best free parental control app for android
In today’s fast-paced digital world, it is becoming increasingly difficult for parents to monitor and control their children’s online activities. With the rise of smartphones, tablets, and other internet-connected devices, kids now have access to a vast array of content, some of which may not be suitable for their age. This has led to a growing concern among parents about their children’s safety and well-being in the virtual world. Thankfully, with the help of technology, there are now several parental control app s available that can assist parents in keeping their children safe online. In this article, we will discuss the best free parental control app for Android that parents can use to monitor and manage their child’s online activities.
1. What are parental control apps?
Parental control apps are software programs designed to help parents monitor and control their child’s online activities. These apps allow parents to set limits on the content their child can access, the amount of time they spend online, and the people they can communicate with. By using these apps, parents can ensure that their child is not exposed to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, or online predators.
2. Why do parents need parental control apps?
As parents, it is our responsibility to protect our children, both in the physical and virtual world. With the increasing use of technology by kids, it has become challenging for parents to keep track of their online activities. According to a study by the Pew Research Center, 95% of teens have access to a smartphone, and 45% of them are online almost constantly. With such high usage, it is essential for parents to have a tool that can help them manage their child’s screen time and online behavior.
3. What features to look for in a parental control app?
When choosing a parental control app, there are certain features that parents should consider. These include content filtering, app blocking, screen time management, location tracking, and social media monitoring. A good parental control app should also have a user-friendly interface, be compatible with multiple devices, and offer real-time alerts and reporting.
4. The best free parental control app for Android – Family Link by Google
Family Link by Google is a free parental control app that allows parents to manage their child’s Android devices remotely. With this app, parents can set screen time limits, approve or block apps , and see their child’s location in real-time. It also has robust content filtering options, where parents can choose which websites and apps their child can access. Moreover, Family Link offers weekly and monthly reports on their child’s online activities, giving parents insight into their digital behavior.
5. How to set up Family Link?
To use Family Link, both the parent and child need to have an Android device. The parent needs to download the Family Link app from the Google Play Store, while the child will need the Family Link for children and teens app. Once downloaded, the parent can create a Family Link account and add their child’s Google account to their supervision. The app will guide parents through the set-up process, and once completed, parents can manage their child’s device remotely.
6. Other notable features of Family Link
Apart from the standard features mentioned above, Family Link also has some other notable features that make it the best free parental control app for Android. These include the ability to set bedtime for the child’s device, which will automatically lock the device at a specified time. It also has a “pause” feature, where parents can temporarily disable their child’s device during family time or study time. Family Link also has a “location sharing” feature, which allows parents to know their child’s whereabouts and set up alerts if they leave or enter a designated area.
7. Drawbacks of Family Link
While Family Link is a powerful parental control app, it does have some limitations. Firstly, it is only available for Android devices, so parents with iOS devices will have to look for alternative options. Secondly, it only works for children under the age of 13, which means it may not be suitable for older teens. Lastly, Family Link requires both the parent and child to have a Google account, which may not be feasible for all families.
8. Net Nanny
Another popular free parental control app for Android is Net Nanny. It offers a wide range of features, including web filtering, app blocking, screen time management, and location tracking. One unique feature of Net Nanny is its profanity masking, which replaces offensive words with asterisks. This can be useful for parents who want to protect their child from inappropriate language online.
9. How to set up Net Nanny?
To use Net Nanny, parents need to download the app from the Google Play Store and create an account. They can then add their child’s device to their account and customize the settings according to their preferences. Net Nanny also offers a free 14-day trial, after which parents can choose to subscribe to the service.
10. Other notable features of Net Nanny
Net Nanny offers some unique features that make it stand out from other parental control apps. These include its social media monitoring feature, which allows parents to view their child’s social media activities, including posts, messages, and friend requests. It also offers an extensive reporting system, where parents can view their child’s online activities, including the websites they visit and the apps they use.
11. Drawbacks of Net Nanny
One major drawback of Net Nanny is that it is not completely free. While it offers a 14-day trial, parents need to subscribe to the service after that to continue using the app. Moreover, the app can be a bit complicated to set up and use, making it more suitable for tech-savvy parents.
12. Kaspersky Safe Kids
Kaspersky Safe Kids is another popular parental control app for Android. It offers a wide range of features, including content filtering, app blocking, screen time management, and location tracking. One unique feature of Kaspersky Safe Kids is its “Safe Search,” which filters out inappropriate content from search engine results.
13. How to set up Kaspersky Safe Kids?
To use Kaspersky Safe Kids, parents need to download the app from the Google Play Store and create an account. They can then add their child’s device to their account and customize the settings according to their preferences. Kaspersky Safe Kids also offers a free version, but the premium version offers more features and better control.
14. Other notable features of Kaspersky Safe Kids
Apart from the standard features, Kaspersky Safe Kids also offers a “panic button” feature, which allows kids to notify their parents in case of an emergency. It also has a “battery level” feature, where parents can see their child’s device’s battery level remotely.
15. Drawbacks of Kaspersky Safe Kids
One of the main drawbacks of Kaspersky Safe Kids is that it can be expensive compared to other free parental control apps. The free version only offers limited features, and parents need to subscribe to the premium version to access all the features. Additionally, the app can be a bit complex to set up and use, making it more suitable for tech-savvy parents.
16. OurPact
OurPact is a comprehensive parental control app that offers a wide range of features, including app blocking, screen time management, location tracking, and web filtering. It also offers an “app management” feature, where parents can view the apps their child is using and how much time they spend on each app.
17. How to set up OurPact?
To use OurPact, parents need to download the app from the Google Play Store and create an account. They can then add their child’s device to their account and customize the settings according to their preferences. OurPact also offers a free version, but the premium version offers more features and better control.
18. Other notable features of OurPact
One unique feature of OurPact is its “block internet” feature, where parents can block internet access on their child’s device completely. This can be useful during bedtime or study time, ensuring that their child is not distracted by the internet. OurPact also offers a “family locator” feature, where parents can track their child’s location in real-time.
19. Drawbacks of OurPact
One of the main drawbacks of OurPact is that it is not entirely free. While it offers a free version, parents need to subscribe to the premium version to access all the features. Moreover, the app can be a bit difficult to set up and use, making it more suitable for tech-savvy parents.
20. Conclusion
In conclusion, with the increasing use of technology by kids, it is essential for parents to have a tool that can help them monitor and manage their child’s online activities. The above-mentioned parental control apps are some of the best free options available for Android devices. While each app has its unique features and drawbacks, they all serve the common purpose of keeping children safe online. It is up to parents to choose the app that best suits their needs and their child’s age and behavior. With the help of these apps, parents can have peace of mind knowing that their child is safe in the virtual world.
how to get a phone out of safe mode
Safe mode is a feature available on most smartphones that can be accessed when there is an issue with the device. It is designed to help users troubleshoot and fix problems such as app crashes, software glitches, or other issues that may arise. When a phone is in safe mode, it runs only essential system processes, disabling any third-party apps that may be causing problems. This feature is useful for resolving issues, but it can also be frustrating for users who do not know how to get their phone out of safe mode. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about safe mode and how to get a phone out of safe mode.
Understanding Safe Mode
Safe mode is a feature that has been around for a long time and is available on most smartphones, including Android and iOS devices. It is a diagnostic mode that allows the device to run only essential system processes while disabling all third-party apps. This means that if you are experiencing issues with your phone, you can boot it into safe mode to isolate the problem and troubleshoot it without any interference from third-party apps.
When a phone is in safe mode, the user interface may look slightly different, and some features may be unavailable. This is because only essential system processes are running, and all third-party apps are disabled. Safe mode is similar to the “safe boot” feature available on computers, which allows the device to boot with only necessary drivers and system files. This feature is useful when troubleshooting issues, as it helps identify if the problem is caused by a third-party app or a system issue.
Reasons Why a Phone Might be Stuck in Safe Mode
There are several reasons why a phone may get stuck in safe mode. The most common cause is a software glitch or a third-party app that is causing issues. If an app crashes continuously or causes the device to freeze, the phone may automatically boot into safe mode to prevent further problems. Another reason could be a recent software update or a system error that may have triggered the safe mode feature.
In some cases, a phone may get stuck in safe mode due to a hardware issue. If there is a problem with the power button or any other physical button, it may cause the phone to boot into safe mode. It is also possible that the phone is stuck in safe mode due to a virus or malware infection. These malicious programs can cause issues with the device, and safe mode is a way to protect the device from further damage.
How to Get a Phone Out of Safe Mode
If your phone is stuck in safe mode, there are a few methods you can try to get it back to its normal state. The steps may vary slightly depending on the device you are using, but the overall process is the same.
Method 1: Restart the Phone
The first and easiest method to get a phone out of safe mode is to restart it. This method works for most Android and iOS devices and can be done by following these steps:
Step 1: Press and hold the power button until the power menu appears.
Step 2: Tap on the “Restart” option and wait for the device to reboot.
Step 3: Once the device has restarted, check if it is still in safe mode. If not, the issue has been resolved, and you can continue using your phone as normal.
Method 2: Use the Notification Panel (Android Only)
If you have an Android device, you can also try to get your phone out of safe mode by using the notification panel. Here’s how:
Step 1: Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notification panel.
Step 2: Look for the “Safe mode” icon in the quick settings menu. If you see it, tap on it to turn it off.
Step 3: If the “Safe mode” icon is not visible, tap on the “Edit” button in the quick settings menu and drag the “Safe mode” icon to the active section.
Step 4: Once the icon is visible, tap on it to turn off safe mode.
Method 3: Force Restart the Device
If the first two methods did not work, you can try force restarting the device. This method is different for different devices, but generally, you can force restart a device by pressing and holding the power button and the volume down button for a few seconds. Consult your device’s manual for specific instructions on how to force restart your phone.
Method 4: Remove the Battery
If you have a device with a removable battery, you can try removing the battery to get your phone out of safe mode. This method is not recommended for devices with non-removable batteries, as it may cause damage to the device. If you have a device with a removable battery, follow these steps to remove it:
Step 1: Power off the device.
Step 2: Remove the back cover of the device.
Step 3: Take out the battery and wait for a few seconds.
Step 4: Reinsert the battery and put the back cover back on.
Step 5: Power on the device and check if it is still in safe mode.
Method 5: Uninstall Recently Installed Apps
If the above methods did not work, it is possible that a recently installed app is causing the issue. To troubleshoot this, you can try uninstalling any apps that you have installed recently. Here’s how:
Step 1: Go to the “Settings” menu on your device.
Step 2: Tap on “Apps” or “Applications.”
Step 3: Look for the app you installed recently and tap on it.
Step 4: Tap on the “Uninstall” button and follow the on-screen instructions to remove the app.
Step 5: Restart your device and check if it is still in safe mode.
Method 6: Factory Reset the Device
If none of the methods mentioned above work, you can try factory resetting your device. This method will erase all data on your device, so it should only be used as a last resort. To factory reset your device, follow these steps:
Step 1: Go to the “Settings” menu on your device.
Step 2: Tap on “System” or “General Management.”
Step 3: Tap on “Reset” or “Reset options.”
Step 4: Select “Erase all data (factory reset).”
Step 5: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the factory reset.
Step 6: Once the process is complete, check if your device is still in safe mode.
Conclusion
Safe mode is a useful feature that helps users troubleshoot and fix problems with their phones. It can be accessed easily, but getting a phone out of safe mode can be a bit tricky. In this article, we discussed everything you need to know about safe mode and how to get a phone out of safe mode. If your device is stuck in safe mode, try the methods mentioned above, and one of them should help you resolve the issue. If none of the methods work, it is possible that there is a hardware issue with your device, and you should take it to a professional for further assistance.