Mental health for teens and preteens is one of today’s most pressing parenting concerns — and for good reason. If your child is using social media or spending time online, their emotional wellbeing is likely being impacted, whether you can see it or not. That’s where Balance, a new AI-powered parenting tool from digital safety company Aura, comes in. It’s one of the first technologies designed specifically to help parents support their child’s mental health online. The tool can detect signs of stress, emotional distress, and behavioral changes — before things escalate.
A Parent’s Wake-Up Call
Aura was founded by Hari Ravichandran, who knows firsthand how painful it can be to watch a child struggle. His 13-year-old daughter went through a mental health crisis that left him searching for answers.
“She didn’t want to leave her room,” Ravichandran says. “She was lying in bed saying, ‘I don’t want to get up.’ It was heartbreaking to see how much she was struggling.”
In a moment of concern, he made the tough decision to look at her phone — hoping for clarity.
“When I looked, it was all there,” he said. “The questions she was asking, the things she was clearly struggling with. It became painfully obvious that so much of what she was feeling was right there on the device.”
How the Balance App Works
Motivated by his daughter’s experience, Ravichandran brought together a team of child psychologists, clinicians, and mental health experts to design Balance — a research-based solution to support kids’ mental health online.
The app uses AI technology to quietly and respectfully monitor your child’s digital behavior. It detects changes in language tone, emotional patterns, late-night activity, and overall screen habits. Using your child’s typical behavior as a baseline, Balance identifies signs of stress, anxiety, or mood shifts that may indicate your child is struggling.
Instead of overwhelming parents with data, Balance sends private summaries that empower you to start meaningful conversations with your child. The focus is on building trust and communication, not surveillance.
Tools for Monitoring Kids’ Online Activity
While Balance is among the first to use artificial intelligence for child mental health monitoring, it’s not the only option for concerned parents. Other tools like Bark, Qustodio, and Norton Family also help parents manage screen time, app usage, and online safety.
But what sets Balance apart is its focus on emotional insight — helping parents stay attuned to their child’s mental state, not just their internet habits.
Why This Matters for Families Today
Parenting a teen or tween in today’s digital world is overwhelming. Social media evolves daily, and it can feel impossible to keep up — especially when kids are spending hours online where parents can’t always see what’s happening.
Tools like Balance aim to offer a compassionate bridge between parents and children, giving you the insight to support your child before a quiet struggle becomes a serious one.
-
Subscribe to our weekly Newsletter for parenting tips, top things to do, our #WINSday contest and lots more!
Discover More Parenting Content
