Screen Time & Filtering
Screen time & filtering, also known as on-the-go controls or in-home controls, block or allow access to particular websites, apps, and internet services.
On Chromebook, Android, and iOS devices, this is accomplished via the Bark VPN that is installed on your child's device via the Bark Kids app (on Chromebook, it's the "Bark for Chromebooks" app). The Bark VPN is only responsible for blocking or allowing sites & apps "on-the-go" according to your rules and schedule.
On computers, smart TVs, and gaming consoles, this is accomplished via the Bark Home device being plugged into your router. Once set up, the Bark Home device is only responsible for blocking or allowing sites & apps on those "in-home" devices according to your rules and schedule.
To verify that web filtering is working on your family's devices, select Screen Time > Devices under a child.
❗️ means action is required / something is not working properly. Click on it to fix it.
✅ means that part is working.
If you notice screen time is not working for a device, you can also click here for solutions.
Monitoring
Content monitoring is the contextual analysis of texts, photos, videos, social media, etc. on your child's device for worrisome content. If we find something alarming in your child's messaging, media, or web browsing, we alert you.
On iOS, this is the monitoring we do via the Bark Desktop App installed on a home computer or via the Bark Home device installed on your home router. Whether set up via the computer application or set up via the Bark Home device, Bark monitors iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch text messages, photos, and videos for signs of bullying, depression, self-harm, and anything else that may be alarming.
On Android, this is the monitoring we do via the Bark for Kids app installed on the child's device. The Bark Kids app on Android is responsible for both content monitoring, screen time, and filtering.
On Chromebook, this is the monitoring we do via the Bark for Chromebooks app and the Bark for Chrome extensions. The Bark for Chrome extension monitors webpage titles and searches for worrisome content, while the Bark for Chromebooks app monitors photos, videos, and enforces screen time/filtering.
To verify that monitoring is working on your family's devices, select Monitoring > Devices & Apps under a child.
❗️ means action is required / something is not working properly. Click on it to fix it.
✅ means that part is working.
If there is a problem with monitoring the content of your child's device, you can also find frequent solutions below:
- Android Device Troubleshooting
- iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch Troubleshooting
- Amazon Fire Troubleshooting
- Chrome and Chromebook Troubleshooting
Need help or have additional questions?
We are happy to assist! Reach out to Bark Support, and we'll help every step of the way.