Are you drowning in Screen Time?
Tools
Scroll down to take our online screen addiction quiz, build a custom screen use plan and more
Screen Use Plan
Create a family screen use plan using the American Academy of Pediatrics’ online tool.
Time Trackers
How many hours a week are you spending glued to your screens? Need help cutting back? Try one of these apps…
One of the best time trackers for Apple products is built right in. Screen Time is bundled with every new Mac, iPhone and iPad. You just have to turn it on. Every Sunday morning you get a report showing the number of hours you spent on your Apple devices.
The screen time app can also help parents monitor and/or limit their teens’ screen time by using Apple’s Family Sharing technology.
There’s also a Downtime setting that bricks your phone during certain hours you select. Only calls and apps you select will get through.
Screen Time is free. Learn more by clicking here.
One of the cleverest anti-phone checking apps is called Forest. It trains you not to look at your device by turning your screen into a virtual tree planting nursery. You plant a seed and set a gestation period, say two hours. During that time, a tree will grow on your screen. If you use your phone any time during those 120 minutes, the tree will wither and die. The more times you abstain, the bigger your forest grows.
Family and friends can plant trees together to keep each other accountable. Forest even allows you to earn virtual coins that can be cashed in to support the planting of real trees in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Forest costs $1.99. Click here to learn more about Forest.
StayFree – Screen Time Tracker & Limit App Usage is the highest rated tracker on the Google Play Store. It’s designed to teach users self control, helping you focus by restricting the usage of apps. You can set usage limits for your apps and receive alerts when you go over. You can also view the details of your usage and statistics on your usage history.
StayFree is free but you can pay to unlock additional features. Learn more by clicking here.
DinnerMode is a simple app that turns your phone into a brick for a select amount of time. Choose 15 minutes, 30 minutes or 1 hour. Place the phone face down on the table. If you lift it up, the app scolds you – gently.
DinnerMode is free. Learn more by clicking here.
AntiSocial uses peer pressure to help you quit your phone addiction. It compares your usage to others in your age group or social circle. You can also block individual apps or put timers on them.
AntiSocial is free. Learn more by clicking here.
Filtering/Monitoring
Are you ready to defeat your online compulsions and/or addictions once and for all? Want to keep your family protected? Try these proven resources.
Men, I cannot recommend this program enough. It is WITHOUT A DOUBT the best way to defeat online porn. Covenant Eyes has created an accountability platform that works.
Bark’s affordable, award-winning dashboard proactively monitors text messages, YouTube, emails, and 30+ different social networks for potential safety concerns, so busy parents can save time and gain peace of mind.
Circle Parental Control and Internet Filtering doesn’t just stop at your home – it monitors all your kids’ devices, even when they’re away.