Launched in 2015, Boomerang Parental Control is an app designed to keep kids safe while online. This app is best for Android devices, especially Samsung. Want to learn more about it? In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about Boomerang Parental Control. Let's get started!
Now that you know what Boomerang parental control is, let's look at some of its important features.
1Track Calls and Messages
What I favor most is Boomerang provides a call and SMS history without installing another app. Although Qustodio and MMGuardian also support this function, they both need you to install a separate messaging app.
With Boomerang, you can allow calls only from your child's contacts list, which helps you prevent unknown callers from reaching them. The app will also notify you of and flag any inappropriate words and unknown numbers detected in your child's SMS.
Note: To set up inappropriate keywords for detection, you have to go to Boomerang's Dictionaries from its web dashboard.
However, during testing, I noticed that I didn't get any notifications when my son used inappropriate words in the SMS sent to his friend, and this is contrary to what was advertised.
2Limit Screen Time
Screen time limits are a common feature in parental control apps, and Boomerang is no exception. However, what sets Boomerang apart is its flexibility.
For example, you can not only set screen time daily limits either daily but also schedule shutdown time periods. During these periods, your child's device will be completely locked. This is good for building good habits during bedtime and mealtime.
Additionally, Boomerang has a "Time out" function. When you set it as "15mins", your child's device will be unlocked after 15 minutes.
3Manage Apps
This feature gives you absolute control over your child's phone. With it, you'll get to know all the apps on your kid's phone. And you can easily block any app you feel is inappropriate for your kid. Where it gets interesting is that apps can be set as "Encouraged," which is exempted from screen time limits.
It also enables parents to block newly installed apps and other browsers with one click. But this feature is not as good as MMGuardian's App Control, which lets you manage apps by customized groups.
4Filter Websites
Web filtering feature is peculiar to many top parental control apps, including Boomerang. I put this feature to the test and found it to block specific websites seamlessly.
But pay attention that all website filtering settings can only be applied to its own browser - SPIN Browser. And you have to make this browser default on your child's phone. As a safe browser with integrated internet filters, it effectively blocks adult and nudity content, unsafe search engines, and VPN websites.
What I like is it has 39 categories of sites or topics to filter from gambling to web ads, and fishing sites. But I feel disappointed as there is no option to let me set always allowed websites for my child.
5Monitor Online Activity
Boomerang Parental Control's Reports lets you view your child's app usage, web browsing history, and YouTube viewing history.
App usage: You are able to view how much time your child spend on each app. Plus, historical app usage data is also available as far back as 30 days.
Web browsing history: Child's website history from Chrome and SPIN Safe browser will be recorded and visible to you.
YouTube viewing history: This app empowers you to check what your child views and searches made in the YouTube app on Android.
6Find Location
Indeed, Boomerang's location tracking feature is rudimentary. Although it allows you to locate your child, you have to manually update the real-time location. Moreover, parents who are using iPhones are not able to set geofencing zones. This could be the biggest barrier to keeping our kids safe offline.
💡 Beyond the features we've mentioned in this Boomerang Parental Control review, the app has much more to offer. For example, it includes a chat system that allows parents to communicate with their kids directly within the app; it also prevents your child from changing the date & time or accessing YouTube Settings.
How to Set Up Boomerang
If you've got the Boomerang Parental Control app, the next thing to know is how to set it up. Check the steps below to learn how to set the app up.
Step 1.Visit the Google Play Store or App Store to search for and install Boomerang Parental Control on your phone.
Step 2.Open the app and select "Create An Account."
Step 3.Then, choose "Parent Mode" on your device and provide your email to create a new account.
Step 4.Once that's done, open your child's phone to install Boomerang from the Play Store or Galaxy Store. (Kindly note that your kid's device must be Android.)
Step 5.Then, select "Child Mode" and log in with the same account you created.
Step 6.Lastly, you'll be asked to enable some must-have permissions to set it up.
Is Boomerang Worth It?
Perhaps you've been thinking of subscribing to Boomerang Parental Control, but are unsure if the app lives up to the hype, don't worry. This part will help you a lot!
First, you have to understand its pricing plans:
Plans
Pricing
Number of Child's Device
Single Device License
$15.99/year
1
Family Pack
$30.99/year
10
Regardless of the plan you opt for, you'll have access to all its features. But before purchasing, knowing its cons is also important. Here are some things it should improve:
Poor notification & alert system
No social media monitoring
No location history data
Limited geofencing tool
Limited features on parent's iOS device
All in all, Boomerang Parental Control is very cost-effective.
So, should You Try Boomerang Parental Control?
You should try Boomerang Parental Control if:
✔️ You want to monitor your child's calls and messages
Boomerang helps you keep an eye on your child's incoming and outgoing calls and SMS. Moreover, this feature is independent without installing any other apps.
✔️ You need to provide an all-around safe browsing experience for your child
Boomerang has a robust web filtering function, which prevents your child from visiting a wide range of harmful domains, like malware sites, web ads, unsafe search engines, and much more.
Elsa has worked on a number of iOS & Android solutions, she can always find her way around almost any application. She is an accomplished, skilled and versatile writer with more than 7 years of technical article writing experience.
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