Parental controls on android - alternatives to Family Link?

[tpmumtobe]

Android family, two boys age 9 and 12 (eldest has some SEN inc dyslexia, dyspraxia, processing and attention issues). Both kids have a tablet, access to the PC, and the older one also has a phone. I have been trying to manage their access with Google Family Link, but it's got too many loopholes and I need an alternative.

Family Link only allows me to add the same restrictions across all his devices at the same time. There are some apps I'm happy for DS12 to have on his tablet (games, youtube), but not on his phone (because he wanders down the street gaming or in a world of his own watching videos). He's also a lot better at sneaking off with his phone to game compared to asking for his tablet and I think better limits on apps would help break that habit.

I've also found Family Link isn't fool-proof eg I can block the youtube app if required but they can still access it through Chrome and even if I block Chrome (which is not ideal because they do also want to search sensible stuff for school) they can still look stuff up on the Google app itself (which can't be blocked as it's a required app). And the search filters on Family Link (for Chrome or Youtube) just aren't effective.

What alternatives are there? Quostudio? Norton? How much can you tailor restrictions on third party apps like these? I'm happy to pay for something that has the right functionality and can help me manage their access better, as long as it works.

I know to some extent a lot of this has to be managed by actively monitoring their use (which we do). But I would still love something that means when they do go on their screens I can leave them to it (to a point) and know they're not accessing the stuff I don't want them to.

Any ideas gratefully received!

bumping this as I would like to know if there is something better than Family Link! I have it for DD (13) but it feels like a bit of a blunt instrument - she can't access lots of perfectly OK websites without asking permission yet she can watch anything she wants on YouTube and I have no idea what she's looking at.

@malloo thank you, that's exactly my issue! I'm still on the hunt for a decent solution. Qustudio customer services have been helpful and said I can effectively set up two 'children', one for each device to separate the phone and tablet app access. Prob is each device would have its own time limits. They also said that if the free trial isn't long enough for me to work out if it does what I need then they can extend it for me, so that's my next job to try that I think. Youtube is a nightmare regardless though. DS1 is 12 and pretty sensible but DS2 is going to be a total liability when he's the same age, I need a better fix on it before then!

that's interesting, I was looking at Qustodio but I felt it was a bit intrusive as it also gives access to their phone calls and messages! I guess I wouldn't have to use it but DD would not be happy knowing I could. I'd be interested to hear how you get on with it if you decide to try it.