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This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for a UK audience.

We all have the best intentions when it comes to keeping kids entertained – outdoor activities, board games, sports classes, chopping wood – but it doesn’t always work out that way. The screens are too handy and easy. Not to mention that parents are generally exhausted by the reality of the work week and, goodparenting.

Indeed, it’s only a matter of time before you turn to technology to save the day. Nothing captures a child’s attention like a desktop, tablet, laptopor mobile and you can’t do anything about it. It’s time to accept it. And let’s be honest: modern children have never known a world without the Internet and screens.

The problem, of course, is that the Internet is full of dangers for children, including explicit material, bullying and cybercriminals. Fortunately, there is a solution in the form of parental control software. If that sounds a little new and scary, here’s a quick rundown and a selection of the best options for keeping your kids safe.

What is parental control software?

In the simplest terms, it’s software that helps you manage all the devices your kids use and how they use them. It’s all about making sure the online world is a safe space for your kids to explore. Although you should talk to your little ones about the importance of safety before letting them loose online or deploying any software.

How does parental control software work?

Parental control software allows you to monitor your child’s phone, tablet or computer through an app. You can monitor internet searches and browsing history, as well as block inappropriate apps (or block apps that distract you during homework) or even limit device usage. It’s less invasive than physically going through the phone or computer. And when kids know their activity is being tracked or managed, they’re more likely to practice better cyber safety habits.

What is a safe amount of screen time for kids?

It’s easy to get caught up in scares during kids’ screen time. It’s not the end of the world if kids have more screens than their parents would like, and parents should give themselves a break when it comes to relieving the stress of parenting with a little screen time. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests very limited screen time for children under the age of two, one hour per day between the ages of two and five and two hours between the ages of five and eight. Additionally, it’s important to talk to your child about responsible screen use. Problems associated with too much screen time include weight gain, sleep problems and general inactivity.

What is geofencing?

Parental control software can also help keep an eye on your child when they’re not at home. Although most have GPS and some sort of basic “Where’s my kid?” As a feature, only a few software options offer geofencing, which is a big help for parents juggling multiple kids’ schedules.

This location-based service allows you to set virtual boundaries around where a child should or should not be, as well as a specific time when the child should be there. Let’s say your child goes straight from school to a sports practice three times a week. The geofencing feature will monitor their phone’s location and alert you if your child doesn’t show up in the designated area on time. Teenagers may actually enjoy not being bombarded with “Where are you?” the texts. Geofencing can also be used to monitor web time when your child is in a designated location. For example, some parents may turn off games or social media during school hours.

What is the best parental control software?

There are plenty of parental control software options to consider, with something for every family. We’ve researched everything on offer and lined up a selection of the best services, including software from big names like Kaspersky, Qustodioand Norton. We’ve basically done all the hard work for you.

These are the best parental control software options for 2024.