Reining in Screen Time

Nov 12, 2019

If you’re battling to have fewer screens in your life- you’re not alone! I have heard from so many families (including my own) that a major goal is to decrease screen time. The Screenagers Movie is not only an incredible documentary on screens in our culture, but also provides ongoing resources regarding technology. Below you can see their 2019 list of screen time management apps for parents and families looking for more control over technology. See below for a wide variety of management programs.

Screentime management Apps:

Screen time on iPhone and iPads- Apple’s own Screen time built into the hardware on iOS 12 for iPhones and iPads (Cost: Free)

  • Set limits on overall time
  • Set limits on specific apps
  • Set “downtimes”
  • And, so much more

Circle with Disney WiFi router (Cost: $99) – 

  • Small box as well as an app that pairs with your router 
  • Pause the Internet button
  • Individual content filters for each family member
  • Set time limits on apps like Facebook, Snapchat, Netflix and more 
  • Set a recurring use schedule on each device

OurPact (Cost: Free version or premium for $4.99 per month) –

  • The control phone can block other phones for any period of time and unblock at any time
  • Set a recurring use schedule on each device
  • Block specific apps

Moment (Cost: Free version or Pro for $3.99 per month) – 

  • Set limits on screen time
  • Tracks how much you use your phone during the day
  • Gives usage reports
  • Has a coach function

Pocket Points (Cost: Free)

  • A great app for students
  • Gain points by keeping your phone locked when you’re on campus
  • Use points to get discounts and coupons to businesses near you
  • Pocket Points is popular among college students and is trying to grow their high school presence
  • You can request a high school or university on the app

Bark

  • Social Media monitoring
  • Text monitoring
  • Email monitoring
  • Parental Alerts
  • Works with schools too

unGlue (Cost: Free version or premium for $9.99 per month) –

  • Set limits on screen time
  • Set a recurring use schedule on each device
  • Get usage reports
  • Remotely turn off the internet to an individual device or to all devices
  • Block adult content

Protect Your Kid  

  • Set limits on screen time
  • Block access to apps
  • Organize apps into groups and set rules
  • Set recurring device schedule
  • Block adult content

Screen Time Parental Control (Cost: Free version or Premium for $4.99 per month) –

  • Set limits on screen time
  • Set bedtime and school time restrictions for specific apps
  • Pause a device or give Bonus time
  • Block all apps at lights out
  • Block specific apps

Torch WiFi router (Cost: $249.99 plus $9.99 per month) – 

  • Remotely turn off the internet to an individual device or to all devices
  • Set a recurring use schedule on each device
  • See amount of screen time
  • Create a unique profile for each device

Mobicip (Cost: Free) –

  • Set limits on screen time
  • Set a recurring use schedule on each device
  • Set content filters
  • Block apps and internet usage

Curbi (Cost: Free) –

  • Available for iPhone and Android
  • Remotely turn off the internet to an individual device
  • Get weekly usage reports
  • Set recurring device schedule
  • Block adult content

NetSanity (Monthly rates depend on number of devices enrolled) –

  • Available for iPhone and Android
  • Remotely turn off the internet to an individual device
  • Set recurring device schedule
  • Block adult content

FamilyTime

  • Available for iPhone and Android
  • Geofence locations
  • Track device locations
  • Get usage reports
  • Set recurring device schedule
  • Block adult content

Net Nanny – Parental controls for Android and iOS
Mobile Fence – Parental controls and GPS tracking for Android devices
Verizon Family Base – Monitor wireless activity and set usage limits
AT&T Parental Controls – Manage internet and email activity on computers
T-Mobile Family Allowances – Manage minutes, messages and downloads on phones
Sprint Mobile Controls – Monitor phone usage
XFINITY TV Online parental controls – Restricts what children can watch online

DRIVING

Do No Disturb While Driving on iPhone
Cell Control – For Android and iPhone
Drive Safe Mode – For Android and iPhone
DriveMode – Available on Android
All the big carriers have apps to help you on this too. Ask your carrier for the latest

ARTICLES

Think your kid (or you) could be a screen zombie? Take the ‘Screenagers’ test – Los Angeles Times
Learning How to Exert Self-Control – New York Times
Compulsive Texting Associated with Poorer School Performance Among Girls – American Psychological Association
Compulsive Texting Takes Toll on Teenagers – New York Times
Teaching Self-Control Tips –  Provides evidence-based information about parenting and child development. 

ORGANIZATIONS

Family Online Safety Institute – International, non-profit organization that works to make the online world safer for kids and their families.  
Psychology Today‘s Parenting in a Digital Age – This blog explores how parents and children might live together meaningfully in a digital age.
Common Sense Media – Empowers parents, teachers, and policymakers by providing unbiased information, trusted advice, and innovative tools to help them harness the power of media and technology as a positive force in all kids’ lives.
Empowering Parents – Committed to providing parents with sound advice through podcasts, an active blogging community and parenting programs.
Above The Fray – Program to educate parents and teachers about what life is really like online for young people and to give adults the tools they need to begin meaningful dialogues at home and at school.
Richard Freed, Ph.D. – Child and adolescent psychologist, speaker and author of “Wired Child: Reclaiming Childhood in a Digital Age”.

Source: Screenagers Movie Website

Photo by Marvin Meyer