Bark Parental Controls vs Google Family Link

Bark offers more comprehensive protection than Google Family Link. Bark scans your child’s activities and alerts you to concerning content while providing powerful web filtering and screen time scheduling tools.

Compare the Features

Bark vs. Google Family Link
Screen time schedules
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Bark
Set custom rules for school time, bedtime, and free time
Google Family Link
Only allows downtime
Blocking
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Bark
Block specific sites and 19 categories, including adult content, gaming, and streaming sites
Google Family Link
Only blocks adult content; Chrome must be the default browser
Anytime internet pausing
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Bark
Disable the internet whenever needed — no matter where your kids are
Google Family Link
Unavailable
Content monitoring
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Bark
Scans online activities for concerning content
Google Family Link
Unavailable
Alerts for potential dangers
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Bark
Get email/text notifications for issues like cyberbullying and sexual content
Google Family Link
Unavailable
YouTube restricted mode
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Bark
Keep restrictions in place no matter how YouTube is accessed while connected to Bark
Google Family Link
Available
Child opt-out disabled
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Bark
Prevent opt-out of Bark as long as your subscription is active
Google Family Link
Allows children to turn off parental controls when they turn 13
Custom bedtime rules
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Bark
Allows exceptions for wind-down apps like audiobooks and meditation
Google Family Link
Only allows incoming calls and emergency calls

Parents: Get Alerts for Concerning Content

Bark scans for issues like sexual content and online predators and sends you texts when something may be wrong.

How it works

monitor apps screen bark

Monitor

Connect to 30+ platforms to monitor text messages, emails, and social activity for signs of harmful interactions and content. Click here for an overview of what Bark monitors.

bark alert iphone screen

Detect

Get automatic alerts via email and text when Bark’s algorithms detect potential risks, so you don’t have to comb through every post and text.

Alert in the bark app

Alert

Our expert recommendations make it easy for parents to talk to kids about digital dangers and other sensitive online issues.

The bark app filtering screen

Manage

Decide not only when your kids can access the internet on their devices, but also what sites they can visit.

Our Products & Prices

Save up to 42%

Bark Jr

Our entry-level product is perfect for younger kids.

$ 5 USD /month
$ 49 USD /year with annual plan
Features
  • 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

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.