Filtering apps that work based on a "block-list" only sell parents the illusion of safety. With over 250,000 new websites created every 24 hours, and 37% of the internet being porn, there's no way anyone can ever hope to keep a block-list up to date.

At its core, Gertrude tries to tackle head-on the fundamental problem of making a filtering app designed for safe-listing sites actually easy to use. I tried to fix every frustration I had with the app I had been using, by building core concepts and features like:

• Remote control After an initial connection step, everything about your kids internet access can be controlled from your phone or computer -- unlike most apps in this category, which require you to administrate them on your kids computer.
• Unlock requests If your kid is getting blocked from a site they need to use, they can easily identify the blocked request, and request access. You get a Slack, text or email on your device, where you can accept or deny the request.
• Keychains Create, reuse, and share groups of safe-listed sites in "keychains", including a growing number of curated public keychains unblocking popular educational websites.
• Transparent monitoring Opt-in to a feature which records intermittent randomized screenshots of your kids screens, and/or their keystrokes. We don't hide this, your kids are clearly notified the entire time their activity is being recorded. The idea isn't secretive spying, but transparent accountability. You get to review their activity on your own time, on your own device.
• Temporary filter suspension With monitoring enabled, it becomes safe to temporarily suspend the filter for unusual bursts of internet activity--a feature our early users love and use heavily.