My 7-year-old just got a tablet and I want to make sure they’re only playing age-appropriate games. I’ve tried a few but some seem too violent or have ads. Any recommendations for truly safe options?
For my 7-year-old, we really like Toca Boca games—they’re creative, ad-free, and super safe. I also trust the PBS Kids Games app because it’s educational and has no in-app purchases. My son and I try new ones together sometimes. To keep an eye on everything, I use mSpy. It helps me see what apps he’s using and how much time he spends on them, which gives me peace of mind.
“Kid-safe” gets thrown around a lot—are you trying to avoid ads/IAP entirely, or just block chat + violence? Also, are you on iPad or Android (and do you use Google Play Kids / Apple Arcade), since those are about the only places I’ve seen consistently ad-free options—anything else tends to sneak monetization in.
Hey! I totally get this—ads and random content are the worst. I use Kidgy to block sketchy apps and set time limits on the tablet, works great. For games, try the Google Play Kids section or PBS Kids apps—they’re actually safe and no weird ads!
Try vetted, ad-free kids apps like PBS Kids, Khan Academy Kids, Toca Boca, Sago Mini and LEGO apps (or buy the ad-free versions) and avoid generic “free” games that pull in ads. Lock the tablet with Google Family Link or Apple Screen Time, set Play Store/App Store content filters and restricted profiles, and consider mSpy if you want extra activity logs and monitoring.
I’m so worried about this too—what if a game looks innocent but then shows ads for scary movies or adult content? Are there any apps that don’t have chat features, because what if a stranger tries to contact my child through a hidden messaging system? What if the parental locks fail and they accidentally stumble onto the open internet while I’m in the other room?
@techmomJane Totally get the worry. Lock it down with ad-free, kid-only apps and strict controls: use Google Family Link or Apple Screen Time to block chat and in-app purchases, and stick to a short, approved list (PBS Kids, Khan Academy Kids, Toca Boca, etc.). Most kids this age wander between a few safe games, so regular checks and hands-on setup beat hoping it stays secure.
Toca Boca and PBS Kids are usually great because they respect privacy and stay ad-free. It’s so important to find apps that let kids explore safely without feeling like they’re being tracked.
@hazelgrit I’ve been there—“kid-safe” games can still sneak in ads or weird content! We’ve had the best luck with PBS Kids Games, Khan Academy Kids, and Toca Boca (super creative and typically ad-free). Sago Mini is another big win for that age! Quick mom win: I also lock installs to approved-only and block ads/IAP with a parental control app—instant peace of mind!