Is there a way to have Parental Controls that WORK on Android?

[benrk]

Hi-
I have a serious problem. :'(

I can't even use my Nexus 4 unless my parents can trust me with the internet with pornography and stuff. I am 15 years old and I understand Android in and out and normal parental controls (apps in the play store) are not enough for me. My parents use OpenDNS for our WiFi network, but it is insanely easy to get past that (WiFi settings) and parental controls, like K9, whatever, don't do anything once I boot into Safe mode.

I don't know anything about VPNs, but could I make one of those and get pornography filters and stuff?

Do you have any ideas of anything I can do so the web is properly filtered without me being able to get past? I can't even use my phone that I spent 300 of my own dollars on if I can't find a solution.

Thank you for any help!

 

[Tall Mike 2145]

The first thing I'd do is show your parents your post here. The fact that you are quite forthrightly saying "I wish to not do anything inappropriate with my phone's access to the Internet" should go a long way. If you were my child and came to me with that thought process, I think I'd recognize you for the trying-legitimately-to-be-responsible teenager that you seem to be.

Sorry, I can't help you personally with the technical end of what you're asking about, since I have no experience in or familiarity with any apps for that (I'm well-past being a kid) and I don't have a clue how you could filter on a phone anyhow, given it bangs off of both WiFi and cell.

 

[eric3316]

Here is an idea, don't go to those sites? Don't try to get past the wi-fi settings and parental controls?

It sounds like your goal is to try and get through anything they put on the phone so you must be looking to do things that you shouldn't be doing. lol

 

[benrk]

Thank you. I see both your points. I probably cannot do anything about it because safe mode basically wipes anything in place, but I might go talk to them and see if I can base it off trust. The truth is, I don't want to use this phone in ways they don't want me to. Android is just too open and awesome that it is way too easy to get past it if you know a lot.

Thanks for your help.

 

[tippmann15]

Who is your service provider?T mobile offers parental control restrictions.

GS4/iPhone5

 

[benrk]

I actually use it sim-free on WiFi at school and at home (google voice, grooveIP, etc. ).

 

[benrk]

Is there anything I can do in the router settings of a router (I have a netgear WPN824v3) to force a DNS setting so I cannot change it in Wi-Fi settings in Android?
Thanks.

 

[gollum18]

Is there anything I can do in the router settings of a router (I have a netgear WPN824v3) to force a DNS setting so I cannot change it in Wi-Fi settings in Android?
Thanks.

If you have a firewall feature on your router, you can just add the IP addresses or domain names to the list. Although if it doesn't I'm not sure how you would do it.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

 

[N4Newbie]

An open letter to mom & dad:

Dear mom & dad,

I am from a large family, one of seven(!) boys. I myself have a single child, a fine young man who is now in his late 20's. Based on personal experience, please allow me to explain the way this works: you cannot control what your kid does outside the home, so don't waste his time or yours. If you block access to certain sites - or even the entire internet - all he needs do is borrow a friend's phone or use a friend's computer. For that matter, he can probably go to the nearest public library. If your kid wants to view porn, or watch heavy metal music videos, or - God forbid - listen to Barry Manilow (!) he will find a way to make it happen despite your best attempts to stop him.

Set a good example. Make a point of always doing the "right" thing. Recognize the fact that, like it or not, your child is a sexual creature and there is nothing you can (or should) do to change this. Cut your kid some slack and he'll turn out just fine.

 

[Unicorn Rancher]

Parental controls are designed to help prevent a child from stumbling upon age-inappropriate content. They're not designed to resist an intentional attack by a technically competent young adult with a lot of free time.

For example, it's neither difficult nor particularly expensive to register a domain, get hosting, and set up that site as an unrestricted portal.

 

[Eric Vreeken]

There is an amazing new app called StudyLock. It locks kids android devices until they answer questions in Math, Science, History and other subjects. Configure the amount of questions kids have to answer everytime they open their phone and /or apps. It cannot be uninstalled except with a parental password. StudyLock also tracks the android usage, grades the kids on all subjects, and kids compete for prizes on the website. Itis a great educational lock. Try the free version.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.studylock&hl=en

 

[Eric Vreeken]

Hi-
I have a serious problem. :'(

I can't even use my Nexus 4 unless my parents can trust me with the internet with pornography and stuff. I am 15 years old and I understand Android in and out and normal parental controls (apps in the play store) are not enough for me. My parents use OpenDNS for our WiFi network, but it is insanely easy to get past that (WiFi settings) and parental controls, like K9, whatever, don't do anything once I boot into Safe mode.

I don't know anything about VPNs, but could I make one of those and get pornography filters and stuff?

Do you have any ideas of anything I can do so the web is properly filtered without me being able to get past? I can't even use my phone that I spent 300 of my own dollars on if I can't find a solution.

Thank you for any help!

There is an amazing new app called StudyLock. It locks kids android devices until they answer questions in Math, Science, History and other subjects. Configure the amount of questions kids have to answer everytime they open their phone and /or apps. It cannot be uninstalled except with a parental password. StudyLock also tracks the android usage, grades the kids on all subjects, and kids compete for prizes on the website. Itis a great educational lock. Try the free version.

https://forums.androidcentral.com/e.../store/apps/d...tudylock&hl=en&token=FsMG58JY

 

[Maria Esponoza]

There is an app called Orbot that is based on Tor. If you're rooted you can install it and tunnel out of your local network. From there you will have no restrictions. You can get it here: https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...ails?id=org.torproject.android&token=ZYTXnZOx

Thx
-Maria

 

[benrk]

Thanks Maria, but that is the exact opposite of what I want. I want an app that can possibly make it so I DO have restrictions on the web.
Thanks for your help though!

 

[eqyizo]

Well, in my search for one to help keep my friend accountable I have found two options. Funamo is one, but your booting trick may still trump them all. Next is X3 Watch, but again if you are really desparate you'll surely find a work around.

The best option is real support. Find a mentor, someone who doesn't neccesarily struggle with it in the same ways, who is rooted. Obviously this usually means someone older. I know what being a 15 year old horny boy is like. It sucks. Distracting your mind with better thoughts helps. Having other people who are good influences constantly in your life helps. Honestly it's all in the bible. Community is your support to being a better you. Don't stay up late by yourself. Having people around helps you keep yourself accountable. Keep desiring how to work past it, and if you're willing, I say let God work in you and--ideally--it won't be a problem. But God works in ways we do not fully understand. The solution you think is needed may not be the case. Be open to that, too.

I hope this didn't come too late, and I wish you the best in your growth to being a better man.

 

[kmcochran]

Here's what I did with my 12yo son, who also uses his N4 as a wifi-only device, I uninstalled Chrome. Then I put on safe browser, https://forums.androidcentral.com/e...e/apps/details?id=com.cloudacl&token=2oIwbFl8

I also use cloudacl's extensions on my kids' computer browsers to keep the porn sites restricted.

Now, my kids are not as computer savvy as you, so I haven't had any issues with them trying to go around these filters.

 

[benrk]

I love your post. That is very inspiring. I don't have a problem with it, it is just more of a matter of my parents trusting me. At this point they have trusted me more and now I have more freedom with my devices. Still, I love what you said. It really is a scary world out there and we need to trust God and be 'in the world but not of the world.'

Thank you,
Ben

 

[Mr Tripod]

Whichever plan you might consider choosing, be careful - many of these "parental control" apps are overly concerned with being sued that they send a monthly email to the phone owner, informing them that the phone is being monitored / GPS tracked, etc. As you have likely concluded, the phone owner IS the child. Hence, a savvy teen will disable the app, leave the phone off, or any other action to thwart their parent's intent.

 

[Billy Jones4]

Hey Ben. I completely get where you are coming from, as I have also struggled with this, but in reality there is no complete way of blocking you out of your own phone. Any apps installed can be easily bypassed in safe mode. If you were really determined, there are hundreds of resources detailing how to install a dual boot on your phone, which will completely bypass every thing previously installed on the phone. If you were to install any filters on your router or blocked any ports or anything, that could also easily bypassed by using the Tor network. In order to block porn from yourself, you'll just have to battle it out yourself. Any apps we suggest would merely deter you for a short time if you were determined to break through. Sorry for completely destroying your hopes, but that's just the truth.

 

[StuartMan]

You could try Pandoras Hope, which, since it's a router, also works in safety mode. I don't know about wireless items like your mobile but here's a review - '' The Pandora's Hope Wireless Router is an amazing tool for families interested in filtering web content and managing web access in their home to any wireless device. The system is cost-effective, extremely full-featured and very fast. With a wide range of options for any family, this filtered wireless router is a great addition to a home where there are a number of wireless devices accessing the Internet.'' I can't get it as I'm a Brit but you should be all right. I really empathise with you as it really should be a lot easier to rid yourself of porn./ all the best/ Stuart