Oh screen time, you are society’s ultimate frenemy. You help us get work done, keep our kids in check when they’re having a meltdown and provide an escape when we need to decompress. On the other hand, sometimes it feels like you’re too much—like you’re smothering us and turning our brains and our kids’ brains to mush. Because of you, we have to remind ourselves to have actual interactions and conversations. It’s the ultimate love-hate relationship.
So what do we do? Do we just shrug and say, “Oh well”? Of course not! We find solutions. And it just so happens that our little devices have ways to help us. Here are seven apps that can help you limit and take control of your kid’s screen time. Note that these do not include any affiliate links.
For more on the how and why to limit screen time, see below for recommendations by Mom-Approved Pediatrician Dr. Damien Mitchell at Forest Lane Pediatrics in Dallas.
Qustodio
With this app, you can take steps to manage and limit your kid’s screen time by device as well as monitor their activity on social networks, block inappropriate content, limit games and apps and more.
Age: 4 years and older
Available on: iOS, Google Play, Kindle, Desktop
The cost: 1-year subscription is $54.95 for up to 5 devices, and $99.95 per year for unlimited devices
Learn more: qustodio.com
FamiSafe
Parents can control screen time by setting schedules based on locations, reward kids with additional time and check usage of specific apps. You can also block other apps during study hours or bedtime, track real-time location and detect inappropriate content on kids’ devices and much more. Even better, you can protect up to 10 devices, depending on which plan you purchase.
Age: 4 years and older
Available on: iOS, Google Play, Windows, Mac and Kindle Fire
The cost: $10.99 for 1-month subscription; $20.99 quarterly; $60.99 for 1 year
Learn more: famisafe.wondershare.com
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OurPact
This app allows you to set and schedule screen time and app access, so the kids will have dedicated time to study or relax before bed. The app also allows parents to block or grant internet access at any time and set rules to keep tabs on the apps that your kids use. For example, one app can be labeled as “Always Blocked,” another can be on a schedule and one can be “Always Allowed.” With a premium membership, you can manage up to 20 devices. With companion app OurPact Jr., kids can see their daily screen time schedules too and pause or play their daily time allowance.
Age: 4 years and older
Available on: iOS, Google Play
The cost: Try free for two weeks. Subscriptions start at $6.99 per month, and from $9.99 for OurPact Premium+.
Learn more: ourpact.com
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Freedom
This apps blocks certain apps and websites that can be distracting during the day, such as social media, shopping or news. You can block them anytime or set a schedule in advance.
Age: 4 years and older
Available on: iOS, Google Play, Desktop
The cost: Free trial; $8.99 for monthly subscription; $39.99 for annual premium subscription
Learn more: freedom.to
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Screen Time
This app from Screen Time Labs has over 2 million downloads and was a winner of the 2019 National Parenting Product Awards. With Screen Time, you can set time limits, give kids tasks and reward them with additional screen time when completed, set schedules, instantly pause your kid’s device and more.
Age: 4 years and older
Available on: iOS, Google Play, Kindle
The cost: Several of its features are free. To try out the premium service with additional features, get a seven-day trial before paying $6.99 month.
Learn more: screentimelabs.com
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Norton Family Parental Control
From the same company behind LifeLock and Norton 360 comes an app that allows parents to see their child’s search terms and viewed videos, monitor age-appropriate content and set screen time limits. You’ll get alerts when your child attempts to visit a blocked site so that you can start a conversation about appropriate content. The Norton Family School Time feature is especially helpful for parents keeping their homeschoolers free from online distractions during class time.
Age: 4 years and older
Available on: iOS, Android and Windows
The cost: 30-day free trial; $49.99 annually; or included with the purchase of Norton 360 Deluxe or Norton 360 Premium
Learn more: us.norton.com
Bark
Call off the dogs, this app alerts parents only when anything suspicious occurs online. Bark monitors for texts, email, YouTube, social media platforms, and even other apps for red flags related to cyberbullying, sexual predators or suicidal ideation. So tweens and teens have some sense of privacy, but you’ll be notified if something goes awry.
Age: 12 years and older
Available on: iOS, Android, Amazon
The cost: Subscriptions start at $6.99 for TVs and gaming consoles and from $14.99 monthly for smartphones and tablets. For younger kids, there’s Bark Jr. for only $5.99 monthly, which covers unlimited devices.
Learn more: bark.us
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A Dallas Pediatrician Talks Screen Time
For more on the how and why to limit screen time, we reached out to Mom-Approved Pediatrician Dr. Damien Mitchell at Forest Lane Pediatrics in Dallas for advice.
DFWChild: Do you have any other recommendations for specific apps that you know to be helpful?
Dr. Damien Mitchell: For Apple devices, I encourage parents to use the Screen Time settings. While apps are helpful, good communication about why we need to limit screen time, modeling appropriate use of screens ourselves, and providing worthwhile non-screen activities is more important.
DFWChild: Besides apps, what other automated methods/tips/tricks can help parents monitor screen time?
DM: A type of non-app based automated process we use in my house is “no screens before 1pm.” I find that if my children start the day without screens, they are far more likely to engage in non-screen based activities without fight or complaint. Sometimes they will become so involved with the game or book they started they don’t bother with the screen even when it is allowed. On the other hand, I find that if they start the day with the screen, it is very difficult to remove it and get them to engage in a non-screen activity.
DFWChild: Is additional screen time OK during the summer?
DM: The goal with most activities in life is to achieve some kind of balance and this principle also applies to screen time. Screen time in and of itself is not bad, but if that is all a child is engaged with, then we have a problem.
In the summer, children have a lot more free time, and therefore it is reasonable for them to have more screen time. However, this also means the child should have a lot more playtime, a lot more time to read books, and a lot more time to explore arts and crafts. It is OK to increase screen time in the summer, but make sure you are increasing these other activities as well.
DFWChild: Enforcing these limitations is sure to elicit groans from kids and teens. Any recommendations for parents on how to talk to their kids about this?
DM: Actions speak louder than words. If our children see us practicing the same restrictions we are asking them to follow, they are much less likely to groan and complain. Also parents should remember that anytime we tell our children not to do something, we should follow that with giving them options of things they can do instead. Another helpful practice is to not start the day with screens.
DFWChild: How can parents model responsible behavior?
DM: Children are much more likely to behave how their parent behaves than how their parent says they should behave, especially if the two messages are contradictory. If we are asking our children to engage less with screens and instead increase their play and physical activity then we need to do the same. Good habits to model for our children include regular exercise, eliminating screens at the dinner table, scheduling time for play, and turning our phones off when playing or engaged with our children.
Do you have another app or method of limiting your kid’s screen time? Tell us at editorial@dfwchild.com.
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Image: iStock
