7 Best Cloud-Based Parental Control Software
By: Janet Paterson
Tags: Parental Control, Cloud Computing, Parents, Kids, Kids And Tech

Photo by Marta Wave on Pexels

Modern kids are advanced users of the Internet and gadgets, and as a result, it’s hard for parents to keep things under control when it comes to kids’ web browsing, texting, surfing the Net, and signing up on doubtful platforms. You’ll ask me why at all one needs to control kids’ online activities. Unfortunately, the Net is full of dangers that can influence childrens’ worldview and behaviour.

Multiple surveys show that a majority of modern teens have already experienced cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is a widespread issue and manifests itself in many different ways, including offensive name-calling, spreading false rumours, and even physical threats. Instagram, Reddit, Facebook, and Snapchat are the most favourite mediums for bullies since these platforms can’t do enough to protect kids from negative interactions.

Besides, online strangers prefer using social media to lure teens into sexual conversations and even face-to-face meetings. According to the Center for Cyber Safety and Education, 40% of kids aged 4–8 reported they chatted online with a stranger. It’s worth noting that some platforms truly care about youngsters’ Internet safety. For instance, Instagram has recently added a new feature that will forbid adults to send messages to people under 18 who don’t follow them. However, this measure won’t clear the platform from all strangers, so we must always be alert.

Photo by Marta Wave on Pexels

Other than that, there are many media files with violent scenes, adult content, gambling ads across the web. It’s pretty easy to find any data online that can be harmful for the younger generation. Social media like TikTok contain many weird and dangerous challenges that kids are eager to repeat to gain popularity among peers. New marginal trends like so-cold “trash-streaming” keep appearing on the web, and it’s hard to believe that the situation will get better in the future.

So, is there a way a parent can protect a child from online dangers? First of all, it’s a good Internet safety education. A child must know how to act if a stranger starts chatting with them or in case they’re bullied on social media. Many problems can be resolved if a kid informs parents of the danger before it becomes a disaster. But what should a parent do if the kid is shy and secretive and doesn’t share what they’re doing online? This is where parental control software comes into play. In this article, we’ll look at the best parental control solutions and check how they can help us keep things under control.

Quick Note: Why Cloud-Based Services?

Cloud apps are easy to install;

they are flexible;

allow remote tracking from any device;

the recorded data is strongly protected and backed up;

such solutions offer automatic updates.

KidInspector Facebook Tracking

KidInspector is the best cloud-based parental control software by far. It gives you a complete overview of kids’ online and offline activities thanks to advanced monitoring features. With this cloud service, remote tracking of kids is a piece of cake. The point is that parents can track their beloved ones on the go from any device since all the data comes to a secure online account. Now, on the main features:

Social media tracking allows monitoring what your kids are texting about on Viber, Skype, WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram, and other popular messengers. This feature comes in extremely helpful when protecting a kid from cyberbullies and online predators.

allows monitoring what your kids are texting about on Viber, Skype, WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram, and other popular messengers. This feature comes in extremely helpful when protecting a kid from cyberbullies and online predators. Web browsing tracking & URL blocking enables you to prevent children from inappropriate content and check what they are up to. You can block the whole categories of websites (gambling, adult content, online shopping, etc.) or particular links.

enables you to prevent children from inappropriate content and check what they are up to. You can block the whole categories of websites (gambling, adult content, online shopping, etc.) or particular links. Application monitoring is a lifesaver when you want to find out how much time your children spend in particular apps and if they’re screen-addicted.

is a lifesaver when you want to find out how much time your children spend in particular apps and if they’re screen-addicted. Webcam and mic recording lets parents learn more about the kids’ offline activities; for instance, you can learn what your child is gossiping about when sitting near the gadget.

lets parents learn more about the kids’ offline activities; for instance, you can learn what your child is gossiping about when sitting near the gadget. Hidden mode, i.e. the application is invisible for the target user.

Other than that, KidInspector broadcasts a computer screen in real-time, records all keystrokes, search queries, visited websites, and takes snapshots. The app is suitable for macOS and Windows and offers another interesting solution for Android and iPhone.

Spyrix Instagram Monitoring

The beauty of Spyrix is a smooth installation and convenient online dashboard designed with parents in mind. To view the recorded data, you can either open the program on the target device or go to your online account and check new logs remotely. It is also possible to get new reports via email, local area network, and FTP. The company offers a 24/7 support and money-back guarantee in case the app has any technical issues. The main features include:

Remote settings allowing you to remove the program without access to the gadget. You can also apply monitoring settings as per your needs, for example, webcam recordings or IMs for tracking.

allowing you to remove the program without access to the gadget. You can also apply monitoring settings as per your needs, for example, webcam recordings or IMs for tracking. Spyrix also captures activity on social networks for you to keep an eye on kids’ online interactions. Monitored platforms include Twitter, Facebook, Skype, Viber, etc.

for you to keep an eye on kids’ online interactions. Monitored platforms include Twitter, Facebook, Skype, Viber, etc. Search engine tracking monitors search queries in the most popular web browsers like Yahoo, Google, Bing, and more. Found a suspicious website in the browsing history? No worries! It’s possible to add any unwanted URL to a blacklist.

monitors search queries in the most popular web browsers like Yahoo, Google, Bing, and more. Found a suspicious website in the browsing history? No worries! It’s possible to add any unwanted URL to a blacklist. Screenshot capturing is a perfect feature to have a vivid picture of what your child is doing during the day. The program makes screenshots at all important events (window change, right-clicking, etc.).

is a perfect feature to have a vivid picture of what your child is doing during the day. The program makes screenshots at all important events (window change, right-clicking, etc.). Screen recording is a continuous recording of the desktop with all user activities. It is an add-on and is purchased separately.

The cloud-based parental control app is hidden from the computer user, so they don’t guess they’re being monitored. Besides, parents can view kids’ activities in a live mode. My favourite add-on is call recording that tracks all conversations on social networks. The app costs as little as $4 per user per month and is compatible with Windows and macOS.

Actual Keylogger Parental Control

Actual Keylogger is a fantastic cloud-based tracking app with a reasonable price. The nicest thing about the keylogger is the simplicity of use. The app offers a desktop and online version; both are powerful and allow tracking any user activity in real-time. Though Actual Keylogger is not as popular as the above-mentioned cloud solutions, it’s undoubtedly worth trying. As for the primary functions:

Monitoring of IMs such as Facebook, Viber, Facetime, Skype, etc. Reading kids’ online chats may help you identify unwanted contacts and eliminate them before such interactions become a real problem.

such as Facebook, Viber, Facetime, Skype, etc. Reading kids’ online chats may help you identify unwanted contacts and eliminate them before such interactions become a real problem. Website blocking keeps your beloved ones safe and secure since it blocks their access to gambling, online shopping, violent games, dating sites, and more.

keeps your beloved ones safe and secure since it blocks their access to gambling, online shopping, violent games, dating sites, and more. Webcam live viewing is an exciting option that turns the target computer into a surveillance tool. It lets you check what’s going on at home when you’re not present.

is an exciting option that turns the target computer into a surveillance tool. It lets you check what’s going on at home when you’re not present. Tracking of search engines to check what content your kids access across the web.

to check what content your kids access across the web. Application activity recording that helps you detect unwanted programs.

that helps you detect unwanted programs. Keylogging captures all keystrokes on Windows devices.

captures all keystrokes on Windows devices. Remote access to the recorded logs. I prefer using an online account when I view the data, but you can also select FTP, LAN, and email. It’s also possible to open the program on a PC and check the data locally.

To make things even better, you can hide the program and protect it with a password or a hotkey. By the way, password protection is indispensable for parental control apps since modern kids are all techies and can easily guess how to block such an app. So you’d better hide any parental control from youngsters. The app is intended for Windows and macOS tracking.

mSpy SMS Monitoring

mSpy is a reliable solution that protects your most valuable treasure. The application is cloud-based and records iOS and Android activities. It’s often called the best mobile spy app due to the powerful features. mSpy doesn’t require jailbreak or root and physical access to your child’s smartphone. Parents can see all the data remotely in their cloud-based account. The main functions:

Most calling contacts and call logs — check who your child interacts with most often and decide if you approve of the relationship.

and call logs — check who your child interacts with most often and decide if you approve of the relationship. GPS location shows where your kid is located. It’s also possible to enable GPS fencing and get alerts if your kid leaves safe locations or enters forbidden ones.

shows where your kid is located. It’s also possible to enable GPS fencing and get alerts if your kid leaves safe locations or enters forbidden ones. The app always controls social media so you could detect any suspicious strangers and protect your kid.

so you could detect any suspicious strangers and protect your kid. Web history tracking spots what content your children access online.

spots what content your children access online. Media files monitoring is a great feature to understand how your kid spends free time with classmates and friends.

is a great feature to understand how your kid spends free time with classmates and friends. Background mode — the app is hidden from the user and doesn’t influence the device performance.

— the app is hidden from the user and doesn’t influence the device performance. Installed app tracking — helps to identify unproductive apps.

According to the vendor, the data is encrypted and vigorously protected. What I like about mSpy is their multilingual 24/7 support. Installation takes up to 10 minutes, so you don’t need to be tech-savvy to use this app.

Qustodio Screen Limits

Qustodio comes with multiple powerful features that make your kids’ screen time healthy. Supervising teens’ device use is deadly easy with this cloud-based service since the web account shows all the recorded data from all monitored devices. The online panel is a delight to use, thanks to the design and simplicity. Designed to solve parents’ concerns, the app offers:

Automatic web filtering . Inappropriate content is blocked even in private browsing mode.

. Inappropriate content is blocked even in private browsing mode. Screen time limits to protect your child from screen addiction. You can limit kids’ screen time across all their devices.

to protect your child from screen addiction. You can limit kids’ screen time across all their devices. Social messenger tracking for managing time spent on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, and more.

for managing time spent on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, and more. Games and apps blocking.

Multiple devices support provides you with the ability to view logs from all family devices in one place.

Unlike other apps from the list, this service is suitable for all operating systems, including even Chromebooks. This cloud-based solution is a perfect choice for tracking all family gadgets.

Known as an award-winning parental control app, Norton provides adults with the data they need to make their kids safe and focused while surfing the Net. Thanks to the tools that help youngsters get rid of online distractions, it's also useful for homeschooling. Norton makes the Net a safer place for kids and teens since it allows blocking inappropriate content. Parents can change any settings of the app from a cloud portal. The major features include:

Screen time limits to schedule the use of every device.

to schedule the use of every device. Search queries control , i.e. parents can quickly check what their beloved ones are searching for and guess what they are up to.

, i.e. parents can quickly check what their beloved ones are searching for and guess what they are up to. YouTube video monitoring captures all videos your kids watch on this platform and allows checking a snippet of a video.

captures all videos your kids watch on this platform and allows checking a snippet of a video. Lock mode helps parents instantly lock the kid’s device and make them take a break.

helps parents instantly lock the kid’s device and make them take a break. Location tracking to stay informed of where your children are.

to stay informed of where your children are. Mobile app for parents to track all kids’ activities on the go from a smartphone.

Norton Family is compatible with iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS and costs $49 per year. It will suit your needs if your child uses multiple devices and you want to keep an eye on all activities from one account.

Cocospy GPS Tracking

This cloud-based app keeps tabs on what matters to you and guards kids’ safety 24/7, remotely, and 100% discreetly. The service is suitable for smartphones and tablets with Android and iOS. Its cutting-edge tracking features provide adults with a comprehensive picture of kids’ online and offline activities. It is possible thanks to:

WhatsApp tracking enables you to read individual and group chats and check shared media files;

enables you to read individual and group chats and check shared media files; Call logs — taking a sneak peek at call data may tell you much about kids closest people and spot unwanted acquaintances.

— taking a sneak peek at call data may tell you much about kids closest people and spot unwanted acquaintances. Invisible mode lets parents keep an eye on kids’ activity secretly.

lets parents keep an eye on kids’ activity secretly. SMS tracking allows reading incoming and outgoing messages, viewing deleted texts, and browsing MMS media files.

allows reading incoming and outgoing messages, viewing deleted texts, and browsing MMS media files. Facebook recording without rooting. With Cocospy, you can read all FB messages and view group chats as well.

without rooting. With Cocospy, you can read all FB messages and view group chats as well. GPS monitoring makes it possible to check geographical coordinates and address and understand where your kid is located.

makes it possible to check geographical coordinates and address and understand where your kid is located. An online account that adults use to track kids’ activities on the go from any device.

Cocospy offers a demo version of an online account with an example of how recorded data is represented in the account. Navigation in the web account is as easy as ABC, so you won’t face any troubles here.

Overall, cloud computing makes parental control solutions more convenient and flexible for parents and allows remote recording of any activities. When choosing a cloud-based app for your parental control needs, pay attention to your device’s compatibility, features, and subscription plan. Ensure that the company and the app are reliable and the cloud space with the data is strongly protected.