Bark vs Google Family Link
Learn how the Bark Premium app stacks up against Google Family Link.
Compare the Features
Set custom rules for school time, bedtime, and free time
Only allows downtime
Block specific sites and apps or choose from 19 categories, including adult content, gaming, and streaming sites — all on any browser
Family Link blocks specific sites and tries to block adult content; Chrome must be the default browser
Disable the internet whenever needed — no matter where your kids are
Lock your child’s device at any time
Scans online activities like texts, emails, and social media platforms for concerning content
Google Family Link doesn’t currently offer content monitoring
Get email/text notifications for issues like cyberbullying and sexual content
Google Family Link doesn’t currently offer content monitoring, so alerts aren’t sent
Keep restrictions in place no matter how YouTube is accessed while connected to Bark
Offers restricted mode for teens to help screen out potentially harmful content
Prevent children under 18 from opting out of Bark
Children can turn off parental controls when they turn 13
Check your child’s location in real time on a map
Receive location alerts when child arrives or leaves pre-set locations
Get your child’s exact location with check-ins
GPS map allows real-time location tracking
With Bark, you can:
Monitor content
Get alerts for issues like bullying, predators, sexual content, and more.
Manage screen time
Create custom daily screen time schedules for your child’s device.
Block websites
Block access to specific websites or even whole categories.
Track location
Stay on top of your child’s location with our real-time map, location alerts, and check-ins.
Our Products & Prices
Bark Premium
Our comprehensive parental intelligence solution.
- Manage screen time
- Filter which websites your kids can visit
- Keep up with kids with location alerts and check-ins
- Monitor texts, email, YouTube, and 30+ apps and platforms
- Get alerts for issues like cyberbullying, online predators, suicidal ideation, and more
Bark Jr
Our entry-level product is perfect for younger kids.
- Manage screen time
- Filter which websites your kids can visit
- Keep up with kids with location alerts and check-ins
- Monitor texts, email, YouTube, and 30+ apps and platforms
- Get alerts for issues like cyberbullying, online predators, suicidal ideation, and more
FAQs
Content Monitoring
Bark uses advanced machine learning and statistical analysis techniques to recognize potential problems. Simple keyword searches are not enough to detect the majority of issues, which is why our parental control app uses contextual analysis and natural language processing to determine when something serious might be happening.
For example, Bark knows the difference between a kid saying “This homework makes me wanna kill myself,” versus “Nobody cares about me!! I wanna kill myself.” Our algorithm also keeps up with the latest in teen slang.
Screen Time Management and Website Blocking
Families can manage not only when their kids can access the internet on their devices, but also which sites and apps they can visit.
You can create custom profiles for each child in your house, create screen time schedules, and manage access to a wide variety of websites — including video streaming, gaming, adult content, and more.
To get started, simply visit our sign-up page or download our app for parents (iOS, Android). From there, you’ll be able to select the product (Bark Premium or Bark Jr) that’s right for your family and get step-by-step instructions.
If you’re interested in the Bark Phone, learn more about it and choose the plan that’s right for your family and place your order.
As for the Bark Home, you can order one here.
Bark's phone monitoring app for parents not only provides comprehensive coverage to all the top apps and devices, but also takes the crucial extra step of helping families navigate the issues raised by alerts.
With Bark, you can manage your children’s screen time from your own phone via the Bark app or website, regardless of whether you have an iPhone and your kids have an Android (or vice versa).
In terms of web filtering, Apple's Screen Time and Google Family Link web filters only block general content. Bark, on the other hand, breaks down a wide range of categories and exceptions to enable a more customized and refined level of protection.
Ready to get started?
Bark was created by parents, for parents, to offer a better, easier, and more effective way to help families create healthy digital habits.