If your family uses iPhones or iPads, BrightCanary is the better choice.
BrightCanary monitors what your child types across every app — including Snapchat, Discord, text messages, and internet browsers (even incognito mode).
Bark can’t monitor most apps on iOS, limiting its visibility into your child’s digital life.
| Feature | BrightCanary | Bark |
| Monitors all apps (Snapchat, Discord, TikTok, etc.) | Yes | Limited list on iOS |
| Text message monitoring | Yes, including explicit images and deleted texts | Limited |
| AI monitoring (ChatGPT, Character.ai, etc.) | Yes | Not supported on iOS |
| Real-time alerts | Yes | No |
| 24/7 monitoring | Yes | Can only scan when child is home |
| iPhone & iPad monitoring | Yes | Limited |
| Apple Watch monitoring | Yes, on Text Message Plus plan | No |
| Price | Starting at $39.99/year | Starting at $99.99/year |
BrightCanary uses a secure on-device keyboard that monitors what kids type across every app — social media, messaging, AI chatbots, and more.
It delivers real-time alerts and AI-powered summaries about your child’s online interactions and emotional state. You can choose how much insight you need, whether you want to skim the summaries or dig into each message.
Bark, by contrast, has limited effectiveness on iOS. If you add Bark Home or a router with Bark built-in, you can block and filter apps and websites to all internet-connected devices — but only while your child is home.
BrightCanary was built to complement Apple’s Screen Time controls for parents, which are free. These settings allow you to block and filter apps and websites no matter where your child is with their phone.
Bark has many of the same features as Apple Screen Time as part of their paid app.
Choose BrightCanary if you want to:
Choose Bark if you want to:
“It actually captures my daughter’s bazillion iPhone texts when Bark did not. Thank you!”
— Julie
“Parents! I just found BrightCanary. (If you know about it shame on you for not telling me!) It helps monitor your kiddos phone. It detects bullying and anything inappropriate for kids! And yes you can see the messages they send — including Snap, Discord, Roblox.”
— Carly
If your child uses Apple devices, BrightCanary gives you the insight Bark can’t. You’ll see what your child types — across every app — and receive alerts the moment something concerning happens.
Start your free trial today. Get 10% off a year of Text Message Plus with code PARENTS10.
Yes. BrightCanary monitors everything your child types across all apps on iPhones and iPads. Bark’s iOS monitoring is limited and only scans certain data when the child’s device is connected to Wi-Fi at home.
Partially. Bark’s monitoring on iOS is restricted due to the way the company works with Apple’s privacy rules, so it can’t see most direct messages or app activity.
Yes. BrightCanary monitors what kids type in Snapchat, Discord, TikTok, and all other messaging and social apps in real time.
No. BrightCanary focuses on message visibility and emotional safety, not app blocking. Screen time controls are freely available on Apple Screen Time.
Yes. BrightCanary doesn’t read passwords or private documents. It monitors only what your child types and stores data securely with encryption.
More and more parents are being asked by their kids if they can use ChatGPT. It’s understandable — the revolutionary AI service is everywhere, and it’s natural that children and especially teens would be curious about it.
OpenAI requires users to be 13 years old to sign up for an account, but younger children can use ChatGPT under a parent’s supervision. With the new ChatGPT parental controls, it’s also easier for families to manage how kids use AI safely.
On one hand, using a service like ChatGPT can offer numerous benefits to your teen or pre-teen, including homework help, learning opportunities, and entertainment. On the other hand, there are also potential risks to consider. Here are some of the pros and cons, recommendations for managing the risks, and advice for talking to your child about your decision.
When used thoughtfully, AI tools like ChatGPT can be beneficial for kids in a number of ways:
If your child is struggling with a particular subject or assignment, they can use AI services like ChatGPT to get helpful explanations and tips. This can help them understand the material better and complete their homework more efficiently. (But they shouldn't use AI to complete their homework — more on that later.)
AI services can offer children a unique opportunity to learn about new topics or explore their interests. For example, if your child is interested in dinosaurs, they can ask ChatGPT questions about the different types of dinosaurs or their habitats. AI can be helpful for more advanced interests, too: ChatGPT can be especially helpful for kids who want to learn how to code.
ChatGPT can spark your child’s imagination and help them flex their creative muscles. Your kid can ask ChatGPT to tell jokes, help them brainstorm story ideas, or even come up with scenes like what would happen if dinosaurs could talk.
AI chatbots perform best when the prompts are clear and direct. So, chatting with an AI service can help children develop their ability to ask questions, express themselves clearly, and listen to others.
By the time your kids graduate from high school, the ability to work and communicate with AI platforms will be an essential skill for many in college and in the workplace. From crafting ChatGPT prompts to brainstorm research paper topics to using one of the many AI platforms to write or check code, giving your kids access to AI services now will give them a head start on learning this crucial skill.
As a new and relatively unknown technology, there are obviously potential risks to letting your child use AI tools like ChatGPT.
If your child becomes too reliant on AI services, they may not develop important critical thinking and problem-solving skills. AI is a tool, but it isn’t a replacement for developing essential skills like the ability to develop a strong argument or research an important topic.
ChatGPT stores conversation data unless memory or training settings are turned off, or if parental controls are enabled. Children could also share personal details unintentionally.
Some AI services may not filter out inappropriate content, such as explicit language or violent images. This could be harmful or upsetting to your child. AI services like ChatGPT have also been known to “hallucinate” responses and come up with sources that don’t actually exist, so it’s essential to talk to your child about double-checking their information.
In rare cases, AI services could pose a safety risk if they give your child dangerous or inaccurate information, particularly in response to sensitive topics.
Your kid could be tempted to pass off the output they get from ChatGPT as their own. Make sure your kids understand that it’s not OK to present information from this tool as their own work, especially for homework.
Most schools have a zero-tolerance policy for plagiarism and consider it cheating. Talk to your child about the importance of using ChatGPT as a thought-starter, not as a replacement for their work.
In late 2025, OpenAI introduced built-in parental controls that let parents and teens link accounts, giving parents powerful new tools to manage safety and screen time.
Here’s how they work:
If ChatGPT’s system detects a potential serious safety risk, such as threats of self-harm, parents may receive a notification — only with the minimal information necessary to help protect their child.
Parents can also manage related OpenAI features from the same settings menu:
You can minimize the potential downsides while letting your child use ChatGPT by talking to your child and staying connected to how they’re using AI.
Explore ChatGPT as a family. This helps you model how to ask good questions and identify reliable answers.
Teach your child never to share personal information — like their real name, location, or school — with ChatGPT or any online platform.
Remind your child that AI can be wrong. Encourage them to double-check facts and ask, “How do you know that?”
Add ChatGPT use to your family’s digital device contract. Set limits if necessary, including when and how often they can use them — especially as it relates to schoolwork.
Even with parental controls, it helps to have another layer of oversight. BrightCanary lets you monitor what your child types on AI platforms like ChatGPT from their iPhone or iPad. You’ll receive real-time alerts for concerning topics, plus AI summaries that make it easy to understand how they’re using the app.
Staying involved is a big part of supporting your child as they learn to use AI apps like ChatGPT. BrightCanary makes it easier to stay connected.
How to set up a ChatGPT account to use with your child
You must be 18 years old to create an account with OpenAI to use ChatGPT. But you can create an account for yourself and use it with your child.
If you’re concerned about giving your child access to ChatGPT, there are some AI services that are explicitly kid-friendly. Here are a few:
Allowing your child to use AI services like ChatGPT is more a matter of “when” and “how” than “if,” given the way it’s changing work and school. As a parent, you can choose the best time to introduce your child to AI, and how to do it in a way that maximizes the benefits and manages the risks.
The second season of the Netflix smash hit series Wednesday has officially dropped. Even though the series is centered around teens, parents may wonder: Is Wednesday appropriate for kids? Let’s break down the show’s content to help you decide.
The show features the Addams family’s teenage daughter, Wednesday Addams, played by Jenny Ortega. The show, set at Nevermore Academy boarding school, is best described as a supernatural teen murder mystery.
Keep in mind that age ratings are simply suggestions — your child might be able to handle the show before age 14, or you may have a child older than 14 who finds it too scary. That’s where your discretion as a parent comes in.
If you’re a household that doesn’t mind a few swear words in the media you consume, this won’t be an issue. Some research has shown that exposing kids to curse words isn’t a bad thing — it can be a discussion-starter on when it’s appropriate to use strong language.
If your kids are still at an age when they might use a swear word inappropriately, and you want to keep their exposure to foul language to a minimum, Wednesday might not yet be right for your family.
Most of the characters in Wednesday are in high school so you can expect standard teen romance fare, including crushes and a few kissing scenes.
Wednesday’s parents get a little, ahem, overly affectionate with each other from time to time, much to their daughter’s annoyance, but they remain fully clothed at all times.
Wednesday is trying to solve the mystery of a monster who savagely kills people in the woods, so expect a fair amount of blood and gore throughout. The monster itself is terrifying, with a hunched back, long sharp claws, fangs, and huge eyes.
Wednesday is also obsessed with the macabre and speaks often about death and dying. At one point, she hides from the authorities in a refrigerated drawer in a morgue.
Wednesday is best suited for teens and older children who can handle scary imagery, supernatural themes, and mild profanity. While there is no explicit content, the violence and dark themes may not be suitable for younger viewers.
Any time your child asks to watch a new show, it’s generally a good idea to investigate it yourself first. That way, you can make an informed decision about what’s suitable for them. Parents need to be aware that shows, just like other online material, can expose your child to content they may not be ready to handle on their own.
Beyond TV shows, children are also exposed to concerning content on social media, messaging apps, and search platforms. BrightCanary helps parents supervise their child’s online activity, offering AI-powered alerts for inappropriate content on Apple devices, YouTube, Google, and social media.
Start your free trial of BrightCanary today!
Andrew Tate, a social media personality known for promoting misogyny and toxic masculinity, has become a surprisingly influential figure among teens — especially boys. Despite being arrested and accused of serious allegations, he has been embraced by prominent podcasters and media figures within the “manosphere,” a collection of online communities that promote masculinity and anti-feminism.
So, why are kids talking about him, and what can parents do about it? This guide explains Andrew Tate’s appeal, outlines the risks, and provides age-appropriate tips for discussing his influence with your child.
Andrew Tate is a former competitive kickboxer, entrepreneur, and online influencer whose notoriety grew through his provocative and often misogynistic social media content.
He had 4.6 million Instagram followers before he was banned for violating the platform’s terms of service. He was also banned on several other platforms, including Facebook and TikTok. His account on X (formerly Twitter) was later restored when Elon Musk bought the platform.
Tate brands himself as a self-made millionaire and the “King of Toxic Masculinity.” Here are a few examples of his content:
Is your child following problematic influencers online? Here’s how to monitor their online activity so you can talk about it.
Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan were arrested in Romania on December 29, 2022, for suspected human trafficking, sexual assault, and involvement in organized crime. Recently, the Tate brothers were allowed to leave Romania after prosecutors lifted their travel restrictions. The brothers remain under investigation.
Earlier this year, Andrew Tate’s ex-girlfriend, Brianna Stern, filed a lawsuit accusing Andrew of assaulting her during their relationship.
Andrew Tate’s popularity surged when his videos started circulating around TikTok, a platform whose users typically skew younger. Tate resonates with tween and teen boys who want to emulate his image as a self-made entrepreneur.
Tate frequently posts outward signals of success, often posing with a cigar in front of one of his several luxury cars. Without evidence, Tate claimed that he was the world’s first trillionaire. His brand is largely built around an image of fast living, easy money, and pliable women. Tate has said that men who read books are dull-witted.
Tate has also displayed a talent for “shock marketing,” taking controversial and deeply offensive positions in order to generate a response. As a result, many of his performances have gone viral. In one of his online courses, Tate advises students to aim for 40% “haters” and controversy.
He sells the idea that he can teach young men how to make money, attract girls, and break societal molds to achieve personal fulfillment.
Parents, caregivers, and teachers say they are seeing harmful comments, discussions, and behavior patterns becoming more and more common among boys and young men. Educators in the UK have grown increasingly concerned that Tate’s noxious brand of masculinity has infiltrated the British school system.
The popularity of the Netflix show Adolescence, which explores the effects of the manosphere and masculinity on teenage boys, has also raised concerns about Andrew Tate’s influence — in the show, the protagonist is drawn into misogynistic communities online that share similar sentiments as Andrew Tate’s brand.
Tate’s messages can normalize sexism, promote power imbalances in relationships, and distort healthy views of masculinity and success. Teachers and mental health professionals report a rise in boys parroting his views, leading to:
Your child’s age and maturity level will determine how deep you dive into the topic. Here are some ideas to start a conversation with them about Tate and what he represents.
It’s best to first ask your child what they know about Andrew Tate. That way, you can get a sense of what they’ve heard, what they already know, and where you can clear up any misinformation.
Tate has a reputation for mistreating women, so this may be a good time to remind your child to treat everyone with respect. Here are some questions to get the conversation going.
Depending on the child’s age, talking about coercive power over another person can be tricky. Always take your child’s maturity level into consideration when discussing heavy topics. Here are some things you can say:
Human trafficking is a tough topic to tackle with a young child. Here are some ways to frame it.
You can talk about sexual assault more candidly with older children, but when children are young, this is a tricky topic to discuss in an age-appropriate manner. For young children, you can discuss body autonomy, personal space, and consent.
Young Children:
Keep it simple. Talk about kindness, fairness, and treating others the way they want to be treated. Use examples from their daily life.
Tweens:
Introduce the concept of influencers and online personalities. Ask what they think makes someone trustworthy and talk about why some people say shocking things just to get attention.
Teens:
Go deeper into misogyny, media literacy, and power dynamics. Discuss what healthy relationships look like and how toxic influencers manipulate emotions to build followings.
Because social media platforms can amplify harmful content, it’s crucial to know what your child is seeing. You can:
BrightCanary helps you supervise your child’s activity across platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Google, and text messages. You’ll get updates if they encounter harmful content — including extremist messages or explicit material.
Andrew Tate’s influence on teens is part of a larger conversation about toxic masculinity, online algorithms, and youth vulnerability. Parents don’t need to panic—but they do need to be proactive.
These aren’t easy topics to broach with your child, but it’s important to start the conversation with them. That way, if they see something confusing or disturbing online, now or in the future, they’ll feel comfortable coming to you to ask the hard questions.
A sigma male is a term used to describe a self-reliant, introverted, and independent man who prefers to operate outside traditional social hierarchies. Unlike alpha males, who seek leadership and dominance, sigma males value autonomy and self-sufficiency.
The concept of sigma males has gained popularity online, particularly among teens exploring identity and masculinity. While some view it as harmless self-empowerment, others worry that it reinforces isolation or masks deeper insecurities.
In this article, we’ll break down what a sigma male is, explore sigma male personality traits, and provide guidance on how parents can talk to their children about the growing sigma male mindset online.
Like its cousins “alpha male” and “beta male,” the term “sigma male” is rooted in the language of social dominance hierarchy:
In 2010, the conservative writer Theodore Robert Beale, known as “Vox Day,” first used the term on his blog. Subsequently, the term gained wider popularity in Internet discourse and in memes, including among bodybuilders and biohackers.
Mark Manson also described a sigma male in his 2016 best-selling book, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, a self-described “counterintuitive” guide that aims to reframe how to live a meaningful life.
Some pop culture figures associated with sigma male traits include:
People who identify as sigma males aim to chart their own paths and emphasize their own self-worth. They are often uninterested in traditional forms of success such as wealth, status, and fame. Instead, they look to live life on their own terms and strive toward personal fulfillment.
Wondering how internet trends influence your child’s self-esteem? Stay informed with BrightCanary’s monitoring tools to help navigate online conversations.
Key differences between alpha and sigma males include:
| Alpha Male | Sigma Male |
| Seeks leadership and dominance | Avoids social hierarchy |
| Outgoing and highly social | Prefers solitude or small circles |
| Desires recognition and validation | Operates independently |
| Thrives in group settings | Dislikes authority and groupthink |
People who align with the sigma male mindset often view themselves as non-conformists. They may possess an alpha-like attitude but without the desire or need for recognition or power over others.
Along with other terms in the language of social dominance like “alpha” and “beta,” the term “sigma male” can be reductive and overly simplistic.
While many of the characteristics of the sigma male — independence, self-reliance and confidence, to name just a few — are laudable, some experts believe that people who identify excessively with the term may also be masking feelings of insecurity.
Children need to understand that they are complex human beings with different, and often conflicting, personality traits. An over-reliance on any single term might hinder a person’s ability to fully understand or appreciate him or herself.
Pro tip: If your child frequently searches for sigma male content, it might signal low self-esteem. Use parental monitoring tools like BrightCanary to monitor what they're typing and searching online.
If your child mentions sigma males, start a conversation with curiosity over judgment. Here’s how:
It’s a good idea to check in regularly with your child about any confusing terms they may have encountered online. By starting a dialogue with them, you build trust and encourage them to come to you to discuss difficult topics.
A sigma male is a term used to describe an independent, self-reliant individual who prefers solitude over social dominance. Unlike an alpha male, a sigma male does not seek leadership or validation from others.
The concept of sigma males is largely based on internet culture and personality archetypes rather than scientific research. However, some people relate to the traits described under this label.
Sigma males are independent and introverted, while alpha males are dominant and highly social. Sigma males prefer autonomy, whereas alpha males seek leadership roles.
Neither — it depends on how the identity is used. If it helps your child feel confident and self-sufficient, that’s great. If it promotes isolation or superiority, it may be a sign to intervene.
Teens may be drawn to the sigma male mindset as they explore identity, social status, and masculinity. Social media algorithms may also push this content to users who engage with self-improvement or dominance-hierarchy discussions.
While the sigma male concept might seem harmless, it can sometimes reinforce isolation and rigid identity labels. As a parent, encourage your child to embrace their full range of strengths and emotions rather than fitting into one specific label. Keep communication open, stay informed on trending online topics, and use tools like BrightCanary to help guide their digital experience.
In 2021, Sammy Chapman was 16 years old, a straight-A student, and getting ready to apply for college. Like most parents, Samuel Chapman and Dr. Laura Berman worked hard to keep Sammy away from dangerous people and places — but they had no idea that drug dealers were preying on kids through Snapchat and social media platforms.
Or that drugs could be delivered to their house as easily as a pizza.
One night, a drug dealer connected with Sammy on Snapchat. Sammy returned to his bedroom with a drug that unknowingly contained a lethal dose of fentanyl. Tragically, he didn’t realize what he was taking, and it cost him his life.
Sammy’s death prompted his parents to create Sammy’s Law — a proposed measure that would require social media companies to integrate with child safety apps. What is Sammy’s Law, and why is now the time for lawmakers to act? Let’s discuss.
Sammy's Law (H.R. 5778) would require social media companies to work with child online safety apps, empowering parents to more effectively monitor their children's online activities.
Currently, social media platforms like Snapchat and TikTok prevent parents from having full access to their child’s online activities. While these platforms claim to offer parental controls, they often don’t address serious risks, such as enabling strangers to communicate with minors. For example, Snapchat allows parents to see who their kids are messaging, and Instagram defaults teen accounts to private. But parents can’t see what kinds of messages their kids receive or what appears on their feeds.
Some child safety apps are able to show parents more detail about worrisome content. But oftentimes, social platforms don’t allow third-party apps to access important information. Parents are left in the dark about potential dangers like cyberbullying, predators, and drug solicitation in their child’s messages and activity.
Sammy's Law seeks to change that by requiring social media companies to integrate with third-party safety apps.
Sammy's Law is a bipartisan effort that addresses a critical gap in online child safety. While many platforms offer limited parental control features, they often fall short in identifying serious threats.
By allowing third-party apps to access social media data, parents can receive alerts about potentially harmful content, enabling timely interventions. For instance, if a child is exposed to self-harm content or dangerous drug offers, a safety app could notify the parents, helping to prevent tragic outcomes like Sammy's.
Sammy’s Law would:
This integration would drastically change the landscape of social media monitoring.
Sammy’s Law gives parents the ability to be alerted to concerning content and interactions, without having to look through every individual message or post. Currently, platforms like Snapchat offer minimal parental review, focusing on general tools that don't provide real-time alerts for serious issues. With Sammy's Law, parents would have more options to effectively understand their children’s activity and interactions online.
Parents can support Sammy's Law by:
Sammy's Law represents a crucial step in protecting children in the digital age. By requiring social media companies to work with third-party safety apps, it empowers parents to play an active role in their children's online safety. More effective parental monitoring has the potential to save lives, which makes this legislation a significant and necessary development.
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If your child set up their own TikTok account, there’s a good chance they don’t have a TikTok password. You can create a TikTok account using just a phone number — which isn’t exactly a good password.
As a parent, it’s a good idea to set a password that you know. That way, you can help them get back into a locked account and make sure they’re using a secure password.
Most importantly, if you have a password, you can access your child’s account even if you don’t have their device. This could be useful if you have safety concerns and need to check their account or change their password on TikTok.
But how do you do it? Here’s how to set up your child’s TikTok password.
From your child’s phone:
That’s it! Now you can help your child get into their account if they end up locked out, and you can check in on their TikTok usage if you have safety concerns.
While you’re there, now’s a good time to set up TikTok Family Sharing if you haven’t already. This feature allows you to link your account with your child’s so you can monitor their activity, set restrictions around who can chat with them, and set limits for their daily activity.
If you want to update your child’s password, the process is similar: navigate to Settings and Privacy, tap account, tap password, and enter the security code sent to your child’s phone number or email. Then, you’ll be able to change the password.
Keep in mind that a good password for TikTok (and any other account) hits the following metrics:
This is a great opportunity to talk to your child about password security. Explain to them why they shouldn’t use personal information in a password (like a birthdate or the name of their pet), and discuss best password practices together — such as never writing passwords down on a piece of paper, which can be easily misplaced.
It’s also a good idea to let your child know that they may not change any passwords without your permission. If you haven’t already done so, set up a digital device contract that covers device use and how to manage logins.
Adding a password to your child’s TikTok account is easy — all you need is your child’s phone. Use the password conversation as a way to talk about online security and why you should manage their logins until they’re older.
Did you know? With BrightCanary, you can monitor what your child types on TikTok without needing their password. The app allows you to monitor sent messages and sent comments on every social media app they use, as well as messaging apps and other popular platforms. Download the app today and get started for free.
In the age of digital media, the line between friendship and fandom is often blurred. If your child spends a lot of time online, they probably have favorite personalities they follow closely. But when does this adoration cross the line into what's known as a “parasocial relationship,” and what does that mean for your child?
In the simplest terms, parasocial relationships are one-sided relationships where one party feels a deep, personal connection to the other, who likely doesn't even know they exist.
It’s akin to your child thinking they're best friends with a popular YouTube gamer or TikTok dancer, even though the influencer doesn’t know them at all. Your child may follow the influencer’s lives keenly, feeling a connection when the influencer shares a story, cracks a joke, or talks about their personal experiences. But there’s little or no reciprocation.
These relationships can have positive aspects. For instance, they can provide a sense of community, especially for kids who feel different or isolated. Influencers can inspire creativity, foster learning, and even stimulate interest in important social issues. An influencer who promotes healthy habits or encourages educational content can be a positive role model.
But this kind of relationship can be unhealthy if your child gets too invested in it, confuses it for a real friendship, or is taken advantage of by the influencer. In one extreme example, young fans of an influencer in her 30s alleged that she had essentially used them for therapy, asked inappropriate sexual questions, and got a 15-year-old boy to manage her social media accounts for free.
The key lies in understanding and managing these relationships in a way that ensures they have a positive impact on your child's development, rather than letting them turn into an unhealthy obsession.
The environment social media platforms create is personal, intimate, and designed to foster a sense of connection between users. Influencers are adept at using this space, sharing snippets of their lives that followers consume with gusto. They may respond to comments, “like” fan posts, or share personal stories, all of which intensify the sense of closeness followers feel.
In 2021, 18% of American kids aged 8-12 used social media every day; the number is likely higher today. Two-thirds of U.S. teens follow influencers. Combined, the tendency to check-in on influencers’ lives every day creates enormous potential for these parasocial relationships to form.
Children, particularly those in their preteen and early teenage years, are at a critical stage where they are learning about social relationships and connections. The drive to understand and belong often pushes them to form these virtual bonds. Their brains, still developing and prone to absorb influences, are more susceptible to falling into these relationships without realizing it.
Being aware of the signs of unhealthy parasocial relationships can help you intervene effectively. Here are some warning signs:
The presence of these signs doesn't necessarily mean your child is being taken advantage of. However, they are indicators that it's time for a conversation to help your child understand their online relationships better.
First, make sure you know which influencers your child follows and what kind of content those influencers are sharing. The best way to do this is through a monitoring app — so you can see exactly what the influencers are posting and how your child is engaging with them — but you can also ask your kids who they follow and follow those influencers yourself.
Then, raise the topic with your kids. Here’s how:
In a world where the line between real and virtual continues to blur, understanding and navigating parasocial relationships is crucial for every parent. While these relationships aren't necessarily harmful, they can become problematic if misunderstood or mismanaged.
As parents, being proactive, maintaining open communication, and staying alert to the warning signs are key to ensuring your child enjoys their digital journey while also understanding the difference between real and virtual relationships. The goal isn't to vilify social media or influencers, but to equip your child with the understanding needed to navigate the online world safely and healthily.
A recent study by Canadian researchers tested whether using less social media could make teens and young adults feel better about their bodies.
About 22% of children and adolescents struggle with disordered eating, which can lead to serious mental and physical issues. One of the predictors of developing an eating disorder is poor self-esteem and low body image.
But can cutting back on social media improve kids’ self-esteem? Here’s what the study found.
In 2021, researchers recruited 220 participants for a randomized controlled trial. The participants were 17-to-24-year-old undergraduate Canadians (76% female, 23% male) struggling with depression or anxiety. Half of them were told to use social media for just one hour a day for three weeks. If they used it for more than an hour, they got a reminder email. The other half were allowed to use social media as much as they wanted.
The participants submitted screenshots of their smartphones’ daily screen time reports. Social media platforms tracked in this study included Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Twitter, Pinterest, and Tumblr. Not included were video streaming services — like YouTube or Netflix — or messaging platforms like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger.
Participants were asked questions about their weight and body image before and after the three-week period.
While not everyone stuck to the one-hour limit, on average, the people in the restricted group cut their social media time by half. They used social media for only 78 minutes per day, while participants in the unrestricted group used social media for 188 minutes per day.
After three weeks of using less social media, young people of both genders felt better about their bodies and reported higher levels of self-esteem and body image. There was no change to these metrics in the unrestricted group.
Most studies measuring the impact of social media are only correlational — i.e. they tell us if there’s an association between social media use and negative effects, but they don’t tell us if social media causes the negative effects.
Because of the way this study was conducted, it shows social media use has a direct negative impact on body image. And, most importantly, it shows us that using less social media can actually help improve body image and self-esteem.
It only lasted three weeks, so we don't know if these improvements would last longer. The study only tracked social media use on phones, not other devices. And it only looked at people who were feeling anxious or depressed, so we don't know if the results would be the same for everyone.
This study suggests that parents should encourage teenagers to limit their social media use to about an hour a day in order to support a healthy body image and self-esteem. In addition, videos featuring disordered eating are rampant on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram; educate yourself about this type of content and discuss the topic with your kids.
A growing body of experts recommend monitoring your child's online activity, so you can talk to them about concerning content as soon as it crops up. BrightCanary gives you visibility into your child's online activity, including sent messages, Google and YouTube searches, and texts. To help your kids develop healthy digital habits, it's important to have open conversations with them about the potential impact of social media use on mental health.
Summer's here, and with school out, screen time for kids tends to shoot up. But it's not all bad news. This downtime provides a prime opportunity to help teens learn to manage their own technology use — an essential skill in today's digital age.
Thankfully, there are apps designed to help with this by fostering healthy digital habits that guide our teens towards more mindful tech use. Teens often mirror what they see, so adopting one of these apps for yourself could model healthy behaviors. Openly discuss your own challenges with tech distractions and overuse; it’ll show your teen that they're not alone in navigating this digital landscape. After all, learning to manage screen time isn't just a teen issue — it's a lifelong skill we all need.
Here are four of the best for you to consider.
ScreenZen is an app designed to help teens gain control over their digital habits. It monitors screen time, but it also offers more active interventions to help users make meaningful changes. The app provides a comprehensive analysis of digital habits, breaking down app usage and identifying patterns that could lead to excessive screen time.
To start, you can set a limited number of phone “pick-ups” per day. You can also implement up to a 30-second delay before an app opens, giving you time to reconsider if you really need to check your Instagram again.
According to some users on the App Store, there can be a bit of a learning curve on how to block specific websites. But if your teen’s goal is primarily to use this app to cut down on the amount of time they’re spending on your phone, this complaint is less relevant.
ScreenZen is free, making it a great way for your teen to test out the concept of limiting their screen time without any upfront cost.
Sample user review:
"As a teen I’m realizing how addictive an app can be and how I can just subconsciously tap on an app and never leave. I was looking for a self blocker to break this annoying system of going to bed too late then waking up late. Ofc there were so many apps out there trying to go for the same purpose but this app really helped me out. I also love that you can have a choice to reopen the app when it sends the 'are you sure you want to continue' memo. Can everyone give them a round of applause for the simple and practical use of this. they don’t shove advertisement in your face! There’s very few apps who don’t send spontaneously ads."
Cost: Free
Best for: Teens who want to test the idea of monitoring their screen time, but don’t aren’t interested in blocking apps and websites
AntiSocial is about comparison and competition. The app collects anonymized data and allows users to compare their phone usage with other users worldwide. This can create a sense of competition for teens, encouraging teens to reduce their screen time. You can also set daily limits and block times accordingly in the app.
While the global comparison can motivate some users to reduce their screen time, it could have the opposite effect on others, making them feel self-conscious or discouraged about their device usage. This could create unnecessary stress or anxiety for some teens.
Sample user review:
"Simple, efficient, antagonistic. It really does help with phone addiction. I just wish you could activate two blocking modes at once. like a daily limit & a timer at the same time. other than that, I think it's the best phone restriction app out there."
Cost: Free
Best for: Teens who are motivated by competition
Clearspace helps users understand their digital consumption patterns with a simple interface. It visualizes screen time data and breaks it down by app, allowing users to easily identify their digital consumption patterns. Additionally, Clearspace offers focus sessions — periods where users can dedicate time to specific tasks like homework or reading, and the app will block out any apps that might cause distractions.
While very effective in its data visualization and focus sessions, Clearspace could be seen as overly restrictive by some users. The app is strict about blocking apps during focus sessions, which could feel limiting to those who are not used to having such boundaries on their device usage. (At the same time, it can be illuminating to find out just how often you’re compelled to check your phone when you’re supposed to be doing chores around the house.)
Sample user review:
"This app has a super simple concept but it has made all the difference in the world. It was super annoying at first to be blocked even when I tried to ignore it, but now my first inclination isn’t to go on social media as soon as I open my phone. It’s also a way more affordable option than other apps."
Cost: $6.99/month or $44.99/year
Best for: Teens who are interested in visualizing how much time they spend on certain apps and want support blocking distractions during focus sessions
Unpluq works a bit differently than other screen time apps. This is a physical product paired with an app. Using the Unpluq App, you can block the apps of your choice on the schedule you want (or on multiple schedules). To access apps when they're blocked, you must go through an app barrier, like the Unpluq Tag, which is wireless and can be stored on your keychain. To use the Unpluq Tag to unblock apps, you simply hold it to the back of the phone.
There are additional “distraction barriers” you can use to unlock a specific app. For example, you have to tap a random pattern of buttons, or walk a certain number of steps.
The pro: the extra step involved of pairing the tag with the app can really help teens stick to their screen limits, especially if they keep it on a keychain that's stored in another room when they're at home. The con: the tag itself is not cheap, although the app with the distraction barriers is free and very useful on its own. But if your teen needs a concrete reminder to step away from the screen, the tag might be the ticket.
Sample user review:
"I've tested an uncountable number of these distraction blocking apps/methods and this app has been the best for me. It has all the features I want, great barriers, and usually just works. The team is super communicative as well and has helped me resolve issues quickly. On average, I save about 3-4 hours a day using this, so definitely worth the premium cost for me."
Cost: free for the app, $59.95/year for the Tag (can also purchase for just 6 months at $44.95)
Best for: Teens who need the extra obstacles to make it even more difficult to check their phone one. more. time.
Maintaining an open dialogue about screen time with your teens is key. It’s crucial to acknowledge that no app is a one-size-fits-all solution. Some teens may not have the level of self-discipline required to manage their screen time on their own, and parental intervention could still be necessary. However, for those teens craving more responsibility, these apps can be an effective tool. It's worth exploring these options as a powerful step toward developing healthy digital habits.
