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The web can be a scary place and luckily, there are tools to help shield your children from the dark side of the web. Disclaimer: there is no “best” solution that fits everyone. Like any control system and every family situation, they are all different in their merits. For younger children, controls from inappropriate content and apps are a must. For older children and teens, they will need some access to sites and apps that we do not recommend for young children. Many of the platforms don’t just stop at parental controls, but look to invade and trace every message, conversation and login time on every device. We do not advocate spy apps or tracking your children, especially without their knowledge as it simply creates a void of trust that may just last longer than the need to track their device. Below is a list of many of the control and tracking systems out there. Some will be better suited for your individual family needs and that is why we list many of them. In addition to these systems, make sure you have a continuous conversation with your children about this topic and create an overall plan, not just a tool approach to keeping safe and responsible on your apps and the web.
Parental Control Software – not inclusive and not in any order. Below are some of the stronger
solutions on the market
Whether a seasoned driving veteran or new to the wheel, being distracted while driving puts you
at a highly increased risk for an accident. It doesn’t matter if you are going slow or fast, taking
your eyes off the road, even for as little as 2 seconds, can be fatal. These apps are designed to
tackle the safety around driving with your devices. They all take different approaches to keeping
your eyes on the road, you need to pick the solution that best suits your needs. Here are some of
the better or more popular ones available.
LifeSaver - FREE
The free app that auto detects driving and blocks phone use behind the wheel. Has a parent portal
along with a driver app. Some of the strongest features available in any app – and this one is FREE.
Drivemode - Download is free, small fees for in-app purchases
No look interface and easy to use features are the pillars of this highly rated, next gen App.
Currently developing gesture based interface. Available on Android phones only.
Drivesafe.ly
Free standard package; ProPackage is $13.95 / Year / Single User; $34.95 / Year / up to 4
devices
The strongest in text-to-speech development. Reads text aloud, Hands free mode, blue
tooth/radio compatible, reads text short hand: LOL, BRB.
Cellcontrol DriveID - $129 up front. No monthly or any additional costs
Apps are only as good as the phone and user. Cellcontrol is a complete solution - uses a small
piece of hardware mounted just below the rearview mirror and not only block apps, calls and
surfing – but also serves as a driver tracker monitoring acceleration, braking, turning, etc and
presented in a post-drive map. Make your teen more responsible and a better driver.
Navdy - $500 one-time or financing available at $33 / month
it’s the coolest of all the solutions and the most expensive. A new heads-up display hardware puts
all of your content (maps, texts, calls, music, etc) in your line of site on the road. It has gestures
built-in, toggles to customize the experience and a whole lot of combined technology to keep you
focused on the road ahead.
Drive Safe Mode - FREE
Small company with growing pains. App is free but comes with advertisements. They collect a lot
of information and sell to 3rd parties. Of all the reviews - half say it works well, half are unhappy
with it. Then again, it’s “free”
Live2txt - $1.99 in the app store
A self-enforced app. You get in your car and have to activate the service every time. The app
blocks text and calls while driving, the app will notify sender you are unable to respond at the
moment with customized message. $1.99 in the app store
Drive Beehive - App is FREE
Takes a gaming approach to the App. Supported by Parents Against Distracted Driving, it senses
when you are driving and lets you earn “miles” when you don’t use your phone. Use it and it resets
to 0, earn your reward and it could be anything that you pair your app to (local business rewards,
parent rewards, etc.)
tXtBlocker - $7 / Month, first 30 days free
Rated as the best anti-texting app on the market in 2011, it creates a solid cell-free zone when
driving that teens can’t hack. Also has online reports and a phone locator.
SafeDrive - FREE app
Makes staying off your phone fun. Activates over 6 MPH and puts your phone into safe mode.
Kids can bypass but you lose your points and parents will know. Points get you discounts at local
gas stations, etc.
AT&T DriveMode - FREE app
Activates when speed reaches 15 MPH and deactivates when you are below 15 MPH for more than
3 minutes.
Sprint Drive First - FREE app
Only for Sprint customers. Activates at 10 MPH, then pushes calls to voicemail and silences alerts
for texts and emails. Allows you to override the app anytime by opting out.