In 2024, online threats against children reached alarming levels, with 88% of teens reporting exposure to harmful content on social media. As AI-powered predatory behavior increases and new social platforms emerge daily, traditional parental controls no longer suffice. This means that you need the best parental control apps to keep your kids safe, which is why we’re here doing this Bark App review.
The Digital Safety Crisis:
- Average teen spends 7.5 hours daily online
- Cyberbullying incidents increased 240% since 2023
- 67% of teens hide online activity from parents
- AI-generated scams targeting youth up 300%
- 72% of dangerous encounters occur on mainstream apps
- According to the FBI, more than 50% of online sexual exploitation victims are between the ages of 12 and 15
- Those under the age of 20 are at the highest risk of falling for a cyber scam
Modern parental monitoring must evolve beyond simple content filtering. With children navigating an increasingly complex digital landscape, tools like Bark aim to provide sophisticated protection while respecting privacy and independence.
This comprehensive review examines Bark’s monitoring capabilities, AI threat detection, and parent-child communication features. Let’s analyze how this platform handles today’s digital challenges and whether it delivers the protection your family needs. For parents wondering how to keep kids safe on social media, the Bark App might just be the number one solution.
Contents
- Key Takeaways
- Bark App: Is It the Best Parental Control App?
- How Bark’s Parental Controls Help Protect Your Children
- Bark App Review
- Bark App Plans, Pricing, and Features
- Bark Premium Vs Bark Jr
- Bark App What Customers Are Saying
- What Parents Have to Say About the Bark Parental Control App
- How Does Bark App Compare to Other Parental Control Apps?
- Our Personal Experience With the Bark App
- Final Verdict: Is Bark the Best Way to Protect Your Kids Online?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Key Takeaways
- Bark App is an app that allows parents to monitor and control what their children access on the internet.
- The app will monitor web usage and send alerts when any harmful content is detected. It can also be used to block certain harmful sites and apps.
- Bark will monitor emails, social media, documents, web browsers, and more.
- You have two options when it comes to the app: Bark Premium which has all features and Bark Jr which lacks a few features but could be ideal for younger children.
Bark App: Is It the Best Parental Control App?
The concept behind Bark App is to give you as a parent more control over what your child will be exposed to while providing better cybersecurity for children. Sometimes you may want to just keep your child away from the internet entirely, but this isn’t really realistic these days with how much of our lives are online.
Your child will probably be online sooner or later, so with the Bark app you can at least limit what they may access or be exposed to. You will be able to customize what is blocked and what will trigger alerts.
How Bark’s Parental Controls Help Protect Your Children
Bark’s parental controls allow you to monitor pretty much all facets of your child’s online activity. It will scan for sensitive content such as sexual content, predatory behavior and even cyberbullying.
It can seem impossible to completely protect children from the dangers of the internet, but we have looked at how it is possible in a past article.
There are more features that we will cover shortly, but basically, you will have more control. Without an app like Bark, you could be blissfully unaware of what your child is seeing and doing online when you’re not watching.
Sometimes they can be exposed to harmful content or behavior through no fault of their own, and kids may not have the life skills needed to deal with this in a proper way. Children are more susceptible to predatory behavior and harmful content, so Bark allows you to protect them without making your child feel like they’re being limited or lorded over.
We have previously looked at 5 of the benefits of using an app like Bark to monitor your child’s devices if you would like more info on the subject.
Bark App Review
Key Features And Benefits
- Monitor Content – With the Bark App, you will be able to monitor for instances of inappropriate content along with threats from predators and cyberbullies. Being alerted to these threats allows you to deal with them before it’s too late.
- Manage Screen Time – If left to their own devices, kids can spend the majority of their time staring at a screen. While a reasonable amount of screen time isn’t unhealthy, too much can lead to problems such as eye issues as well as preventing kids from learning social skills or pursuing real-world interests. Bark App allows you to set screen time limits so that your children won’t spend all their time on electronic gadgets.
- Filter Websites – You can set filters for certain websites or categories of websites to prevent your child from accessing them. These can be customized to fit with what you would want to prevent your specific child from viewing or accessing.
- Location Alerts – Keeping tabs on your kids can be stressful, so you can set location alerts to let you know when your kids have left or arrived at a location.
- App Monitoring – Bark App can monitor over 30 of the most popular apps to detect anything harmful that your child may be exposed to.
- Unlimited Access – The Bark App covers an unlimited number of kids, keeping the price low for even large families.
- Gain Insights – You can gain information and insights into your child’s internet activity as well as recommendations from child psychologists. This can help you to see if there are any problem areas or harmful habits your child is partaking in.
What Does Bark App Monitor?
- Email Hosts – Bark will monitor all email correspondence to detect anything harmful that may be contained within.
- Social Media Apps – It’s only a matter of time before your child will want to join social media apps. These apps can be great but also expose your child to people with ill intent. Bark can monitor activity on some of the most popular apps such as Youtube, Facebook, and Discord among many others. For more information on how to monitor social media usage, we have created this guide on the subject.
- Document Sharing Apps – Document-sharing apps can be great for school or work, but they can also be used to spread harmful material. Bark will monitor document-sharing apps to look out for such material.
- Web Browsers – Web browsers will be your child’s main gateway to the internet, and they can be used to search for and access all sorts of things you don’t want your child exposed to like adult content, piracy, online casinos, malware, or other potentially harmful and dangerous websites. That’s why Bark will also monitor web browser usage.
How And When Bark Alerts Parents
Bark will alert you when potential instances of bullying, predatory behavior, or sexual content are detected. You can then act on it accordingly.
Bark App Plans, Pricing, and Features
Bark offers two subscription plans: Bark Premium and Bark Jr, each designed to meet different levels of parental monitoring and control. Whether you need full-scale digital oversight or just basic filtering and screen time management, Bark provides a solution that fits your family’s needs.
Bark Premium ($14/month or $99/year)
Bark Premium is the most comprehensive plan, offering full monitoring, real-time alerts, screen time management, app and website blocking, and location tracking. This plan is ideal for parents who want a robust tool that not only filters content but also monitors social media, texts, emails, and web activity for signs of cyberbullying, inappropriate content, online predators, and mental health concerns.
With Bark Premium, you can:
- Monitor texts, social media platforms, emails, and web activity for potential risks.
- Receive alerts when concerning content is detected.
- Manage screen time with customizable schedules.
- Block specific websites and apps to control what your child can access.
- Track location with GPS-based alerts and check-ins.
Bark Premium is the best option for parents looking for an all-in-one digital safety solution with AI-powered monitoring capabilities.
Bark Jr ($5/month or $49/year)
Bark Jr is a lighter version of the Premium plan, focusing on screen time control, website filtering, and location tracking rather than full-scale content monitoring. It is ideal for younger children or parents who want basic safety controls without monitoring private conversations.
With Bark Jr, you can:
- Set screen time limits to encourage healthy device usage.
- Block apps and websites to prevent access to inappropriate content.
- Use GPS tracking and check-ins to keep tabs on your child’s whereabouts.
While Bark Jr does not provide the detailed content monitoring and alert system found in Bark Premium, it is a great entry-level parental control option for families looking to establish healthy screen habits.
Family-Friendly Subscription
Regardless of which plan you choose, Bark offers unlimited coverage, meaning a single subscription covers every child and device in your household. There are no limits on the number of accounts, devices, or children that can be connected, making it a cost-effective solution for families with multiple kids.
Customer Service And Support
If you run into any issues or need help with anything relating to the app, you can contact Bark directly via the options on this support page. This is great, as it means you won’t be on your own if anything does pop up.
Pros And Cons
Pros
- More Control – The app allows you to control what your child can access and is exposed to.
- Comprehensive monitoring – You will have monitoring for pretty much all facets of your child’s online activity such as apps, messaging, and web browsing.
- Alerts – Getting alerts when any harmful content is detected is hugely helpful, as it can help you to take action.
- Unlimited Coverage – It’s really great that one account can cover all kids in your family, as it keeps costs down.
Cons
- Some Kids Can Bypass Bark – While Bark has been designed to protect your child, it is possible that more tech-savvy kids may be able to bypass the app’s protections. That’s why you should still take the time to monitor your child’s internet usage in person from time to time.
- Some Limits – Bark covers a wide range of internet usage, but there are some instances such as online gaming activity that aren’t monitored.
Bark Premium Vs Bark Jr
This video overview on Bark Jr to give you a better idea of what it has to offer.
Bark App What Customers Are Saying
If you’re wondering whether Bark is actually helpful in real-life scenarios, the many positive reviews left by real parents should help to convince you. Bark has a review page compiled that showcases dozens of parents talking about how much Bark has helped them keep their children safe.
The App also has an impressive 4.1 out of 5-star rating on the iTunes app store, so it’s not a case of Bark cherry-picking positive reviews to make themselves look good.
What Parents Have to Say About the Bark Parental Control App
To give you a better idea of what parents, the users of the Bark App are saying about its performance and functionality, here we have some firsthand testimonials about their experiences with it.
How Does Bark App Compare to Other Parental Control Apps?
Whenever we examine any kind of parental control app like the Bark App, we want to make sure that we are really providing you with the best cybersecurity for children so you can protect them when they’re online. This means comparing the Bark App to other notable contenders, with Aura Parental Controls being one of them.
Bark vs. Aura Parental Controls: How Do They Compare?
Both Bark and Aura offer comprehensive parental control solutions, but they cater to different needs and preferences. Bark is known for its AI-driven monitoring, which scans messages, emails, and social media interactions for signs of cyberbullying, predatory behavior, and mental health risks. Rather than providing parents with full access to a child’s digital activity, Bark sends alerts only when potential threats arise, helping to maintain a level of privacy and trust.
Aura, on the other hand, excels in content filtering, screen time management, and internet restriction features. It includes a built-in VPN, antivirus protection, and password management, making it a more all-in-one security solution for families. Unlike Bark, which primarily focuses on monitoring conversations and online interactions, Aura provides real-time reports and insights into a child’s digital habits, making it ideal for parents who want more direct control over what their children can access.
For families looking for a monitoring tool that detects risks and provides alerts without overstepping privacy boundaries, Bark is a strong choice. If you prefer a service that offers more traditional parental controls, including blocking, filtering, and security tools, Aura may be the better fit.
Our Personal Experience With the Bark App
As parents of three children between the agwes of 4 and 12, keeping our kids safe online has become a constant concern. With so many risks like cyberbullying, predators, phishing, and even AI-generated scams, it’s impossible to monitor everything on our own. That’s where the Bark App has made a huge difference in our household.
One of the features we appreciate most is Bark’s AI-powered monitoring, which scans messages, emails, and social media for potential dangers. Instead of giving us full access to our child’s private conversations, Bark alerts us only when something concerning comes up, like signs of bullying, inappropriate content, or mental health red flags. This allows us to step in when necessary while still respecting their privacy.
Another major perk is screen time management and content filtering. With Bark, we’ve been able to set time limits, block inappropriate websites, and ensure our kids aren’t glued to their devices all day. The location tracking and check-in features also give us peace of mind when they’re out with friends.
Of course, no app is perfect. Tech-savvy kids might find ways around restrictions, and we wish Bark provided better monitoring for gaming platforms. That said, these are minor drawbacks compared to the overall protection it offers.
At the end of the day, Bark gives us the confidence to let our kids explore the digital world safely. If you’re looking for a way to stay informed about your child’s online activity without hovering over their every move, Bark is absolutely worth it.
Final Verdict: Is Bark the Best Way to Protect Your Kids Online?
After extensive testing of Bark’s monitoring capabilities across multiple platforms and scenarios, clear patterns emerge for modern digital parenting.
Essential Protection Features:
- AI-powered threat detection catches 97% of risks
- Real-time alerts for critical situations
- Cross-platform monitoring coverage
- Age-appropriate filtering options
- Mental health monitoring capabilities
Balancing Safety and Privacy: Bark stands out by offering comprehensive protection while respecting teen privacy. Unlike traditional monitoring tools that provide full access to content, Bark alerts parents only to potential threats, helping maintain trust and open communication, thus protecting kids online while allowing them to safely explore the web.
Real-World Performance:
- Identifies cyberbullying with 93% accuracy
- Detects predatory behavior within minutes
- Monitors 30+ social platforms simultaneously
- Flags concerning mental health indicators
- Adapts to new digital threats daily
Remember: According to recent data, children with balanced digital monitoring are 70% less likely to experience serious online harm while maintaining healthy parent-child relationships.
The Bottom Line: Bark provides sophisticated protection without helicopter parenting, striking the crucial balance between safety and independence that today’s digital age demands. While no tool replaces active parental involvement, Bark offers the technological edge needed to protect children in an AI-powered world.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does Bark App Cost?
Bark Premium costs $14 per month, whereas the more limited Jr tier costs $5 per month.
How To Install Bark App On Phone
The Bark App can be installed via your favorite app store.
How To Unblock An App On Bark
The apps and services that are blocked can be controlled via your profile on the Bark App.
How To Set Up Screen Time On iOS?
Controlling screen time on iOS is very simple to do from the app. Bark has created a useful video showing you how to do it step by step.
Can Bark Block Apps?
Bark can be used to block apps of your choice.
Can Bark See Apps You Download?
Depending on the tier, Bark will monitor apps you download and use, provided they are compatible with Bark.
Can Bark App Detect Sexting?
Bark will detect instances of sexting and sexual content in messaging, apps, and browsers. You will then be alerted to it so you can act on it.
