Mmguardian vs qustodio1/7/2024 inadvertently filtering content that should have been allowed. We also looked at whether parental control apps were overblocking, i.e. In 70% of our tests, the apps failed to filter this kind of high-risk online content. We particularly focused on how well the apps blocked access to websites featuring content relating to extreme ideologies, including racist and misogynistic materials misinformation and conspiracy theories and platforms known for adult content. We decided to find out by testing the effectiveness of the 12 most popular parental control apps in the Google Play Store which have over 14 million installs between them. For many people, however, this is a price worth paying to keep children safe online.īut do parental control apps actually work as well as they claim? Or is kids’ privacy being sacrificed for little real benefit? Internet filters are inherently intrusive and restrictive. Installed on both the parent and the child’s devices, this software allows parents to monitor their child’s internet activity and claims to filter inappropriate online content. Parental control apps sell themselves as a quick technological fix. From adult sites and grooming to health misinformation and other potentially radicalizing material, it’s little wonder that parents are worried about what their children are exposed to online. It’s clear that unrestricted internet access can pose many risks for young people, especially now that over half of children own a smartphone. The two apps only successfully flagged risky text in 27% of our tests. Messaging: Again, only two parental control apps offered this functionality.The two apps only flagged around 20% of our test keywords. YouTube: Only two of the most popular parental control apps have dedicated alerts for high-risk YouTube search terms.Sex-ed and LGBTQ+ websites were the most commonly blocked, with all but one parental control app filtering at least one online resource relating to sexuality and sexual health.In 20% of our tests parental control apps blocked internet content on sensitive subjects from government-recommended websites.The apps only blocked websites with extreme ideological content in 27% of tests. ![]() Misinformation and extreme ideologies: parental control apps only blocked websites known for spreading misinformation and conspiracies in 10% of our tests.Microsoft’s parental control app failed 87% of our tests, allowing access to websites like OnlyFans, Gab, InfoWars, and Tinder.In 70% of our tests parental control apps failed to filter internet content relating to extremism, misinformation, or platforms known for adult content outside of adult sites.12 Android apps with 14 million installs: we tested the effectiveness of internet filters in the most popular parental control apps in the Google Play Store.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply.AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |