In today’s digital age, many parents are concerned about keeping tabs on their kids’ social media usage. Snapchat has become one of the most popular social apps among teenagers. Its disappearing message features make it challenging for parents to monitor their kids’ Snapchat activity. Luckily, there are several parental control apps available for iPhone that can monitor Snapchat usage and content. This article will explore the top parental control apps that can monitor Snapchat on iPhones.
Why parents want to monitor Snapchat
There are several valid reasons why parents may want to monitor their kids’ Snapchat activity:
- Prevent cyberbullying – Snapchat’s anonymity can enable bullying behaviors.
- Limit screen time – Compulsive Snapchat use can be detrimental.
- Monitor conversations – Parents want visibility into who their child is talking to.
- Block inappropriate content – Snapchat often contains mature content.
- Ensure child safety – Knowing a child’s location and activities can prevent harm.
While kids may resist efforts to monitor their Snapchat usage, parents ultimately want to protect their children and ensure their wellbeing. Monitoring Snapchat with parental control apps can give parents peace of mind.
Key features of parental control apps for Snapchat monitoring
When evaluating parental control apps, here are some key features that enable Snapchat monitoring:
- Message monitoring – View Snapchat conversations and media.
- Time limits – Set daily or weekly limits for Snapchat use.
- Blocking – Prevent access to mature Snapchat content.
- Location tracking – See where your child is when using Snapchat.
- Alerts – Get notifications about concerning Snapchat activity.
The most robust Snapchat parental control apps will include a combination of these monitoring, restriction, and alert features. Advanced apps even use AI to detect harmful content in Snapchat messages and images.
Top 8 parental control apps for Snapchat monitoring
Based on their Snapchat monitoring capabilities, these 8 iPhone parental control apps stand out:
1. FamiSafe
FamiSafe is one of the most popular parental monitoring apps for iOS. It has robust Snapchat monitoring features including:
- View Snapchat messages, pictures, and videos.
- Get Snapchat alerts for bullying, explicit content, etc.
- Monitor Snapchat chats in real-time.
- Set time limits and restrict access.
- View location history from Snapchat.
FamiSafe uses advanced AI to scan Snapchat content for cyberbullying, sexual content, drugs, and other risks. It provides detailed monitoring reports to parents. The app also works in stealth mode without kids knowing it’s installed.
2. mSpy
mSpy is a longstanding leader in iOS parental monitoring apps. For Snapchat, mSpy offers:
- Invisible monitoring of Snapchat messages and media.
- Keyword alerts for bullying, threats, inappropriate language.
- View Snapchat contacts and friend requests.
- Monitor location from Snap Map and shared Snaps.
- Set time limits for Snapchat app.
mSpy requires jailbreaking the iPhone in order to monitor Snapchat. But it provides very robust Snapchat monitoring capabilities for concerned parents.
3. Bark
Bark takes a different approach from traditional parental control apps. Rather thancomprehensive monitoring, Bark focuses on alerting parents about issues like:
- Signs of depression or suicidal thoughts.
- Cyberbullying activity.
- Drug usage or references.
- Sexual content or grooming.
Bark uses AI to analyze Snapchat messages, images, and activity for anything that appears dangerous. It sends custom alerts to parents if anything raises a red flag. However, Bark does not provide full message visibility or time limiting capabilities.
4. Find My Kids
As the name suggests, Find My Kids emphasizes location tracking for child safety. Its Snapchat monitoring features include:
- Real-time location tracking.
- View Snap Map location history.
- Geofencing and location alerts.
- Notification if child removes app.
- Panic button to call for emergency help.
For parents most concerned about their child’s physical safety, Find My Kids is an ideal solution. However, it does not offer content monitoring or time management features.
5. Kaspersky Safe Kids
Kaspersky Safe Kids offers robust Snapchat management capabilities like:
- Block mature content.
- View sent and received Snaps.
- Get notifications about suspicious messages.
- Set daily usage limits and downtime.
- Monitor location via Snap Map.
A unique aspect of Kaspersky Safe Kids is that it profiles your child’s interests and maturity level. It then automatically blocks inappropriate Snapchat content based on their age and needs. However, it lacks keyword monitoring and does not work in stealth mode.
6. Screen Time
Screen Time is Apple’s built-in parental control app. For Snapchat, it allows parents to:
- Set daily usage limits for the Snapchat app.
- Restrict mature content and limit friend interactions.
- Block Snapchat usage during set downtime hours.
- See basic Snapchat usage reports.
However, Screen Time does not provide any message monitoring, location tracking, or keyword alert capabilities. But it is a free option for basic Snapchat management.
7. Spyzie
Spyzie offers powerful hidden monitoring tools for Snapchat such as:
- View sent/received Snaps and stories.
- Track device location history.
- Keyword alerts for bullying, drugs, etc.
- Screen recordings of Snapchat activity.
- Detailed insights into usage habits.
Spyzie operates in stealth mode and does not require rooting the iPhone. However, some users report bugs with its Snapchat monitoring capabilities after updates. But overall it remains a strong contender.
8. Net Nanny
Net Nanny focuses on web filtering but also has some Snapchat monitoring features like:
- Block inappropriate Snapchat content.
- Enforce usage hours and time limits.
- Disable Snapchat’s camera feature.
- Provide insight into contacts and friend requests.
- Generate usage and screen time reports.
Net Nanny lacks more advanced Snapchat monitoring tools like message screening or location tracking. But its basic Snapchat management features are decent.
Key factors when choosing a Snapchat monitoring app
With many parental control apps available, it’s important to assess your specific needs when choosing monitoring software for Snapchat. Here are some key factors to consider:
- iOS compatibility – Ensure full iPhone optimization and no jailbreaking required.
- Content monitoring – Message, image, keyword alerts that flag risky content.
- Time management – Ability to set limits, downtime, app block schedules.
- Location tracking – Monitoring location via Snap Map or shared Snaps.
- Stealth mode – Hidden monitoring without child being aware.
- Price – Cost for monthly or yearly subscription.
Prioritizing your needs in these areas will help you select the right Snapchat monitoring app for your family’s needs and budget.
Concerns around monitoring Snapchat
While monitoring Snapchat can help protect children online, it does raise some ethical concerns that parents should consider:
- Privacy invasion – Reading private messages is controversial.
- Trust issues – Excess monitoring undermines parent-child trust.
- Data security – Third parties accessing sensitive information.
- Legal risks – Monitoring should comply with applicable laws.
- Promoting responsibility – Some experts say monitoring discourages accountability.
Parents should aim to use monitoring only when necessary and have open conversations around online safety. Most importantly, Snapchat monitoring should be done with the child’s best interests in mind.
Frequently asked questions
Can parental controls see Snapchat?
Yes, many parental control apps for iPhone can monitor Snapchat activity to some extent. The most comprehensive options can view Snapchat messages, images/videos, contacts, location history, usage times, and keyword alerts.
Does Screen Time monitor Snapchat?
Apple’s Screen Time has limited Snapchat monitoring capabilities. It can set daily usage limits, restrict some content, and provide basic Snapchat usage reports. But it does not offer message visibility, keyword alerts, or fine-tuned controls.
Is there a way to read deleted Snapchats?
Snapchat deletes messages once they are viewed, making it impossible to retrieve deleted Snaps through the app itself. However, some third-party parental control apps claim to allow recovering and viewing deleted Snapchat messages and images by tapping into the iPhone’s backups and logs.
Can parents hack into Snapchat?
There are tools that unofficially claim to hack into Snapchat accounts. However, this is unethical and likely illegal in most jurisdictions. Parents should avoid hacking methods and use above board monitoring apps instead.
Is there a free Snapchat monitoring app?
Most robust Snapchat monitoring apps like FamiSafe and mSpy require a paid subscription. However, Apple’s Screen Time does offer certain basic Snapchat monitoring features for free. But it lacks Snapchat content visibility or advanced controls.
Conclusion
Snapchat monitoring is a controversial but potentially necessary part of responsible parenting in the digital age. Apps like FamiSafe offer powerful Snapchat oversight to protect children from harm. When used ethically, monitoring apps can give peace of mind. But parents should also aim to build trust through open conversations around social media safety. In the end, a healthy balance of guidance and autonomy is ideal as teens learn to navigate the online world.