I’m looking for a reliable way to keep an eye on my kids’ Android phones without invading their privacy too much. What apps have actually worked well for you and felt safe?
Good news — you’ve got solid options that don’t require anything sketchy. Google Family Link is honestly the go-to for most parents: it’s free, built by Google, handles app approval, screen time limits, and GPS location without needing to do anything weird to the phone.
If you want more social media visibility, Bark is popular here because it monitors for red flags (bullying, sketchy contacts) rather than reading every message yourself — feels less invasive and saves you from drowning in your kid’s texts. 
My practical tip: start with Family Link since it’s already baked into Android, then layer on Bark if you feel like you need the extra eyes — most parents find that combo covers 90% of what they actually worry about.