The Screen time (opens in new tab) app is the product of a company of the same name, Screen Time Labs. It was founded in 2014 by an entrepreneur named Steve Vangasse, who first developed the app to manage his kids’ screen time. Screen Time has turned from a side project into a popular app with over 100,000 daily active users in the beginning.
Screen Time is an all-in-one parental and control platform (opens in new tab)† You can do many things with the app, such as set time limits for your kids to avoid excessive screen time or set tasks for your kids to complete and reward them with more screen time.
We’ve tested the Screen Time app to give you a comprehensive review. We rated the app based on specific criteria including pricing, ease of use, features, customer support, etc.
Subscriptions and Prices
Screen Time has a free version that provides access to basic monitoring tools and is limited to one device. On the other hand, the “Premium (opens in new tab)version unlocks access to all features of the app and costs only $7 per month. It supports monitoring up to five devices simultaneously.
The Premium version has many screen monitoring features (opens in new tab), including blocking specific apps, web filtering, geo-fencing, location tracking, and regular screen time reports delivered straight to your inbox. It offers good value for money.
You can try the Premium version for seven days before paying for it. Screen Time Labs allows you to cancel your subscription or request a refund at any time.
Functions
Time limits
Screen Time allows you to set limits on when your kids can use their phones. You can block screen access during certain periods, such as in the evening, during dinner or during school hours. This feature will help your kids avoid excessive screen usage which is known to be the cause effects (opens in new tab)†
web filtering
The Screen Time app allows you to block access to specific websites. This feature is mainly used to block inappropriate content such as adult and gambling sites. Still, it can extend to social media, public chat rooms, gaming websites, etc. Children are not equipped to handle certain types of content, making this feature useful by preventing them from accessing such content.
Track location
The Screen Time app allows you to track the location of your kids and ensure their safety. You can also set the app to notify you when your children appear in certain areas.
web history
Screen Time lets you track your kids’ browsing history so you know if they’re browsing the web properly.
Approve apps
Screen Time gives you an overview of the apps on your child’s phone. You can approve or reject when your child downloads a new app.
App usage
Screen Time gives you detailed reports on your child’s app usage on an iOS, Android or Kindle device. The app delivers these reports directly to your inbox.
Immediate pause
Screen Time allows you to instantly pause any activity on your child’s device. For example, you can immediately pause their devices when it’s time for chores to avoid distractions.
Free game
This function is the opposite of ‘Instant Pause’. Here you can temporarily remove any restrictions on your child’s phone. It’s a handy feature when you want your kids to be distracted while they focus on your work.
Interface and in use
The Screen Time app has a pretty friendly user interface. The app has a neat, uncluttered interface. The features are well spread out across the app, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding one.
Customer service
Screen Time only offers direct customer support via email. You can contact the company through a form embedded in the official website and apps and expect an email response within 24 hours. There’s no live chat or phone support, which many Screen Time rivals offer, so we consider it a drawback.
Screen Time also has a detailed FAQ page and a Help Center. They contain answers to common questions and tutorials on how to use the platform.
The competition
Screen Time’s main competitors are Qustodio, OurPact, and SentryPC. The Screen Time app offers similar features to these rivals and is cheaper on the plus side.
Final verdict
Screen Time is a valuable parental control app. It has a wide feature set that helps parents monitor their kids’ digital activities and instill healthy device habits, which is critical in this era. You can use Screen Time to set time limits to prevent screen addiction, approve/deny app downloads, block inappropriate websites, and track their location. The app allows you to monitor up to 5 devices for just $7 a month which is cost effective. In addition, Screen Time has a simple user interface that any parent can understand.
We found some flaws with the Screen Time app, such as the lack of a desktop version.
Buying guide
Screen Time is a feature-rich parental control app that helps parents monitor and oversee their children’s digital activities. Its notable features include setting time limits, approving apps (opens in new tab), web filtering and app usage reports. It is compatible with iOS, Android or Kindle devices.
Screen Time is the product of a company of the same name, Screen Time Labs. It has a free version that any parent can use with limited features. On the other hand, the Premium version unlocks all the features for $7 per month, which is affordable compared to competing products. If you pay for six months or a year at once, the company offers significant discounts.
Screen Time has a user-friendly interface and a wide range of features. However, we found some shortcomings, such as the inadequate (email-only) customer support and the lack of a desktop version.
