Bark vs Apple Screen Time
Learn how the Bark Premium app stacks up against Apple Screen Time.
Compare the Features
Set custom rules for school time, bedtime, and free time.
Only allows Downtime.
Create one set of app and/or website limits to be applied.
Can also set weekly or daily downtime schedule.
Block specific sites and apps or choose from 19 categories, including adult content, gaming, and streaming sites — all on any browser.
Block specific sites and can block adult content as a category.
Disable the internet whenever needed — no matter where your kids are.
Does not have an instant internet pause toggle, however you can manually adjust Screen Time/Downtime settings as needed to restrict internet access.
Scans online activities like texts, emails, and social media platforms for concerning content in over 45 categories.
Messages includes tools that warn children and provide helpful resources if they receive or attempt to send photos that may contain nudity. Parents are not notified; children have the option to message an adult that they trust about the photo if they choose to.
Get email/text notifications for issues like cyberbullying and sexual content.
Pop-up warning for messages that include nudity.
Keep restrictions in place no matter how YouTube is accessed while connected to Bark.
Must be manually turned on within the YouTube app and children may make changes to this setting.
Prevent children under 18 from opting out of Bark.
Any family member age 13 or older can remove themselves from a family group. If you have Screen Time turned on for your account, the family organizer must remove you.
Manage all your family’s devices easily with one app.
Only works with iOS devices.
With Bark, you can:
Monitor content
Get alerts for issues like bullying, predators, sexual content, and more.
Manage screen time
Create custom daily screen time schedules for your child’s device.
Block websites
Block access to specific websites or even whole categories.
Track location
Stay on top of your child’s location with our real-time map, location alerts, and check-ins.
Our Products & Prices
Bark Premium
Our comprehensive parental intelligence solution.
- Manage screen time
- Filter which websites your kids can visit
- Keep up with kids with location alerts and check-ins
- Monitor texts, email, YouTube, and 30+ apps and platforms
- Get alerts for issues like cyberbullying, online predators, suicidal ideation, and more
Bark Jr
Our entry-level product is perfect for younger kids.
- Manage screen time
- Filter which websites your kids can visit
- Keep up with kids with location alerts and check-ins
- Monitor texts, email, YouTube, and 30+ apps and platforms
- Get alerts for issues like cyberbullying, online predators, suicidal ideation, and more
FAQs
Content Monitoring
Bark uses advanced machine learning and statistical analysis techniques to recognize potential problems. Simple keyword searches are not enough to detect the majority of issues, which is why our parental control app uses contextual analysis and natural language processing to determine when something serious might be happening.
For example, Bark knows the difference between a kid saying “This homework makes me wanna kill myself,” versus “Nobody cares about me!! I wanna kill myself.” Our algorithm also keeps up with the latest in teen slang.
Screen Time Management and Website Blocking
Families can manage not only when their kids can access the internet on their devices, but also which sites and apps they can visit.
You can create custom profiles for each child in your house, create screen time schedules, and manage access to a wide variety of websites — including video streaming, gaming, adult content, and more.
To get started, simply visit our sign-up page or download our app for parents (iOS, Android). From there, you’ll be able to select the product (Bark Premium or Bark Jr) that’s right for your family and get step-by-step instructions.
If you’re interested in the Bark Phone, learn more about it and choose the plan that’s right for your family and place your order.
As for the Bark Home, you can order one here.
Bark's phone monitoring app for parents not only provides comprehensive coverage for all the top apps and devices, but also takes the crucial extra step of helping families navigate the issues raised by alerts.
Here's a complete list of absolutely everything Bark monitors on every device.
With Bark, you can manage your children’s screen time from your own phone via the Bark app or website, regardless of whether you have an iPhone and your kids have an Android (or vice versa).
In terms of web filtering, Apple's Screen Time and Google Family Link web filters only block general content. Bark, on the other hand, breaks down a wide range of categories and exceptions to enable a more customized and refined level of protection.
Ready to get started?
Bark was created by parents, for parents, to offer a better, easier, and more effective way to help families create healthy digital habits.
