our selection to follow the digital lives of your children

Your child got his new smartphone for Christmas and you’re not completely reassured about the idea of ​​letting him live his digital life in his own corner.

Without having to constantly be on his back monitoring who he talks to, what he does and what site he visits, there are now parental control tools to be able to monitor his uses, without “fuck him“. All often in consultation and with discussions that are more than necessary in such a situation.

According to a CSA Research study from July 2018, today 87% of children aged 11 to 15 have a cell phone. And this causes concern for their parents: 35% fear that their teenagers spend too much time on their screen. So, to reassure them, many applications have emerged to manage screen time, but also make settings to avoid unpleasant surprises for them (bad encounters on the web), as well as for you (in-app purchases, surprise subscriptions). , etc.).

Applications among telecom operators

First of all, you should know that, for almost 15 years, telecom operators have had to provide a free parental control solution with their packages. It is not automatically activated and you often have to go to your customer area to take advantage of it. You will thus be able to benefit from basic controls on your child’s mobile, from monitoring the screen time granted to prohibited access to certain sites, including requesting authorization for downloading mobile applications.

There are obviously options integrated into your mobile devices, tablets and smartphones. Whether on Android or iOS, you can control the child’s screen time, the apps they can access, the list of authorized or unauthorized sites, etc. Some manufacturers like Samsung even offer to create child profiles if you need to lend your personal device. This will provide a more secure environment that is possibly adapted to the age of the young user.

Otherwise, you can opt for apps, free or paid, to manage the child’s use, sometimes even from your own smartphone. They are transparent for children, but essential for parental monitoring (and their peace of mind).

Parental control applications

Xooloo

The most complete solution adapted to the child’s age. Xooloo simply offers three different mobile applications. Xooloo Parents is installed on the adult’s smartphone, who will thus obtain a dashboard of the use of the mobile device, smartphone or tablet, made by their child or adolescent. But there is no question of controlling everything remotely without consultation.

Xooloo Digital Coach is the app for teenagers. Its mission is as much to encourage them to self-regulate by becoming aware of their uses, their screen time in relation to users of their age, their interactions, as to reassure their parents who can keep a remote eye on their use without interfering. His smartphone becomes his coach who encourages him and advises him to better master this new digital life.

Xooloo Digital Coach

Xooloo Kids is the Android application that will be perfect for young children. It transforms your tablet or smartphone into a secure gaming and entertainment space. Only the applications, games and content you have chosen are accessible, the rest of your device is protected by a parental code. Your data is safe, as is your child’s use. Parents can be notified in real time of their child’s activity with the Xooloo smartphone app.

Xooloo applications (excluding Xooloo parents) benefit from a trial period, then a subscription offer.

Family Link

This is the app designed by Google to supervise your child’s phone. It allows you to monitor their screen time, define a schedule of slots granted to them (based on the day and/or time). The app is installed on the smartphone of the child (Android) and the parent (iOS or Android) who will thus be able to have an eye on the digital life of their offspring, even from the web version as well.

The parent thus defines parameters such as locking the device if necessary and authorizing the downloading of apps. Family Link suggests recommended app selections for the child. And you can even geolocate the child from your version.

Norton Family

Cybersecurity giants have not missed the parental control market. Whether it’s Norton Family or Kapersky Safe Kids, these apps work quite similarly. Once the app is installed on the child’s smartphone and that of the parent, it will work together to offer much more than screen time management. You have access to a dashboard of your child’s activity (what he does, app downloaded or used, real-time usage, internet search, etc.).

You can block the phone at any time, prohibit access to certain inappropriate sites, check the YouTube videos they are watching and even locate the child. You can even be alerted in the event of unwanted use or which could be problematic. A good way to then start a discussion with your child to explain your decisions and make them aware of its uses.

The app is available on Android and iOS. On the App Store, there is an application to install on the child’s smartphone and a version for parents. Note that a paid version is offered, but the free app version may be sufficient with the basic functions offered.

Kids Place

Another app that offers to secure your device by providing a secure environment for the child, accessible in one click. The home screen will be transformed. Certain applications are then accessible if they have been validated by the adult.

The app offers its own video player and an internet browser with a list of authorized sites. A password allows you to exit child mode to return to the classic uses of the device.

Qustodio

To operate Qustodio, it is necessary to download and install two applications: one for parents and the other on the child’s device. Parents will be able to protect children from inappropriate content they may encounter on the internet, but also limit screen time, geolocate the child and monitor communications (calls and SMS) and applications used.

The application has the advantage of being simple to install and configure for parents. The child will also have this usage data, allowing him to realize the time-consuming danger of screens.

Of course, the interface is adapted to young people and is educational rather than repressive. In addition, it is cross-platform and can be installed on Windows and Mac computers, Android and iOS mobile devices, on a Chromebook or an Amazon Kindle e-reader.

Microsoft Family Safety

Microsoft does not intend to be left behind by its competitor Google and also offers a parental control service. With Microsoft, only one application or software to download and install, unlike Xooloo or Qustodio.

Features then differ based on your status in the family group and your Microsoft credentials. The big advantage of Microsoft Family Safety, compared to others, is that it is also compatible with the Xbox console, allowing you to limit the time spent on video games.

Of course, parents will also have a system for managing applications on mobile devices, screen time and web filtering (with Microsoft Edge) for total control of the child’s digital activity.

Applications to also monitor their video games

If you are also concerned about your child’s video game practice, know that there are mobile applications to protect your children as well as to monitor their video game screen time.

Among these, Xbox is at the forefront of non-intrusive parental control with its app Xbox Family Settings. This allows you to define the child’s gaming schedule, configure their access to chats, certain types of content and even keep an eye on the list of authorized contacts. And you can get activity report.

Nintendo Switch Parental Controls uses the same principle for the hybrid console. From the app, the parent can authorize access to games, the shopping store, chat and monitor the child’s activity.

PlayStation is not left out and you can control your child’s screen time, allowed games and more from the PS App.