Quick Overview

Net Nanny is a well-known parental control app designed to help you manage and monitor your child’s digital habits. You can use it to filter web content, control screen time, track device usage, and receive real-time alerts.

This app works on many types of devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers. Net Nanny gives you one dashboard to view and adjust settings for each child.

Key Features and Functionality

Net Nanny includes web filtering, app management, real-time alerts, and detailed activity reports. It aims to help you block dangerous content, set healthy limits, and keep track of your child’s device and screen use.

Key Features

• Website Filtering: Yes – blocks adult or dangerous sites
• App Monitoring: Yes – shows which apps your child uses
• Screen Time Limits and Scheduling: Yes – lets you set time rules per device
• Real-Time Alerts: Yes – notifies you of risky content or searches
• Activity Reports: Yes – shows device use and web history
• Location Tracking: Yes (but with limited accuracy)
• App Blocking: Yes (some exceptions)
• Social Media Monitoring: Limited

Many parents like that Net Nanny does not just block content but also explains why something is filtered. This can help you start healthy conversations with your child about online safety.

Net Nanny works in the US and UK, and supports both Android and iOS devices. Some settings work differently depending on the device. If you want clear controls and straightforward monitoring, Net Nanny covers the basics that parents expect from modern parental monitoring apps in 2025.

Real-Time Internet Filtering

Net Nanny uses dynamic content filtering to monitor web activity as it happens. Instead of relying only on blocklists, the app scans each page and decides if it contains harmful or inappropriate material.

You can set filters for several categories, like adult sites, gambling, violence, or social media. The filter updates in real time, so if new threats appear, your child is still protected. Custom block and allow lists let you add exceptions for specific sites.

• Content Filtering: Blocks explicit, violent, or harmful pages
• Custom Allow/Block Lists: Lets you allow or deny access to specific websites
• Social Media Masking: Optionally hides sensitive content

Net Nanny’s filter works across most browsers and apps, reducing chances that your child will find a way around the rules.

App Management & Screen Time Tools

You can manage which apps your child is allowed to use and when they can use them. Net Nanny’s app blocker helps you stop access to games, video streaming, or social networks. You can block an app, allow it, or give permission only at certain times.

The screen time management tools let you set daily limits or schedules for device use. For example, you could block the phone at bedtime or make rules for homework hours. When your child runs out of screen time, their device is restricted until you say otherwise.

There is no geofencing or GPS locator in Net Nanny, so you won’t get alerts based on physical location. The focus here is on controlling digital habits and device access.

Alerts and Activity Reports

Net Nanny provides regular updates and real-time alerts on your child’s online activity. If your child tries to access a blocked website, or if inappropriate content is detected, you get an instant notification.

Activity reports show a daily, weekly, or monthly summary of visited websites, blocked attempts, and app usage. This helps you understand patterns and decide if you need to adjust settings.

You can also see screen activity—how much time your child spends on different apps or sites. This makes it easier to spot problems or start honest conversations. However, Net Nanny does not offer call/text monitoring features.

• Real-time alerts for blocked content
• Detailed history of device and web use
• Custom reports via the parent dashboard

Setup Experience and User Interface

Getting started with Net Nanny is straightforward for most parents. You can download the app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, and installation takes about 10–15 minutes per device.

Setup Checklist:

• Download and install the app on your child’s device
• Create your Net Nanny parent account
• Link your child’s device using a QR code or pairing code
• Set up filters, time limits, and app permissions

During setup, you’ll be asked to grant permissions on your child’s device, especially on Android—these include accessibility and usage access, which are needed for monitoring and filtering to work correctly. The app explains these steps clearly and walks you through them with on-screen prompts.

Once installed, Net Nanny’s dashboard is intuitive. You can quickly access your child’s current activity, browsing attempts, and filter settings. The interface is uncluttered and works similarly across Android phones, iPhones, tablets, and computers.

Navigation tabs allow you to easily switch between screen time settings, app controls, web filters, and activity history. Each feature is labeled in plain English, and large buttons make it usable even for those who aren’t tech-savvy.

Managing multiple children is also simple—each profile is clearly separated, and you can assign different rules for each child’s device. Most actions, such as blocking a site or adjusting time limits, take just a few taps.

Overall, Net Nanny’s user interface is one of the cleanest and most beginner-friendly among parental control apps in 2025.

Net Nanny vs Other Tools

When comparing Net Nanny with other popular parental control apps, there are some key differences. While each app has unique strengths, Net Nanny stands out for its strong filtering and simple interface.

Feature Comparison:

Qustodio is known for its in-depth reports and strong dashboard experience. Kaspersky Safe Kids offers good screen time controls at a lower price. FamiSafe includes location and driving reports, which is great for teens.

mSpy provides deeper social media and message tracking but is more complex to install. Mobicip and Norton Family focus on schedules and app controls but lack some of Net Nanny’s dynamic filtering features.

Overall, Net Nanny remains a strong option if your top priorities are content filtering, time management, and ease of use. For families seeking location alerts or call/text monitoring, another app may be a better fit.

Privacy, Transparency and Family Respect

Net Nanny collects some data to help you manage your child’s online safety. This includes information on websites visited, screen time, and app usage.

Your data is not sold to advertisers, and Net Nanny states it uses strong encryption. However, you still need to trust the company to store your family’s data carefully.

You can see exactly what Net Nanny monitors. This gives you control and makes it clear to your children what is being tracked.

A good practice is to discuss the app with your family. Tell your children which activities you monitor and why it matters for safety and privacy.

What Net Nanny Tracks:

• Websites visited
• App usage
• Screen time

What Net Nanny Does Not Track:

• Text messages (on all devices)
• Photos and private files
• Calls and contacts

Net Nanny uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to filter harmful content. This helps block inappropriate sites but almost always keeps your personal data safe.

Respect among family members grows when everyone understands the rules. You can use this opportunity to build a supportive community among parents and kids.

If you are concerned about excessive screen time or privacy, Net Nanny gives you tools to set limits and open up honest discussions. This supports both online safety and family trust.

Final Verdict

If you’re looking for a clean, easy-to-use parental control app in 2025, Net Nanny still holds up as one of the more trusted names. Its strengths lie in content filtering, screen time controls, and providing real-time alerts without overwhelming users with too many features.

Strengths:

• Effective web filtering and instant alerts
• Supports most devices across Android, iOS, and computers
• Clean dashboard and intuitive setup for parents
• Doesn’t over-collect or invade family privacy

Weaknesses:

• No geofencing or location-based alerts
• No call, text, or social media monitoring
• May be pricier than some rivals with more features

Net Nanny is ideal for parents who want to manage what their children access online, limit daily screen time, and receive fast alerts when something risky shows up—without needing to become cybersecurity experts. It doesn’t offer advanced surveillance or detailed behavioral tracking, but for everyday family use, it offers just the right balance of control, clarity, and trust.