As technology advances, so does our need for more screen time. Unfortunately, this often leads to increased cyber-bullying, sleep deprivation, and other negative consequences. Now that we live in a world where technology is omnipresent, it’s no surprise that screen time has become one of the biggest parenting concerns.
It’s essential to set boundaries for how much screen time your children are allowed to combat these issues. One way to do this is by using the best free apps to limit screen time.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents limit kids’ screen time to no more than two hours per day. Parents should also avoid exposing children under 18 months to any electronic media other than video chatting.
However, most children exceed these recommendations. If you need help managing screen time with your family, check out these ten apps to limit screen time for kids available for Android and iOS devices.
Top 5 Best Free Apps to Limit Screen Time [Android]
1- AirDroid Parental Control for Screen Time
AirDroid Parental Control is an excellent, easy-to-use app to limit screen time for kids. It will help you to monitor and guide your child in the real world and make sure they keep their healthy digital behaviors on their devices.
You will be able to watch them safely online, block the games that may be harmful, and check out their geographical locations. It will send instant alerts or pre-configured messages to them through your device and sync the notifications from apps like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, etc.
Features:
Instantly lock the kid’s mobile with one click.
Easily limit and schedule screen time for your kids.
Remotely monitor your kid’s surroundings by accessing to their mobile camera.
Mirror your kid’s android screen to parent’s phone to monitor your kid’s activity and keep them risk-free.
Synchronize all of your kid’s social media notifications so you can protect them from cyberbullying and online fraud.
It allows you to track your kid’s location through a GPS phone tracker. The geofencing feature sends you an alter when your kids leave a set zone.
With Qustodio Parental Control & Screen Time App, you can track and control your family’s smart devices from one convenient app. Set time limits, block inappropriate apps, view your child’s activity on their phone or tablet and easily manage your family’s privacy and protection perfect for monitoring multiple kids at once. So, it is one of the best apps to limit screen time for kids.
Features:
It comes with social media monitoring features for kids. It tracks their activity and usage on social media.
It can track and monitor calls, texts, and location.
You can send an emergency message to the trusted contact by clicking once.
You can restrict specific domains and social media, so your kids do not visit those websites.
You can vanish this app from the system so your kids don’t uninstall the app. So, this feature makes it the best free app to limit screen time.
Pros
It is free.
Easy to use.
Interactive dashboard
Cons
Cannot block apps like WhatsApp
Some features are in premium apps only.
3- FamiSafe: Parental Control App
FamiSafe is the most reliable parental control application that can offer a full range of tracking and monitoring features for your kids’ smartphones and tablets. FemiSafe is one of the best apps to limit screen time.
Features:
With its location tracking feature, you can set up a safe zone for your kids and get instant alerts whenever they leave or enter that area.
FamiSafe also has other advanced features, such as a screen time limiter that can limit your kids’ screen time.
Some fantastic features include schedule, app blocker, and filter websites.
It also enables you to block in-app purchases from your kid’s mobile, so they don’t purchase any games without your permission.
It comes with explicit content detection that keeps your kids safe from adult content.
It also detects keywords in the text and notifies you. You can set any keywords that you think are offensive.
Pros
It is free.
Most features like limiting screen time are also free.
Fast updates.
Cons
Some features are available in the premium version only.
4- unGlue – Parental Control App
The unGlue parental control app is the simplest way to manage your children’s screen time. With our unique parental controls, you can set a screen timer to limit screen time, use our app blocker to hide apps, and turn the internet off completely. Those features make it the best app to limit screen time.
Features:
Allows you to block social media apps easily.
It allows you to block some games like Minecraft, Fortnite, and others.
This app can teach your kids. It can teach them some basic management skills.
It has a unique reward feature that will give some extra screen time to your kids. If a kid does the dishes, he will get extra 30 minutes.
It also has fantastic features like blocking the internet, monitoring their activity, blocking YouTube, Netflix, and many more.
Pros
Simple navigation
The free version has many features.
Offers privacy safety
Cons
Some features are limited to the free trial version.
5- Kidslox
Kidslox is an easy-to-use and straightforward parental control app that makes it easy for parents to control screen time, track their child’s location, block apps, and monitor app usage. It’s the perfect tool to help you raise happy and balanced children in a digital age.
Features:
Instantly lock the mobile of your kids with just one click.
Set a screening schedule for your kids.
Provide extra screen time to your kids on completing specific tasks like completing homework.
You can easily track the location of your kids.
It has a great content blocking feature that restricts specific apps and domains.
Pros
It contains no ads.
Flexible and adjustable features.
Updates are fast.
Cons
It offers a limited-time free trial without credit card information.
Top 5 Best Free Apps to Control Screen Time [iOS]
1-Parental Control App – OurPact
Whether you’re a concerned parent or employer, OurPact is the leading app to limit screen time for kids on iOS devices. Paired with an intuitive app on your family’s iPads, iPhones, iPods, and other device platforms, you have the power to control your entire family’s screen time from one powerful application.
Features:
You can block texts and set rules for the texts.
This app allows you to set daily screen time limits.
It also allows parents to block specific apps and provide safe internet searches.
It also comes with a feature of geofencing to get real-time notifications about your kid’s location.
Pros
It is free.
Interactive and exciting interface
Support monitoring of multiple devices
Cons
Some features are missing for iOS users.
2- FamilyTime Parental Controls
You are in charge of your kid’s Smartphone and Tablet usage! FamilyTime parental controls let you manage your children’s digital life safely and efficiently. With FamilyTime, track kid’s locations, limit screen time, block apps, monitor & schedule internet access on children’s iPhone, iPad, or Android phones and tablets. Those features make it the best free app to limit screen time.
Features:
You can limit your screen time with ease.
You can track your kid’s location and monitor their apps and the internet.
You can block their internet access or specific domains.
It has excellent pre-defined rules for bedtime, dinner, and others. You can easily customize those rules and set new rules for the kids.
If your kid drives fast, this app can notify you, so your kids remain safe.
This app also has remote management, SOS alter, and pick-me-up alerts.
Pros
Interactive and easy-to-understand interface.
Fast updates
Supports many languages
Cons
Most of the features are available in the pro version only.
3- Dinner Mode
Dinner Mode is a movement towards taking back dinner. Break your tech addiction, put down your device, and enjoy dinner with friends, family, or even by yourself. Just set your mode, start a timer and be part of the movement to take back dinner.
Features:
This app completely takes control of the phones, so you cannot use the mobile.
Very effective app to limit screen time.
Simple and clean interactive interface.
Pros
Very easy to use.
Set desired time limit with just one tap.
Cons
No advanced parental control features.
The publisher has no privacy policy for the app.
4- Apple’s Screen Time
Screen Time is a feature on Apple devices built to give you a better understanding of the time you and your kids spend with apps, websites, and more. By using Screen Time, you can create app limits, schedule downtime, and see reports to get more information about how you use your devices.
Features:
You can allow specific apps to run at a specified time. This feature is called downtime.
You can even set a time for specific categories of apps like gaming apps are allowed for an hour.
You can set restrictions on explicit content and web browsing.
You can set passwords so no one can change the app’s settings except you.
Pros
built-in iOS feature
Easy to use
Works better as the apple team develops it
Cons
Only available in iOS 12 or later
No location tracking feature to date
5-Net Nanny Parental Control
The Net Nannye Parental Control app allows you to keep your little ones safe from inappropriate content. Designed with you in mind, Net Nanny gives you a variety of methods for controlling and monitoring your kids’ device usage and extends your control beyond the computer, including your smartphone, tablet, and other connected devices.
Net Nanny has been responsible for hundreds of verified child safety policies over the past 25 years as a premier family-friendly app provider.
Features:
It has a unique feature where you can set up separate restrictions for all children.
It allows parents to monitor the devices remotely and make changes.
It also sends real-time alerts on specific content like porn, suicide, and drugs.
Pre-installed settings for website different web search filters.
Pros
Powerful web search filter
Send real-time alerts to parents
Interactive design of the app
Cons
No call and text monitoring
Some features are only available in the premium version
Tips to Reduce Children’s Screen Time
Here are some tips to help you reduce children’s screen time:
Talk About it
The best way to get your child on board with reducing screen time is to talk about it. Find out what they like most about screens and explain why too much screen time isn’t good for them.
Be a role model
Children model their behavior on what they see their parents doing, so if you’re constantly checking your phone or watching TV, they’ll copy that behavior. As a parent, you should try to set an example of healthy behavior and moderation when it comes to screens.
Use Screen Time Limiting Apps
Finally, if the problem persists, you can use screentime limiting apps and direct your kids to a safer and healthier lifestyle.
How We Choose the Best Free Apps to Limit Screen Time
We have researched and used many apps and found the best one for you. We have listed the top 10 best free apps to limit screen time based on their features. The apps to limit screen time for kids must have the following features.
All apps are free and provide essential features for free.
All apps can limit and schedule screen time.
Most apps allow blocking apps, explicit content, and many other blocking features.
All apps are updated fast, so they all work seamlessly with your android or iOS mobile.
They must be easy to use and have an interactive interface so anyone can easily use the app.
All apps provide fantastic customer support.
The premium versions of all apps are reasonably priced, so all apps provide value for money.
Conclusion:
Whether you’ve got kids, are trying to give up your phone addiction, or wish to manage your own screen time better, these best free apps to limit screen time will help you conveniently and effectively.
FAQS about Limiting Screen Time
How to Limit Screen Time?
Elsa
If you want to limit screen time for your kids, there are many ways. You can put the phone in a drawer and go on with your day. Or you can use apps that help you better manage how much time your child spends on the phone. Some of the apps to limit screen time for kids are listed above.
What is the Best Screen Time App for Kids?
Elsa
The AirDroid Parental Control app is the best app to limit screen time for kids. It provides fantastic features like in the free version. It provides 24/7 customer support and many more.
Can My Child Turn Off-screen Time?
Elsa
Yes, they can turn off the screen time of any app, but many apps are now password protected or provide stealth mode, so no one can find the app and change the settings without a password.
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