Top 8 Apps for Parents to Limit Screen Time

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Tata Davis

Updated: Feb 01, 2024 03:59 pm

9 min read

As the technology is improving, smartphones with more number of exciting features are being introduced. Not just the adults but even the young kids are getting hooked on to the screens of their smartphones on an everyday basis. This addiction of cell phone among the children needs to be controlled. If not, your children may suffer from early onset of several health issues which may pose certain risks long term. Some common health issues which crop up with the continual use of cell phones include back problems, eyesight problems, obesity, insomnia etc.

This addiction of cell phones at an alarming rate has made more and more parents incorporate the several available apps for controlling the screen time of their kids. With so many apps available for this purpose, you may wonder which are the best apps to limit screen time among these? Here, you will find the top 8 apps which are great for screen time controlling.

child is using cellphone

8 Best Apps to Control Screen Time for Your Children

In today's digital age, screen time apps play an important role in building a healthy and balanced lifestyle. These apps help parents to manage and monitor their children's device usage, ensuring they engage in age-appropriate content and maintain a reasonable amount of screen time. What’s more, these apps often come with features like content filtering and activities reports. As technology becomes an integral part of childhood, screen time apps serve as valuable tools, fostering responsible device usage and safeguarding children from potential online risks.

We pick 8 screen time apps to help you limit children phones' screen time. There are:

  1. FamiGuard Parental Control

  2. Qustodio Parental Control

  3. Screen Time Parental Control

  4. unGlue

  5. Boomerang Parental Control

  6. ESET Parental Control

  7. Limitly Screen Time Control

  8. Screen Limit KidCrono

1. FamiGuard Parental Control

FamiGuard is one of the most popular parental control apps which can be effectively used to limit the screen time of your children's cell phone devices. This tool makes parental control very easy. Not only does it help set healthy screen limits on your children's device, it also helps the parents keep a check on their kid's activities on their cell phones. This way, parents can ensure that their kids are safe and sound.

famiguard lock screen

Features:

  • Set screen time restrictions on children's phone. And the screen gets locked once time is reachedSet screen time restrictions on children's phone. And the screen gets locked once time is reached

  • Set time limits on the usage of certain apps, only during this time the apps would be accessible to the kids

  • Check the activities on the app, for how long it has been used in a day and how frequently your child is using it

  • Check website activities to see what kind of content is being accessed by your child

  • Block any form of inappropriate website on your child's device

  • Track real time location of your kid and also access the entire location history

  • Set boundary limits through geofence and get immediately alerted when your kid crosses these limits

Pros & Cons

    Pros

  • Comprehensive Family Protection: Famiguard offers a wide range of features such as online safety, screen time management, and location tracking.

  • User-Friendly Interface

  • Cross-Platform Compatibility

  • Real-Time Monitoring

  • Geofence

    Cons

  • Premium Features Limitation: Some advanced features are reserved for premium users.

2. Qustodio Parental Control

Qustodio is one of the best parental control apps out there which does not just support the screen time control of children's devices but comes with a lot of extensive features which prove to be very useful in managing the activities of your child on their cell phone. With the help of this app, parents can be stress-free knowing what their kids are upto at all times.

qustodio parental control

Features:

  • Interactive dashboard which is easy to navigate

  • Set healthy limits to the usage of cell phone devices by your kids.

  • Powerful web filtering technology

  • Control apps and other games installed on your kid's device

  • Track all the incoming as well as outgoing messages and calls

  • Track real time location of your child

  • View the activity on several popular social media platforms including WhatsApp, Facebook, and Twitter etc.

Pros & Cons

    Pros

  • Cross-Platform Support

  • Effective Content Filtering: The app includes robust content filtering options, enabling parents to block inappropriate content and ensure a safer online environment for their children.

  • Geofencing and Location Tracking

    Cons

  • Premium Plan for Full Features: While Qustodio offers a free version, some advanced features are only available to users who opt for the premium subscription.

  • Complex Setup Process: Some users find the initial setup process of Qustodio to be a bit complex.

3. Screen Time Parental Control

This app is one of the most effective apps which can be used to efficiently control and manage the screen time of your children on their cell phones. Parents can set a time limit on the usage of cell phones by their kids on an everyday basis and reward them whenever they are successful in following the screen time restrictions. With the help of this app, you can chart out a strict schedule which would have to be followed by your kid in case they want to continue using their cell phones.

screen time parental control

Features:

  • Set screen time limits

  • Encourage kids to adopt positive habits by listing out the tasks which they have to complete in a day.

  • Manage your child's schedule

  • Instantly pause your child's device

  • Approve or disapprove certain apps

  • Check the frequency of usage of several apps

  • Keep a check on the websites which your child is surfing.

Pros & Cons

    Pros

  • Parental Control: Screen time tools often come with parental control features.

    Cons

  • Technical Limitations: Some screen time management tools may have technical limitations, impacting the accuracy of usage tracking and time restrictions. You may need regular updates.

  • Incompatibility with Certain Activities

  • Dependency on User Compliance: Lack of self-discipline or intentional circumvention of restrictions can decrease the effectiveness of these tools.

4. unGlue

Nowadays, more and more parents are suffering with the problem of their kids spending too much of time on their phones. This limit screen time app provides an excellent solution to fix this problem and substantially reduce the amount of time your child spends on their phone. You as a parent would have the liberty to let your kids access the internet when you want. unGlue also allows the kids to track their own screen times which can be helpful in making them understand the importance of limiting cell phone usage to the minimum.

unglue parental control

Features:

  • Set time limits of the usage of several entertainment apps

  • Internet scheduler

  • Set up screen time boundaries in a non-imposing way

  • Let kids manage their screen times on their own

  • Step counter

  • Remote control

Pros & Cons

    Pros

  • Flexible Screen Time Management: unGlue offers flexible screen time management, allowing users to set customized limits on device usage for themselves and their family members.

  • Cross-Platform Compatibility

  • Customizable Content Filters: The app includes customizable content filters, enabling users to block inappropriate content and create a safer online environment, particularly for children.

  • Reward System: unGlue incorporates a reward system that encourages positive behavior. Users can earn extra screen time by completing tasks, encouraging a sense of responsibility.

    Cons

  • Limited Free Features: While unGlue offers a free version, some advanced features are limited to the premium subscription.

  • Learning Curve for Setup

5. Boomerang Parental Control

Boomerang parental control app has great options for scheduling the screen time restrictions on your child's phone. You can set separate times for play, sleep and study which would have to be followed by your child if they wish to continue using their phones. You can set a limit on their daily cell phone usage. The screen time settings are flexible and can be changed for weekdays and weekends.

boomerang parental control

Features:

  • Reinforce bedtimes

  • Set limits per app

  • Set limits separately for different apps

  • Encourage usage of good apps

  • Set time outs and time extensions

Pros & Cons

    Pros

  • Geofencing for Location Tracking

  • Internet Filtering and Safe Browsing

  • Screen Time Scheduling: Boomerang allows parents to set screen time schedules, promoting healthy usage habits and balance in a child's digital life.

  • Cross-Platform Support: With support for both Android and iOS.

    Cons

  • Limited Free Features

  • Inconsistent Social Media Monitoring: The app's social media monitoring capabilities may be inconsistent.

  • Interface Complexity: The user interface may be complex for some parents.

  • Delayed Notifications: Users have reported occasional delays in receiving notifications.

  • Compatibility Issues: Boomerang Parental Control may face compatibility issues with certain devices or operating systems.

6. ESET Parental Control

ESET Parental Control app is not just great for setting the screen time limits on your child's device but it is also helpful to remotely monitor all the activities on your child's device. With the help of this app, you can easily keep a check on what sort of content is accessed by your child and also what they do on a daily basis on their device.

eset parental control

Features:

  • Website filtering to block all the illicit websites unsuitable to be accessed by your child

  • Application guarding

  • Tracking the real time location of your child

  • Sending priority messages to your child's phone

  • Compatible with all the leading Android cell phones and tablets

Pros & Cons

    Pros

  • Robust Content Filtering

  • Comprehensive App Monitoring

  • Cross-Platform Compatibility

  • User-Friendly Interface

    Cons

  • Limited Features in Free Version

  • Location Tracking Accuracy

  • Complex Setup Complexity

  • Notification Delays

  • App Blocking Challenges

7. Limitly Screen Time Control

With the help of Limitly screen time control app, you as a parent can gain full control over the amount of time your child spends on their cell phones. You can set certain time restrictions to the usage of cell phones by your child to incorporate healthy habits of cell phone usage in them. During the other times, they would be forced to involve themselves in other useful activities and be active.

limitly screen time control

Features:

  • Set flexible screen time restrictions on your child's cell phone usage

  • Device Schedule feature to control the usage of target device

  • Manage the time spent on certain apps

  • Send customized messages to alert your child before setting the screen time limit

  • Access reports which show the frequency of cell phone usage by your kid

  • Quarantine feature which helps you block the apps which are recently installed so that you can review them before your child can access it

Pros & Cons

    Pros

  • Customizable Schedules: The app offers customizable schedules, allowing users to tailor screen time limits based on specific days, times, and individual preferences.

  • Real-Time Monitoring

  • App Blocking and Usage Limits

  • Cross-Platform Compatibility

    Cons

  • Limited Advanced Features in Free Version

  • Lack of Geo-Fencing

  • Limited Parental Control Features

8. Screen Limit KidCrono

This app to limit time on phone is counted amongst the most unique and interesting screen time control app for parental monitoring. Screen Limit KidCrono allows the parents to set certain rewards when the screen time restriction is successfully followed by their kids. The developers who created this app believe that abrupt restriction of cell phone may lead to an increased level of frustration among the kids. In order to avoid that they have created such an app which encourages the kids to adhere to the screen limits set by you.

screen time limit kidcrono

Features:

  • Manage screen time by entering the necessary details manually

  • Timer controls which are flexible

  • Supports multiple users

  • Create rewards whenever your child follows the screen time restrictions

Pros & Cons

    Pros

  • Intuitive Design and User-Friendly Interface

  • Flexible Screen Time Management

  • Informative Usage Reports: Screen Limit KidCrono offers informative usage reports, giving parents detailed information about their child's digital activities and screen time patterns.

  • Quick Setup Process

  • Cross-Platform Compatibility

    Cons

  • Limited Features in Free Version

  • Possible Delay in Real-Time Monitoring

  • Limited Content Filtering

  • Parental Control Complexity: While generally user-friendly, some parents may find certain parental control features to be complex, requiring additional time to fully understand.

Some Truths About Child's Screen Time

1. Kids are spending the least amount of time outside, lesser than even prisoners

According to a survey which was a part of Percil's Dirt is Good campaign, children from the age group 5-12 years old are spending less than an hour in a day outside. This way the kids do not get enough physical exercise which may be detrimental to their health and development.

2. 1 out of 4 kids feels that video games are a form of exercise

According to the report given out by Youth Sport Trust Charity's Class of 2035, more and more kids a are thinking of video games as a form of physical exercise. Physical exercise and being active is very essential for the young kids. This is why it is very important that kids must be taught the importance of physical exercise and they must be motivated to go outside and play rather than slouch at home playing video games all the time.

3. 4 out of 5 kids have a social media account by the time they reach 12 years of age

The minimum age for most of the popular social media sites is 13 years, but these days you can see several kids lying about their age while signing up for these social media platforms and are already on them before they even turn 12. If you see your child expressing interest in joining social media, you must not allow them if they are below the age of 13. If they are 13, you must instill some necessary measures which they may need to be careful about while on these social media sites.

4. 6 out of 10 kids are unable to get the sufficient amount of sleep

Due to cell phone addiction, several children lay awake during the late hours of the night fiddling with their phones. This causes them to sleep late and as they have to go to school early morning, they end up getting lesser hours to sleep. Before you know it, this habit becomes an addiction and that is when serious health issues start to crop up.

child uses  cellphone at night

5. Average age at which most of the children get their smartphone is 10 years

It is true that smartphones can prove to be beneficial in many ways. However, when it is introduced at such young age, when the kid's minds are not mature enough, several problems crop up. That is the main reason why you as a parent would have to discuss in detail about the pros and cons of owning a cell phone and also its safe usage prior to handing them over a new cell phone.

Some Recommendations by American Academy of Pediatrics Regarding Screen Time:

For all the children who are below 18 months of age, their screen time must be limited to video calling.

For all the children who fall between the age group of 18-24 months of age, screen time can include high quality video but with careful supervision of parents.

For all the children who fall between the age group of 2-5 years of age, screen time of 1 hour a day for high quality video can be permitted but parental supervision is necessary.

For all the children who are above 6 years of age, limits to screen time have to be established so that the cell phone does not take over your child's life and cause any harmful effects to their health.

Conclusion

With the extensive use of cell phones by the younger generation, more and more cases of cell phone addiction has become prevalent in today's date. If necessary actions are not taken by the parents to incorporate certain healthy habits, it may lead to some long term health hazards in your kids. In order to control that you can make use of screen time control apps mentioned above to know how to limit time on certain apps. Out of all these apps, FamiGuard is highly recommended to instill good cell phone usage habits in your kids. You can check out the interesting features of this app with the Online Demo.

user

By Tata Davis

professional in software and app technology, skilled in blogging on internet

Generally rated 5 (170 participated)

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