First thing: laws matter more than any app. In most places you cannot secretly keylog an adult’s phone, and even with kids you’re expected to be the legal owner of the device, use it for safety (not spying for fun), and be transparent as they’re old enough to understand. Secret logging can also backfire in court or in co‑parent disputes.
Ethically, keyloggers are the nuclear option: they grab everything (passwords, private chats, banking). For parenting, that’s usually overkill.
Lower‑impact options I’d look at first:
- Google Family Link (free, built‑in, time limits + app controls)
- Router/ISP parental controls and DNS filters (cheap, broad protection)
- Basic monitoring apps like Spynger for location, app use, and limited content checks rather than full keylogging
Start with clear rules + lighter tools; escalate only if there’s a real safety concern.