Short answer
For blocking adult sites, gambling, apps and workarounds on every device, use a DNS filter such as Sheepdog Filter (free). For per-app time limits and app approval, use the free built-in controls: Apple Screen Time and Google Family Link. For worries about who your child is messaging, a monitoring service such as Bark. For location, Find My or Family Link. Most families do well with built-in controls plus a filter.
Porn, gambling and scary sites
A DNS filter blocks these before they load, on every app and browser, with nothing to install. Sheepdog Filter, NextDNS and OpenDNS are all DNS filters; Sheepdog Filter is the one built for parents, with a profile per child and age presets. See how to block adult sites.
Too much TikTok, YouTube or gaming
- Block or schedule the app with a filter: one switch, every device, or only on school nights.
- Per-app daily limits ("one hour of YouTube") are best done with Screen Time on iPhone or Family Link on Android.
Getting around the rules
Kids share VPNs, proxies and "unblocked games" sites. You want a filter that blocks those and tells you when someone tries. See how kids get around parental controls.
Who they're talking to
Filters don't read messages. If you're worried about bullying or strangers in chats, a monitoring service like Bark is the specialist tool. See Sheepdog Filter vs Bark.
Bedtime and homework
A filter with schedules can switch the internet off at bedtime and pause games during homework, across every device at once. See internet bedtime.
Game consoles and TVs
Device apps can't be installed on an Xbox or a smart TV. Set a filter on your router and every device at home is covered. See home Wi‑Fi parental controls.
Our honest recommendation
- Turn on the free built-in controls on each phone and tablet.
- Add Sheepdog Filter on each child's devices and your router (free).
- Add monitoring only if you have a specific worry, and tell your child.
Sheepdog Filter
The internet, childproofed in five minutes.
One switch per worry, every device in the house, and a plain-English report each week. Free to start, no app to install.
Start freeQuestions parents ask
What is the best free parental control?
A combination: your device's built-in controls (Screen Time or Family Link) for app limits, and a free DNS filter like Sheepdog Filter for blocking sites, apps and categories on every device.
What's the hardest parental control for kids to get around?
Filtering at the DNS level, set on the device and the router, with VPNs and proxies blocked and the device's settings locked by Screen Time or admin rights.
Do I need a monitoring app?
Most families don't. Monitoring apps read messages, which is a big step. Consider one if you have a specific worry about bullying or strangers, and tell your child.