Parents' Guide to

Libby, by OverDrive

App iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android Free Books
Libby, by OverDrive Poster Image

Parents Say

age 16+

Based on 7 parent reviews

Parent Reviews

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jbello
jbello Adult
February 8, 2021
age 18+

No Reliable Filters

Though this app is very user friendly and gives access to an infinite number of ebooks, this is not suitable for children without heavy supervision. The app does not filter based on the library cards, so even if you are connecting a child's library card as long as it is a valid library card, the user will have access to the library's entire collection, including highly inappropriate content. The app does have a drop-down menu to "filter" but it is easily changed. Unless you plan to heavily monitor what your child is reading or accessing on this app, I would not recommend it. If you heavily monitor it then it is very user friendly and a great app, but beware of filtering issue when a child is using independently.

This title has:

  • Easy to play/use
4 people found this helpful.
Amanda W.
Amanda W. Adult
November 7, 2022
age 18+

Wish I had known

No way to filter, and there is some extremely disturbing and graphic XXX erotica books on this app. How is it kids can freely read this stuff using their own library card, but can’t watch a rated R movie without a parent? I wish I had known.

This title has:

  • Too much violence
  • Too much sex
  • Too much swearing
  • Too much consumerism
  • Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
2 people found this helpful.
Thatchermom
Thatchermom Adult
November 6, 2022
age 14+

Back-door full internet access!

Yes, it is amazing for finding books through all of our various library accounts. The app works perfectly well for library access, books and reading. . It does, however, also allow full, uncontrolled access to the internet. In any book you can click on a word for a definition. Scroll to the bottom of the definitions provided and there is a Google button. First place it suggested after clicking was YouTube. No amount of parental controls on the device kept that from opening. Reading a book to unfiltered YouTube in three clicks!
2 people found this helpful.
Northwest Transplant
Northwest Transplant Adult
July 21, 2020
age 9+

Clean and easy to use, but content restrictions are NOT locked

I have used this app and the Overdrive app. This one is newer with a different layout, but feels very similar to Overdrive. Note - age limitations can be applied but they are not locked. The user can freely adjust them which defeats the purpose. This means a child can explore all books, genres, and topics if they change the audience level.

This title has:

  • Easy to play/use
1 person found this helpful.
KatSonp
KatSonp Parent of 10 and 12-year-old
May 1, 2024
age 18+

No meaningful parent controls, easily access erotica

Like many others say on here there is no way to limit content. My preteen is getting access to erotica. Could likely get access to anything else not age appropriate: violence, torture, abuse, etc. Disappointing.

This title has:

  • Too much violence
  • Too much sex
  • Too much swearing
  • Too much consumerism
  • Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
Chriopher
Chriopher Adult
December 10, 2021
age 18+

Too flakey to bother with buy audio books and save the frustration

Not an easy interface, does not download books reliably to listen off line - done.
Les Demyen
Les Demyen Adult
June 13, 2019
age 18+

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