Bark Premium vs Bark Jr: Which Parental Control App Is Right for You?

As a parent, I understand the importance of keeping our children safe while they use technology. With so many parental control apps available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one.

One popular option is Bark. If you have looked into it, you may have come across Bark Premium and Bark Jr. Not sure which one to choose? I’ll go over both options and share my experience with Bark.

Setting Up My Bark Account

Bark is a parental control app with tools for monitoring supported online activity and text messages, managing screen time, and filtering websites. The features available depend on your child’s device and the accounts you connect.

I chose Bark Premium over Bark Jr because I wanted more monitoring options. I’ll get into the differences shortly.

I started by creating an account, downloading the app to my iPhone, and going through the Setup Checklist. This was a relatively easy process, and the checklist was nicely laid out. For the social media accounts I connected, I mostly needed my son’s login information.

My son didn’t have an email account at the time, so I don’t have firsthand experience with setting up email monitoring. However, connecting his social media accounts was straightforward.

For example, I connected the YouTube account I let my son use. After logging in and completing Google’s verification process, I gave Bark the requested permissions.

I also connected his Android tablet, a Galaxy Tab A7. During my setup, I downloaded the monitoring app using a link provided by Bark. The tablet warned me that I was downloading an unknown app, so I had to go into Settings to allow the installation. Afterward, I switched the setting back to prevent other unknown apps from being installed.

Once the download was complete, I opened the Bark app and used a device code to connect his tablet to my parent account. The process was fairly easy.

Having monitoring tools in place gave me some peace of mind, especially because children can interact with others through apps and online games.

Why I Chose Bark Premium

I chose Bark Premium because I wanted monitoring for my son’s YouTube activity. Based on the plan descriptions I reviewed, Bark Jr didn’t offer the monitoring features I was looking for.

Bark Premium includes monitoring for supported social media platforms, text messages, and email, along with web filtering and screen time management. It can flag potential concerns such as cyberbullying, concerning interactions, and content related to self-harm.

Bark Jr focuses on screen time management, website and app blocking, and location features. I think it may be a good fit for younger children who aren’t using social media or for families who mainly want help managing device access.

For my family, the additional monitoring features were why I chose Premium.

Bark Premium: Key Features

As I researched Bark Premium and used it with my son, several features stood out to me.

Monitoring for supported apps and accounts

Bark Premium can monitor supported apps, social media platforms, text messages, and email for potential concerns. What it can monitor depends on the device, platform, and setup.

Alerts about potential concerns

Bark can flag content that may involve cyberbullying, concerning interactions, or signs of emotional distress. These alerts can help parents decide when to check in with their child. Bark also provides guidance that may help with those conversations.

Screen time management

The screen time tools allow parents to create schedules for device use. I like having a way to set boundaries around when my son can use his technology.

Web filtering

Parents can use filtering tools to help limit access to websites and content they don’t want their child to view.

Location features

Location sharing and alerts can help parents keep up with their child’s whereabouts, including when they arrive at or leave designated places.

Overall, I found Bark Premium useful for adding another layer of awareness to my son’s online activity. It also gave me tools to support conversations about using technology responsibly.

Bark Jr: Key Features

While I ultimately chose Bark Premium, I also looked into Bark Jr. Its focus is on helping parents manage device use rather than monitoring social media, texts, and email for concerning content.

Some of the features that stood out to me include:

• Content filtering: Parents can help limit access to inappropriate websites and customize filtering settings.
• Screen time management: Families can create schedules that set boundaries around device use.
• Website and app blocking: Parents can restrict access to websites and apps.
• Location alerts: Parents can add places such as home and school and receive alerts when their child arrives or leaves.

I think Bark Jr could be a practical option for younger children or families who mainly want screen time controls, filtering, and location features.

Final Thoughts: Which One Is Right for You?

The choice between Bark Premium and Bark Jr depends on what you want help with and how your child uses technology.

If you want monitoring for supported social media accounts, text messages, and email, Bark Premium may be the better fit. It can flag potential concerns and send alerts to help you decide when to check in with your child. Its screen time management and web filtering tools can also support your family’s online safety routines.

If your main concerns are screen time, access to websites and apps, and location updates, Bark Jr may meet your needs. Its location features can help you stay informed about your child’s whereabouts.

For my family, I chose Bark Premium because I wanted the additional monitoring features. Whichever option you consider, check Bark’s current plan details and device compatibility to make sure it offers the tools you need.

No parental control app can catch every concern or guarantee a child’s safety. I see these tools as support for the boundaries and ongoing conversations we have with our children about technology.