Parental Control Online: Why Monitoring Apps Need a Reboot

Parents in the U.S. are increasingly facing digital threats that lurk online for their children. According to a survey by the University of Michigan, adults' primary concerns revolve around social media, screen time, and online safety. Studies show that nearly half of teenagers have experienced cyberbullying, while criminals exploit online platforms to sell counterfeit drugs and engage in sexual exploitation.

To protect their children, many parents use built-in control tools like Apple Screen Time and Google Family Link, as well as third-party apps such as Life360, which tracks a child's location. However, more adults are opting for stricter measures—content monitoring apps that scan messages, photos, and online activity, alerting parents to potential threats.

The market for such apps is growing rapidly: in 2025, its volume was estimated at $1.57 billion, with projections to nearly triple by 2034. Market leader Bark Technologies analyzed 11 billion messages from 7.5 million children last year. The app helped prevent hundreds of suicides and crimes but also drew criticism for false positives, privacy violations, and undermining trust between parents and children.

Experts propose alternative approaches. One involves tightening safety measures on platforms themselves to reduce risks for children. Another focuses on building resilience in teens, teaching them to recognize threats and seek help. Researchers are developing tools that not only monitor but also help children and parents foster trusting relationships.

As a digital safety expert notes, "If safety is defined as the absence of risk, the only solution is to ban children from using the internet. But if the goal is to teach them to protect themselves and engage with the world, the solutions will be different."