Screen time tools

Here are some key features you can use to manage children’s screen time across Android and Apple devices.

Screen Time for iOS is a built-in feature on Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch) that allows you to manage and monitor children’s screen time. It also provides various tools to control usage, set limits, and track activity on the device. Here’s a breakdown of what the feature Screen Time offers:

• App Limits
• Set daily time limits for specific apps or categories (e.g., social media, gaming). Once the limit is reached, the app will be greyed out, and your child will be notified.
• Downtime
  Schedule times when the device will be restricted, such as during bedtime or study hours. During downtime, only apps you allow (like Phone or Messages) are accessible.
• Always Allowed
  Choose apps that will always be available, regardless of the downtime or app limit settings, such as calling or emergency apps.
• Content & Privacy Restrictions
  Set rules to block or restrict certain types of content, including movies, TV shows, apps, websites, and explicit music. You can also prevent in-app purchases or changes to the settings without a passcode.
• Activity Report
  Receive weekly reports on your child’s device usage, showing time spent on apps, websites, and categories. You can see how much time is spent on each app and adjust settings accordingly.
• Parental Controls (Family Sharing)
  If you have Family Sharing set up, you can set up Screen Time for your child’s device remotely and view their activity, set limits, and approve or deny requests for additional screen time.
• Passcode for Screen Time Settings
  You can set a Screen Time passcode to prevent your child from changing the settings on their own, ensuring that your rules stay in place.

Digital Wellbeing on Android devices offers a range of tools to help manage children’s screen time and encourage healthier digital habits. Here’s a breakdown of the key features:

• Dashboard
  This gives you an overview of your child’s screen time, showing how much time they’ve spent on apps, websites, and other activities. You can view daily or weekly usage reports, making it easier to track trends.
• App Timers
  Set daily limits for individual apps or categories (e.g., games, social media). Once the set time is reached, the app icon will turn grey, indicating that the limit has been reached. Your child will then be prompted to take a break from the app.
• Focus Mode
  Help your child stay focused by pausing distracting apps for a set period. When Focus Mode is active, apps like social media, games, and notifications are temporarily blocked, allowing your child to focus on other tasks or activities.
• Bedtime Mode
  Schedule downtime to encourage better sleep habits. Bedtime Mode turns the screen to grayscale and silences notifications at a time you set each night, making the device less enticing and promoting healthy sleep.
• Wind Down
  A feature designed to ease the transition to bedtime. Wind Down gradually reduces screen brightness and transitions your child’s phone into grayscale as bedtime approaches, helping to avoid overstimulation before sleep.
• Parental Controls (via Google Family Link)
  If you’re using Google Family Link, you can link your child’s Android device to your own. This allows you to remotely manage and monitor screen time, set app limits, view activity reports, and block or approve apps. Family Link gives you even more control over what your child can access.
• Digital Wellbeing Dashboard (for Family Link)
  You can combine Google Family Link with Digital Wellbeing to gain insights into app usage and set controls like limits and downtimes, all from the Family Link app. This is ideal for managing a child’s device remotely and ensuring they’re not overusing their screen time.
• Focus Mode and App Blocking
  Allow your child to set specific periods for focused activities where certain distracting apps are paused, promoting productivity. You can also block apps entirely during certain times to help maintain a healthier digital balance.

Amazon Kids (formerly FreeTime)
Designed for Amazon devices, this parental control tool is perfect for managing screen time on Fire tablets, Echo devices, and Kindle e-readers:

• Screen time limits: Set daily time limits, bedtime curfews, and block access during specific hours.
• Content controls: Filter content by age group to ensure your child only sees age-appropriate books, apps, videos, and more.
• Educational goals: Require children to complete specific educational activities before accessing entertainment content.
• Activity monitoring: Use the parent dashboard to see what your child is accessing and for how long.
• Voice control (Echo devices): Set rules for voice-based interactions, like limiting song playback or disabling shopping capabilities.