Our Software & Hardware Recommendations To Help Make Families Safer!

We’re often asked which hardware and software tools we recommend to parents, caregivers, and educators who want to strengthen communication, participation, and oversight in their child’s digital world. Below is our current list of trusted options.

It’s important to note that we do not receive any financial compensation or gifts from the companies behind these products, our recommendations are based solely on real-world testing and professional experience.

While no tool on the market is 100% foolproof, the ones we’ve listed provide a strong level of support when used as part of a broader strategy that includes open dialogue, education, and trust.

Home Network:

Gryphon Router - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QARebpaBZc&t=532s

OpenDNS - https://www.thewhitehatter.ca/post/your-home-s-invisible-digital-gatekeeper  

Malware Protection:

BitDefender - https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/consumer/ 

Virtual Privacy Network:

Private Internet Access (PIA) - https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/ 

Digital Watches:

Cosmo JT5 - https://www.thewhitehatter.ca/post/cosmo-jrtrack-5-digital-watch-review-a-thoughtfully-designed-digital-watch-for-kids-that-works-in-c 

Garmin Bounce 2 - https://www.garmin.com/en-CA/p/1815501/

Minimalist Phones:

Pinwheel Phone - https://www.thewhitehatter.ca/post/pinwheel-phone-for-young-teens-review 

SunBeam Phone - https://www.thewhitehatter.ca/post/review-of-the-sunbeam-orchid-phone-a-first-flip-phone-for-pre-teens-younger-teens 

WisePhone - https://www.thewhitehatter.ca/post/wisephone-review

Phone Monitoring/Filtering:

Apple Devices  

BrightCanary - https://www.thewhitehatter.ca/post/product-review-of-the-brightcanary-apple-ios-parenting-app 

The Brick - https://www.thewhitehatter.ca/post/the-brick-product-review

Android Devices:

Boomerang  - https://www.useboomerang.com/ 

For Schools 

Doorman - https://www.thewhitehatter.ca/post/why-phone-pouches-don-t-teach-digital-literacy-but-is-there-a-better-solution-a-white-hatter-pr 

Non-Tech Resources:

Online Privacy Guide - https://www.thewhitehatter.ca/post/online-privacy-filtering-monitoring-hardware-and-software 

Family Collective Agreement - https://www.thewhitehatter.ca/post/the-power-of-a-social-media-and-technology-family-collective-agreement 

White Hatter Articles - https://www.thewhitehatter.ca/blog-articles-guides-reviews 

Books:

Parenting In an Online World - https://www.thewhitehatter.ca/online-parenting-book

Unlocked - https://www.thewhitehatter.ca/post/unlocked-dr-pete-etchells-bookreview 

Tech Smart Parenting - https://www.thewhitehatter.ca/post/book-review-tech-smart-parenting-how-to-keep-your-kids-happy-safe-online 

Digital Food For Thought

The White Hatter

Facts Not Fear, Facts Not Emotions, Enlighten Not Frighten, Know Tech Not No Tech