The Best Parental Control App

Bark scans your child’s text messages, 30+ social media apps, web browsers, emails, and other online activity, keeping you informed and your child protected.

Bark app available on iOS Android Windows Chrome Amazon

Bark works on iOS, Android, Windows, Chromebooks & Amazon devices.

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Today’s kids face dangers we didn’t have to. Bark can help.

Advanced content monitoring

Bark gives peace of mind by monitoring texts, social media and online content to alert you on potential dangers.
Expert insights & support

Every alert comes with expert recommendations. For severe alerts, Bark is on call 24/7 to immediately contact parents.
Unlimited devices & accounts

Our plans are just one price regardless of the size of your family — or the number of devices they have.

HOW BARK WORKS

1. Connect

Connect to 30+ platforms to monitor text messages, emails, and social activity for signs of harmful interactions and content.

Get started
2. Detect

Bark runs quietly in the background in search of issues that might indicate that something is wrong in your child’s online world.

Try for free
3. Alert

Receive alerts via email, text, and push notification when Bark’s algorithms detect potential risks.

Sign up

HOW BARK WORKS

1. Connect

Connect to 30+ platforms to monitor text messages, emails, and social activity for signs of harmful interactions and content.

Get started
2. Detect

Bark runs quietly in the background in search of issues that might indicate that something is wrong in your child’s online world.

Try for free
3. Alert

Receive alerts via email, text, and push notification when Bark’s algorithms detect potential risks.

Sign up

Bark can also help you…

⏳ Manage screen time

Create custom schedules for app use or pause the internet altogether to create healthy boundaries.

🚫 Block websites & apps

Decide which apps and websites your child can use and filter inappropriate content.

🧭 Track location

Worry less when your kid is out and about with our live GPS, location alerts, and check-ins.

Real-life Bark families. Real-life stories.

Cindy R.

February 12

I just want to get on here and say PLEASE get Bark online monitoring. Yesterday it saved our family. Out of respect for our son’s privacy I won’t go into details. But I will say this: (1) we are a family who talks about EVERYTHING on the daily, I literally run a non-profit about kids and mental health… (2) he is an AMAZING, thoughtful, kind, sweet person and (3) he almost got into a situation that would have haunted him for the rest of his life. You need the open communication AND Bark to battle modern childhood.

6

2 comments
Brett K.

March 3

With Bark alerts, I now have peace of mind that my kids devices are safe and I don’t have to look at everything.

8

3 comments
Cassia M.

October 9

Bark is like the Swiss Army knife of my parenting tool box. I find a new benefit of having it constantly. It’s the most helpful tool I have in keeping my teenagers safe and helping me stay in the know with their crazy world of technology.

9

5 comments
Dave C.

January 10

Best of all, the conversations we have regarding Bark alerts give me insight into my child’s world and his relationships.

2

4 comments
Jenna U.

December 5

It was like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders when stumbling across the Bark app.

9

12 comments
Shannon F.

June 10

We no longer feel the need to confiscate their phones and read through everything daily. We can trust that Bark has a set of eyes on their electronic actions and will notify us of anything concerning.

6

2 comments
Marianne H.

September 2

Thanks a ton. You have not only helped me protect my kids, but helped us have better and more open conversations. My kids live in a blended home, and this helps us be on the same page when we teach right and wrong and flat out dangerous

4

6 comments
Maureen A.

July 27

I put bark on my children’s phone for my oldest son who is 15. Never thinking that my 11-year-old daughter would have alerts much to my surprise when I hooked up her phone I got 97 alerts for her phone. brought attention to things in never considered! Thank you so much.

9

3 comments
Russell S.

December 10

I have been impressed with this app over and over again. Some of the things it was capturing from my son’s phone and alerting me to would have certainly gone undetected on a different service. Super impressed and happy with the service. Best out there hands down. We’ve used other services and I’m so glad we found Bark.

8

4 comments
Sarah S.

August 8

I decided it was time I got more involved in what my daughter sees and reads. So within 3 minutes of downloading, Bark found an extremely inappropriate issue!!! Though it did not involve her, it did alert me to a picture she took a screen shot of. It was a message from a boy to a friend of hers. It made my stomach turn. Thank you!

12

7 comments

Pricing & Details

Monitor texts, email, YouTube, and 30+ apps and platforms
Monitor web searches and saved photos & videos
Receive parental monitoring alerts for issues like cyberbullying, online predators, suicidal ideation, and more
Get insights into your child’s digital activities
Learn how to address issues with child-psychologist advice and tips
Free access to Talkspace Go
Manage screen time
Block website and apps
Keep up with kids with location alerts and check-ins

Starts at

^$ 14 /mo ^USD

Try for free

FAQs

How does Bark’s monitoring technology work?

Bark’s artificial intelligence (AI) scans for worrisome content in children’s texts, emails, photos, videos, and content in 30+ apps and social media platforms. Our state-of-the-art AI does more than flag simple keywords, however. Bark’s algorithm analyzes language in context and is trained to recognize the ever-evolving nuances of kid, tween, and teen slang — including memes, emojis, and more.

Does Bark analyze images and videos?

Yes, Bark analyzes images and videos associated with a message or that are stored on a device. They're analyzed for nudity, violence, and other inappropriate content, including text added to the images.

What devices does the Bark app work on?

You can download and install the Bark app on an unlimited number and a wide variety of your child’s devices, including:

iOS iPhones & tablets

Android phones & tablets

Laptops & computers

Kindle Fires

In addition to physical devices — where Bark monitors photos & videos, texts, and more saved to the device itself — Bark can also be connected to apps and social media platforms to monitor content (with different devices allowing different levels of monitoring).

Here are a sample of some of the most commonly monitored apps:

YouTube
Gmail
GroupMe
WhatsApp
Roblox
Reddit
Instagram
Snapchat
Chrome, Firefox, & other browsers for websites
Dozens more

Check out the full list of everything that Bark monitors here.

How does Bark protect children’s privacy?

As kids grow into adults, we believe they need to learn how to live and thrive with technology — which is why we don’t give parents unfettered access to their kids’ online activities. Instead, Bark only alerts parents to potentially concerning situations. Kids can keep their privacy, and parents can save time by not having to scroll through every message.

We also have strenuous safeguards in place to protect your family’s data. All databases, physical servers, and web browsing sessions are encrypted to help secure your child’s data and give you peace of mind that their information is protected. We also comply with more privacy regulations than are legally required of us.

How customizable is Bark's website blocking app?

Bark's website blocking app gives you comprehensive customization options! You can manually input specific websites and apps or use our pre-built categories to make it simple. Every single item can be toggled on or off as you choose. You can also create exceptions within each, if needed.

Can Bark pause the internet?

Yes, Bark allows you to pause all internet activity (other than calls and texts for emergency purposes) with the tap of a button!

What is included in Bark’s location sharing features?

Bark’s location features include real-time tracking on a map, location alerts and check-ins! Combined, they give you peace of mind that comes with knowing that your kid is actually where they're supposed to be at a given time.

What can Bark's location sharing features be used for?

You can use Bark's location tracking features to be alerted to your child's movements throughout their day! Need to know that they got home from school safely? Done. Want to be sure they actually went to their friend's house? You got it. Want to be alerted if they try to sneak out at night? Definitely. The possibilities are truly endless.

What do Bark's iOS parental controls include?

Bark's iOS parental controls include content monitoring, website blocking, screen time management, and location sharing! Apple places certain restrictions on what can be managed on iOS devices, but Bark provides the most comprehensive coverage to help protect your kid as they spend time online.

What can Bark's parental controls for Android devices do?

Bark's parental controls for Androids give you the power to monitor your child’s online activities in a groundbreaking way.

Our content monitoring uses advanced AI to scan messages, posts, comments, replies, web searches, and so much more to find potential dangers. If something concerning is found, you’ll get a timely alert so you can check in and make sure everything is okay. Learn more about what Bark monitors on Android devices here.

In addition to monitoring, Bark also lets you manage screen time, block websites & apps, and track location 24/7.

These key features work together to build a powerful digital safety net to help you protect your child online and in real life.

How much does the Bark app cost?

We offer two plans — Bark Premium and Bark Jr — a single subscription covers every child and device in your family, with no limit on accounts, devices, or kids. Both plans come with a 7-day free trial:

Bark Premium ($14/month or $99/year)

Parent’s top choice for comprehensive coverage.
Monitor and receive alerts for your child’s social media, phones, tablets, and computers.
Manage screen time, block specific websites and apps, and track their location.

Bark Jr ($5/month or $49/year)

Gain control over screen time, block unwanted websites and apps, and filter inappropriate content.
Track your child's whereabouts with live GPS, location alerts, and check-in features.

How does the 7-day free trial work?

When you sign up for Bark Premium or Bark Jr (our apps), you’ll have the full trial period to decide if you want to become a paid subscriber. Even though we require a credit card for COPPA verification, we won’t charge it until your 7-day trial is over.

Is the Bark app available outside the U.S.?

The Bark app is currently available in the United States, South Africa, Guam, and Australia. We’re continually working to bring Bark to more families around the world.