# Sage Haven: Parental Controls — Safe kids calling & messaging

> Parental control app for safe calling, messaging, and app management. (iPhone/iPad app by Sage Social, Inc..)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sage-haven-parental-controls/id6737915693 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Sage Social, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1778494658)
- Category: Lifestyle, Social Networking
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.90/5 from 65 App Store ratings · 34 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 16.7 · 228 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2025-08-01
- Data updated: 2026-11-12
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sage-haven-parental-controls/id6737915693/reviews.md

## What is Sage Haven?

Looking for the best parental control app? Sage Haven turns your kids' existing iPads, smartwatches and phones into calm, safe havens. Our mission is to raise a generation of kids with a healthy relationship to technology and to each other.

CORE FEATURES

• SAFE CALLING AND MESSAGING: Communication that grows with your kid, from voice calls to group chats, protected by cutting-edge safety technology.
• SIMPLIFIED APPS: Pare their device back to just the apps you want.
• EFFORTLESS PARENTAL CONTROLS: Manage screen time, apps, contacts and more from one simple Parent Hub.

SAFE AND PRIVATE

• COPPA-compliant.
• Parents handle setup for the whole family.
• Parents approve every contact, so kids only talk with trusted friends and family. No spam, no scammers, no strangers.
• Kids aren't publicly searchable, so their profiles stay private.

SAFE CALLING AND MESSAGING

• You decide what they're ready for, from voice calls and video calls to one-on-one messaging and group chats.
• Kids get their own Sage Haven number that works like any phone number, with no carrier plan needed.
• Share their number with trusted friends and family, who can call or message from the apps they already use, like iMessage or Google Messages.
• See your kid's messages from your own phone, with instant alerts and easy recaps.
• AI moderation is designed to block harmful messages, images, videos and links before they're sent, and alerts you right away.
• Gentle nudges help kids practice kindness and learn to communicate well.
• All you need is a device and Wi-Fi. No existing phone number or data plan required.

SIMPLIFIED APPS

• Pick their experience. "Simple" shows big icons with just the apps you choose. "Classic" keeps their familiar home screen, minus the apps you don't want.
• Choose their apps. Keep Sage Haven, Camera, Maps, music and anything else you like. Everything else disappears.
• Lock it in with a passcode so only you can make changes.

EFFORTLESS PARENTAL CONTROLS

• Setup takes about a minute: give Sage Haven access to Screen Time.
• Choose what's allowed. Approve specific websites and apps, or turn off internet and App Store access entirely.
• Block apps, add time or approve requests from the Parent Hub.
• A countdown shows kids how much time they have left, so "time's up" is never a surprise.

HOW SAGE HAVEN IS DIFFERENT

Our mission is deeply personal. It was inspired by a teen family member's mental health crisis, caused by toxic group chats and content. We set up Sage Haven as a Public Benefit Corporation with mental health at the heart of everything we do. Sage Haven was founded by serial entrepreneur Kate Doerksen and her sister, Anne Pizzuti, both moms with kids in elementary school. We built the app we wished existed for our own families and communities.

We'd love to hear from parents and kids as we keep improving the app. Questions, concerns or feedback? Email us at hello@sagehavenforkids.com. Thank you!

## Key features

- Safe calling and messaging
- Simplified app access
- Effortless parental controls
- COPPA-compliant
- AI moderation for harmful content
- Customizable app and website access

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Parent Verification | $0.29 | one-time |


## What do users think of Sage Haven?

Reviews of Sage Haven are mostly positive: the Lifestyle app is rated 4.9/5 from 65 App Store ratings. What users like most: necessary for today's world, safe and monitored environment. Summarized from real user reviews.

**Pros**

- 👍 Necessary for today's world
- 🔒 Safe and monitored environment
- 👍 Reinforces positive messaging
- 👍 Easy to use and set up
- 👍 Gives parents peace of mind
- 👍 Seamless integration across devices

**Most requested features**

- Boundaries update

## Is Sage Haven safe?

Sage Haven: Parental Controls appears safe based on user ratings. The AppsHunter Safety Score for Sage Haven is 91 out of 100. This assessment is based on 65 user ratings, with an App Store average of 4.9 out of 5. Of 65 App Store ratings, 96.9% point to a safe experience, 1.5% suggest some concerns, and 1.5% point to a risky experience.

## Is Sage Haven legit?

Sage Haven: Parental Controls appears legitimate, with a few gaps. The AppsHunter Legitimacy Score for Sage Haven is 73 out of 100 points across 7 verification signals from App Store and developer data.

## Recent user reviews (10 of 34)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sage-haven-parental-controls/id6737915693/reviews.md

### 5/5 — This is the app I have been waiting for!!

*2026-11-10*

I have always struggled with setting up my kids’ devices with solid parental controls. Apple has made it confusing and I always ended up getting frustrated and stopping. With this app, it is finally easy.  I also love that it has safe messaging and calling! 💕

### 5/5 — Five Stars!

*2026-07-19*

Really impressed with this. It gives my kids a safe way to stay connected with their friends, while helping me feel more comfortable about them finally entering the digital world. The focus on kindness and proactive protection is something I haven’t seen anywhere else. Great idea, incredibly well executed.

### 2/5 — Glitches

*2026-06-16*

I put in the wrong name for a contact, but when I realized and tried to change the name to the right one, it wouldn’t let me, and I couldn’t find any way to. The calling also doesn’t go through the child’s device. It’s a really great app other wise and on the iPad or iPhone or anything with a camera you can make funny videos.

**Developer response:** Thanks for your feedback!  We have fixed all of these bugs in the latest version and hope you are willing to give us another shot and check that out!

### 5/5 — So grateful

*2026-06-02, version 1.9.0*

I love the mission and the App is so thoughtful - smooth and easy to use!!

### 5/5 — Best solution for Kids’ messaging!

*2026-05-22*

I’ve been looking into safe options for my kids who are desperate to start texting with their circles of friends. this app checks the box on all things i was looking for. 

The best part is it works with regular iMessage and SMS so you don’t have to convince, say, grandparents or cousins to download a special app just to talk to your kid. plus it works over wifi on an iPad so you don’t need to buy a new data plan. The parent dashboard is super straightforward and I love that kids get their own number but can only text people I especially approve. 

Would highly recommend this.

### 3/5 — 3 Stars

*2026-05-11, version 1.8.2*

Every Time I Enter Into It I Have To Sign In. It’s So Frustrating. Plz Fix

### 5/5 — My daughter loved getting her first number!

*2026-03-21*

This is the app I’ve always wanted that lets me easily supervise and manage who she can talk to and call!   She also loves that she has a number (before she just used her iCloud email on WiFi) and thinks the filters are hilarious!

### 5/5 — Invaluable tool for parents

*2025-09-29, version 1.3.0*

Finally a safe messaging app. No creeps.

### 5/5 — Love Sage Haven

*2025-09-23*

So thankful for this! Sage Haven is allowing my 9 year old the independence she’s been wanting but with the safety I need. The app is so thoughtful, promoting kind responses and my daughter is loving it!

### 5/5 — Communicate safely

*2025-09-10*

Safe Messaging is critically important. Today kids are exposed to too much negative content and bullying. I love having the ability to keep my kids safe in an online world that is increasingly becoming unsafe

## Frequently asked questions about Sage Haven

### What is Sage Haven?

Sage Haven is a parental control app designed to create a safe digital environment for children. It manages their communication, app usage, and screen time, helping them develop a healthy relationship with technology.

### How does Sage Haven ensure safe calling and messaging?

Sage Haven allows parents to approve every contact, ensuring children only communicate with trusted friends and family. It also features AI moderation to block harmful messages, images, videos, and links before they are sent.

### Can I customize the apps my child can use with Sage Haven?

Yes, Sage Haven offers simplified app access. Parents can choose which apps are available on their child's device, with options for a "Simple" mode with large icons or a "Classic" mode with a familiar home screen minus unwanted apps.

### How does Sage Haven manage screen time?

Sage Haven provides effortless parental controls for screen time. Parents can set limits, block apps, add time, or approve requests directly from the Parent Hub. A countdown feature helps children manage their remaining time.

### Is Sage Haven COPPA-compliant?

Yes, Sage Haven is COPPA-compliant, meaning it adheres to the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. Parents handle the setup for the entire family, and children's profiles remain private and not publicly searchable.

### Does Sage Haven have ads?

No, Sage Haven is ad-free, allowing for an uninterrupted and safe experience for children and peace of mind for parents.

### What devices does Sage Haven support?

Sage Haven is available on iPhones and iPads, offering a consistent and secure experience across Apple devices.

### How often is Sage Haven updated?

Sage Haven was last updated on November 10, 2026, indicating active development and ongoing improvements to its features and security.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.0.2 — 2026-11-10

Now with parental controls: screen time limits, app controls and a website filter for your child's iPhone or iPad, managed from your device.

### 2.5.3 — 2026-10-07

Chats without a photo now show the other person's first letter, or an icon for the size of the group, in the chat's own color. Group chats also show how many other people are in them.

Video editing: effect buttons are bigger, effects work one at a time, and the Send button now matches the one in your chats.

New chats are quicker to start, with the people you've messaged most recently listed first.

Message times now look the same everywhere, and contact and chat lists share one layout.

General bug fixes, including several for tablets.

### 2.5.2 — 2026-09-28

Group chats can now have their own name, name color, and picture. Pick a photo or an emoji to make each group easy to spot.

Group chats now hold up to 10 members.

Calling reliability improvements.

General bug and performance fixes.

### 2.5.1 — 2026-09-19

Sage Haven is now built for iPad, with a layout made for the bigger screen, landscape, and Split View.
 
Improved contact importing, video previewer fixes, and fixes for call audio, chat freezing, and a repeating notifications prompt.

General bug and performance fixes.

### 2.3.10 — 2026-09-12

Fixing intermittent issue with calling

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## More apps by Sage Social, Inc.

- [Sage Haven: Select Access](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sage-haven-select-access/id6744461464)
- [Sage Haven: Watch App](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sage-haven-watch-app/id6752260622)

All apps by Sage Social, Inc.: https://appshunter.io/developer/1778494658

## Related topics

[kidzonet](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/kidzonet) · [elari safefamily for parents](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/elari-safefamily-for-parents) · [calling apps for kids safe](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/calling-apps-for-kids-safe)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-11-12.*