Let’s talk about Bark’s Parental Controls and how they can help keep your kids safe.

It’s no secret that I am very protective of Channing’s online activity. I’ve openly talked about how we don’t want her to have her own phone yet and she has limited access to an iPad. So when I came across the Bark parental controls app I really wanted to dive deep to find out what it’s all about. An app that promises to monitor 30+ apps for signs of cyberbullying, depression, online predators, and more sounded like something I needed to explore.

Bark monitors by scanning your kid’s online activities and sending you alerts if they may be in harm’s way.

As a journalist, I have covered countless stories over the years about cyberbullying and the negative impact unfettered access to social media can have on kids. Not to mention the stories I’ve written about child predators who are looking for a way into our kids’ lives through social media. And with so many apps out there with ever changing technology, it’s hard for busy parents to keep up. 

While we won’t let Channing have her own phone yet, we know we can’t shield her from it forever. Technology and connecting with the world, especially for an only child, is so important and eventually we will have to let her get a phone. For now she has access to my iPad a little bit during the week and on weekends.

Bark monitors by scanning your kid’s online activities and sending you alerts if they may be in harm’s way.

That might sound extreme and I’ve actually had moms roll their eyes at me because I’m being too strict. But only I can decide what’s best for my child and how best to navigate online activity. And let me also say, it’s not because we don’t trust her. We are just very aware that she’s only 8 years old and may not always make the right decision if someone is trying to chat with her, or bully her. 

 

Bark monitors by scanning your kid’s online activities and sending you alerts if they may be in harm’s way. So lets explore Bark digital monitoring and what it offers to help reassure parents who are also struggling with keeping track of online activity.

Here’s what Bark’s parental controls monitor:

  • Texts
  • Email
  • Browser
  • Devices
  • YouTube
  • 30+ apps and social platforms

Bark runs quietly in the background so it doesn’t disrupt your child’s online interactions. Chan pretty much just uses her iPad only to play Roblox or watch YouTube and has stayed away from chatting with people she doesn’t know. And she doesn’t have access to her Instagram yet but it’s good to know I can get an alert if someone she doesn’t know tries to message her there. 

So what is Bark looking for when you connect your accounts?

Bark is looking for signs of:

  • Cyberbullying
  • Sexual content
  • Online Predators
  • Depression
  • Suicidal ideation
  • Threats of Violence

You can sign up for email and text alerts when Bark detects potential issues so you can talk to your child and make sure everything is OK. The alerts tell you specifically where the cause for concern is coming from so you don’t have to scan every app or email to find the source. 

One of my favorite Bark features so far is the screen time limits. Let’s be honest, I am not hovering over her every time she’s on her iPad making sure she’s only talking to friends and only using it for a few hours. I am a busy working mom so I love the idea of something that makes my life easier. Bark lets me manage when she can access the internet as well as what sites she can visit. I can also set bedtimes and block access to websites that aren’t age-appropriate.

Bark monitors by scanning your kid’s online activities and sending you alerts if they may be in harm’s way.

Another helpful tool is Bark Home – an Internet filter for every device in your house. 

From what I can tell, Bark isn’t just trying to get you to download their app. They want to empower parents with knowledge to navigate the ever-changing world of social media and give us peace of mind. Bark has an incredibly rich blog section on their website with useful information on everything from the meaning of emojis and TikTok trends, to signs of depression and LGBTQA+ support. The Bark Blog is such a great resource as is their very active Facebook group with nearly 140k members. 

The bottom line is that as a mom, I want to see her thrive online. My entire career and business were built on social media platforms so I have a deep appreciation for what they can do. But I’ve also seen the dangers it can bring and want to make sure I’m proactive in protecting her as she enters this world. Nothing can replace face-to-face conversations about online safety, but ultimately kids are going to make their own decisions. 

Bark monitors by scanning your kid’s online activities and sending you alerts if they may be in harm’s way.

Bark has a free 7 day trial if you’d like to see what it can do. It’s easy to sign up and connect your devices and apps within minutes. And from there you can choose a plan that best fits your needs. You can start with Bark Jr for $5 a month or go all in with Bark Premium for $14 a month. 

Sign up for Bark here and take control of your child’s online activity!