Canopy: setup walkthrough
On-device AI that actually blocks explicit images before the kid sees them. Here’s the full setup.
Canopy
Canopy’s differentiator is on-device AI that blocks explicit images in real time, before the kid sees them. Other filters work from blocklists, so a site is either allowed or it isn’t; Canopy judges the image itself, and can strip the explicit parts out of a page that is otherwise fine.
Setup
- Sign up at canopy.us.
- Install Canopy on each device and sign in.
- Configure: image blocking strength, app restrictions, time controls.
- Turn on sexting protection if you want alerting on nude photos. On Android it is called Sexting Prevention and it locks the photo until you review it; on iPhone and iPad it is Sexting Alerts, which flags photos saved to the camera roll.
Features
- Real-time explicit-image blurring and blocking as web pages load.
- Sexting alerts on photos taken or saved on the device — photos only, not video.
- Web filter, app blocker, screen time.
- Location tracking.
Who should use Canopy
Families most concerned about accidental pornography exposure while browsing, or about their teen sending nudes. Its entry and mid tiers are priced in line with Bark and Qustodio; only the top multi-device tier runs higher.
Limitations
Canopy filters browsing and photos on the device. It does not scan inside non-browser apps — that covers WhatsApp and Signal, but the social apps too, so this is a wider gap than encryption alone. It also does not read texts or email, does not check videos taken on the device, and does not filter on-demand streaming like Netflix.
Common questions
What makes Canopy different?
On-device AI that detects and blocks explicit images in real time, before your child sees them. Most filters work from blocklists, so a site is either allowed or it is not; Canopy judges the image itself and can strip the explicit parts out of a page that is otherwise fine.
Can Canopy stop my teenager sending a nude photo?
It has a sexting feature, but it works on photos rather than on the moment of sending. On Android, Sexting Prevention locks a risky photo until it is deleted or you review it. On iPhone and iPad, Sexting Alerts flags photos saved to the camera roll and lets your child keep or delete them. Neither one covers video. Whether you enable it is a judgement call about your child’s age and your relationship, but the capability is there.
Does Canopy work inside WhatsApp and Signal?
No, and the reason is broader than encryption: Canopy does not scan inside non-browser apps at all. Its filtering covers browsing and photos saved on the device, so every messaging app sits outside it, encrypted or not. It also does not read texts or email, does not check videos taken on the device, and does not filter on-demand streaming like Netflix.
Who should choose Canopy?
Families most concerned about accidental pornography exposure while browsing, or about a teenager sending nude images. It costs more than mainstream tools, so the question is whether those two specific risks are your priority.
When parental controls change
Monitoring tools change what they can see, and sometimes stop being available. Roughly monthly we send new guides, changes to controls like these, and scams worth knowing about.
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