your kids
• Set screen time limits
• Keep your child's school day with the School Time feature
• Identify where your kids are with a 30-day history

Pros

• It's quite affordable
• An accessible web dashboard for parents
• Monitor your child's online activity across all devices
• It's easy to set up and configure your metrics
• Excellent geofencing tools

Cons

• The Norton Family process can easily be terminated and bypassed to prevent it from running.
• Not all features are available on all platforms
• Norton Family doesn't work on macOS

OurPact

OurPact is a good solution for families of all sizes.

OurPact is a popular parental control app that allows parents to set screen time limits and reward their kids for good behavior. 

The parent app also limits screen time by setting a timer for each app. 

This feature allows parents to keep track of the amount of screen time their kids spend using the devices. It also limits screen time based on scheduled activities, such as chores. 

OurPact also has features restricting money and how long a child can spend on a device.

Key Features

• Schedule Screen Time
• Manual Block & Grant
• A cross-platform app for iOS and Android devices
• Manage 20+ devices for different kids
• Keep tabs on your child's location
• Block Texting through schedules

Pros

• Easily create geofences to receive instant alerts
• Block texts and keep your kids from being distracted during family meals.
• Adjust web filter to prevent adult sexual content on all browsers
• It's budget-friendly. The free plan allows 1 schedule
• Block distraction apps and games with complete control

Cons

• It can be easily bypassed by removing the “OurPact” profile in your phone settings
• The free plan has limited features 
• The user interface is a bit complex to understand

FamiKit

Best for user-friendly features.

FamiKit is a multi-functional Parental Control App to protect your kids from being addicted to smartphones and computers.

The app helps parents/guardians limit their kids' time spent on specific apps and monitor their activity. It also allows them to set time limits for particular apps. 

This app is an excellent option for parents who are constantly worried about their kid's online activities. 

Key Features

• Easily create geofences to receive instant alerts
• Block texts and keep your kids from being distracted during family meals.
• Adjust web filter to prevent adult sexual content on all browsers
• It's budget-friendly. The free plan allows 1 schedule
• Block distraction apps and games with complete control

Pros

• Easily record your child's online activities on their device.
• Protect your child from being addicted to smartphones.
• Identify your child's real-time location and keep a close eye on them.
• Shield your child from inappropriate content and apps.
• Monitor & control how much time your child spends online

Cons

• The Android app is a bit buggy. The developers could spend more time improving it.
• The interface could be easier to use (especially for beginners)

MMGuardian

Best AI-powered parental control app.

MMGuardian is a simple app for managing your child's phone usage.

Suppose you're a parent and you're worried about your children's internet usage. In that case, you can download the MMGuardian parental control app to their Android or iOS phone and use it to monitor their activities. 

Its features are designed to help you protect your children's privacy. 

The app can remotely disable apps and set content limits for different age ranges. 

You can also use the app to monitor the location of your child's device and change its function settings.

A key feature of MMGuardian is the ability to view your child's location on a standard map. 

Key Features

• It has a proven track record of alerting parents 390,000+ times about cyberbullying.
• Track your child's SMS and Social chat messages.
• Control how often and when your child uses their phone.
• Get detailed reports of web browsing and phone activity.
• Instantly know where your child is during the day.

Pros

• It's straightforward to set up and use.
• Gain easy access to your dashboard via the app or on the web.
• Keep a close watch on the websites your child visits.
• There's no rooting needed.

Cons

• Children can easily disable and re-enable the app without it notifying the parents.
• Parents are only allowed to block calls and messages on Android devices.
• The customer support isn't responsive.
• Time-based restrictions are a pain in the neck to set.

eyeZy

eyeZy is one of the best phone monitoring apps for parental control.

eyeZy is a phone monitoring app with parental control features. It will filter websites and detect inappropriate content, and you can easily block sites and set time limits. 

The app allows you to see hotspots and prevent your kids from connecting to them. 

One of the most impressive features of the eyeZy parental control app is its social spotlight feature. 

It will enable you to see your child's recent chats from various social networks on a single screen. You can also review deleted messages with a click of a button. 

Key Features

• GPS location & routes.
• Track your child's incoming and outgoing phone calls.
• Monitor all sent, received, and deleted messages.
• It is compatible with iPhone, iPad, or Android devices.
• AI alerts you about your child's online behavior.

Pros

• Easily set time limits for your child.
• It's cheap (less than $1 per day).
• Protect your children from cyberbullying and inappropriate content.
• Monitor all your child's phone activities from anywhere you are.
• Setup is easy (start using the app in 5 minutes)
• View pictures, videos, and apps on your child's device without being noticed.

Cons

• It doesn't offer a free trial.
• It gets expensive for multiple devices.

Boomerang

Boomerang is one of the most popular apps for controlling screen time.

Boomerang parental control app can prevent your child from changing Android system settings. 

You can restrict the usage of apps by designating a single device. Once you've defined a device, you can enable multiple device permissions. 

If you want to protect all devices, you can also grant access to administrative privileges. 

It offers flexible screen time features. For example, you can set weekday and weekend schedules. 

You can limit your child's phone from being accessed during key moments, such as meal times, sleeping and workout times, etc.

Key Features

• It covers app discovery, approval & control.
• Exclusive monitoring and security.
• Safe browsing is included at zero costs.
• Use on ten family devices.
• Boomerang supports Android and iOS.

Pros

• Easy to set up, use your email and pair your child devices.
• Monitor your child's text messages without getting noticed.
• Choose who calls your child and can be called.
• Location tracking: Get alerts on your child's location.
• Easily approve or block installed apps on your child's Android device.

Cons

• It only supports one of the features from Google Family Link.
• The “Screen Time” settings on the iPhone provide similar functionality for free.
• The refund policy isn't clear.
• Content filters sometimes fail.
• It doesn't use push notifications.

Bark

Bark is one of the best apps with a proven track record of success.

Bark is an easy-to-use Parental Control App for iPhone, Android, and Amazon Fire.

With the Bark parental control app, you can easily monitor your kids' online activities. 

The app can notify you whenever your child does something you disapprove of, such as visiting inappropriate websites or downloading untrusted apps. 

While Bark doesn't offer parents full access to a child's web activity, it lets you know if they are talking to strangers or are grooming themselves. 

It also provides you with an easy-to-read activity report to get a quick look at what your children have been up to.

Bark is a great tool for busy parents who don't have the time to check their child's activities regularly.

Key Features

• Monitor your child's activities on 30+ social networks.
• A clean and easy-to-read activity report dashboard.
• Bark app supports iOS, Android, and Amazon mobile devices.
• Screen Time limits and Web filtering.
• Monitor texts, photos, and videos in real-time.
• Get automatic alerts when Bark spots potential issues.
• 24/7 detection for adult content, sexting, drug use, etc.

Pros

• The user interface is easy to use
• Manage screen time with ease.
• Filter which websites and apps your kids can visit.
• Easily monitor texts, email, YouTube, NetFlix, and 30+ other platforms
• Get no-delay alerts for issues related to drug use, sexting, online predators, and more.

Cons

• The VPN can be easily disabled and re-enabled and therefore bypassed.
• The Basic Plan (Bark Jr.) doesn't send automatic alerts to parents.
• The trial period (7 days) is relatively short.

4 Benefits Of Using A Parental Control System

Have you made up your mind about the parental control system you're going to use? 

If you're still on the fence, let's consider some of the benefits of using these systems, which are also some of the best Google Family Link alternatives

1). Easily Control Your Kid's Online Activity

A key feature you'll often find in any parental control app is the ability to monitor text messages and conversations on your child's phone. 

Most kids are now exposed to pornography and harmful websites. According to Guardchild,  90% of children ages 8-16  have seen online pornography.

You can activate a porn blocking solution like  Tech Lockdown  to protect your child and help you control what they do online.

You should choose a parental-control service that suits your child's age and interests. 

For example, parents of children under 12 should consider a system that blocks objectionable websites. 

2). Blocks Inappropriate Websites Quickly

You can use parental control systems to determine what games your kids play.

Video games are more than child's play. If your child consistently plays high violent games, you'll start noticing a  high level of hostility  being displayed. 

So you need to be careful about the websites your kids are exposed to. 

In addition, you can block particularly obscene sites, such as adult websites.

If your child is under 12, it's also advisable to set a time limit. If your child is older, you can use a more comprehensive schedule with the app. 

The system also lets you block specific websites and categories and allows you to monitor your child's screen time. 

3). Protects Your Child From Cyberbullying

The best way to protect your child from cyberbullying is to limit your child's use of technology. 

Cyberbullying research  conducted by Security.org revealed that 44% of all internet users in the U.S. had experienced online harassment. This has led to  social anxiety  among children.

Most parental control systems will allow you to set a time frame for when your child can use the device. For example, if your child is being bullied through text messages, consider blocking the app.

Unfortunately, it's common to find users on harmful websites bullying children.

You can block suspicious adult content, limit access to certain apps, and protect your child's device against malware, phishing, etc.

4). Know Your Child's Location in Real-Time

Some of these parental control apps can track where your child is at any time. 

They can tell you if your child is browsing the internet. They can also let you know their current location, who they talk to online, and how long they spent chatting. 

Did you know that  33% of parents  have lost their child in a store and 32% in a crowded event? 

As you can see, an app that lets you identify and pinpoint your child's location is essential in today's world.

In addition to pinpointing the exact location of your child, these apps can also create a schedule for internet use. They can even block sites they deem inappropriate for kids. Others can log calls or texts and show you what they say.

However, you should always remember that these tools should be used in partnership with your children, not as a secretive spying tool.

If your children are unwilling to use these tools, they may get frustrated and stop using them.

Conclusion

Believe it or not, your kids are just a few clicks away visiting harmful websites, viewing adult content, cyberbullying, and all the 'negatives' of the web.

Imagine what your kids are exposed to when browsing the web using insanely fast smartphones like an iPhone. It's your responsibility to protect them.

Lastly, using more than one solution is often possible, as some of these options excel in different areas. For example, you may decide that Tech Lockdown is the best way to block adult content and use an app like Boomerang to limit screen time.

Sign up to Tech Lockdown  today, and start blocking the endless tide of unsavory material that's lurking around the corner to cause your kids harm.