Bark Review 2024: Once and For All - Is It Really Good?

The Bark philosophy is that trust and having an open line of communication between kids and parents is an essential part of keeping kids safe online. Therefore, its features, such as social media monitoring and location tracking, require that the child is an active participant instead of just transmitting the data to the parent’s dashboard. With the screen time tools, you’ll be able to create a routine, which helps develop healthy habits, while at the same time still giving you the ability to control screen time and app use.

Here’s a quick summary of Bark’s features:

Bark Features – Updated in 2024

With its comprehensive library of powerful features, Bark provided me with valuable insights and tools to effectively monitor my kid’s behavior online. By addressing potential risks and offering timely alerts, Bark offered peace of mind and the ability to create a healthy and secure online environment. Here are some of the top features that made Bark an invaluable asset in safeguarding my kids online.

AI Content Monitoring to Detect Inappropriate and Dangerous Interactions

Bark uses AI and machine learning algorithms to scan videos, text, photos, DMs, and even emojis in more than 30 social media and email apps. The algorithm has 17 categories that include everything from sex, drugs, and self-harm to risky app use and creating a public profile.

I was able to adjust the sensitivity levels of the category or turn it off completely if I didn’t think it was relevant to my child.

By adjusting the sensitivity levels, I was able to limit the number of false flags or alerts that were really minor, and didn’t require my attention.

The 17 Categories that Bark Monitors

Bark uploads a screenshot of any content that triggers an alert, along with tags to make it easy to see which categories caused the alert. After my first few days of using Bark, I saw that many of the alerts were caused because the sensitivity settings were high. However, because it shows me the filter tag, I was able to go to the settings and change them to a lower sensitivity level, which reduced the number of false flag alerts.

Another nice feature I noticed is that if I trust the person communicating with my daughter, I can choose to remove all alerts from their interactions. For example, in the image below, the alert was triggered in a siblings and parents group, where one of my other children sent a funny beer commercial that Bark flagged for drugs and alcohol. I don’t need to get alerts from our family WhatsApp group, so I clicked the link that says “Don’t alert me to issues with this group.”

Bark Monitors the Most Popular Social Media Apps and Email Accounts

Bark is compatible with a good mix of more than 30 social media and chat apps that are popular among teens. While I did have to sit with my daughter and connect some of her accounts to Bark, others are automatically monitored if the apps are installed on the phone. Connecting Bark to the apps is an easy process – you can see complete instructions here.

Here is the complete list of the apps that Bark monitors for Android and iOS, and what it can monitor with each one.

In addition to these apps, I was happy to see that Bark monitors photos, videos, and texts that are saved on Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire devices.

Customize a Screen Time Schedule to Create Healthy Habits

Bark has a unique method for creating screen time rules. Instead of setting an overall daily screen time limit or limits for individual apps, I got to create a custom schedule for which apps and websites are available at different times throughout the day. This system is great if your child has a consistent schedule, like during the school year, but can be a bit more challenging during vacation.

There are three different time segments, or categories, each with its own set of rules for how I want my daughter to use her phone. Bark has a small selection of apps that I can block or I can block categories of apps and websites. Another option is to set one of the time segments to disable the internet when it’s active. Once the segments are ready, I can add them to the daily or weekly calendar, and within a minute or two, it will sync these rules to my child’s device.

In addition to the three segments that I can add to the calendar, there is also a default option. this one is what Bark uses if you leave a time slot empty in the calendar. I am surprised that Bark doesn’t give me the option to add additional segments, but perhaps having too many options would be harder to manage.

Each segment has default settings that block or allow specific apps and websites, but I prefer to scroll through all the rules and customize the rules based on my daughter’s needs and interests.

These are the time segments and recommendations for how to use each one:

• School Time: I only allow access to apps and websites my son needs in school, like Microsoft 365, Google Docs, and his school app. Everything else is blocked.
• Free Time: When my son has free time, I give him access to all his apps.
• Bedtime: I blocked all apps except his music app, so he can listen to music when he goes to sleep.
• Default: If you don’t set rules for a specific time, the default filter and app permission will be enforced. I use this option to block the internet completely.

Bark also has a Pause Device button that allows me to remotely block the internet from my son’s phone. I like this feature if I need him off the phone, but I don’t want to make any changes to the daily or weekly routine.

Because of Bark’s trust-based philosophy, they don’t have a typical screen time tool, where I can set a daily screen time limit, or limit screen time for specific apps. If you want to set strict screen time limits, try Qustodio which is one the best screen time limiting apps that I‘ve tested.

The Web Filter is Integrated with the Screen Time Categories for Enhanced Customization

The Bark web filter is a little different than any other filter I tested. Instead of a general web filter that works all the time, Bark lets you segment the rules as part of the screen time categories.

The advantage of using a filter like this, as opposed to a standard web filter that is always on, is that it allows me to set boundaries based on what my child should be doing, and not just general rules for the entire day. For example, while I have no problem with my daughter looking at sports and entertainment sites during her free time, I don’t want these sites available during school hours or when he should be in bed. Of course, some categories, like sexual content, drugs, and violence are enabled on every time segment because they’re never allowed.

The filter is fully customizable, and all changes are made in the Settings section for the specific time segment.

The filter can block:

• App categories such as social media, games, streaming, and unknown apps
• 30+ apps
• 19 Website categories
• Any URL – but it has to be entered manually in the exception section

The web filter can block apps and websites in the following 19 categories:

When Bark blocks a website or app, it doesn’t show a lock screen or let the child know the filter blocked them. Instead, the page will act like it’s loading very slowly until there’s a time-out error message on the screen. The only flaw with this filter is that it only works with apps that have to be online; offline apps, like games or streaming downloaded shows on Netflix or Hulu, will work.

In addition to these categories, Bark can enforce SafeSearch for Google, Bing, and DuckDuckGo, and it blocks any search engine that doesn’t support SafeSearch. I could also turn on YouTube Restricted Mode to stop any inappropriate videos from appearing in the search results or playing on AutoPlay or recommended videos. The advantage of using Bark for SafeSearch and Restricted Mode instead of just activating these features through the Google account is that Bark has better tools to prevent my daughter from bypassing the rules.

Get Live Location Updates and Create Geofences

Bark has a different method for tracking the child’s live location from other parental control apps I’ve tested. Instead of opening the dashboard and seeing my child’s avatar on a map, it’s up to my son to send me a Check-In. The way it works is simple: I can send a Check-In request to my son through the dashboard, and he receives a notification on his phone.

He then opens the Bark Child app on his phone and presses the Check-In button. Once he checks in, the map on the dashboard is updated with his location. However, it won’t update until my son checks in again. There’s a Get Directions button under the map if I need to go pick him up or we’re meeting up somewhere.

The Check-in button can also be used as an SOS or panic button when a child finds themselves in an uncomfortable position. There is no need to wait for a check-in request from the parent. I told my daughter that if he’s ever in trouble, just open the Bark for Kids app and press the Check-in button.

I was happy to see that Bark has a geofence feature. It allows me to add a location address or the name of the location, and when my daughter enters or leaves that area, it sends a notification to my phone and adds an alert in the dashboard.

This feature is helpful because my daughter goes to school by himself, and Bark lets me know that he made it in the morning and when he returned home in the afternoon. The only improvement I would like to see is the option to place a pin on the map, instead of only giving me the option to enter an address. There are times when I don’t know the exact address, such as the park or a friend’s house, but I can find it on the map.

View Insights to Get an Overview of Your Child’s Online Activity

The Insights section is the one part of Bark that I think needs major improvements. On the top of the Insights page, it shows the number of online actions that it analyzed and how many alerts came from that. Under that, it shows the top 5 online activities based on the frequency of the action, not the amount of time spent doing it. So, for example, if my daughter opened the Facebook app 1 time but watched for 3 hours and opened the Facebook app 2 times for a total of 2 minutes, Facebook would be listed above Netflix. It also lists the number of alerts from the previous 7 days, but I couldn’t click on anything to get more information.

As I scrolled down, I could see the most recently installed apps, here I could click through and see more apps that were installed and their ratings. That’s followed by a graph that is supposed to monitor the tone of messages my daughter sends, either positive or negative. However, while testing Bark, all of my daughter’s messages were uncategorized, so this didn’t provide any helpful insights.

There are two ways to access the alerts. You can either click on the bright red alert bar on the main dashboard page or if you’re on any other section in your parental dashboard, click on the Alerts tab on the top menu bar.

In both cases, I could see the list of the alerts with some basic information about why the alert was triggered. It shows me which device my daughter was using, the app she was using that triggered the alerts, and which category was triggered to cause the alert.

I can then click on each alert to view the complete details. The alert uploads an image or a copy of the text, making it very clear as to why the alert was triggered. It also allows me to see the context, so there is no room for misunderstanding.

Before I could install Bark on my daughter’s phone and computer, I needed to create a profile and purchase a subscription plan.

I found that creating the profile and setting up the account went much faster when I sat with my child. This is because, besides the easy questions of name and birthday, I needed to select her email provider, browser preference, and the social media apps she uses, so Bark could monitor them. If your child isn’t around, don’t worry, you can always add these in later.

After I completed the profile, I selected all the devices and platforms that my daughter uses. Bark allows unlimited device connections, which means that not only can I create a custom user profile for each child, but I can monitor all of their devices. With other apps I tested, I had to debate whether it was more important to monitor the phone, tablet, Chromebook, or the family computer, but with Bark, I can monitor them all.

After the profile was complete, I had to choose one of the Bark subscription plans. Since I wanted to test the app before paying for it, I started with a 7-day free trial. Bark did require that I enter my payment information to activate the free trial, but I wasn’t charged until the trial period ended.

How to Install Bark on Android

The Bark for Kids app can only be downloaded directly from the Bark website, as it’s not available in the Google Play Store. After my payment method was confirmed, Bark showed me three options for installing the app, all of which require physical access to her phone as there is no remote installation option.

1. Scan the QR code, and the app will begin to download.
2. Go to Bark.us/android, and press the download button.
   Send an SMS with the installation link. This option is only available in the US, South Africa, and Australia.

After the installation is finished, follow the setup wizard to make sure all of the permissions, such as GPS access, contacts, and accessibility, are enabled.

The last step is to connect the app to your account. Instead of a username and password, which your child might know and use to disable the protection, Bark uses a Device Code that changes every few minutes.

To find the 6-digit code, log into your dashboard and click on the account icon in the top right corner. A menu will open with a Get Device Code option. Just copy and paste the code on your child’s phone to sync your account with the phone.

How to Install Bark for Kids on iOS

Because there is no Bark for Kids app in the App Store and there is no jailbreak option, there technically isn’t an app to install on the iOS device. However, you can still set up monitoring for iPhone and iPad through your computer.

Before you get started, make sure you have:

• Your child’s iOS devices
• The charging cable
• A PC or Mac

The first thing you’ll need to do is download the Bark Desktop app on your PC or Mac from the Bark website. Once the installation is complete, use the cable to connect the iOS device to the computer.

Then, open the Bark dashboard on your computer, and press the Monitoring tile > Add Device > choose the monitoring option > select iOS/Apple.

Lastly, follow the on-screen instructions to approve the permissions and set up syncing between the computer and iOS device. After the accounts are synced, the Bark desktop app will scan the iPhone and iPad whenever they’re on the same WiFi network, so you won’t need physical access to your child’s device again.

How to Install the Browser Extension

To set up monitoring on a PC or Mac, you’ll need to install a browser extension for either Chrome or Edge. Open the extension store, and search for Bark, you’ll see two extensions – Bark for Chrome or Edge and Bark for Watchdog. You will need to install them both, but first install the Bark for Chrome or Edge.

Make sure that you do the following:

1. Install the extension on your child’s browser profile account. If your child doesn’t have their own user profile, set it up before adding the extension.
2. Connect your child’s email accounts to Bark. This allows Bark to identify the child’s browser as their own. It’s especially important if you’re monitoring multiple children.
3. Click on the Manage Extensions tab on your browser and allow the extension to run in Incognito Mode (Chrome) or InPrivate (Edge).
4. Disable guest mode profiles, and make sure that all other user profiles are password protected so your child can’t just switch profiles when acting inappropriately.

Guided Tutorial For Setting Up Social Media and App Monitoring

One of the unique challenges I found with Bark is connecting it with my daughter’s email and social media accounts. All of the apps that I selected during the setup process appeared on my dashboard. Then, I went through them one at a time to set up the monitoring.

When I clicked on each app, I had the following three options:

• I have my child’s device: Bark will send a setup link via SMS to the child’s device. If they are already logged into their account, no further action is required. Otherwise, they simply need to connect their account, and Bark will start monitoring. This option is only available in the US, South Africa, and Australia due to SMS restrictions.
• I have my child’s password: You can log in to the app or social media network directly from this page. After agreeing to grant Bark access to the account, monitoring will begin.
• My child will connect this account: By selecting this option, Bark will send a setup link to your child’s account through SMS or email. this method is suitable if you trust that your child will follow the instructions and connect their accounts to Bark.

The setup process is not needed for all the apps that Bark monitors. There are 13 apps that Bark automatically monitors if they’re installed on the child’s phone.

Apps that Bark Monitors Automatically

Connecting your child’s apps to Bark is one of the most important things you have to do when setting up Bark because otherwise, it will only monitor the 13 apps listed above. The guided tutorial makes it really simple and fast, which I appreciated.