Stiftung Warentest: Child protection software under test

Parental control software is supposed to help parents keep an eye on their children's media use. However, some apps focus more on monitoring than on control, as Stiftung Warentest's parental control software test shows. Only two systems were convincing in the test.

Stiftung Warentest: Child protection software under test

Stiftung Warentest currently tested 7 parental control apps from well-known security software specialists such as Kaspersky, Norton and McAffee and the parental control functions of the two operating systems Apple iOS and Google Android. Only two of nine parental control programs in the test scored well.

To the test results (partly with costs)

 

Further information

  • In the klicksafe apps section, you can find information on device-based protection measures as well as parental control settings in the app stores, which give parents the option of allowing or blocking apps according to the age rating.
  • We have summarized information on filter software for PCs and mobile devices in the klicksafe topic area Youth Protection Filters .
  • In our new video series mobile & safe, we explain in nine episodes how parents can safely set the smartphone and various apps for children's hands and guide children in their use.
  • What options do parental control apps offer? Does the provider store my children's usage data? Does it share it with data collectors? And how much insight into my child's privacy do I think is okay? Mobilsicher.de has tested eight parental control apps and system functions and provides answers.
  • Information, materials and tips on the topic of"cell phones in children's hands" can be found at klicksafe for parents.