Verizon offers a variety of parental control options to help parents monitor and limit their kids’ smartphone and internet usage. With the rise in technology usage among children, Verizon’s parental control tools have continued advancing to meet modern needs.
As we move into 2024, Verizon provides some of the most robust and easy-to-use parental control services available. This guide will explore how Verizon’s parental controls work on both Fios and wireless networks, what features are offered, and how to set restrictions that fit your family’s needs.
What is Verizon Parental Controls?
Verizon Parental Controls refers to the various tools Verizon offers to help parents monitor and restrict their children’s device usage and access appropriate content.
The main components of Verizon Parental Controls are:
- Verizon Fios Parental Controls – Built into Fios home internet routers, these allow parents to set time limits, filter website categories, view browsing history, and more for devices connected to home WiFi.
- Verizon Smart Family app – A mobile app parents install to track Verizon mobile activity including location, app limits, driving habits, web filters and more regardless of home internet provider.
Key features Verizon Parental Controls enable:
- Filtering content by age rating
- Setting time limits for apps and categories
- Scheduling permitted access times
- Monitoring texts and chat apps
- Restricting purchases and downloads
- Location tracking and geofencing
Using the Smart Family app and Fios router controls together provides monitoring of both at-home and on-the-go usage that stays synced across devices.
It gives parents visibility and input over their kids mobile habits and access. As kids prove responsible, restrictions can be adjusted appropriately to further build trust.
Why Use Parental Controls?
Here are some of the key reasons parents may want to utilize parental controls:
- Limit screen time – Parental controls allow parents to set daily or weekly limits on how much time kids can spend on devices or in specific apps. This helps balance technology use with other activities.
- Filter inappropriate content – Controls can block access to adult websites, restrict content by age ratings, limit exposure to violence, enforce safe search filters and more. This protects kids from stumbling onto content they shouldn’t see.
- Monitor communications – Features like message monitoring, keyword alerts and location sharing give parents visibility into who kids are communicating with and their physical location. This allows ensuring appropriate interactions.
- Focus learning – Controls can limit access to entertainment and social media during learning times or allow access only to approved educational apps. This reduces digital distractions.
- Establish healthy habits – By beginning oversight and structure early, controls can shape responsible tech behaviors in kids as they grow rather than restrict older kids who are accustomed to full digital access.
- Gain insights – Activity reports provide increased visibility for parents into device and app usage trends. This allows guiding kids accordingly in finding balance.
- Improve family communication – Agreeing on rules and limits as a family facilitates important conversations around online safety, digital citizenship, and finding balance between technology pitfalls and benefits.
The right parental control approach can equip parents to keep kids safe online while allowing age-appropriate access that benefits development. Controls serve families best when configured openly through conversation and adjustment as kids mature.
How Verizon Parental Controls Work
Verizon bases its parental controls on two key connected services:
- Verizon Fios: For homes with Verizon Fios internet, routers can be configured with parental controls that restrict internet access and limit screen time across connected devices.
- Verizon Smart Family: This app-based service allows parental control management for families utilizing Verizon wireless networks, no matter what internet service they use at home.
Families can use one or both services for the most comprehensive parental management experience. Settings and filters configured through Verizon Smart Family will translate across to in-home Fios networks as well.
Key Features of Verizon Parental Controls
Verizon parental controls provide a wide array of options to cater to any family’s monitoring and time management needs. Some of the key features on both platforms include:
- Time Limits and Schedules: Parents can set daily or weekly time limits for specific apps or entire categories of content. Limits can be enforced across all household devices or set differently per child. Scheduled device downtimes, such as during schoolwork hours or bedtime, are also configurable.
- Location Tracking: Through Verizon Smart Family, parents can view kids’ current location or location history. Location alerts can also be enabled.
- Content Filters and App Blocking: Age-appropriate filters can block websites or apps based on content categories like violence, adult content, or specific app types like social media. Custom app lists and always-allowed apps can also be configured.
- Safe Search Enforcement: Safe search filters can be enabled on kids’ devices to limit exposure to mature web content. Filters work across device browsers and YouTube.
- Screen Time Insights: Parents gain visibility into device usage habits through time usage reports and alerts when limits are reached. This allows adjustment of restrictions accordingly.
With these well-rounded controls there are many possibilities for customizing parental management as kids grow older and needs evolve.
The Top 10 Verizon Parental Control Apps of 2024
Parenting kids in the digital age can feel daunting. With endless connected devices and the breadth ofgood and bad online, how can caring parents even begin to reasonably supervise their tech-savvy children?
Enter smart parental control apps. By harnessing mobile device management and activity monitoring, today’s leading parental control platforms give parents invaluable insight and simple control settings to shape their kids’ digital experiences. For families connected on the Verizon network, several standout picks provide customizable and integrative supervision powered by Verizon’s coverage and features.
Below we explore the 10 best Verizon parental control apps as of 2024 that allow parents to filter inappropriate content, set screen time schedules, monitor locations, encourage healthy usage habits and more – giving every family tailored solutions that fit their needs.
1. Verizon Smart Family: For 360 Monitoring
As Verizon’s flagship parental control app, Verizon Smart Family deserves first mention for its unparalleled integration with Verizon family plans and devices. Offering comprehensive monitoring and restrictions across both Android and iOS devices, core features include:
- Cross-platform app and web limits
- Location tracking
- Driving behavior monitoring
- Content filters by age or custom categories
- Screen schedules and shutdowns
- Usage activity reports
- And much more
With Verizon Smart Family, usage filters and limits translate seamlessly across your home Fios WiFi network as well. This allows enforcing consistent rules whether kids are out and about or at home. For Verizon families, it provides complete visibility and supervision.
2. Qustodio: Excellent for Younger Kids
Qustodio has ranked as the top parental control software for years thanks to an immense array of management capabilities tailored brilliantly for younger children. When linked to a child’s Verizon data plan, parents gain access to:
- Granular app and game blocking
- Safe web browsers
- Time schedules by category/app
- Panic button for kids’ emergencies
- Family locator with geofences
- Text message and call logs And more, all within an easy-to-use dashboard perfect for new parents navigating oversight of their child’s first device.
3. Bark – For Alerting High-Risk Activities
While many tools focus heavily on restrictions, Bark takes a different approach – using advanced monitoring to alert parents to signs of high-risk activities. Linking Bark to your child’s Verizon texts and emails allows 24/7 detection of:
- Cyberbullying and online predators
- Depression, self-harm or suicidal ideation
- Drug use, hacking or criminal content
- Plus much more
Alongside alerts, Bark’s web filter blocks inappropriate apps and sites. For parents seeking an extra safeguard against dangerous online threats, Bark can provide invaluable protective insights.
4. Boomerang Parental Control – Low Monthly Cost
Offering solid family oversight at an affordable $4.99 monthly rate, Boomerang Parental Control covers the essentials including:
- Screen time scheduling
- App usage limits by category
- Content filters by age groups
- Location tracking history
- Distracted driving prevention
- Plus convenient multi-platform access
While Boomerang lacks some advanced configurations found in premium apps, budget-conscious parents can enable simple yet effective Verizon management.
5. Screen Time Parental Control – For Apple Families
Built by original iPhone developers, Screen Time offers specialized iOS management perfect for setting rules across your family’s iPhones and iPads. Utilizing Apple’s device management framework, Screen Time enables:
- App limits with schedule flexibility
- Granular web filtering by category
- Contact/messaging supervision
- Location monitoring with arrival alerts
- Daily or weekly activity reports
- Family device grouping
- And seamless integration with your child’s existing Apple ID
For established Apple families, Screen Time makes device oversight simple.
6. Kidslox – Free with In-App Purchases
As a solid free option for Android parents, Kidslox allows quick access to basic controls like:
- App schedule management
- Screen time limits
- Call and SMS filtering
- Mature website blocking
While the free version lacks robust features of premium tools, the core basics provide enough functionality for budget-conscious families. In-app purchases unlock additional configurations around content filters, location tracking and more.
7. McAfee Safe Family – Software Strength
Bringing decades of security software experience, McAfee Safe Family offers corporate-level oversight fueled by top engineers. With McAfee linked to your Verizon plan, parents can enforce:
- Granular screen time limits
- In-depth activity reporting
- Advanced web filters and app lists
- Nighttime device sleep schedules
- Plus the reliability of McAfee’s trusted software
While the dashboard lacks simplicity of other consumer apps, McAfee brings enterprise-level device management.
8. Mobicip – Making Monitoring Simple
Mobicip stands out for its elegantly simple parental controls focused around:
- Easy filter management by age groups
- Quick device pause/access scheduling
- Location tracking with automated check-ins
- Daily activity reports
Rather than complex configurations, Mobicip aims to make effective monitoring straightforward for parents through core essentials and an intuitive interface.
9. SecureTeen – Specializing in Cyberbullying Protection
While parental insights remain critical, fostering digital responsibility in kids presents equal importance. SecureTeen aims to balance both perspectives via:
- Monitoring of texts/social apps for cyberbullying
- AI flagging of depression signs
- Anonymous bullying reporting
- Etiquette and ethics video courses
- Plus typical limits and filters
With a solutions-focused approach to risks like harassment, SecureTeen tries empowering teens alongside parental protections.
10. Disney Circle – For Media Management
Focusing specifically on home network management, Disney Circle enables simple administration directly through a home’s router. Once Circle links to your Verizon WiFi, parents can:
- Set filter levels by age group
- Establish device bedtimes
- Limit bandwidth per device
- Pause internet by profile
- Plus use Disney’s trusted experience in family digital services
For parents seeking network-level controls, Circle makes home supervision effective and easy to manage.
Setting Up Verizon Fios Parental Controls
Verizon’s router-based parental controls utilize the built-in settings of Advanced Fios routers. The setup process involves:
1. Access Your Fios Router Admin Interface
Using a connected device, access your router admin page:
- Open a browser and visit https://myfiosgateway.com
- Enter your admin login credentials when prompted
If you don’t know your router admin login details, you can reset the router to factory defaults. This will restore the default login which is:
- Username: admin
- Password: password
Once logged into your router admin, you can change the admin credentials if desired.
2. Enable Parental Controls
From within the router admin interface:
- Go to My Network > Parental Controls
- Toggle Parental Controls to “On”
- Configure your desired restrictions:
- Time limits
- Content filters
- Time schedules
- Safe search settings
- And more
As you adjust settings, the changes apply across internet-connected devices on your home network.
3. Set Profiles Per Child
For customized limits per family member, set up a profile for each child:
- Go to My Network > User Profiles
- Click “Add Profile” and create a profile with your child’s name
- Edit the profile’s specific parental control restrictions
Repeat for additional children, each gaining their own tailored set of limits and filters.
Once your router admin parental controls are configured, you can easily adjust settings or view usage reports going forward.
How to Use Verizon Parental Controls
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to set up and use Verizon’s parental controls:
Set up Verizon Smart Family App
- Download the Verizon Smart Family app on your phone (available for iPhone and Android).
- Open the app and create your parent account.
- Add your child’s Verizon phone number to link their device.
- Have your child install the Smart Family app on their phone and log in to activate monitoring.
Configure Restrictions
In the parent app, you can now configure parental controls like:
- Time limits for apps
- Location tracking
- Driving monitoring
- Content filters for web browsing and apps
- Purchase approvals required
- Screen time schedules and quiet times
Tailor restrictions based on your child’s age and responsibility.
Enable Home Network Controls
- Log in to your Verizon router administration page.
- Navigate to Parental Controls settings.
- Toggle controls ON and configure with desired restrictions:
- Time limits for devices
- Website filtering by category
- Safe search enforcement
- View activity reports
This will enforce rules consistently across devices on your WiFi.
Set Expectations
Have an open conversation about rules and restrictions with your child. Verizon also provides a digital contract to set agreed upon guidelines.
Adjust Settings Over Time
Check activity reports in the app and tweak restrictions as your child proves responsible enough for increased device autonomy.
Using Verizon’s robust parental controls across mobile and in-home networks provides customizable supervision to match your family’s needs.
Managing Verizon Smart Family Parental Controls
For additional parental management on kids’ smartphone activity from anywhere, Verizon Smart Family compliments in-home router controls with app and location based features.
Setting up Verizon Smart Family involves:
1. Download the Smart Family App
First, download the Verizon Smart Family app from your device app store. The app is available for both Android and iOS devices.
2. Create Your Parent Account
Once installed, launch the Smart Family app and tap “Create Your Account”. Follow the prompts to configure your parent account login and profile.
3. Add Your Child’s Verizon Wireless Account
From within the Smart Family parent app, tap the option to add a child account:
- Enter your child’s Verizon wireless number
- Send an activation SMS to their device
- Have your child open the SMS and accept the Smart Family activation
Once completed, your child’s Verizon activity will sync under your parental dashboard going forward.
4. Configure Parental Controls
With your child added, you can now configure app limits, location permissions, content filters, screen time schedules and more. Tailor restrictions to your family needs.
As Verizon Smart Family is device based rather than network based, your parental control settings will remain active on your child’s smartphone anywhere – both in and away from your home network.
Adjusting Settings Over Time
One of the conveniences of Verizon’s parental controls is the ability to revisit configurations as your child ages and responsibility grows. Rather than needing to completely disable restrictions, you can incrementally adjust settings like:
- Expanding App Limits: Allow additional app categories or increase daily usage quotas.
- Location Alert Adjustments: Set location alerts to on-demand rather than constant check-ins.
- Content Filter Changes: Align website filters more closely to your child’s maturity level.
Building a relationship of digital trust with incremental autonomy grants kids increasing responsibility while still maintaining supervision. Verizon parental controls make that process fluid and flexible.
What can Verizon Parental Controls See?
Verizon’s parental control tools can provide parents significant insight into their child’s device usage and history.
App monitoring with Verizon Smart Family allows parents to view:
- Which apps their child has opened
- How much time spent in any app or app category
- Any apps downloaded with time of download
- Attempted use of blocked or inappropriate apps
For web browsing and search, parents can see:
- All websites visited along with time spent on each
- If any sites were blocked by filters
- Any blocked or failed search attempts
With location tracking enabled, Verizon parental controls provide:
- A map history of everywhere the child has been with their device
- Notifications and logging of every time a child enters/exits specific geofenced locations
- Ability to “check in” and pinpoint a child’s current location at any instant
It’s important for parents to communicate openly with their child and explain why monitoring is occurring, what level of insight parents have, and how usage may be adjusted over time to build trust and grant greater independence with age and responsibility.
The level of visibility may feel intrusive to some older children, so a balanced approach is recommended, progressively adapting restrictions when possible so monitoring serves to protect without making kids feel violated or overly restricted in building autonomy. With open dialogue and age-appropriate oversight, parents can utilize Verizon parental controls effectively.
Does Verizon Offer Parental Controls?
Yes, Verizon offers a range of robust parental control options to help parents manage and monitor their kids’ technology usage through two connected platforms:
- Verizon Fios Parental Controls – For families with Verizon internet service, Fios routers provide built-in parental controls to restrict access, filter content, set time limits, view site history and enforce safe search filters across connected devices in the home.
- Verizon Smart Family App – Available for both iPhone and Android, this app allows parents to monitor kids on Verizon’s mobile network by tracking location, setting app limits, restricting web content and much more – no matter what home internet service your family uses.
Key features accessible between both platforms include:
- Filtering content by age appropriateness
- Setting daily or weekly time limits for apps/sites
- Scheduling permitted usage times and device downtimes
- Reviewing activity and site history
- Limiting purchases and downloads
With both router-based and mobile controls, Verizon provides complete home and on-the-go parental management tools. Usage limits and permissions stay synced across devices for consistency.
Verizon also offers additional resources like an online safety guide, tech coach programs, and a family digital pledge to facilitate conversations around balanced technology use.
Verizon Parental Controls Time Restrictions
Here are some tips on using Verizon Parental Controls to set time restrictions for your child’s device usage:
- Set Daily Time Limits: In the Smart Family app, you can set a total time limit per day for app/game usage that will automatically shutdown your child’s device when reached. This ensures they don’t overuse their phone each day.
- Restrict by App: To target specific apps like social media or games, set a limit for how much time your child can access that app each day. This lets you limit distracting apps while leaving others accessible.
- Set Curfews: Enable usage curfews in Smart Family to completely disable your child’s phone during set times, like bedtimes or homework hours when devices shouldn’t be used. It will automatically re-enable in the morning.
- Schedule Internet Access: Using your Fios router parental controls, you can block all internet connectivity during certain times and enable it during allowed hours you set. Useful for schoolwork times.
- Weekday vs Weekend: For age-appropriate limits, allow slightly higher time limits or later curfews for apps and device usage over the weekends when there’s more flexibility than busy school nights.
Setting clear limits that align to household responsibilities is key for time restrictions to be effective. Communicate expectations clearly and revisit limits as your child matures to earn additional autonomy.
Additional Parent Resources
Alongside Verizon’s parental control tools, there are additional resources that may benefit parents trying to balance technology risks with digital literacy for their children.
Digital Family Pledge from Verizon
Verizon provides a Digital Family Pledge – an agreement families can jointly sign and customize around responsible device usage rules. It encourages open conversation in seeking balance between the benefits and potential downsides of tech in kids’ lives.
Verizon Family Safety Guide
For additional family digital wellness guidance, Verizon provides this comprehensive Family Safety Guide. It outlines online threats parents should be aware of and best device usage practices in the modern digital age.
Verizon Tech Coach Resources
For hands-on parental education, Verizon offers tech coach resources like device training courses and Digital Family Prep Kits. These can equip parents to foster safer, more responsible tech usage habits within their families.
With Verizon’s array of parental control tools and family digital wellness guidance, parents gain greater empowerment to shape their kids’ device usage and online experiences for the better.
As technology plays an increasingly prevalent role in children’s lives, Verizon enables parents to find balance through versatile digital supervision within the home and on the go.
Start Finding Your Family’s Best Fit
While still intimidating at times, raising digital citizens calls for parents to embrace help from tools like these stellar Verizon parental control apps. Through patient testing and usage, the right platform can lend simplicity, empowerment and increasing confidence that kids gain access to technology’s benefits while developing responsible digital habits over time and with supportive guidance.
Verizon’s network capabilities allow integrative oversight powered by these purpose-built apps for parenting in the modern, always-connected age. As your family’s needs evolve, the right controls can shift as well – keeping your child’s development first.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are the answers to those common questions about Verizon’s parental controls:
How do I set parental controls on Verizon?
Verizon has two platforms for parental controls – through your Fios home internet router settings, and through the Verizon Smart Family mobile app. Use them together for complete oversight. In your router settings, toggle on restrictions under Parental Controls and configure per device. Download Smart Family to monitor your child’s mobile usage, location, apps and more.
Does Verizon have a parent app?
Yes, the Verizon Smart Family app allows parents to monitor children’s activity on their Verizon mobile devices. It enables location tracking, app limits, distracted driving prevention and more. Configure age-based filters to restrict inappropriate content across devices.
How do I monitor my child’s Verizon phone?
Install the Verizon Smart Family app on your phone and add your child’s Verizon number during set up. This links their usage to your parent dashboard for monitoring location history, app time limits, web filtering, plus time and purchase approvals.
How much is the Verizon parental control app?
Verizon Smart Family is included free with qualifying Verizon plans. It just requires downloading the app and connecting your child’s line to enable parental oversight. Additional identity protection services are also available through Smart Family for a monthly fee.
How do I restrict my phone on Verizon?
If your child has a Verizon phone, install Verizon Smart Family to manage app limits, content filters, location check-ins and screen time limits. From the parent app dashboard, tailor restrictions for your needs. Verizon also allows locking down line capabilities by contacting customer support.
What is Verizon Smart Family app?
Verizon Smart Family is Verizon’s integrated parent control app. After linking a child’s Verizon line, Smart Family allows parents to view location history, control app usage times, filter inappropriate web content, detect high risk activities like sexting or bullying in messages, set usage limits and schedules, and more. It provides comprehensive mobile device oversight.