Internet Parental Controls in Australia: Best Tools for 2025 (Full Guide)

Introduction – Why Every Australian Family Needs Parental Controls in 2025

In 2025, the internet is no longer a luxury for Australian children — it’s part of everyday life. Whether it’s watching Bluey on ABC iView, playing Roblox, chatting with friends on Messenger Kids, or doing school assignments on Google Classroom, children are online more than ever before.

While the internet offers incredible opportunities for learning and creativity, it also exposes kids to dangers:

  • Inappropriate or harmful content

  • Cyberbullying

  • Online predators

  • Phishing scams

  • Excessive screen time

The eSafety Commissioner’s 2024 Youth Report revealed that over 1 in 4 Australian children have seen harmful or age-inappropriate content online, and 21% have been contacted by strangers.

This is where parental control tools become essential. They help parents:

  • Block unsafe websites and apps

  • Set time limits on device use

  • Monitor online activity

  • Receive alerts about potential risks

If you’ve already read our article Online Safety for Kids: Parental Controls That Work, you’ll know that tools alone aren’t enough — they must be combined with education and open communication.

This guide will cover:

  • Why parental controls are so important in Australia in 2025

  • The top 10 tools for Aussie families

  • How to set them up on different devices and platforms

  • Extra strategies and government resources you can use

By the end, you’ll have a step-by-step action plan to protect your children online.

2. The State of Internet Safety for Kids in Australia

2.1 Digital Childhood Starts Early

  • 94% of Australian children aged 6–13 use the internet daily.

  • 70% of preschoolers regularly use tablets or smartphones.

  • The average age for a first smartphone is now just 10 years old.

Popular activities include YouTube, gaming (Roblox, Minecraft, Fortnite), TikTok, Snapchat, and streaming services like Netflix and Disney+.

2.2 Top Online Risks in 2025

  1. Inappropriate Content – Adult imagery, violent videos, gambling ads, drug promotion.

  2. Cyberbullying – 20% of Aussie kids report being bullied online.

  3. Predators & Grooming – Contact through games, DMs, and chat rooms.

  4. Scams – Fake prize notifications, gaming currency theft, phishing links.

  5. Screen Addiction – Poor sleep, reduced school performance, anxiety.

📌 For examples of scams that could target kids, read our article: Top 10 Online Scams Targeting Australians in 2025.

2.3 Current Parental Approaches

  • Built-in controls like Apple Screen Time and Google Family Link.

  • Third-party apps like Family Zone or Qustodio.

  • Many still have inconsistent safety between devices, leaving gaps for risks.

3. What Are Parental Controls?

Parental controls are software or device settings that help manage a child’s online experience by:

  • Filtering websites and blocking harmful content

  • Setting screen time limits

  • Monitoring search history and app use

  • Restricting who can contact your child

Types of parental controls:

  1. Device-based – Built into phones, tablets, gaming consoles.

  2. App-based – Downloaded software like Qustodio or Net Nanny.

  3. Network-based – Set up via your Wi-Fi router.

  4. Browser-based – Safe search modes or extensions.

4. Best Parental Control Tools in Australia for 2025

Below is a detailed review of the top tools for Aussie parents, with features, pros & cons, prices, and local tips.

4.1 Family Zone (Australian-Made & School Integrated)

Website: familyzone.com

  • Why Aussies love it: Australian company, used in many schools.

  • Features:

    • Web filtering

    • Social media monitoring

    • Cyberbullying alerts

    • Time scheduling

  • Pros: School-home sync, great Aussie customer support.

  • Cons: Paid subscription.

  • Price: From $6.99/month.
    💡 Tip: Check with your child’s school — many provide Family Zone for free.

4.2 Qustodio

Website: qustodio.com

  • Features:

    • App blocking

    • Location tracking

    • YouTube monitoring

    • SOS button

  • Pros: Detailed reports, easy to use.

  • Cons: Premium required for full features.

  • Price: From $55/year.

4.3 Net Nanny

Website: netnanny.com

  • Features:

    • Real-time content filtering

    • Pornography blocking

    • Social media alerts

  • Pros: Highly customisable filters.

  • Cons: Slightly complex setup.

  • Price: From $54.99/year.

4.4 Norton Family

Website: us.norton.com

  • Features:

    • Web supervision

    • Time limits

    • Search monitoring

  • Pros: Bundled with some Norton antivirus plans.

  • Cons: Limited Mac support.

  • Price: $49.99/year.

4.5 Kaspersky Safe Kids

  • Features:

    • GPS tracking

    • App control

    • YouTube search history

  • Pros: Affordable.

  • Cons: UI could be simpler.

  • Price: From $19.99/year.

4.6 Bark

  • Features:

    • AI-powered social media monitoring

    • Cyberbullying detection

    • Suicide/self-harm alerts

  • Pros: Ideal for teenagers.

  • Cons: Less useful for very young kids.

  • Price: From $14/month.

4.7 Google Family Link

  • Features:

    • App approval

    • Time limits

    • Location tracking

  • Pros: Free, works well for Android.

  • Cons: Limited filtering.

  • Price: Free.

4.8 Microsoft Family Safety

  • Features:

    • Screen time limits

    • Location sharing

    • Web filtering for Edge

  • Pros: Free with Microsoft accounts.

  • Cons: Best for Windows users.

  • Price: Free.

4.9 Apple Screen Time

  • Features:

    • App limits

    • Content restrictions

    • Downtime scheduling

  • Pros: Built-in to iOS/macOS.

  • Cons: Apple devices only.

  • Price: Free.

4.10 Trend Micro Family

  • Features:

    • Social media privacy scan

    • Web filtering

    • App control

  • Pros: Includes antivirus.

  • Cons: Best for tech-savvy parents.

  • Price: From $49.95/year.

Comparison Table

5. How to Choose the Right Parental Control

Factors to consider:

  • Age of your child – Younger kids need strict filtering, teens need monitoring.

  • Devices used – iOS, Android, Windows, gaming consoles.

  • Budget – Free options may suffice, but paid give more features.

  • Ease of use – Choose what you can manage consistently.

6. Step-by-Step Setup Guide

6.1 Apple Devices

  • Go to Settings → Screen Time

  • Tap Turn On Screen Time

  • Set passcode, configure downtime, app limits, content restrictions.

6.2 Android Devices

  • Download Google Family Link from Play Store.

  • Link child’s account, set filters, daily limits, and app approvals.

6.3 Routers

  • Log in to your router admin page (usually 192.168.0.1).

  • Find Parental Controls tab.

  • Set site filters and schedule internet downtime.

6.4 Streaming Platforms

  • YouTube Kids – Enable age filters.

  • Netflix – Create kid profiles with maturity rating limits.

  • Disney+ – Use kid mode.

📌 For extra safety tips, see Cyber Hygiene Checklist: Are You Doing These 7 Things?.

7. Beyond Parental Controls

  • Educate your child – Teach them to spot scams.

  • Set boundaries – Device-free dinners, bedtime cut-off.

  • Lead by example – Model healthy screen habits.

8. Government & School Resources

  • eSafety Commissioner – Guides, complaint handling.

  • ThinkUKnow Australia – Police-led education.

  • Cyber.gov.au – Cybersecurity advice.

Final Thoughts

Parental controls are a layer of defence, not a substitute for parenting. The best approach is combining technology, education, and open communication.

Safety

Empowering families to navigate online risks securely.

Community

“CyberShield Academy © 2025. All rights reserved.”