Cell Phone Monitoring Apps

Free Apps

Free apps work very well, and with them, you can see and receive a lot of information, though in a more limited way compared to paid apps.

But, if you basically want to know where the person is at this exact moment or which apps they are using the most, then free monitoring apps serve well.

Next, we have selected the three best-known and most used cell phone monitoring apps in various countries around the world.

Whats Dual

As a free app, Whats Dual allows you to install a second WhatsApp account on the same device, meaning you will have two WhatsApp accounts on the same cell phone.

This is perhaps the preferred app for parents or guardians looking to exercise complete parental supervision on apps like WhatsApp.

And doing this with Whats Dual is very simple: just open the app and scan the QR code so it synchronizes WhatsApp on both cell phones – that is, on the source device and the target device.

In addition, with Whats Dual you can also do other things such as:

• Recover deleted messages
• Download WhatsApp status
• Full synchronization to receive, read, and reply to messages in real time

Google Family Link

Google Family Link is an application that helps parents and guardians create a safer and healthier online environment for their children, providing control and flexibility in browsing and using Android devices.

Main Features of Family Link

• Screen Time Control: You determine how much time each app can be used, and you can also set the start and end time that an app can be used.
• App and Site Approval: Review and approve apps and sites that your children want to access, blocking those you consider inappropriate. Block anything you do not allow.
• Location: Monitor your child’s device location in real time. You can also create alerts for when your child leaves an area established by you.
• Content Configuration: Control what types of content you authorize your child to watch on YouTube and Play Store.
• Account Management: Privacy and history settings will be managed by you.
• Reports: Track app usage time, visited sites and locations visited by your child.
• Purchase Control: Set limits for purchases on Google Play and prevent unauthorized purchases.
• Flexibility: Adjust settings as the child grows and their needs evolve. Over time, you can change and release more features on the cell phone.

Benefits for Parents and Guardians

• Digital Safety: Create a safer and more controlled online environment for your children.
• Digital Balance: Allow only content permitted by you to be accessible.
• Open Communication: While you take control of online safety, this can open space for better and more authentic communication in the family.
• Trust: Encourage responsibility and autonomy of children in device use.

Important Considerations

• Minimum Age: Family Link is recommended for children under 13 years old.
• Trust: It’s important to talk to your children about responsible device use and how Family Link works.
• Control vs. Communication: Family Link should be used as a tool for help and guidance, and not to prevent access to quality information.

Conclusion

Google Family Link is an app from Google itself and very easy to use, allowing parents to be more at ease and establish clear limits.

This way, parents can be at peace while their children use their cell phones because they will be safe and protected thanks to the management carried out by their parents.

AppBlock

AppBlock is an application that helps you control the use of apps and sites, preventing access to certain applications on the monitored cell phone.

Main features of AppBlock

• App Blocking: Block distracting apps, such as social media, games, and streaming platforms, for periods of time you determine.
• Site Blocking: Block inappropriate sites or unwanted content.
• Block Scheduling: Establish specific times when apps can function.
• Real-Time App Blocking: If you wish, immediately block any application on the target cell phone, from the comfort of your own cell phone.
• Custom Permissions: Create rules and define the time a person can use a certain application, for example, for half an hour, 1 hour, and so on.
• Work Mode: If you know that during a certain period of the day you do not want certain apps to be used, then just configure this in AppBlock.

Life360

Life360 is an application that offers a family location and safety service, connecting people and keeping you updated on the situation of each family member.

Main Features of Life360

• Real-Time Location: See the location of your family members in real time. Configure automatic messages for you to receive when your relatives enter or leave a certain area.
• Family Circles: This feature is good for parents of multiple children. You can create specific family groups with the members you want to monitor and receive information about their location.
• Safety Alert: Send an SOS to the members of your family circle, sharing the exact location where you are and important information in emergency situations.
• Trip Reports: Receive notifications when your family members start or end trips, including information about the estimated time of arrival and the route taken.
• Safety Mode: Activate safety mode to share your location automatically with the members of your family circle if you feel unsafe.
• Extra Features: Life360 has many interesting functions that we may need every day, such as automatic Check-Ins, History Tracking, Speed Monitoring, and Low Battery Alerts.

Considerations

• Privacy: It’s important to talk to your family members about the app’s privacy settings and information sharing.
• Trust: Trust and communication are fundamental for the proper functioning of the app, ensuring that everyone feels comfortable with location sharing.
• Responsible Use: Life360 should be used responsibly, respecting the privacy and autonomy of each family member.

Conclusion

With the intensive use of cell phones by our children, it becomes fundamental and even indispensable for parents to be proactive in ensuring that Internet use is conscious.

In a world like the one we live in, where everything happens in the palm of our hands through the cell phone, we can only be at ease – as parents – if we are sure of what our children do on their cell phones.

Therefore, test the suggested applications and choose the one that best meets your expectations and needs, within your means.

In addition, it is necessary to consider the ethical and legal implications and choose a solution that respects the privacy and security of users.