Tools to help protect your family.

An open internet can be unsafe for children, and parenting in this digital age is difficult. These are some tools for parents to help control unwanted content and assist in providing a safe internet for you and your family.

If you run into something that you think we should add, please let us know at protect@fellowshipknox.org

Remember

Restrictive apps and programs on your children’s devices are great tools to protect them, but they are just that: tools. You still need to educate your children about appropriate content.

All Mac (iOS & Mac OS) Households

FILTERING
For all Mac households we suggest using OpenDNS to filter your whole network. Then use the builtin iOS Restrictions to filter the device as well as block access to songs, podcasts, and videos based on MPAA ratings. If you prefer not to use apple builtin filter we suggest K9 for an on device safe browser.

TIME LIMITING
Intego Family Protector and ParentKit are both good options to help shut down devices during specific time periods or lock specific apps.

iTouch, iPhone, iPad

Apple Official iOS Systems - Parental Controls

Unofficial Walkthrough of Each Setting

Android Parental Controls

Parental Controls Walkthrough

Pros

Free
56 Categories of Filtering
Filters every device on your whole network

Cons

Filter is on your home network not on the individual devices
Requires some technical knowledge to ensure tech savvy kids can’t get around it (See this link https://support.opendns.com/entries/26374985-Preventing-circumvention-of-OpenDNS-with-firewall-rules about locking this down)

https://store.opendns.com/get/home-free

Pros

One of the only iOS apps that actually limits kids time and functionality
Allows you to schedule when and which apps kids can use
Allows you to control media based on age and rating
Includes a filtered web browser

Cons

$60 yearly subscription
Child can delete the restrictive profile. (Parent is alerted on Monitoring app)
Apps will be removed from folders and placed alphabetically
Much of what this app controls can be setup with Apples pre-existing parental control options (Scheduling and a filtered browser are the main feature added by this app)

http://www.intego.com/family-protector

Pros

One of the only iOS apps that actually limits kids time and functionality
Allows you to schedule when and which apps kids can use
Allows you to control media based on age and rating

Cons

$40 yearly subscription
Child can delete the restrictive profile. (Parent is alerted on Monitoring app by change in icon)
Apps will be removed from folders and placed alphabetically
Much of what this app controls can be setup with Apples pre-existing parental control options (Scheduling is the main feature added by this app)
Does not include a filtered web browser

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/parentkit-parental-controls/id600618138?mt=8

K9 works by replacing your existing browser with a filtered safe browser. They are predominantly known for their desktop browser, but have also release iOS and Android safe browsers.

Pros

Free
Live filtering
70 categories of filtering

Cons

iOS and Android versions are not as streamlined as their desktop app

http://www1.k9webprotection.com/

Windows and Android Homes

FILTERING
We suggest OpenDNS to filter your whole network, or if you prefer on device filters use Mobicip or K9 Web Protection.

TIME LIMITING
To help establish healthy screen time boundaries we suggest using Dinnertime Plus which allows you to limit access to specific apps, set daily time limits, and even lock out the device.

iTouch, iPhone, iPad

Apple Official iOS Systems - Parental Controls

Unofficial Walkthrough of Each Setting

Android Parental Controls

Parental Controls Walkthrough

Pros

Free
56 Categories of Filtering
Filters every device on your whole network

Cons

Filter is on your home network not on the individual devices
Requires some technical knowledge to ensure tech savvy kids can’t get around it (See this link https://support.opendns.com/entries/26374985-Preventing-circumvention-of-OpenDNS-with-firewall-rules about locking this down)

https://store.opendns.com/get/home-free

Pros

One of the only iOS apps that actually limits kids time and functionality
Allows you to schedule when and which apps kids can use
Allows you to control media based on age and rating
Includes a filtered web browser

Cons

$60 yearly subscription
Child can delete the restrictive profile. (Parent is alerted on Monitoring app)
Apps will be removed from folders and placed alphabetically
Much of what this app controls can be setup with Apples pre-existing parental control options (Scheduling and a filtered browser are the main feature added by this app)

http://www.intego.com/family-protector

Pros

Free for 2 child devices or $3.99 one time purchase for up to 5 devices as well as detailed reporting about which apps are used the most
Control Schedule anytime, anywhere
Daily Schedule for Study Time, Dinner Time, and Bed Time
Lock Specific Apps
Parental Control app available for iOS, Android, and Kindle
Child App

Cons

No child app for iOS, only parent app

http://www.dinnertimeapp.com/

Pros

One of the only iOS apps that actually limits kids time and functionality
Allows you to schedule when and which apps kids can use
Allows you to control media based on age and rating

Cons

$40 yearly subscription
Child can delete the restrictive profile. (Parent is alerted on Monitoring app by change in icon)
Apps will be removed from folders and placed alphabetically
Much of what this app controls can be setup with Apples pre-existing parental control options (Scheduling is the main feature added by this app)
Does not include a filtered web browser

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/parentkit-parental-controls/id600618138?mt=8

Mobicip has multiple levels of features. The Basic (Free) portion includes web filtering via a safe browser for iOS and Android and a filter placed on desktop and laptop computers.

The Premium level 39.99/year covers 5 devices and adds multiple features including browser history reports, time limits, accountability, and more.

Pros

Free features are useful
Covers all platforms
Premium cost is reasonable

Cons

Premium features include some features that come free in some softwares

http://www.mobicip.com/

K9 works by replacing your existing browser with a filtered safe browser. They are predominantly known for their desktop browser, but have also release iOS and Android safe browsers.

Pros

Free
Live filtering
70 categories of filtering

Cons

iOS and Android versions are not as streamlined as their desktop app

http://www1.k9webprotection.com/