Do I need to physically do anything to my child's phone or the phone I will be monitoring, such as download an app directly to it?

Hello Ricky,

If I understand correctly you are asking if you need to download an app to use Parental Controls on a childs device. Parental Controls, or Restrictions as they are called on the phone do not require any separate download, and is built right into the iOS. Just use the article at the top of your post and you should be good to go:

About Restrictions (parental controls) on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

If that is not what you are saying, then can you clarify for me?

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

Take care,

Sterling

Restrictions will allow you to control certain aspects of the phone use. However, you will have very limited ability to monitor the iPhone use other than physically taking the phone and checking through it. No matter what the technology, very little will ever subsitute for that.

Contact your carrier and see what options they have for controling and monitoring the usage of phones on your account.

Of course you have to track your kid`s Internet activity. Internet is full of both good and bad stuff. To prevent my child from danger, I personaly use keylogger software www.refog.com . It`s easy to use tool that helps me to feel confident for my baby.