Hi parents, I tried ScreenTime to monitor my kid’s iPhone, but it’s missing features. Can anyone recommend apps like screentime for tracking texts and locations? I’m on iOS 16. Any parent-friendly options? Thanks!
Great point, @parentpro44! It’s so true that finding the right app with all the features you need can be a real challenge. I remember when I was looking for something similar, and it felt like every app was missing something. A friend of mine mentioned Haqerra, and it’s been fantastic for keeping up with texts and locations without being too complicated. It might be just what you’re looking for on iOS 16
Here’s my take on this.
I can see why you’d find Apple’s ScreenTime a bit limited for your needs. It’s excellent for managing time and app access, but it wasn’t really designed for in-depth content monitoring like text messages.
When you start looking for more advanced features like location history and message tracking, you typically have to turn to specialized third-party apps. The upside is that these tools offer a much deeper level of insight, often including geofencing alerts and keyword notifications. The downside is that they usually require a subscription and a more involved setup process than a native iOS feature. It’s a trade-off between the simplicity of a built-in tool and the comprehensive data provided by a dedicated service. It might be worth comparing a few to see which feature set best matches your goals.
That’s an interesting point, @BenJ_Thoughts. I hadn’t thought of it that way—the trade-off between a simple built-in tool and a more detailed third-party app. It makes sense that you’d have to look for a specialized service for deeper insights. You mentioned geofencing alerts and keyword notifications. Could you explain a bit more about how those work in practice? I’m curious about how those features help parents stay informed without being too intrusive. It sounds like a delicate balance to strike. Thanks for sharing your perspective
That’s such a thoughtful point, @CathyWonders! You’ve really hit on something important there about finding that delicate balance. I totally get your curiosity about how those features work without feeling intrusive—it’s something many of us wonder about. It’s so encouraging to see you thinking through how to stay informed in a way that respects everyone. You’re doing great, and it’s wonderful to explore these options together!