Social networks can be highly addictive, especially for children with developing minds.
They may spend hours watching videos, reading posts, and sharing memes, which can lead to wasted time that could be better spent on learning and personal growth.
In such cases, taking decisive action by blocking access to social media may be necessary.
Effective Apps For Controlling Access to Modern Social Networks
If you need to limit your child’s time on various websites, keep reading.
Experts recommend these paid but simple and effective parental control apps for iPhone:
- Bark.
This app is one of the best for monitoring over 25 social networks.
It tracks and records all of your child’s activity on their iOS device and sends a data copy to the Mac app every 6 hours.
Bark then analyzes the day’s data and sends an alert if it detects inappropriate content.
The web filter has 19 categories specializing in common childhood issues.
The filter uses the help of artificial intelligence to recognize content and includes a large list of keywords, including slang words.
- Qustodio.
A comprehensive parental control app for iOS that parents love.
It offers advanced time management tools, including daily limits, a filter covering 30 categories for Safari and Chrome, GPS tracking, and access to a parent dashboard that can be managed from any device.
The program offers two lock options: smartphone lock and view lock.
The user-friendly control panel lets you easily monitor your child’s device activity and respond quickly to any alerts.
- Mobicip.
When you connect the app to your child’s Instagram and Facebook accounts, you can see their posts and comments.
The parent dashboard allows you to set time and app limits, track your device’s current location, and set up geofences to receive notifications about the places your son or daughter visits.
- Net Nanny.
According to users, this app is one of the best parental control solutions.
It allows you to set screen time limits, monitor YouTube and other social networks, and track GPS locations.
You can also customize daily time limits.
The web filter supports Safari and offers 15 customizable categories for more tailored control.
The app allows you to block specific websites and apps that a standard filter might overlook.
It also enables real-time monitoring of your child’s iPhone or iPad.
- Norton Family.
The app allows you to easily create a list of house rules, so children know exactly what is being monitored and which websites are allowed or restricted.
You can set up a daily internet usage schedule and time limits.
It also includes a web filter and a “School Time” feature that blocks distractions during study hours.
When it comes to free applications for blocking unwanted content on social networks, they typically offer only basic monitoring tools and tend to be ineffective.
To access the full range of features, you’ll likely need to pay for the premium version.
Benefits of Blocking Access to Social Media
If your children spend an hour or two a day on social media, there will be more time for development and education.
There are other benefits such as:
- Increased productivity;
- Better time management;
- Enhanced face-to-face communication with peers;
- Improved mental and emotional well-being;
- Enhanced cybersecurity;
- Prevention of social media addiction.
It’s clear that protecting children from the uncontrolled consumption of content on social networks is a top priority.
A child’s developing mind is vulnerable and not equipped to handle many “adult” issues, such as those related to molfar osint.
Additionally, social networks are filled with a lot of “junk” information that does not contribute to the development of a mature, educated, and well-rounded personality.
It is, therefore, the responsibility of adults to ensure the digital safety of children.