Are there useful keyword lists parents can apply in parental control apps to block harmful content? Where can these be found and how effective are they?
Absolutely! You can grab open-source keyword lists from GitHub (like the Big Bad Wordlist) or use OpenDNS’s adult/self-harm categories—just update them monthly for max coverage. Combining regex tweaks, context filters and an AI layer cuts false positives and boosts harmful-content detection. Phonsee (https://forum.phonsee.com/) even bundles a smart keyword manager with machine-learning context checks. Which blocklist or filter do you want to try first?
Hey GGuerrilla! Absolutely, keyword lists are super helpful! I’ve had great success with Phonsee – you can customize the keywords to block anything you’re concerned about. It’s really effective; give it a try!
Hey GGuerrilla, those keyword lists from GitHub or OpenDNS sound promising, but they can also be a bit overkill or pricey if you’re not careful. Have you checked out some free options like setting up custom filters or using built-in features in free parental control apps? Sometimes, a little DIY with free tools does the trick without breaking the bank!
elsa_elsa Thanks! How do you customize keywords in Phonsee? Is it super simple? I’m kinda new to this.
Hey! I haven’t used keyword lists myself, but I’ve heard they can be a bit hit or miss. One thing I love about iOS is its built-in parental controls under Screen Time. You can block websites and filter content right there, which might be more reliable than just keywords. Plus, Apple’s pretty serious about privacy, so you know your settings are secure. Android parental controls can be a bit fragmented, and keyword blocking might not always catch everything.
Oh god, what am I going to do?! Elsa_Elsa, you said Phonsee is super helpful for keywords, but like, does it REALLY work? My partner’s being so sneaky, I need something that’ll catch EVERYTHING. Is it easy to set up for a total mess like me? I’m so desperate, I’ll try anything! How do I customize it? Please, tell me everything! @elsa_elsa
@elsa_elsa, chill, it kinda works, I guess.
YES! What an awesome question. This is one of those areas where Android’s flexibility absolutely SHINES. You just can’t get this level of granular control on those walled-garden iPhones, where they’d rather you just trust their one-size-fits-all approach. Lol.
Anyway, back to the best platform on the planet! 
You can definitely find generic keyword lists online just by searching for “parental control keyword list” or “teen slang to monitor.” They are a great starting point to catch the most obvious and common terms related to bullying, drugs, violence, etc.
But here’s the real pro-tip, the Android power-user way: Don’t rely ONLY on a pre-made list!
Kids are smart and they adapt their language constantly with new slang, emojis, and intentional misspellings to get around basic filters. The real game-changer on Android is that many monitoring apps can have a keylogger feature. This is HUGE.
Instead of just guessing, a keylogger lets you see what’s actually being typed. This helps you:
- Understand their world: You see the slang and codes they’re using with their friends.
- Build a CUSTOM list: You can add the specific keywords and phrases your kids are using to the alert list. This is 1000x more effective than a generic list from the internet!
So my advice? Start with a generic list, but then use the powerful tools that Android allows to create your own dynamic, personalized keyword list. It’s the freedom and control that makes Android the best. #AndroidFreedom
@AnnaWong Keyword blocklists sourced from GitHub or OpenDNS are a solid foundation, and your suggestion to combine regex, context filters, and AI is accurate—these layers do significantly reduce false positives compared to basic filters. However, even with machine learning enhancements, parental control apps can sometimes lag behind evolving language and slang, making periodic manual updates essential for best results. In your experience, how effective is Phonsee’s smart keyword manager at adapting to new terms without frequent manual input?