Anime has become increasingly popular over the years, with a growing number of free anime apps available for download. These apps offer a variety of anime content, ranging from classic series to the latest releases, all conveniently accessible on mobile devices. However, while these apps can be a source of entertainment for many, parents need to be aware of their potential dangers to children.
Many anime apps offer content that may not be suitable for young viewers, such as graphic violence, sexual content, and explicit language. Without proper parental control measures, children may be exposed to inappropriate content that could negatively impact their development.
Fortunately, there are parental control apps that can help parents monitor and restrict their children's access to anime apps. In this article, we will provide an overview of free anime apps and their popularity, as well as the importance of using parental control apps like FamiSafe to monitor children's anime app usage.
Table of Content
Top Free Anime Apps and the Risk of Using These Apps
This section will look at some popular free anime apps available online. Most of them provide a free version with advertisements and limited content. Their paid version has convenient features, such as access to all app content and downloading episodes. Keep reading to learn about five free anime apps.
Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll is a streaming service specializing in Japanese anime, manga, and Asian dramas. It was founded in 2006 and has become one of the most popular destinations for anime fans worldwide.
Why do people like it?
- Option to browse other content, including Asian dramas and manga titles
- Has a 14-day free trial period
- Offers both free and premium membership options, with the premium membership offering ad-free streaming, early access to episodes, and access to simulcasts
- Able to stream the latest episode 1 hour after release in Japan
Price
- Free membership includes ads and a limited selection of content.
- Crunchyroll Premium costs $7.99 per month, including ad-free streaming, simulcasts, and early access to episodes.
- Premium+ membership costs $9.99 monthly and includes additional perks such as free shipping on the Crunchyroll Store and discounts on merchandise.
4 Anime
4 Anime, a user-friendly app, lets users watch high-quality anime series and movies directly on their smartphone or tablet. You can find tons of well-known anime and lesser-known series in this app. It shows how others rated the anime and allows you to favorite or add series to a watch list to find them easily later.
Why do people like it?
- Provides a powerful search function allowing users to find anime they want to watch
- A offers a personalized recommendation system based on anime funs' viewing history to discover new and exciting content
- Builds a thriving online community for users to follow the latest anime news and trends and connect with other anime fans
Price
4 Anime is a free-to-use and ad-free app.
AnimeLab
AnimeLab is a streaming service that specializes in anime content. It offers a vast collection of anime series and movies from various genres, including action, romance, comedy, and more. AnimeLab is available in Australia and New Zealand and can be accessed through a web browser or mobile app.
Why do people like it?
- It provides a vast selection of anime content, including simulcast episodes that are available to stream shortly after they air in Japan.
- Over 718 shows and movies across 32 genres
- The service also offers high-quality video and audio streaming and a user-friendly interface.
- AnimeLab regularly updates its catalog with new titles, so there is always something new to watch.
Price
- Free subscription provides access to a limited selection of anime content with ads
- The premium subscription gives you unlimited access to all content without ads. The price varies depending on regions and subscription duration but generally ranges from around AUD 7.95 to AUD 79.50 for a monthly and annual plan
Funimation
Funimation is a streaming service that offers a wide range of anime content, including popular titles such as "Dragon Ball Z," "Attack on Titan," and "My Hero Academia." Sony Pictures Television owns the service and is available in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.
Why do people like it?
- It offers a large selection of anime titles, including both classic and new releases.
- The service provides English dubbed versions of many popular anime shows, which is important for fans who prefer watching anime in their native language.
- FunimationNow also has a user-friendly interface and allows users to create watchlists and track their viewing history.
Price
- The free plan provides limited access to content,
- The premium plan offers ad-free access to the entire content library for $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year.
- The premium plus plan includes additional perks, such as exclusive merchandise discounts and early access to select content, for $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year.
VRV
VRV is a streaming service that offers a variety of channels for anime, cartoons, gaming, and more. It is owned by Otter Media, a subsidiary of AT&T's WarnerMedia. The service is available in the United States and Canada.
Why do people like it?
- Integrates several anime streaming services into one catalog for easy access
- Much classic anime is available
- VRV offers ad-free streaming, allowing users to create watchlists and track their viewing history.
- Another reason people like VRV is that it offers a community feature where users can discuss and share their favorite shows and fandoms with other users.
Price
- The free plan provides access to a limited selection of content with ads
- The premium plan offers ad-free access to the entire content library for $9.99 monthly. The premium plan also includes additional perks, such as offline viewing, access to exclusive content, and the ability to stream on multiple devices simultaneously.
Dangers of Using Free Anime Apps
Although using free anime apps lets fans enjoy their favorite anime easily, it might not be beneficial for kids for several reasons, including:
- Exposure to inappropriate content. Free anime apps may offer a wide range of anime content, some of which may not be appropriate for children. Children may be exposed to violent, sexual, or other mature content that can harm their development.
- Online predators. Free anime apps may have chat rooms or online communities where children can interact with strangers. These online predators can pose as other children or friendly adults and try to groom children for inappropriate behavior or abuse.
- Cyberbullying. Children may also be exposed to cyberbullying through free anime apps. Other users may bully, harass, or intimidate children online, leading to mental health problems and other negative consequences.
- Malware and viruses. Free anime apps may contain malware or viruses that can infect children's devices and compromise their security.
- In-app purchases.Some free anime apps may offer in-app purchases that can lead to unexpected charges on parents' credit cards or mobile bills.
- Web Filter & SafeSearch
- Screen Time Limit & Schedule
- Location Tracking & Driving Report
- App Blocker & App Activity Tracker
- YouTube History Monitor & Video Blocker
- Social Media Texts & Porn Images Alerts
- Works on Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, Kindle Fire, Chromebook
How FamiSafe Can Help Protect Children While Using Free Anime Apps
To protect children from the dangers listed above, parents should monitor their children's free anime apps and consider using parental controls or blocking inappropriate content. Parents should also talk to their children about online safety and establish rules around online behavior. Finally, parents can consider using a reputable paid streaming service with kid-friendly content and robust security measures.
An alternative solution parents can adopt is using a parental control app to control and monitor their child's activity. An example of a parental control app is FamiSafe, which is available for Android and iOS devices. FamiSafe allows parents to monitor and control their children's use of devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers.
Here are three key features of FamiSafe that can help protect your child when they are using free anime apps:
Screen Time Control
With this feature, parents can limit their children's time on their devices. They can check the apps their kids use most to prevent frequent usage of anime apps. Parents can set specific schedules for device usage or limit access to the device entirely during certain times, such as bedtime or homework time.
The app provides real-time notifications to parents and children to help them stay aware of their time before their device access is limited. This can help you to control your children's phone usage to prevent them from being addicted to screen time and anime.
Phone Activity Report
This feature provides parents with a detailed report of their child's phone activity, including how much time they spend on different apps and what they are doing on those apps. Parents can use this report to identify any problematic behaviors, such as excessive use of certain anime apps, and develop solutions to help prevent these unhealthy habits.
App Blocker
This feature allows parents to block access to specific apps on their child's device. It can be particularly useful for blocking access to inappropriate apps or those that pose a potential safety risk. Parents can block apps remotely from their own devices. They can also set time limits on app usage or restrict access entirely during certain times of the day.
The app blocker feature also allows parents to view which apps their child has installed on their device and to receive alerts when new apps are downloaded. If any anime apps seem suspicious or potentially harming your children, you can use the app blocker to prevent your child from using it.
- Web Filter & SafeSearch
- Screen Time Limit & Schedule
- Location Tracking & Driving Report
- App Blocker & App Activity Tracker
- YouTube History Monitor & Video Blocker
- Social Media Texts & Porn Images Alerts
- Works on Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, Kindle Fire, Chromebook
Conclusion
In conclusion, protecting children using free anime apps is vital as they may be exposed to inappropriate content and potentially dangerous situations. As a parent, you can take steps to safeguard your child's digital experience by using parental control apps like FamiSafe and other resources available online.
With features such as screen time control, phone activity report, and app blocker, FamiSafe can help you monitor your child's device usage, filter content, and block inappropriate apps. Remember to prioritize your child's online safety and use available resources to ensure a positive and safe digital experience.