Problematic internet content is a massive problem in today’s world: Kids are being exposed to pornography at younger and younger ages. But families can fight back and keep kids safe with cleverly designed parental control apps.
The majority of kids are exposed to porn by age 13, with some exposed as young as 7, according to a 2020 survey. And millions of boys and girls are learning about sex from porn.
Most of this exposure is not intended.46% of minors who said they had watched porn were first exposed to it by accident—often as a result of pop-up images or links on social media.
These statistics are sobering and concerning. Exposure to porn increases the likelihood that adolescents view women as sex objects. Studies show 88% of top-rated porn scenes contain physical aggression, so that is becoming normalized in the minds of impressionable young people.
The good news is that parents and educators have some great resources available to keep young people safe. All parents should know about these 3 parental control apps that can help keep kids safe online.
1Canopy
Canopy is an internet filter and porn blocker that automatically scans every website and instantly blocks any that contain explicit images or videos.
If a website contains a mixture of appropriate and inappropriate content, Canopy automatically detects and blocks the bad stuff without blocking the good—even within a single webpage. Inappropriate images are replaced with white rectangles. The app can block sexual content in text messages as well.
Canopy’s most basic plan starts at $7.99/month.
2Bark
Bark’s dashboard monitors text messages, YouTube, emails, and 30+ different social networks for safety concerns. However, it does not block inappropriate images, but only alerts the parent about the images.
Bark uses an algorithm to alert parents when it detects potential threats or signs of danger, such as cyberbullying, internet predators, depression, suicidal thoughts, or sexting. Their website says,
“Parents trust Bark because it uses advanced technologies to alert them to potential online dangers without them reading through all of their child’s online activities, preserving their valuable time (and sanity). Kids like Bark because they are free to continue their daily digital lives without their parents constantly peering over their shoulders.”
Bark’s most basic plan starts at $5/month.
3Net Nanny
Net Nanny includes top-rated parental control software and internet filters, effectively blocking apps and websites. It allows users to tailor screen time and set specific hours of the day for going online.
Its features include instant reporting of online searches and real-time alerts on content related to pornography, suicide, weapons, and drugs.
Net Nanny’s most basic plan starts at $39.99/year.
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