Is Webwatcher worth a try: Review of features, pricing, pros&cons

Today’s children live in a world of increasing digital complexity. They are exposed to inappropriate content, risks of cyberbullying and spend excessive time in front of a screen. These challenges require us to proactively address them. Thus, many parents and guardians have started using tools like WebWatcher. Webwatcher is a monitoring platform for parents and guardians seeking to protect children’s online activities. 

This article discusses Webwatcher’s full range of capabilities, benefits, issues, and approaches toward responsible implementation. Understanding these elements helps make informed decisions about digital safety tools that will genuinely meet the needs of your family.

What is WebWatcher?

Webwatcher is proprietary phone monitoring software developed by Awareness Technologies since 2002. It enables remote supervision of children’s digital behavior across multiple devices. The platform works discreetly on target devices but sends data back to secure dashboards to which parents gain access anywhere, anytime.

Webwatcher monitoring doesn’t require complex jailbreaking or rooting. This way, device damage decreases, and warranty protection remains. The software supports iOS, Android, Windows, macOS and Chromebooks.

The system uses discrete activity recorders. Parents achieve visibility into what their child is doing online without disruptions. This fine line between surveillance and privacy makes Webwatcher desirable to many families wanting to protectively safeguard kids digitally.

Key features

Webwatcher app for Android and iOS provides comprehensive monitoring across multiple dimensions of digital activity. Parents can track:

• SMS and MMS texts, photos, and phone calls, including deleted messages.
• Website history: Searches and browsing history in the browser are listed, including activity from Incognito mode. 
• App usage and social media activity, including Facebook, Snapchat, WhatsApp, Instagram, Tinder, etc. Check installed applications and give app usage statistics to show how much screen time children spend on certain programs.
• GPS location: tracks device locations in real time. Parents access movement history on interactive maps. 
• Geofencing: It alerts users when the targets enter or exit designated areas.

Pricing plans of WebWatcher

Webwatcher has a subscription-based pricing. Pricing is set by device type and subscription duration.

• Monthly plan: $39.95 per device. This higher rate represents maximum flexibility. Users may cancel at any time without long-term obligations.
• 3-month plan: $59.95 per device. This reduces monthly costs compared to month-to-month subscriptions.
• Yearly plan: $129.95 per device. This comes to about $10.83 per month. Long-term commitments deliver significant savings.
• A 7-day free trial: users can try it for free before purchasing. The money-back guarantee serves as a risk-mitigation tool. However, there are strict conditions in the refund policies. Users must cite legitimate technical issues to qualify for refunds. Simple preference changes don’t spur reimbursement.

Pros and cons of using WebWatcher

The advantages of the Webwatcher parental monitoring app fall into more than one category. The lack of a root or jailbreak requirement eliminates risks. Devices receive warranty coverage and peak performance.

The disadvantages are also there, including:

Real customers’ reviews

Customer feedback shows that people aren’t too excited about using this tool. Ratings of WebWatcher in SafetyDetectives reach only 1.3 stars. This discrepancy implies different user experiences and implementation and expectations.

While you’ll find mixed feedback online, there is a significant number of users reporting technical failures and poor customer service. Bad reviews attribute technical issues and low reliability. Some users initially found they could not log in for hours. The installation processes required many phone resets. Technical support took longer than expected due to waiting periods. These frustrations highlight setup issues that negatively affect the user experience.

Most customers who gave this tool a one-star rating mentioned bad billing practices and a lack of response from the customer support team. Thus, this lack of trust keeps new users from relying on this tool.

WebWatcher vs. FlashGet Kids comparison: The best alternative

FlashGet Kids offers intriguing alternatives to provide family protection. Both platforms approach digital safety issues differently.

FlashGet Kids is very decent at direct control of devices. Remote camera activation enables the real-time monitoring of the environment. This comes in extremely handy during emergencies. Also, screen mirroring shows live activity of the devices. 

FlashGet Kids price is very favorable. Most plans cost less monthly. Multi-device support also often comes for less than comparable Webwatcher login licensing.

Customer support is of a very different quality. FlashGet Kids has 24*7 help. Webwatcher support has reported delays and limitations.

FlashGet Kids is still the top recommendation for balance, low price, and customer support. Webwatcher is suitable for families who need to do a lot of desktop monitoring,g specifically.

What to look for in the best phone monitoring app?

Selecting monitoring software requires careful assessment across several dimensions.

1. Features need to match your particular requirements. Comprehensive text and social media monitoring is important for children who are more socially active. Location tracking is essential for families who value real-time location updates. Also, screen time management appeals to parents who are concerned about excessive device use.
2. Cost structure. Calculate the total expenses of all the children. Volume discounts help on a per-device price basis. Also, check for free trial periods so you can evaluate before committing.
3. Ease of use is what makes or breaks people’s long-term satisfaction. Complicated interfaces are frustrating for parents. On the other hand, Intuitive dashboards help to include quick and easy data review. Also, Mobile apps must work well on all platforms.
4. Customer support is activated when problems arise. Phone support gives you an immediate response. Everything boils down to how quickly you can connect to an expert who’ll walk you through the setup process and help you safeguard your children. 

Bonus: Parental tips for enhancing child digital safety

As things stand, monitoring software is not an ideal protection on its own. Parental control approaches are most effective when combined with comprehensive practices.

• Set clear rules and boundaries: Define acceptable websites, apps, and daily screen time limits upfront. Write these rules down and revisit them regularly as your child grows and their online habits change.
• Teach digital literacy early: Talk openly about online risks such as phishing, scams, predators, and oversharing. Explain how personal information can be misused. Practice real-life scenarios so children know how to respond when something feels wrong.
• Model healthy digital behavior: Children copy what they see. Show balanced screen use, respect privacy, and practice good online habits yourself. Your behavior sets the standard.
• Create tech-free family zones and times: Set aside times and places where devices aren’t allowed, such as family activities or shared spaces. Encourage offline alternatives like sports, board games, reading, and conversation, which help strengthen family bonds and create natural opportunities for communication. This small habit can make a big difference.
• Use built-in parental controls: Take advantage of native tools like Apple Screen Time and Google Family Link. For many children, these provide enough baseline protection and can be combined with third-party apps like FlashGet Kids if needed.
• Be transparent about monitoring: Explain why monitoring is in place and what it does. Focus on safety, not punishment. Clearly discuss consequences ahead of time and stay open about what is being monitored and why.

Conclusion

Webwatcher provides a valid monitoring capability across various platforms. Its extensive functionality, cross-device capabilities and real-time notification are attractive to welfare-based parents. The platform is reliable when it comes to tracking textual communications, website activity, and location data. Webwatcher’s porn filtering capabilities assist in blocking inappropriate content access patterns.

However, there is a lot of concern tempering enthusiasm. Webwatcher will price up fast for multiple children. Customer service inconsistency and stringent refund policies are frustrating users. Thus, competitive alternatives such as FlashGet Kids tend to offer better value and even better customer experience.

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