Pros:

Training videos on Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, Fortnite, and dozens of other apps. Learn how to use popular teen apps, even if you aren’t tech savvy. Learn about threats and digital safety issues before your students hear about them (so you can protect them). Student videos help encourage dialogue about digital safety with your kids.

Cons:

Compatible Devices:

iPhone, iPad, PC, Mac

Price:

Starts at $5/month for families or packages available for school & community partnerships

Pros:

Includes a built-in VPN to keep your family's online data secure from hackers and blocks dangerous phising or scam sites. Aura also offers identity theft protection and financial fraud protection, credit monitoring (at additional cost to Aura + Circle).

Cons:

Monitors only limited social media networks. Aura acquired Circle Media Labs to integrate Parental Controls into its existing digital safety products.

Compatible Devices:

Windows, Mac, Android, iOS

Price:

Free trial for Aura + Circle, then as low as $4.17/month billed annually; additional Aura monitoring starts at $12/month for an individual of $37/month for a family

Pros:

The data from your child's phone is extracted and uploaded to the parent's secure online Auto Forward account. The Auto Forward software copies texts, call logs, GPS location, social media messages, emails and more.

Cons:

You can't use it to set screen time limits

Compatible Devices:

iPhones and Androids

Price:

Basic is $2.99 or Pro is $6.99 monthly

Pros:

Almost every social media app can be monitored with Bark. Parents can even receive alerts when new apps are downloaded on their child's device. Bark lets parents manage screen time, filter websites, and request location check-ins. It also has the ability to monitor a student's second Instagram (Finstagram) account.

Cons:

Bark can interfere with other parental control softwares. Some parents have reported that they received alerts when they weren't necessary.

Compatible Devices:

PC, Mac, iOS, Android, and Amazon mobile devices

Price:

Premium is $99 per year or Bark Jr. is $49 per year

Pros:

The Canopy internet filter scans websites for inappropriate images and videos and replaces them with white rectangles and allows parents to block certain apps. All photos taken on the device or downloaded to the device are scanned and prevented from your child accessing or sharing the photo until the parent reviews and approves the photo.

Cons:

Canopy app does not filter inside apps

Compatible Devices:

Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices

Price:

Free 30 day trial, $7.99/month for 3 devices, $9.99/month for 5 devices, $15.99/month for 10 devices

Pros:

Artificial Intelligence monitors and scans devices for concerning activity, the user is prohibited from uninstalling the app without a code from the accountability partner, and there is a customizable filter that allows the user to adjust for age appropriateness.

Cons:

There are reports that it works well on iOS but not on other devices, social media and text messages are not monitored, and accountability partners cannot view pictures or videos saved to the device.

Compatible Devices:

Mac, Windows, iOS, Android

Price:

$16.99/month or $183.99/year for unlimited devices and up to 10 users

Pros:

Creates and/or stores passwords and login information for various websites and accounts. Creates complex passwords for unique and secure passwords. Searches the dark web for your common passwords and potentially compromised accounts. Families can share passwords through the app with each other.

Cons:

Free version is limited to 50 passwords and does not offer dark web monitoring

Compatible Devices:

Mac, IOS, Windows, Android, and various browser extensions/add ons

Price:

Free for "simple password management," $6.49/month for Premium, $8.99/month for Family (up to 6 separate accounts)--Discounts for annual payment

Pros:

Ever Accountable monitors online activity and sends a weekly report to an "accountability partner" of the user's choice that details websites visited, content viewed in apps, and how much time is spent in each app. The partner can create a website blacklist and receive an instant notification when one of those sites is visited. Keyword monitoring can be set up to mark specific words as suspicious in the reports.

Cons:

Does not block or restrict websites and the user can remove the accountability partner from their own device.

Compatible Devices:

Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Amazon Kindle/Fire

Price:

$12.99 a month or $119.99 a year, you can add up to 10 family members with the family plan

Pros:

Famisafe offers multiple methods to block apps and screen time and offers a web filtering system with 21 different categories that include an "exceptions" list. There are location tracking and geofencing options to see where your child's phone is at all times including a location history. You can connect it to popular social media and chat apps and monitor and block YouTube.

Cons:

Famisafe does not offer call or text monitoring, the "Smart Schedule" only allows you to lock and unlock phone usage once a day instead of creating an entire day's schedule, the child can turn off the GPS location tracking.

Compatible Devices:

The majority of iOS, Android, Windows, Mac and Kindle Fire devices

Price:

Monthly: $10.99 for up to 10 devices, Yearly: $60.99 for up to 10 devices

Pros:

Gaggle's technology scans emails, chats, images, attachments, and websites on school-issued devices and flags concerning content and can block potentially harmful content. In severe mental health or safety situations, school district-appointed contacts will be alerted to take action to help the student.

Cons:

It only works on school-issued devices and not personal devices.

Compatible Devices:

School issued computers and devices using Google Workspace for Education, Microsoft 365, and Canvas

Price:

Pros:

GoGuardian offers powerful content filters for schools of any size. Their platform works on multiple device types from Chromebooks to Apple devices, Windows and BYOD. GoGuardian App for parents may be available as part of an organization's subscription.

Cons:

Parents cannot purchase a subscription or use GoGuardian as a stand-alone and must register using an authenticated address with their student's school.

Compatible Devices:

iOS, Android

Price:

Free for parents with the school/organization membership

Pros:

Parental control presets allow for a quick setup of parental monitoring and wifi mesh, internet security & monitoring are all in one app.

Cons:

The upfront expense to purchase Gryphon hardware plus a monthly subscription can be a limitation for some families.

Compatible Devices:

App available through Google Play and the Apple App Store

Price:

$7.50 monthly subscription after complimentary trial period + equipment ranging from $99-$349

Pros:

Uses content detection technology to look at individual pages and links to blocks or disables social media services with inappropriate content like TikTok and Instagram. One subscription covers multiple devices for a family.

Cons:

Geofencing is reported to be limited and there are few preset web filters.

Compatible Devices:

Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Kindle

Price:

Yealy: $49.99 for 1 desktop, $79.99 for 5 devices, $129.99 for 20 devices

Pros:

OpenDNS offers two free options, one that doesn't require account set up and has preset configurations.

Cons:

Free options give users very limited controls, but the paid versions may be cumbersome for some users to set up. Phishing and malware protection is not included in the free versions.

Compatible Devices:

"Literally anything that connects to the internet from your home network"

Price:

Free to $19.95/year or $20 per user

Pros:

Tracks calls & texts to see who your child is communicating with on their device and monitors real-time browsing history, YouTube videos, social media, screen time, location, and more.

Cons:

It is reported that using a VPN on the device circumvents the web filter Families with many devices may need more expensive plans for monitoring all the devices. Features may be more limited on iOS devices.

Compatible Devices:

Windows, Mac, Chromebook, Android, IPhone/iPad, Kindle

Price:

$54.95/year for 5 devices + Care Plus for $12.99, $137.95/year for 15 devices

Pros:

The Apple Watch with cellular can work with any cell phone carrier and can have a phone number assigned to the watch so that it works independently from a phone. The watch can make and receive phone calls and texts, share their location, and can be set up under Family Setup on a parent's iPhone which allows the parents to manage the watch and create screen time limits. Schooltime is a mode that can be set up during school hours to block access to apps and notifications on the watch.

Cons:

Although there isn't a camera function, the watch can still receive photos and search and receive GIFs and students can share their location with others if location sharing is not turned off in Apple Screen Time.

Compatible Devices:

Price:

Cost varies depending on your cell phone carrier

Pros:

The watch provides wearers with access to calls, messaging, GPS tracking, custom safe zones and alerts, SOS mode, and pedometer.

Cons:

The watch must be connected to a Cosmo Connect plan for a monthly fee.

Compatible Devices:

Pairs with any iOS or Android phone

Price:

$59.99 on Amazon for the watch plus a monthly plan between $14.99 and $19.99 per month

Pros:

The Fitbit Ace LTE is a smartwatch capable of making calls, sending texts, and tracking GPS, but the focus is on the movement-based games that encourage kids to be active. Up to 20 contacts can be added to their trusted circle for communication and there is a "school time" feature, which limits the functions of the watch during school hours.

Cons:

The watch requires an Ace data plan to function. Kids may become obsessed with the gamification features. This smartwatch may not appeal to older kids.

Compatible Devices:

Android 11.0 or newer or iOS 15 or newer

Price:

$229.95 plus an Ace Pass data plan $9.99/month

Pros:

Has all of the features your child needs from a phone including calling, texting, calendar, alarm, calculator, and camera without the internet, games, social media, or the app store. Plans are month-to-month, so parents don’t need to sign up for a long term contract.

Cons:

Gabb wireless cannot be added to your current cell phone plan, it is designed to operate separately.

Compatible Devices:

Gabb Wireless only works on their own devices.

Price:

Buy a Gabb watch or phone for $149.99. Phone plans start at $17.99 per month and watch contracts start at $9.99 per month. Use SMARTSOCIAL at checkout for the current promotion!

Pros:

Kids can only use approved apps at the scheduled times set by parents (no social media & no internet). Parents set approved contacts for calls and texts and can be monitored on the parents' devices. The phone can be monitored with Bark Parental Controls.

Cons:

The phone doesn't include an app store or browser, so parent-approved apps can't be downloaded on a family-by-family basis. For full use and monitoring, families have 3 separate monthly fees.

Compatible Devices:

Pinwheel phones are compatible with major cell carriers-check each device type of carrier compatibility

Price:

Devices available from $199 + monthly Pinwheel Subscription + monthly cellular service (not provided by Pinwheel) + Bark monitoring

Pros:

The smartwatch offers many features including GPS locator, reminders, parental controls, step tracker, the ability to save up to 10 contacts to call or text, and is waterproof.

Cons:

Must subscribe to an additional monthly service to operate, some customers report poor battery life.

Compatible Devices:

Pairs with iOS and Android phones

Price:

$99 plus $35 activation fee and a monthly Verizon service plan

Pros:

By creating overlapping signals of wifi coverage in your home, eero works to provide full, strong, coverage throughout your whole home.

Cons:

Upfront purchase of the equipment may be prohibitive for families.

Compatible Devices:

Pairs with your existing home internet provider

Price:

eero 1-pack $62, eero 6 1-pack $89, eero 6+ $139

Pros:

The Bark Home device plugs into your home WiFi router and lets parents manage screen time and filter websites on gaming consoles, TVs, and more. No subscription fee necessary.

Cons:

Students' devices are not monitored/controlled when not on your home wifi.

Compatible Devices:

Monitors websites on gaming consoles, mobile devices, Tvs, and more

Price:

One-time purchase $79

Pros:

There is no limit to how many children or devices parents can monitor with Circle. Parents can filter content and apply time limits.

Cons:

Circle does not offer remote management or include social media monitoring. Also, Circle doesn’t provide real time notifications for parents, if there is any abuse.

Compatible Devices:

Any device that is connected to the internet, including smartphones, tablets, computers, gaming consoles, laptops, and Smart TVs

Price:

Buy it here for $129 and plans start at $69 for 3-months

Pros:

Combines wifi coverage for your whole house with parental monitoring and internet security protection through one device and one app. Parental control presets allow for a quick setup of parental monitoring.

Cons:

The upfront expense to purchase Gryphon hardware plus a monthly subscription can be a limitation for some families

Compatible Devices:

App available through Google Play and the Apple App Store

Price:

Equipment options range from $99 to $349 + $7.50 monthly subscription after complimentary trial period

Pros:

An affordable laptop that offers all of the apps available through the Google Play store, a 13.3" touchscreen, 12-hour battery life, 1 x USB 3.1 Type-C, 1 x USB 3.0, headset jack, HDMI, MicroSD

Cons:

Weighs 3.28lbs, reviewers report that it feels a bit flimsy

Compatible Devices:

Android

Price:

$329

Pros:

Affordable price, 14" screen, 12 hour and 15 minutes of battery life with the ability to Fast Charge up to 50% in 45 minutes, responsive touchscreen, and access to the Google Play store.

Cons:

Users report that the screen resolution is disappointing and the touchpad is slow to respond.

Compatible Devices:

Android

Price:

$324.99

Pros:

Affordable, 12.2" screen, includes a stylus pen, front and back cameras, folds into tablet mode, charges from a USB-C port, access to Google Play store, and weighs less than 3lbs.

Cons:

Does not have an HDMI output and users report that the keyboard feels small.

Compatible Devices:

Android

Price:

$259