โ“Your Question

What's the best iOS app for monitoring my teen's online activity without constant surveillance?

Bark is perfect for this. It scans texts and social media for risks like bullying or explicit content, sending alerts only when issues arise to maintain privacy.

teen monitoringonline safetyparental controlsBarkprivacy balance2025
Bark is a parental control app that focuses on detecting potential online dangers in children's digital communications while aiming to preserve their autonomy. It monitors text messages, emails, and over 30 social media platforms, including Instagram and Snapchat, for indicators of cyberbullying, depression, violence, or sexual content. Parents receive alerts only when concerning material is flagged, reducing the need for manual checks. For instance, if a teen encounters harmful language in a group chat, Bark can notify a parent for timely discussion. The app also offers screen time scheduling, web filtering, and location tracking. However, some users report occasional bugs with schedule-based controls, such as phones not turning off at set times, which can disrupt family routines. Reviews indicate that while many appreciate the balanced approach to safety and privacy, others express concerns about data access and the potential for over-reliance on automated scanning. Despite these limitations, Bark is widely recommended for its proactive alert system and comprehensive coverage. It's particularly useful for parents of adolescents who seek to foster trust while addressing online risks. The subscription model provides ongoing updates, though costs may vary, and setup requires installation on both parent and child devices. In real-world use, Bark helps mitigate parental anxiety by filtering routine activity, but open communication about its role remains crucial for maintaining healthy digital habits.

Key Features

Multi-platform content monitoring for safety risks
Selective alert system to minimize privacy intrusion
Screen time and web filtering controls
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We love my sonโ€™s Bark phone. It allows him to enjoy all the upsides of having a phone, and it only notifies me if thereโ€™s an issue, so his privacy is preserved.

โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…Verified User Review
iOSUpdated Dec 25, 2025
Bark - Parental Controls icon

Bark - Parental Controls

by Bark Technologies, Inc.

โ˜…4.2/ 5.0
Get on App Store โ†’

Screenshots

Bark - Parental Controls screenshot 1
Bark - Parental Controls screenshot 2
Bark - Parental Controls screenshot 3

+4 more screenshots

Platform

iOS