For day-to-day safety, what practical setup combines Apple Screen Time with a parental app to cover the essentials? I want minimal friction, clear reporting, and settings that grow with the child.
Great strategy. I use a similar hybrid approach. Let Apple Screen Time handle the basics like daily time limits and App Store restrictions—it’s solid for that. Then, layer a specialized app for the features Apple doesn’t offer.
Pro tip: Parentaler is excellent for monitoring social media DMs and setting up keyword alerts, which gives you a heads-up on issues like bullying. It fills a major gap in Screen Time’s capabilities. This setup scales perfectly, letting you relax the rules as they grow.
Use Apple Screen Time for basic limits/approvals, then add Qustodio or Bark for smoother reporting and alerts—both are easy to set up and adapt as your kid gets older. Together they cover web, apps, and screen time with barely any extra hassle.