Mobile phones are very useful tools that can help in children's education. They can also be a way to constant distraction if they are not managed well. Controlling screen time is not about banning technology, but about teaching children to use it responsibly. equilibrium And safely. Below you'll see how to control your children's mobile phone usage time and what options you have on Android, iOS, and with specific apps.
Control the time your children use the mobile
Tools are only as good or bad as how we use them. A smartphone can be a educational assistance for your children or a simple pastime for their leisure time. But it's important that they don't become things that make them... wasting time and neglect their tasks, their rest, or their in-person social life. That's why it's crucial to have some method that allows them to control and limit time who spend time using these devices.
Today, both Android and iOS include built-in features for measuring screen time and setting daily limits Through the app, you can define usage schedules (classes, homework, nighttime) and remotely lock the device. Additionally, there are specialized parental control apps which add detailed reports, geolocation, rewards, or granular content blocking.
Before activating any system, it is advisable to talk to your children and explain that the goal is their digital well-being: sleep better, concentrate more on studies, avoid inappropriate content and leave time for games, sports and family.
Screen Time parental controls and how they work
To control usage time, there is the application Parental Control Screen Timewhich will allow you to set time limits and easy to use on your children's devices in a very visual way. It's a solution designed for parents who want to go beyond the basic system options and have a centralized control panel.
It has a free version and a paid version that offers a fourteen-day trial. free version It allows you to remotely monitor and review the web and search history and set up one device per child. This provides a good basis for understanding how they use their phones and detecting potential excesses, such as those analyzed in ADHD and mobile phone use.
La premium version It includes more devices per child, daily time limits, blocking certain apps, setting tasks with rewards, pausing phones at any time, blocking at bedtime, setting schedules, and receiving a daily summary by emailThis combination of blocking and rewards allows you to link mobile phone use to positive habits (studying, housework, reading, sports, etc.).
Control of what your children do can share among several adultsTherefore, a married couple or grandparents can also control how much time their children spend using their mobile phones. It works quite simply:
- You establish the school schedules so that they don't use their mobile phones during that time.
- You define the sleep schedules to make sure they get proper rest.
- If you don't want them to have access to some applications (for example, those that include in-app payments or social media), you can block them.
- You establish rewarded tasks (do homework, tidy the room…) so that I can use my mobile phone more.
- Stop what you're doing instantly if they're not paying attention to you or if you need to eat, go out, or study.
In this way, with Screen Time you will control how they use their smartphone. responsible and age-appropriatereinforcing the message that mobile phones are a privilege, not an unlimited right.
Although the application is freely available on the Play Store, the version premium liquors is unlocked by subscriptionYou can choose to pay €3.39 per month, €16.99 every 6 months, or a total of €33.99 per year. You can try the premium version free for fourteen days to see if it meets your needs, compare it with the native Android tools, and decide if the extra features are worth it.
Other key tools for controlling screen time
Although Screen Time is very comprehensive, it's not the only option. Android, iOS, and Google offer built-in tools that are worth combining with third-party apps. Using the system's features first and then expanding them with a dedicated app allows you to achieve a very fine level of control without overcomplicating the setup.
Google Family Link on Android and Chromebook
Google Family Link It's Google's solution for creating a child account and monitoring the use of Android devices and Chromebooks. It allows you to set up screen time limits set up logs for the entire device and also block it when that limit is reached or when you think your child needs a break.
With Family Link can:
- Set school and break schedulesso that the device locks automatically and only allowed apps can be used.
- See how much time your child spends on each app and receive warnings when you approach the limit.
- Lock or unlock the device remotely from your own mobile phone.
- Grant punctual overtime a specific day without changing all the settings.
- Control the content permissions in Chrome, Play Store, YouTube, and other Google apps.
Family Link also lets you adjust whether your child can change the device's date and time, which is important to prevent them from tampering with the clock to circumvent time limits. It also displays on a map the device location (if it is turned on and connected), which adds an additional layer of security.
Digital wellbeing on Android
On many Android phones you will find the section “Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls” In Settings. From there you can:
- See a detailed graph of daily use: screen time, number of unlocks and notifications received.
- Place a widget on the home screen with the most used apps.
- Schedule app-based timers to limit the daily use of social media, games, videos, etc.
- Controlling the time spent in specific websites in Chrome and set limits on them.
- Activate the Rest mode (bedtime) with grayscale, less brightness and "Do not disturb" to promote better sleep.
- Use the Distraction-free mode to temporarily pause the most distracting apps.
These features are very useful for both children and parents, because they allow them to become aware of the actual time spent in front of the screen and help to set limits. realistic digital rules in the family.
Screen Time on iPhone and iPad
On Apple devices, the section "Use time" The Settings offer a very comprehensive parental control system. With it you can:
- View daily and weekly reports of time spent per app and category (social networks, entertainment, education…).
- Define application limits for games, videos, or networks.
- Setup "Inactivity time"During which only calls and the apps you choose are allowed.
- Restrict purchases and downloads on the App Store and iTunes, as well as filter content by age.
- Link the child's mobile phone to the parent's mobile phone using "Family Sharing" and monitor everything remotely.
The system also includes options such as “Request more time”so that the child can request a one-off upgrade from their own device, which you can accept or reject, and restrictions for online games and Game Center if you are concerned about interaction with strangers.
Educational tips to make the control work
Technological tools are effective only if they are accompanied by habits and dialogue. Some useful recommendations are:
- Create as a family some clear rules mobile phone usage (times, screen-free places, type of content).
- Encourage alternatives: reading, sports, creative activities, board games, outdoor time.
- Set an example as an adult by avoiding compulsive mobile phone use in front of children.
- Review periodically the usage reports of the apps and talk to your children about what appears in them.
- Gradually ease restrictions as they grow and demonstrate digital responsibility.
By applying these tools and approaches, the mobile device can become a ally to learn, communicate and be entertained, without taking up all the time or overshadowing other important daily experiences.
