Experts urge parents to use parental‑control apps as AI and social media risks expand
Safety advocates and researchers say tools such as Qustodio, Bark and Aura can help block harmful content and alert parents to threats, but they stress transparency and limits to what the apps can do.
Parents grappling with the rapid rise of AI-driven features and social media say parental‑control apps are becoming essential tools for keeping children safe online, according to safety experts consulted for a New York Post guide to the best apps of 2025.
Researchers and online‑safety advocates point to a range of changes in apps — from disappearing messages and anonymous chats to algorithmic designs intended to maximize engagement — that have increased children’s exposure to harmful content, predatory contact and addictive patterns. A 2019 study cited by experts found that teenagers who spent more than three hours a day on social media were twice as likely to report poor mental‑health outcomes.
"The biggest risks I see for kids right now are harmful content, predatory contact and unhealthy design features in apps," said Lisa Honold, director of the Center for Online Safety. She and other experts recommend combining education, clear family rules and technological tools to reduce those risks. "Parental control apps aren’t about spying. They’re about creating digital guardrails," Honold said.
The New York Post’s roundup names Qustodio as the best overall parental‑control app, citing a mix of content filtering, screen‑time management, location tracking and AI‑powered alerts. Users can set varying access levels for web content, apps and AI platforms, and the app generates real‑time reports and SOS alerts. Qustodio runs on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS and Chromebook, and the company says it is used by more than 8 million families worldwide.
Bark is highlighted for its expert‑backed approach and deep social‑media and messaging coverage. Bark’s technology scans texts, emails, web activity and more than 30 social platforms for signs of threats and concerning behavior, then pairs alerts with guidance for parents on next steps. The company also offers its own phone and smartwatch with integrated monitoring, and provides access to mental‑wellness resources.
Aura Parental Control is singled out for parents of gamers. The app includes AI‑powered voice and text monitoring within video‑game chats on supported Windows titles; when the system flags potentially predatory communications, it can notify parents in real time. Aura also offers standard controls such as content filtering, screen‑time limits and location tracking.
Other options in the Post’s guide include Troomi, a smartphone and service that ships with parental controls built into the device’s operating software. Troomi’s SafeListing allows children to receive calls and texts only from approved contacts. Norton Family, an extension of Norton’s cybersecurity services, is described as a budget‑friendly choice that provides browser‑level monitoring of searches and watched videos, plus screen‑time scheduling and location tools, though it lacks some social‑media and messaging monitoring features offered by competitors.
Experts queried for the guide emphasized that parental‑control apps vary in function: some primarily block or filter content, others focus on monitoring and alerting, and a few combine both approaches. Fareedah Shaheed, an internet‑safety expert and Forbes 30 Under 30 nominee, said trust and communication should be the foundation of online safety but that apps are useful, particularly for younger children, to tailor the internet to a family’s values.
Honold said parents should be transparent with their children about using these tools. "Absolutely. Honesty builds trust," she said. She described an approach in which parents involve children when setting up an app and explain that alerts are designed to bring adults into situations that require help, not to read every private interaction. Some families pair apps with a written Family Tech Agreement so children understand the rules and the reasons.
Safety experts also counseled realistic expectations about what the technology can accomplish. "No tool is foolproof," Shaheed said. She noted that free, built‑in options from companies such as Apple, Google and Microsoft are useful starting points, while premium apps can add cross‑device monitoring and deeper social‑media coverage. The effectiveness of filters and alerts depends on the app’s design and the platforms a child uses.
Companies behind leading apps have begun incorporating AI to surface risks more quickly. Qustodio touts AI‑driven alerts and app insights that flag emerging threats; Bark says its systems prioritize contextual scanning and pairs alerts with expert guidance for caregivers; Aura markets AI voice and text analysis for in‑game chats. Developers and advocates caution that AI can reduce manual review time but that human judgment remains important when interpreting alerts.
Cost and feature trade‑offs vary. Norton Family can be obtained as part of Norton 360 bundles and is priced around $50 a year, offering affordability for basic tracking. Bark’s more comprehensive services can exceed $100 a year, reflecting broader coverage of social platforms and personalized alerts. Troomi requires purchasing a device and service but removes the need for separate app subscriptions. Families weighing options should assess the platforms their children use, the age of the child and whether blocking, monitoring or both best match family needs.
Privacy concerns also shape choices. Some parents seek apps that do not capture or record full message content for privacy reasons; others want deeper access when they believe risk is high. Honold recommended that parents clarify what they will see and when they will intervene. "You need to know when to step in," she said.
Safety advocates and researchers continue to call for a combined approach: platform changes to reduce harmful design features, caregiver education on healthy device use, and tools that give families control over content and time online. As children begin using touchscreens at younger ages, experts say parents should introduce basic safety lessons early and scale controls as children mature.
The Post’s guide offers a starting point for families comparing options, but experts urged that selecting an app be only one part of an overall strategy that includes open communication, age‑appropriate rules and regular conversations about online experiences. "These apps can help create guardrails," Honold said. "But they work best when paired with clear expectations and ongoing dialogue between parents and children."