What is Norton Family? What parents need to know

Norton Family is a subscription-based parental control software that gives parents the ability to monitor and manage their children’s digital lives. Like most parental control apps, Norton Family provides tools such as screen time limits and web filtering, as well as location services so that you know where your child is.

The software is available on Android, iOS and Windows. However, Macbooks cannot be monitored using Norton Family. Subscriptions cost £14.99 per year, and they do offer a 30-day free trial, meaning if you are considering Norton Family you can try it out for free before committing to a paid subscription. The subscription allows you to add up to 15 child profiles and unlimited devices, meaning it is suitable for even the biggest families.

To begin managing your child’s devices using Norton Family, you must create a profile for the child and then choose a restriction level for them. Then download Norton Family onto all the devices you wish to monitor.  When you need to access their devices to download the software, be sure to explain why you are monitoring them, and make it clear that you are only doing it for safety, not to spy on them. Having open communication about it will help build trust and make it less likely that they attempt to circumvent the controls.

Norton Family has a comprehensive suite of controls that can help parents keep their child safe while online. These include:

• Screen time limits: Parents can set periods of time when their child can use their device, how long they can use certain apps, and they can also lock the device at any time if they think their child has already had enough screen time.
  • School time mode: Activating this mode will mean children can only access educational websites during school hours.
• Web filtering: Websites containing mature content (e.g. pornography and gambling) can be blocked. When attempting to access a blocked site, children can leave a message explaining why they tried to go on it. Parents can also customise this filtering and choose specific sites to block or allow. When using Norton Family, only Norton Family Browser is allowed, making Chrome and Edge inaccessible.
• Activity monitoring: Norton Family allows parents to track what your child searches for in browsers and on YouTube so that they can see if they are trying to view inappropriate or concerning content.
• Activity reports: In-depth reports on children’s activities online will be regularly sent to parents. Parents will also receive alerts if their child attempts to access restricted websites or exceeds their allotted screen time.
• Blocking mobile apps: Parents can choose apps and programs to block on Android and iOS. However, this function is not available on Windows.
• Location tracking: Children’s live locations can be viewed on a map based off where their mobile phone is. This also has a geofencing capability, as you can set a boundary and receive an alert if your child goes outside it.

• Comprehensive suite of parental controls
• Relatively low price
• Location and geofencing capabilities
• Dedicated browser
• No device limits
• Encourages communication e.g. ability to leave a message when accessing blocked site

The biggest limitation of Norton Family is that it does not work on Macs, meaning if any of your children own an Apple MacBook, Norton Family will not be a suitable parental control tool for you.

The limitations extend to other PC’s too, as Norton Family does not allow you to block specific programs and apps on PC. To counteract this, you will need to set parental controls on PC apps directly in the app’s settings yourself. Learn how to set parental controls.

There are also some areas that Norton Family cannot track, including calls, texts and social media. Once again, parental controls can be set on social media platforms through the app’s settings. Having conversations about your child’s digital life will also help you stay aware about your child’s activity on social media and keep them safe online.