Introduction
In today’s digital world, screens are everywhere—from smartphones and tablets to laptops and gaming consoles. For many families, screen time is a convenient way to stay entertained, educated, and connected. However, managing how much time kids spend in front of screens has become an increasingly important challenge for parents. Striking the right balance between digital interaction and offline activities can greatly influence a child’s development, mood, and sleep quality.
In 2025, numerous apps are available to help parents monitor, limit, and control their kids’ screen time effectively. These apps offer powerful features such as content filtering, app blocking, location tracking, and detailed usage reports to help parents promote healthy digital habits. Here’s our guide to the top 10 screen time management apps for families this year.
1. Qustodio
Key Features: Comprehensive parental controls, app blocking, time limits, real-time tracking.
Qustodio has earned a solid reputation as a powerful tool for parents who want to monitor and control their kids’ online activities. The app provides daily and weekly reports on screen time, tracks which apps are being used, and lets you set usage limits for each app. Additionally, Qustodio includes features like web content filtering, location tracking, and the ability to block certain apps. It’s user-friendly, and its extensive reporting tools make it easy for parents to stay informed about their child’s digital habits.
Why Parents Love It: The extensive reporting and flexibility to customize restrictions for each child make Qustodio a top choice for families who want a comprehensive monitoring solution.
2. Bark
Key Features: Monitors for inappropriate content, tracks time on various apps, real-time alerts for cyberbullying.
Bark is designed with a focus on online safety and appropriate digital behavior, making it a great choice for parents who are especially concerned about cyberbullying or harmful content. Bark uses advanced algorithms to monitor social media accounts, emails, and text messages, looking for signs of cyberbullying, inappropriate content, or risky behavior. It alerts parents instantly, making it easy to step in when needed. While Bark doesn’t have as many time-tracking features, it’s ideal for families focused on digital safety.
Why Parents Love It: The unique focus on detecting risky behavior and cyberbullying sets Bark apart as an invaluable tool for online safety.
3. FamilyTime
Key Features: Screen time limits, geo-fencing, homework and bedtime scheduling, location tracking.
FamilyTime’s interface is designed specifically with families in mind. Parents can set daily screen time limits, schedule specific “no-device” hours (like bedtime or study time), and even set up rewards for positive behavior. FamilyTime also includes location tracking and geo-fencing, so parents are alerted when their child enters or leaves designated areas.
Why Parents Love It: The ability to customize daily schedules and encourage positive habits makes FamilyTime a popular choice for busy households.
4. Net Nanny
Key Features: Real-time monitoring, powerful content filtering, location tracking, time limits.
Net Nanny has long been a trusted name in parental controls, with robust content filtering and a clean interface that makes monitoring easy. It allows parents to restrict access to harmful content in real-time and gives detailed insights into the types of websites and apps kids are using. Net Nanny also offers location tracking and screen time limits.
Why Parents Love It: Known for its reliable content filtering and user-friendly setup, Net Nanny provides peace of mind to parents who want to shield their kids from inappropriate content.
5. OurPact
Key Features: App blocking, daily time allowances, family locator, visual calendar.
OurPact combines simplicity with powerful features, making it easy for parents to control screen time and manage app usage. Parents can set time limits, block certain apps or websites, and create a visual calendar that shows exactly when devices will be accessible. It’s particularly useful for parents who want to use a more hands-on approach to screen time management.
Why Parents Love It: OurPact’s visual calendar and family locator features make it simple to maintain daily screen time routines for the whole family.
6. ScreenTime
Key Features: Daily screen time schedules, instant pausing, activity reporting, rewards for positive behavior.
ScreenTime lets parents set daily screen time limits, schedule device-free times, and pause devices instantly. The app also includes an activity reporting feature, which gives insights into how much time kids spend on different apps. Parents can even reward kids with extra screen time for completing tasks, making it an interactive tool that encourages responsible behavior.
Why Parents Love It: The reward feature for extra screen time makes ScreenTime a unique and engaging choice for families.
7. Circle
Key Features: Works across all devices on WiFi, content filtering, app time limits, bedtime scheduling.
Circle stands out because it offers both a software app and a hardware component (an optional device) that works with your home’s WiFi. This means you can monitor and manage screen time for every device connected to the internet at home, from laptops and tablets to gaming consoles. Circle also offers content filtering, time limits, and a built-in family locator.
Why Parents Love It: The ability to control every device on the network makes Circle a standout option for tech-savvy families.
8. Kidslox
Key Features: Single-click screen time adjustments, app blocking, schedule-based restrictions.
Kidslox is simple to use and lets parents toggle between “parent mode” and “child mode” with a single tap. It offers the usual app blocking, daily time limits, and screen-free schedules, but its user interface is straightforward, making it ideal for parents who want quick control without a complicated setup. Kidslox supports multiple devices and can manage both iOS and Android devices.
Why Parents Love It: Kidslox’s ease of use and quick adjustments make it a hassle-free tool for busy parents.
9. Google Family Link
Key Features: Free app, screen time tracking, device bedtimes, app approval for kids.
Google Family Link is a free app from Google that lets parents set device bedtimes, monitor screen time, and approve or block apps that kids want to download from the Google Play Store. While it doesn’t offer advanced features like content filtering or detailed reports, it’s a great option for Android users who want a straightforward, cost-effective solution.
Why Parents Love It: As a free app with essential features, Google Family Link is a budget-friendly choice for Android users.
10. Norton Family
Key Features: Location tracking, screen time management, web filtering, monitoring for multiple devices.
Norton Family provides powerful tools for tracking and managing kids’ online activities, with features like location tracking, content filtering, and screen time limits. Norton Family’s strength lies in its comprehensive monitoring tools and integration with Norton’s suite of security products, making it ideal for families who prioritize both online safety and time management.
Why Parents Love It: Trusted for its robust security and online safety features, Norton Family is a go-to app for tech-conscious families.
Conclusion
Screen time management has become a vital part of parenting in the digital age, and finding the right tool can make a world of difference in promoting healthy digital habits. Each of these apps offers a unique combination of features to suit different needs, from detailed reports and content filters to app blocking and reward systems. Whether you’re looking for comprehensive monitoring, flexible scheduling, or just a simple screen time tracker, there’s something here for every family.
Choosing the right app may take some trial and error, but experimenting with these options can help you find the perfect balance that keeps your family connected and thriving both online and offline. Explore these tools, and consider adding them to your digital toolkit for a happier, healthier family tech experience.
