Child Proofing Your Android Device - Series 3

Screen Time Parental Control App

The application as seen in the Play Store

Screen Time Parental Control is in a nutshell, the simplified and more advanced version of the items discussed in the first 2 articles of this series for child-proofing your Android device. What more can you ask when this app allows you to set the time and scheduled usage of the device, track the usage history remotely via web, grant special incentives to kids for accomplishing tasks when the time limit is reached, and getting email alerts when a new application is installed in the monitored device. Let's break the app into pieces to see how it fits your parental control needs.

First off, Scheduling. The app allows you to set the time interval for device usage on a normal day and on weekends. Also it allows you to set the time when the app usage should be blocked (e.g. after 10PM until 7AM) while allowing certain apps to run (e.g. Launcher, Google Play Services, etc that the device needs to properly run). It can also allow different settings on a weekday or a weekend which for sure your kids will appreciate.

The Daily limit setting, other settings for Bedtime and Schooltime are also available.

Second, Tracking. Now after the app usage schedule is set, including which apps are allowed or not on that specific time, parents can sit down and track the usage, either from a browser or through another Android device. Now here is where the magic starts, as a parent you can install the Remote Control part of the app. And through email accounts, set the device administrator (parent) and the device to control (email account of the child on the device).

Tracking via the web browser on your desktop device.

From the Remote Control app, you can select the device to view the details (if you have more than one for each child), the usage history per app, the web searches, and the best part, the current settings used on that device. Also there is the ability to change the setting remotely as well.

Tracking via the Remote Control App

Changing the device settings from the Remote Control app.

Third and most important, Incentives.  Aside from the usual blocking, there is a feature in the application where the child can perform predefined tasks to extend the usage of the device (e.g. cleaning up the bed, completing the assignment on time, etc). This gives an opportunity for the parent to drive a point that time should be managed, and for the child to understand that the controlling part is to make him/her understand the value of time.

And the sidedishes, Announcements! With the remote control app, parents can announce an upcoming activity and trigger the appropriate response. For example, in 30 minutes time the kids should already start packing up their bags for the trip, by initiating a 'Control Pause' action, all apps are blocked with a message that an activity must be completed. Another way is to utilize the 'Control Play' to announce that the usage of time has been increased, such as when in a bad traffic or when the family is about to embark on a long weekend trip.

This app surely has hit the spot where a balance between tracking, controlling and the more appropriate intention which is to teach the child to manage the usage of the device is achieved. The message here is not locking down but more of guided usage.