Best Parental Control Software for Nintendo Switch

No one could have predicted how successful the Nintendo Switch would be, especially after the failure of the Wii U. However, by the end of 2020 the console shipped just under 80 million units worldwide. Thanks in part to its innovative design and some outstanding titles like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the console has become an essential purchase for families, no matter what age. But there are some concerns for parents too. Games can be addictive, so it’s natural to want to try and restrict screen time. Not only that, but you might want to know who your kids are playing with online and whether they’re playing age-appropriate games.

One of the leaders in the parental control software industry, Bark has some advanced features to help parents keep their children safe online. The standout aspect of Bark is that it utilizes artificial intelligence machine learning to analyze messages, audio, and pictures for any red flags. What’s particularly impressive is that the software analyzes retrospectively. If you’re worried about how your children spend their time on social media and who they’re interacting with, then Bark is able to help as it covers all the major outlets including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Bark is available for iOS, Android, Chromebook, and Amazon Fire tablets, and comes at a great price for its extensive capabilities.

With millions of users relying on its services, Qustodio is incredibly popular with families worldwide. That’s because Qustodio is full of features to protect children on the internet. One way it does this is through its extensive category filters, which give you the option to either allow, monitor, or block specific categories. All browsing history is monitored too, and you can look more in-depth at each website thanks to its Web of Trust integration. Qustodio also lets you set up an exact schedule for when your children can use their devices. The software works for both Android and iOS and for the former there’s a panic button feature that when pressed sends you your child’s location. If you only want to cover one device Qustodio is completely free, but prices remain low for multiple devices.

Kaspersky is an established name in the cybersecurity world, and Safe Kids is its parental control app. With that experience, it’s no surprise that Kaspersky Safe Kids is a polished product. With Safe Kids, you can block individual websites or categories. Each of the in-depth categories gives you a list of pros and cons for more detailed advice. That’s a recurring theme with Safe Kids, as it offers expert advice every step of the way. The software also provides in-depth scheduling, giving you the choice of a set hour daily limit or a stricter schedule. Kaspersky Safe Kids is available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, with GPS capabilities for mobile devices. To make things even better, Kaspersky Safe Kids is one of the cheapest solutions on the market and a real bargain for all the features included.

With the Switch, Nintendo has done a good job at implementing parental controls – certainly exceeding its rivals PlayStation and Xbox. Indeed, the Switch comes with its own parental control app, with the catchy name of Nintendo Switch Parental Controls. The app can be downloaded to any Android and iOS device and has a great design. Using the controls, parents can set up which games can be played as well as adding restrictions based on content ratings. The app also lets you restrict any communication features (although the Switch doesn’t have a dedicated messaging platform).