Why you need a tamper-resistant parental control app

Your kid just found a workaround for the parental control app on their phone. And honestly? You’re impressed. But you’re also exhausted.

You’re not alone. According to The Guardian, even tech experts admit that their kids have figured out how to get around some parental controls. Managing tech is complicated, and kids are naturally curious, motivated, and often one step ahead.

That’s why Verizon Family Plus was designed to work hard to keep those protections in place even if there's a phone reset, or notify you if the app is deleted. And while no app can stop every workaround, the right tools can give you more chances to connect, not just correct.

Put down the power struggle. Pick up the conversation.

To your kid, parental controls might sound like overkill. But that’s not what this is. It’s not about locking down their device. It’s about creating a shared understanding that the settings are there, and they’re not going anywhere—so the conversation has to change.

Try saying:

“Having a phone is a big responsibility. And part of that means keeping the parental controls on. It’s not a punishment—it’s how we use tech in this family. Your phone stays on when the controls stay on. If something’s not working, let’s talk about it. But turning them off isn’t an option.”

Kids may still try to get around parental and content controls. Talk about that, too.

Kids are going to be curious to learn what really happens if they try to delete the app. Or maybe they feel they deserve more privacy. Sometimes, they might just be bored and poking around in the settings menus. When you get a notification that they’ve tried to remove the app, use it as a conversation starter:

“Hey, I noticed the app went offline. Did you mean to turn that off? Or were you trying to fix something else?”

That conversation makes it a little more likely that the app will stay on next time—and that you stay in tune with their mindset and digital habits.

Verizon Family Plus is tamper-resistant on Android and Apple phones and tablets.

Android:

Even after a restart, protections stay locked in place due to secure background tools. A PIN-based system means only you can make changes to the app.

iPhone:

You’ll be notified if your child tries to disable anything, so you don’t need to manually check the settings. And unlike a lot of “advances protection” features, they work quietly in the background and won’t drain the battery.

You’re there for them with Verizon Family. Verizon’s there for you—with a 3-year price lock.*

*Learn more about our 3-year price lock guarantee.