Free alternative to 'Screen Time' app?

PGL

Hi folks

Sorry if this has been asked before but I could not anything.

I recently got a couple of android tablets for my two young boys. I installed the Screen Time app on both in order to set time limits, monitor their use and also to be able to pause their use if needed from my phone. The app had been working great until low and behold I discovered I had been automatically signed up to a 2 week free trial of the premium membership, which ran out a few days ago. The free basic version is pretty useless and the premium version is quite expensive.

What other apps do parents use to monitor and control their kids use of tablets? Are there any good free apps?

Thanks a mill!

PGL

Dravokivich

I tell my son no. He's learned to stop challenging me on it. Why do you need an app?

osarusan

There's an app called Quality Time that records length of usage per day, instances of usage per day, and shows you a chronological progression for each day also.

I don't think it can be set up to give a warning or shut down an app after a certain time, but you might find it useful.

Spocker

I use ScreenTime, and don't think it's expensive @€;34/year (I appreciate thats subjective though)

They are pretty good with keeping it up to date, and I find the "pause now" facility useful when I just need kids to do other non-screen stuff.

gingernut79

I find screentime good and when I got annoyed for them pulling the free play feature over christmas I used an alternative, which would have been twice the price per month, if I had subscribed to it. Google were supposed to be rolling out something on their own devices not sure that its hit our shores yet, and also Kindle tablets have built in time management. Not sure what else is out there thats free bar getting one of those bags you can lock them in!

donspeekinglesh

Google have Family Link: https://families.google.com/familylink/faq/#/
It works here, but the child device needs to have Nougat or higher. Which is a problem if they're using an older device.

Spocker

gingernut79 wrote: »

I find screentime good and when I got annoyed for them pulling the free play feature over christmas

They put the Free Play feature back within a couple of days, due to complaints

gingernut79

I was one of the complaints!

bigpink

Just tell your kids no???

PGL

donspeekinglesh wrote: »

Google have Family Link: https://families.google.com/familylink/faq/#/
It works here, but the child device needs to have Nougat or higher. Which is a problem if they're using an older device.

that looks the part, except I only have Android 4.4.4 on the tablet....:mad:

donspeekinglesh

Yeah, I've the same problem

biko

Simply turn off router and the whole family will benefit

donegal.

dinner time app

this the app you want.
My kids tablet can't be used before8 in the morning or after 7 in the evening.
max amount off use per day can be set .
you can block apps or settings.
from your phone you can turn theirs off, and see all their activity (what apps they've downloaded etc)