Free Parental Controls Mac

Safe internet browsing for your kids free parental control for windows 7 windows 8.1 windows 10 mac os.web protection: http://www1.k9webprotection.com/getk9. Content Barrier is a parental control software for Mac OS X. Content Barrier is designed to filter and block Internet content, such as adult sites and other inappropriate content. This blocks specific applications, chats and emails and provides a detailed report of activities by the child.

  1. Free Parental Controls Mac
  2. Parental Controls Windows 10
  3. Free Parental Controls Macbook
  4. How To Set Parental Controls On Computer
  5. Parental Control Mac Os
Posted on the 15 October 2020 by Thiruvenkatam Chinnagounder @tipsclear

Everything in this world has gone digital, and that includes homework (if you have kids). If your children are young, you're probably not giving them laptops or free reign of the family computer. You're probably not always able to monitor their screen activity, either.

That's where parental control software comes in handy. Parental controls keep your kids safe from the dark web, and there's a no-strings-attached version available for all operating systems. Keep reading to find out more.

Built-in OS features

Giving your kids technology designed for their age group is an excellent first step toward keeping them safe online. When they have access to more general computing devices, you can leverage parental control features built right into the OS. The parental controls for both Windows and MacOS provide a convenient and acceptable means for restricting web access and chat functionality, along with viewing detailed logs and monitoring email exchanges.

Windows Family Safety


For Windows 10, you need to sign up for a Family Safety account. You can then add a specific child account (or more) to your family account that your kids can use.

This approach may be a little complicated, but it comes with a variety of benefits. You get activity reports for all online activity from the child accounts and block any apps, games, or sites you want.

For an idea of what apps are genuinely beneficial for kids, please take a look at some of our favorites.

You can also limit how much time they spend on the account and strictly control their purchasing activity. There are also some real-world safety features, including the ability to track your kids' location as long as you use Windows mobile devices.

MacOS built-in parental controls

Free Parental Controls Mac

MacOS touts more than a few options for parental controls, each of which is accessible via the Parental Controls pane housed within the main System Preferences panel. The software includes options for blocking specified applications and websites. You can also block messages from particular people you deem inappropriate. Users must individually set accounts, but once done, users can also set time limits.

There are other options, too, such as the ability to hide profanity in most source content and prohibiting the computer's built-in camera and disc-burning utilities. If there's more than one Mac on a single network, users can even remotely manage said parental controls from a different computer entirely. It's a reasonably comprehensive solution if you don't mind spending some time in Mac settings making sure everything is correct. The catch is that you can only manage parental controls by individual user, so you'll need to set up separate accounts for each child.

Apps and extensions

Windows and MacOS offer a decent selection of parental controls, but they can't do it all by default. In the same vein, parental controls can be a challenge to set up on child-focused mobile devices. Here are downloadable programs that may be more suited to your particular goals.

Qustodio (Windows/MacOS/iOS/Android)

Qustodio has a very intuitive, easy-to-use interface that allows you to sign up for the free version of its software in moments. You manage everything from the dashboard, including social media monitoring, individual time limits for internet use, games, apps, and even tracking text messages and calls on the right devices. The real-time internet filter can detect pornography and ensure everything is blocked, even in private browsing modes.

Free parental controls for internet

Compatibility options are impressive since the software supports Kindle, Nook, Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS. However, Qustodio is trying to make as much money as possible with this program, so many features (like game blocking, location tracking, etc.) are behind paywalls. You can also only use the free version on a single device, which limits its applicability. Qustodio has a great set of features; we wish more of it were available for free.

Kidlogger (multiple platforms)

Kidlogger is an excellent option if you'd prefer to be covert instead of proactive. Instead of blocking sites, Kidlogger automatically tracks keystrokes, web history, and program use (automatically saving any screenshots taken on the computer). When installed on a smartphone, the app automatically logs any phone calls made by number and contact name. It is compatible with popular apps like Instagram and Discord, where parents may want to pay close attention, and updates continue to add more compatibility for the service.

Free Parental Controls Mac

The free version of Kidlogger is OK, but the premium versions add some oomph, though some of the features are downright invasive. If you want to monitor your child's phone conversations and record WhatsApp messages, Kidlogger can do that. Unfortunately, the app doesn't have native password protection, so if you've got a smart kid, you could end up being the one getting caught. The app is available for Windows, MacOS, Android, BlackBerry, and iOS. Like Qustodio, a free account limits you to one device, while paid versions offer more protection.

Zoodles kid-friendly web browser (Windows, MacOS, Android)

Free Parental Controls Mac

Zoodles takes the dramatic step of replacing the typical web browser with one built around children. This software is especially suitable for really young kids just getting to grips with accessing content online. Zoodles combines a filtered online experience with a walled garden of promoted, child-friendly content.

Available on a variety of devices and operating systems, Zoodles offers games, books, videos, and access to other age-appropriate content, all customizable by parents. There are activity reports to see what your child spends time doing and an adjustable recommender engine, which helps parents promote specific learning tools to their children through the application.

The regular free version stops there, but the advanced premium edition - $60 annually or $8 per month - adds many more features, including time management options, storybooks, individual site blocking, multiple languages, and more. You can get a free trial of the premium mode if you want, but it will start to auto-charge your account. Zoodles is excellent for younger kids, but remember that older kids will quickly learn to work around it.

How to set parental controls on internet

FoxFilter (Google Chrome/Firefox add-on)

FoxFilter provides users with a score of blocking filters based solely on individual keywords and sites, and they also offer solutions for adding trusted sites to a curated list of forbidden content. Moreover, the add-on's sensitivity settings can be tweaked to scan body content, title, and URL. Users can set notification and alert preferences detailing the type of content underlying each blocked site.

Parental Controls Windows 10

This preference-managing is excellent for blocking a range of websites and is one of the fastest options to get filters running. However, inexperienced users may want to stick with the pre-formatted list of warning words. Add the wrong keywords or too many keywords, and you may find nearly every website blocked. FoxFilter does offer free email support, so don't hesitate to contact them if you encounter any issues.

What's next?

If you want full protection for your growing kids, you're probably concerned about smartphone use, too. You should check out our list of the best control apps for your kid's smartphone. And we bet some of you are also interested in learning more about security on gaming consoles.

Also, since you've made sure your kids are safe online, what about making sure your web activities are well protected, too? Ensure you're running a reliable antivirus solution and keeping your passwords shored up with our favorite password managers.

Editors' Recommendations


Last week was exciting for Apple MAC users: Mac Operating System (MacOS) 11, aka BIG SUR, was released. This is a major, MAJOR upgrade to the basic software that Mac computers use. It brings lots of new features, apps, and improvements.

One things parents need to be mindful of is this: Sometimes an operating system upgrade can impact your parental control software. In the past, I’ve seen it outright disabled, at least until an upgrade is made by the software’s publisher. Sometimes just a setting or two is “reset”, especially with SCREEN TIME.

If you have NOT YET upgraded your Mac:

It is time to do some “prep work”:

  • Contact the publisher or visit the web site of any 3rd party software publisher to make sure their app is compatible with BIG SUR.
  • Check to see if there is an new update to the software.
  • Review your current settings, and record them to make sure you can reset any after upgrade.
  • Be prepared to completely re-do SCREEN TIME settings.
  • Back up your Mac before the upgrade!

If You Have ALREADY Upgraded Your Mac:

Here are a few suggested actions to take!

Free Parental Controls Macbook

  • If you use SCREEN TIME review all the settings to ensure none were reset during the install.
  • Go through any 3rd party parental control software and ensure that the settings haven’t changed.

Regardless, after you review your software following the BIG SUR install, run some tests to make sure everything works right. Not only should you test the filter, but also the time management features. The test will probably be fine. Still, a “live test” is always a good thing.

How To Set Parental Controls On Computer

Now, when testing filters, if something is not right, you may not want to see the results! Here is my trick to test web filters without risking seeing adult material!

  • Move the web browser windows to the bottom of the screen, showing just a little bit of the main window area.
  • Type in the address used to test the filter.
  • If the test fails, you only see the top of the homepage, which will not be big enough to show adult images/pictures.
  • Check out this screen shot from one of my tests:

Enjoy your new MacOS!!!!

NOTE

Parental Control Mac Os

Due to COVID I have launched THE TECH-SAFE HOME Webinars, both for parents and for Church Staff. More editions are coming out over the holidays. You can find out more on the WEBINARS page of the Knights’ Quest web site: www.knightsquest.org/webinars

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