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Bark Parental Control App Review


ConsumersAdvocate.org Rating: 4.9 / 5 (Excellent)
35 Customer Comments & Reviews - see all comments
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Founded in 2015 and based in Georgia, Bark Technologies, Inc. provides a parental control app that focuses primarily on online threats to children through social media, texting, and other lines of communication. The company was founded by digital media experts who aimed to create a parental monitoring tool that did not compromise children's privacy.
 
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How is Bark rated?

Breakdown

5.0/5
Transparency
5.0/5
Multiple OS Monitoring
5.0/5
Unique Features
5.0/5
Ease of Installation/Use

Overall Rating: 4.9 / 5 (Excellent)

Bark offers one of the most comprehensive monitoring packages in the parental control app landscape, and does so at a very reasonable price. In addition to email and text monitoring, Bark covers an extensive list of social media platforms as well. Screen time monitoring is available as a stand-alone feature with Bark JR, the company's lowest price plan and included with Bark's flagship product.

Additionally, Bark’s approach to monitoring text messaging does not require jailbreaking/rooting the phone, nor does it cause Apple password lockouts like other services. Since children have so many lines of communication open to them, Bark provides unprecedented coverage, monitoring posts and messaging for signs of bullying, communication with dangerous strangers, etc. What's more, Bark’s AI-based algorithms analyze all activity itself and issues parents notifications via their chosen communication method. Although full locator services are not available, Bark does have a check-in feature that allows parents to request their children's location at any given time.

Bark Features & Services

Features & Services - 5 / 5

Bark offers the most robust service out there for monitoring social media apps, emails, and text on children's mobile devices and smartphones. With 30 social media networks monitored, no other company we review has quite the reach as Bark. What's more, the company uses machine learning and advanced pattern recognition software to monitor all activity. This is especially useful to parents as monitoring with Bark does not require users to sift through all the activity themselves. Bark algorithms automatically scan children's communication for potentially problematic issues and send alerts to parents through the app, email or text. Bark's features and services are ideal and affordable for parents who are specifically concerned about social media interaction and text messaging. Parents can also control their children's screen time and filter content and set different limits for each child.
Customizable Filtering
No

Monitoring Method

  • Provider/Algorithmic
Monitoring Features
Social Media
SMS
Email

Social Networks Monitored

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Snapchat
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • Google+
  • Flickr
  • WhatsApp
  • Kik
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • Ask.fm
  • GroupMe
  • Google Drive
  • Gmail
  • iCloud
  • Outlook
  • Hotmail
  • Yahoo!
  • AOL Mail
  • Comcast Email
  • Musical.ly
  • Slack
  • Kidzworld
Display Less
17 More
Notifications/Alerts
App
Email
Text
Combination

Bark Pricing & Subscription Model

Pricing & Subscription Model - 5 / 5

Bark offers one of the most comprehensive monitoring suites out there for the price. After a 7-day free trial where customers can test run the service, Bark Jr plans are $5 per month or $49 billed annually, and Bark is $14 per family month-to-month, or $99 billed annually. As parental control app offerings go, this is one of the least expensive out there.

Plan 1/Price

Bark Jr. - $5.00 monthly or $49 annually

Plan 2/Price

Bark Plan - $9.00 monthly or $99 annually
Free Trial
Yes
Number of Devices
Unlimited
Number of Accounts
Unlimited
Auto-Renew
Yes

Subscription Model

Both month-to-month and annual plans will auto-renew for the same price if the customer does not cancel. Customers can cancel on the "my account" page and the subscription will terminate at the end of that billing cycle.

Bark Customer Experience

Customer Experience - 5 / 5

As a relatively new company, Bark has no presence on the BBB or Trustpilot. Bark can be contacted through email or chat, but it is unclear what their customer support hours are. Developed in conjunction with psychologists, law enforcement, and digital media experts, Bark has received awards from The National Parenting Center, Mom’s Choice, and National Parenting Product.
Year Founded
2015
Platforms and Devices
Mobile
iOS
Android
Contact Method
Email
Online Form
Live Chat

Company Profile

Full Name
Bark Parental Control App
Company Website
https://www.bark.us
Headquarters
3423 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA, 30305

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35 Customer Comments & Reviews

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clockh
10/24/2019
I have not had success with bark at all. We continue to verify proper set up & it continues to miss things. After 12 months with it, we’re moving on.

Sandy O
8/25/2019
I put Bark on my grandsons phone and it worked during free trail 4 months later it would not work at all! Very frustrated with them. Had call lined up call was cancelled. On line help I have to wait 5 hours! Never had the opportunity to receive call or set up call again! Very disappointed.

Krys S
8/20/2019
So I tried Bark. Twice. The first time it was a 7 day trial, and it didn't work like I thought it would. After a month or two I contacted them to see if they covered the google/chrome web searches. I needed someone monitoring searches and websites visited, and I was told emphatically that is what they did. I got notifications about some texts, and a lot of youtube notifications about violence (it was roblox... pretty much anything pertaining to that has some semblance of fighting), but no notifications of searches or websites. I did exactly as instructed and put Bark on the google chrome extensions, under my child's google associated account, so they would be able to monitor it all.... Read More

S
S
7/11/2019
Bark needs to be upfront with people and explain that due to recent 2019 changes in iOS devices and Apple apps, Bark is no longer supported by iTunes or other services. The only way to download Bark is via their website. It worked fine up until around April 2019, and now it no longer works at all due to changes in monitoring regulations. I don't completely understand the technical specifics, but I can say that I had it, but have since deleted it from my iPhone, my son's iPhone, and my laptop.

T
Thkee
11/23/2018
Please add Lipsi as an app go monitor as kids are using this app too for some graphic sharing

Top Rated
Our Partner
  • Most comprehensive coverage of any parental control app
  • FREE 7 Day Trial, and coverage starting at $5 a month
  • Get alerts for cyberbullying, sexual content, and more
  • Filter content, manage screen time, track locations, and monitor activity 
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