Introduction to Net Nanny
Net Nanny by Content Watch Holdings establishes itself as a veteran parental control software launched originally in the 1990s as an internet filter for families. Over 20+ years, it has evolved core capabilities like app blocking, screen time limits, and content filtering across devices.
Key pillars of Net Nanny’s value proposition include:
- Cross-platform support spanning Windows, Mac OS, iOS and Android devices
- Fast and accurate web filtering backed by regularly updated databases
- App blocking and activity reports providing visibility into usage
- Screen time allowances and scheduling features
- $39.99 yearly pricing
Read on for a full rundown of features, platform support, where Net Nanny trails competition, and final verdict delivering parental guidance in the modern digital age.
Features and Functionality
At its foundation, Net Nanny promises parents visibility and control over a child’s device usage using these main features:
Time Limits
Parents can set daily or weekly time restrictions for individual devices or activities. Scheduling features automatically block further access when limits are reached. Time timers also highlight usage.
Web Filtering
Net Nanny’s core advantage operates through its content filtering software that blocks millions of inappropriate sites across browsers and search engines using frequently updated databases. Custom whitelists and blacklists are supported.
App Blocking
On Android and Kindle Fire devices, parents can view installed apps and block access to those deemed inappropriate like social media or dating apps. Gaming curfews limit late night usage.
Setting up Net Nanny requires downloading the app on child devices paired under the parental admin account with configuration of restrictions happening via web portal or parent app. Unique child profiles enable customization filter settings based on age.
Comparing With Alternatives
Vs competitors like Qustodio and Bark, Net Nanny competes well delivering the core necessities like time management, web filters and app blocking that parents depend on for young kids first getting smartphones.
However both Qustodio and leading Bark surpass Net Nanny’s capabilities when examining total scope of oversight especially social media activity and content intelligence.
Web Filtering – Draw
All three apps provide accurate web filtering across devices for parents. Net Nanny offers the largest proprietary blacklist for precision blocking with over 1 billion unsafe sites indexed.
Location Tracking – Drawback
While Net Nanny lacks robust location tracking, Bark and Qustodio enable persistent location visibility, history and geofencing alerts if kids wander.
Message Monitoring – Drawback
Net Nanny again fails to monitor messages or social media interactions the way Bark and Qustodio achieve byscreening concerning texts and posts for signs of cyberbullying, depression or predators.
For guarding young children under 10 years old against seeing inappropriate googles or websites accidentally, Net Nannyfiltering suffices. But for older kids immersed in apps requiring deeper visibility, Bark and Qustodio pull ahead.
Pros and Cons
Based on functionality comparisons, main pros and cons emerge:
Pros
- Accurate web filtering capability across all major browsers
- Straightforward time limits by device or activity
- Inexpensive $40 price covering 5 device installs
Cons
- iOS restrictions limit filtering effectiveness
- Zero insight into social media, texts or chats
- Dated interface trails competition
Pricing and Plans
As a legacy solution, Net Nanny’s pricing stays affordable if spartan. It skips tiered plans in favor of a single annual $39.99 subscription for supporting 5 child profiles. A free 7-day trial provides short test window.
Competitors like Qustodio shine providing family plans at ~$6 per month per child when managing 3+ kids. This scales oversight affordably. Smaller families can save with Net Nanny but sacrifice configuration options, platform support and usage visibility in the process.
Final Verdict
Net Nanny stands as a parental control staple that laid foundations for enforcing time restrictions and filtering inappropriate websites which current competitors emulate and expand on today with app blocking and incisive message monitoring.
It keeps footings catering to very young digital users across Windows and Android, where visibility need not drill down into Roblox chat logs or Snapchat image exchanges as deeper risks emerge for pre-teens coming of digital age.
For families with 5 or more kids cutting all corners to just secure devices on minimal budget, Net Nanny squeaks by on pricing alone. But most merit stronger social media protections found in Bark and balance of custom controls via Qustodio or filtration-first Kidslox meeting modern demands. In the parental space, feature superiority wins over legacy comfort.