5 Best Antivirus Software with Free Parental Controls in 2022

I downloaded every antivirus program that had parental controls I could find. I wanted to ensure my family’s safety online and offline with malware protections as well as child protections.

My daughter spends more time online (and many school tasks are virtual) so I had to search for antivirus software that would protect her from predators, hackers, and addictive apps, without interfering in her education.

I was happy to find 5 antivirus programs that have valuable parental control features. This helps me protect my daughter against the dangers of cyberspace.

These programs include:

• Content filtering.
• Limitations on apps and devices.
• App blocking.
• Location sharing, geo-fencing and geo-fencing.
• Remote monitoring.

There’s a program that will protect your computer and provide strong location tracking for mobile devices.

• Best Antivirus With Parental Control

Quick summary of the best antiviruses with parental control in 2022:

• 1.🥇 Norton 360 Deluxe — Best overall antivirus suite with parental controls in 2022.
• 2.🥈 Bitdefender Total Security — Cloud-based antivirus with excellent parental controls.
• 3.🥉 Kaspersky Total Security — Good malware scanner with strong geo-fencing and YouTube controls.
•  4. McAfee Total Protection — Comprehensive antivirus protection with easy-to-use parental controls and precise location tracking.
• 5. Intego Mac Premium Bundle X9 — Excellent malware protection and parental controls for macOS.

🥇 1. Norton 360 Deluxe — Best Antivirus Software with Parental Controls in 2022

Norton 360 Deluxe is my favourite program to keep my daughter safe. It scored an excellent 100% detection rate in anti-malware testing. The app also has great parental controls that are superior to any other standalone parental control apps.

Norton’s parental controls can be used easily. It was easy to check notifications and adjust settings for my daughter’s devices. The 4 built-in restrictions levels will be appreciated by parents who are less tech-savvy. These automatically adjust the permissions and settings to suit different developmental stages. You don’t need to manually set up content filtering permissions.

Norton’s parental controls consist of:

• Time supervision.
• Content filtering.
• YouTube restrictions.
• Location tracking.

It is important to limit device usage. However, virtual schoolwork requires that children be online for many hours each day. Norton’s time supervision allows you to keep track of your child’s schedule and allow them unlimited screen time for schoolwork. You can also block distracting websites until schoolwork is done.

Norton’s location tracker feature is also very useful. It was easy to follow my grade schooler’s position through her tablet. I also liked the fact that I could see her location back up to 30 days ago.

Norton’s parental control are available for Windows, Android and iOS users within Norton 360 Deluxe. It includes parental controls and a powerful malware scanner. A VPN with unlimited browsing data, web protections, system cleanup tools and coverage for up 5 devices.

Bottom line:

Norton 360 Deluxe is my favourite antivirus with parental controls. Norton’s antivirus scanner detects malware with a high accuracy. It scored a perfect 100% in my tests. The parental controls I use are superior to any other standalone app. Norton’s parental controls, which offer different levels of restriction based on age and time supervision, content filtering and location tracking, make it easy to manage settings and notifications for multiple children on up to five devices. Norton products come with a 60-day guarantee of satisfaction.

🥈 2. Bitdefender Total Security — Good Malware Engine with Affordable Parental Controls

Bitdefender All Security has one of the best antivirus scanners available, and some very good parental controls.

Bitdefender received a very high rating in my malware testing — it detected all malware files on my devices, and didn’t slow them down during scanning.

Bitdefender is the best when it comes to parental control

• Content filtering.
• App monitoring.
• Limits on screen time.
• Location tracking.
• Call filtering.

Bitdefender’s parental control worked very well for me. It didn’t take me long to set up parental controls on my phone and tablet.

Bitdefender is a great choice for technical users who are familiar with optimizing antivirus software. It also comes with powerful optimization tools that can be used by parents to limit the amount of online content that their children see. Bitdefender can also be used if you are new to antivirus or parental control software. It takes very little effort to get it up and running.

Bitdefender Total Security protects five devices on all operating systems while the Internet Security package, which also includes parental controls, only works on Windows. It lacks additional features such as device optimization tools.

Bottom line:

Bitdefender Total Security offers a solid parental control with all the essentials – setting screen time limits and geo-fencing, blocking harmful websites and apps, limiting internet use, blocking malicious apps, blocking websites and websites, and limiting screen time. Bitdefender’s parental controls can also be used with the Internet Security plan (which works only on Windows), but Total Security includes extras such as device optimization tools and covers all operating system platforms. Each plan comes with a 30-day money back guarantee.

🥉 3. Kaspersky Total Security — Best for YouTube Monitoring + Geo-Fencing

Kaspersky Total Security offers great protection against malware. The intuitive parental controls, which include YouTube and geo-fencing controls, are very effective.

Kaspersky’s antivirus scanner stopped most of the malware I put on my Android phone and computer, but it failed detect one tricky ransomware file which both Norton and McAfee detected.

Kaspersky’s parental controls are great. I love the geo-fencing and location tracking features. These provide real time GPS location updates and send out alerts when your kid leaves the safe areas.

Kaspersky’s parental controls have been very easy to use. I had no problems monitoring, scheduling and blocking app and device usage.

Kaspersky’s YouTube content filtering works on both YouTube’s website and Android’s YouTube App. This is unlike any other YouTube filter!

Kaspersky notifies your child when their battery is low so you can contact them to make plans and get in touch before it dies.

Kaspersky Complete Security provides complete antivirus protection and parental controls for up to 10 devices (including Windows, Mac, Android and iOS).

Bottom Line:

Kaspersky Total Security is an excellent antivirus with great geo-fencing. Kaspersky’s parental control allowed me to see exactly where my child was and get notifications if she moved outside of a specific area. If her battery is low, alerts were sent out, and many other benefits. Kaspersky’s Total Security can be purchased as a 1-, 2-, or 3-year subscription. All Kaspersky products come with a 30-day guarantee.

4. McAfee Total Protection — Comprehensive Antivirus Suite with Excellent Location Tracking

McAfee Total Security offers a complete internet security package that includes excellent parental control and the best family locator!

McAfee’s malware scanner found every malware file on both my computer and my daughter’s Android tablet during my tests. It even detected tricky spyware apps, which many of its competitors failed to detect.

McAfee offers a great malware scanner and excellent parental controls. These provide all the protections parents need online to keep their children safe.

• Geo-fencing and location tracking.
• Limits on app and device usage.
• Content filtering.
• Monitoring of usage.

McAfee’s accurate location tracking surprised me. I could see where my daughter was using an interactive map and geo-fencing alerts notified me when she was within a few hundred yards of her friend’s house.

McAfee’s parental controls are also very easy to use. My partner and I found it very easy to schedule device usage and limit certain apps. And my daughter was able to understand McAfee’s weekly usage reports, so that we could work together to set goals and limits for her education games and apps.

McAfee with parental controls comes with additional features such as unlimited data VPN, a password manager and web protections. It also offers system optimization tools and coverage for up 10 devices on all operating systems. McAfee parental controls only work with iOS, Android, or Windows devices.

Bottom line:

McAfee Total Protection offers excellent internet security and some of the most accurate location tracking available. McAfee’s malware scanner found all the malware on my devices. It also had parental controls that made it easy to protect my daughter and manage her devices. McAfee’s ability to track my child’s movements was a great feature. McAfee Maximum Protection includes parental controls and covers up to 10 devices. It is available in a 1-year or 2-year subscription and comes with a 30-day guarantee.

5. Intego Mac Premium Bundle X9 — Best for Mac Users

Intego Mac premium Bundle HTML9 is my favourite antivirus with parental controls. It’s great at detecting Mac-specific viruses and its parental controls enhance Apple’s already-built parental controls.

• Content filtering.
• Device usage scheduling.
• Chat monitoring for anti-predator chats.
• App blocking.

Apple’s built in content filters do not allow you to “block adult sites” — Intego blocks websites based on dozens – from sexual content to hate language to online shopping – so that your child can have an online experience that is tailored to their needs.

Intego’s antipredator function impressed me as well. Intego checks all outgoing and incoming messages for any unsafe language. This is determined by the parent. When my daughter attempted to send financial information, or our address via iMessage and email, I received alerts.

Intego’s Mac Premium Package X9 offers a low annual subscription that includes malware scanning, parental controls and web protections.

Bottom line:

Intego Mac premium Bundle HTML9 is the best web security app for Mac users. Its malware scanner detects Mac-specific malware well and it offers parental controls that are a substantial improvement on macOS’s. Intego is risk-free and comes with a 30-day guarantee.

How I Selected the Best Antivirus Programs With Parental Controls

• Malware protection. Parental control are useless without an antivirus engine that prevents hackers from invading our family’s computers. To ensure they catch all security threats, including ransomware and spyware, I tested each program’s antivirus engine.
• Parental control. Content blockers can be notoriously strict, flagging inappropriate content or allowing children to access unsafe parts of the internet. Geo-fencing and location trackers are wonderful in theory but they must be accurate and responsive. These parental controls will give you peace of mind, without sending false notifications.
• Easy to use. Although I am a techie, many parents are not computer specialists. To ensure that even the most complex controls are accessible, understood, and used easily, my list includes only products with helpful interfaces.
• Value. Many companies offer standalone parental control applications, but they lack basic cybersecurity protections like antivirus packages. My list includes top-quality antivirus scanners and all the best parental controls for a reasonable price.

Top Brands that Didn’t Make it to the Cut

• Panda Dome. Panda offers a cloud-based malware scanner that is highly effective, lots of features, and an affordable price. Panda’s parental controls can be quite basic. You can block certain websites and get notifications when your children try to access them. However, there is no location tracking, usage limits or app controls.
• Avira Prime. Avira’s malware scanner is excellent and the package includes web protections, game boosters and system cleaning tools. Avira’s antivirus packages doesn’t provide parental controls.
• Avast Family Space. Due to claims of user data selling, we no longer recommend Avast and AVG products on this site. You can find more information on the allegations and our decision here.

Are parental controls really necessary?

You really do. There is a lot of danger lurking on the internet.

• Online predators are able to deceive children by obtaining personal information and images.
• Children can be tricked by scammers to give away financial and social security information.
• Files that are targeted at children can be embedded in malware by media websites.
• To target children, predators can use AR games such as PokemonGo.

Many children have also reported experiencing trauma from being exposed to hateful and violent content online.

Studies have also shown that screen addiction is particularly harmful for children and teens. There are many reasons why children need to limit screen time, including developmental delays and mood disorders.

This list includes programs that help kids protect themselves from all types of threats.

Parental controls are essential, whether you want to protect your child and their devices from predatory users or just to ensure your child’s mental well-being against the negative effects of screen usage.

What is the best way to control my family’s behavior?

You can protect your family online with the best parental control apps. Even if you read every text message from your child, block streaming sites, and ban sensitive words from your child’s search engine, they will still find a way around the rules.

Studies have shown that having honest, age-appropriate conversations is the best way for your children and devices to stay safe online. Norton’s parental controls include a Smart Talk template that allows parents and children to come together to establish smart limits on their children’s use of devices.

Our children will encounter disturbing and dangerous parts of the internet, despite our best efforts. These tools can help you monitor your child’s internet browsing, search history, and screen usage. However, parents have to be there to guide their children through the digital world.

Are my children able to deactivate parental controls?

Sometimes, yes. Different parental control apps offer different levels of control. Some can’t be changed with a password while others notify the parent if there are any changes.

McAfee gives kids the option to contact them and request that certain websites be unblocked. My daughter was more open to my parental control choices when I included her in the decision-making process.

However, encrypted messaging is not available on many apps, such as WhatsApp, Facebook and Snapchat. This makes it difficult to monitor what your children are doing. However, many apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, Snapchat, and Signal offer encrypted messaging, so it’s impossible to track what your kids are doing in those apps.

What are the benefits of an antivirus that has parental controls?

Parental control apps that are standalone are fantastic, but they don’t protect against malware.

My only concern when I started using parental control apps was to keep my daughter safe from predators, and make sure she didn’t use her device too often. After her device was infected by ransomware, it dawned on me that malware and phishing sites also target children. Children have a high chance of accidentally compromising devices. If that happens, the entire network may be infected.

It makes sense to bundle parental controls with antivirus software. This allows you to have all your cybersecurity protections in one place.

There are many powerful parental control apps available, but you will need antivirus to protect your children and their devices. These products are among the most powerful antivirus programs available, and they include parental controls that are superior to many standalone apps.

Source : #safetydetectives
Editor by : BEST Antivirus Review Team