Aura rolls out AI-powered parental tools to track digital behavior and support kids' online well-being
Family safety tech company Aura has introduced a new set of AI-powered features for its parental monitoring platform, aimed at providing insights into children’s digital lives.
Rather than traditional controls, the system emphasizes behavioral understanding, with the goal of helping parents identify potential risks and support emotional health.
The company cites internal research suggesting that children now spend over three months of the year online. In response, the new features analyze patterns in language, tone, and digital activity to detect signs of stress, procrastination, or behavioral shifts.
Hari Ravichandran, founder and CEO of Aura, said:
“You get your kid a helmet when they learn to ride a bike, you sit in the passenger seat when they have their learner's permit, but you do nothing to prepare them for life online. My kids were struggling and I didn't know, because it was masked behind their screens. I needed a solution that didn't exist, so I built one.”
Behavioral analysis, not content monitoring
Aura’s new capabilities focus on identifying behavior trends such as late-night usage, shifting moods, increased screen time, or changes in engagement with social media or gaming. The company states that this information is presented to parents in a summarized format, without sharing detailed content, to balance oversight with child privacy.
Among the features being rolled out:
Tracking device use that may disrupt sleep or school concentration
Alerts about significant increases in online time or use of specific app types
Flags for serious health concerns including self-harm or suicidal ideation
Insights into social styles and online relationship dynamics
These tools were developed in consultation with medical professionals and partners including Boston Children’s Hospital. Aura’s in-house science team contributed to feature development, and the company is conducting ongoing research through its TECHWISE Study.
Dr. Scott Kollins, chief medical officer at Aura, said:
“Kids need more than just limits; they need guidance. Their phones are integral to their social lives and experiences, so simply keeping them off devices isn't an option. Our job as parents is to help them develop healthier tech habits.”
Aura says it has implemented banking-level encryption and anonymizes user data. According to the company, personal data is not sold, and users have access to opt-out and deletion rights in line with privacy laws. The company states that it aims to provide parents with “smarter, more adaptive” tools for managing online safety in a way that reflects modern digital behaviors and concerns.
