Free Parental Control Software

Pros and cons of free parental control software

For a free parental control solution, Mac and Windows users alike should consider the free edition of Norton Family, experts say. Because the program is web-based, it runs on both operating systems, and it offers much of the basic functionality found in premium programs. (Norton Family also works on Android and iOS devices, but its functionality is limited for iPad and iPhone owners.)

Features of the free version include web-browser filtering and monitoring for Android smartphones, along with monitoring of web surfing, chat programs and social networks on PCs. You also can set time limits and web content filters in nearly 50 categories.

Norton Family's free version only lets parents see an online log of activity for the past seven days, however, and the program doesn't send parental alerts on potentially dangerous browsing, content or chats. Stepping up to Norton Family Premier (Est. $50) extends that to 90 days and unlocks a host of additional features, including video monitoring, time summaries, periodical activity reports sent via email, and controls over texts and apps on Android phones.

PCMag.com reports that neither version blocks HTTPS encrypted traffic, however. Norton only monitors -- but does not filter -- questionable content on social media and chat programs. Children can also bypass its protection using proxies with HTTPS encryption.

Users who don't want to pay for Internet-filtering software have other no-cost options, like Qustodio, a powerful program with thorough monitoring and blocking of websites. Social media protection isn't as strong in Qustodio's free version.

There are also the parental controls built into Windows and Mac OS X. Windows Family Safety lets parents set up user accounts; filtering controls; time limits; and restrictions on Windows store purchases, games and apps. Parents even get notification reports.

For those using older operating systems, Laptop magazine compares Windows 7 and Mac OS X Lion; it finds Apple's filtering software to be vastly superior, allowing parents to set time constraints, limit iChat and email capabilities, and pick and choose which applications and websites children can use. It doesn't block HTTPS encrypted content, however. In comparison, Microsoft's parental controls only let you set time limits, block specific programs from launching and deny access to games based on their Entertainment Software Rating Board ratings.