The best free parental control software 2016

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It's hard to imagine anything less child-friendly than an uncensored internet. A rabid wolf, maybe, or a playground floored with broken glass and razor wire. The more connected we become the more we need everybody online - and that means trying to ensure that our children aren't exposed to the very worst content, ideas and behaviour that exist online.

Software can't do everything, of course, but it can help to make parents' lives much easier. These are our picks of the best parental control tools.

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Protect your kids on Windows, OS X and mobile devices with Qustodio's free app

1. Qustodio

A full suite of parental control tools to protect your children

Most parental control software is aimed at Windows, but Qustodio (think 'custodian') is also available for Mac, Android, iOS, Kindle and (weirdly) Nook.

The free version covers the basics, enabling you to set rules and time schedules, block pornography and other unsuitable content; if you go for the paid-for version that adds SMS monitoring, social media features and per-app controls. But even the free version is one of the most comprehensive parental control apps around.

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Its raft of features and support for a wide range of platforms make Qustodio our top recommended parental control software, but there are some other excellent free programs available, some of which may be better suited to your individual needs as a parent. Read on for our top choices.

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Family Shield can run on your router, applying filters to every device on your Wi-Fi network

2. OpenDNS Family Shield

Blocks dangerous domains, and can be used on your whole network

FamilyShield is a free service from OpenDNS. Its parental control tools automatically block domains that OpenDNS has flagged under the headings "tasteless, proxy/anonymizer, sexuality, or pornography".

One of the big pluses here is that while FamilyShield can run on PCs and mobile devices, you can also apply it to your network router and filter all the traffic that passes through it - it's just a matter of changing the DNS server numbers in your control panel.

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This has the happy benefit of improving DNS lookup speeds on some ISPs. By filtering everything at the router level, every device on your network benefits from the filters.

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Cross-platform parental control app Kidlogger lets you monitor everything your child types and what they're doing

3. Kidlogger

Comprehensive parental controls and activity logging

Nothing gets past Kidlogger. This free parental control software not only tracks what your children type and which websites they visit - it also keeps a record of which programs they use and any screengrabs they take.

If you're concerned about who your kids might be talking to online, there's even a voice-activated sound recorder. If your children are a little older and more responsible, you can pick and choose which options to monitor and give them a little privacy.

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The free software only covers one device and lacks some of the sneakier features of the premium editions (including silent monitoring of WhatsApp conversations and the ability to listen to phone calls), but it's still a well-rounded tool if you're concerned about your kids' safety.

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Spyrix Free Keylogger won't block access to unsavory content online, but will let you see what your kids have been up to

4. Spyrix Free Keylogger

Take a virtual peek over your kid's shoulder as they surf

Keyloggers have something of a bad reputation online, as they're often used by villains, but they can be a force for good too, and Spyrix's features enable you to see what your children have been up to.

Although it's dubbed parental control software, it's really a monitoring program; it doesn't stop the kids getting up to no good, but it does let you see exactly what they've done. 

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That means it isn't really appropriate for younger children's computers, but it may be appropriate for older children if you suspect online bullying or other unpleasantness.

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Zoodles is ideal for younger children, with a specialised browser to keep little ones safe from anything unsavory or frightening

5. Zoodles

A whole browser designed for younger kids

The problem with many parental control apps is that they're most effective for older children: while filtering adult content and other unpleasantness is obviously a good thing, there's plenty of stuff that isn't adult that can still scare younger children silly.

Zoodles addresses that by combining filtered browsing and a dedicated web browser to create a walled garden: everything in it is safe for kids and there's no risk of anything awful popping up.

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In addition to Windows, Zoodles is also available for Mac, Android and iOS, and a brand new version is currently in development.

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