screen time contract Archives

Three easy offline activities to keep the kids distracted this Thanksgiving

by Anna Hughes on 07/11/2018

Thanksgiving, in an ideal world, is a valuable time to be with our families. To laugh, to embrace one another, to joyfully reminisce about the good old days. To make new memories and enjoy a day full of meaningful conversations with loved ones. This scenario is of course completely fictional for most. Anyone with children who claims their Thanksgiving was in any way straightforward or dreamlike, is probably bending the truth quite significantly. Especially if they were the ones hosting the festivities.

There’s the late-night food prep, the cleaning and decorating, the mental preparation for pending potential or inevitable family dramas. Not to mention the daily challenges (to put it politely) set mostly by the smallest person/people who share your home.

It is definitely tempting to give the kids some bonus screen time on their tablet or phone just to keep them out of the way while we dress and stuff the turkey, set tables, quietly glug eggnog etc. With the parental controls Screen Time provides, this is easy to do without the usual fear of overindulgence/online dangers/switch-off meltdowns.

And that’s fine.

Or, rather than lose our children to their devices while we do all of the work, we could always find ways to get them involved with the preparations (bear with us here).

The tasks you set needn’t be anything complicated. Baking something simple or making table decorations for example not only gets them away from their screens, it will also get them using and developing their creative skills, math skills, science, reading, time telling…the list goes on.

Who knows, you might even bond a bit too.

Then once your house is filled with the sweet smells of pumpkin pie and your table is scattered with lovingly crafted decorations, you could treat your offspring to some bonus time on their device as a ‘well done for being so helpful’ reward. Which also means more ‘you’ time later on. Everyone wins 😉

We’ve scoured the pages of Pinterest to find the best Thanksgiving recipes and crafts for you to try with your kids. Not only that, but we at Screen Time Labs have MADE each one to ensure they are as quick and as easy as promised (kids attention spans vs parents patience levels were taken very seriously during the testing period).

Evidence is posted below in our quick video tutorials, each lasting less than 60 seconds.

We’d love to see your creations. Feel free to share on here or on our Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter feeds using #kidsunplugged.

Successful AND unsuccessful attempts are all welcome! Good luck 🙂

Mini Pumpkin Pies (Thank you @crafty_morning)

Turkey Cupcakes (Thanks @MarthaStewart)

Turkey Paper Bag Puppets (Thanks @1littleproject!)

Nail Screen Free Week with the Family Screen Time Pact

by Anna Hughes on 30/04/2018

Screen Free Week is great in theory, but asking kids to switch off their devices can be painful. Enter, the Family Screen Time Pact!

The Family Screen Time Pact

“But why?” – sound familiar? It’s great to have inquisitive kids, but those two words must pass our younglings lips more than any other.

We get constant feedback from parents about how beneficial the screen time app has been to their children and family as a whole. These compliments often come with: “After the initial arguments”.

So we are here to help. We have developed a fun way to help you, the parent, introduce Screen Time to the family. It comes in the form of ‘Our Family Screen Time Pact’ – a simple contract between parent and child on the use of mobile devices to help your children understand that small but complicated word – Why?

But be warned, it’s a two way street, what you ask your kids to do, you too need to adhere to.

It’s designed to be printed and stuck to the fridge, this way it will stay present as a reminder to all, during Screen Free Week and beyond. We’ll leave the penalty for breaking the pact up to you… and your kids!

Download the Family Screen Time Pact!

Or if you want to give Screen Time, Try it for FREE!

Screen Free Week runs from April 30 to May 6 2018. Find out more here

Calling all Screen Time users… We have exciting news…

by Anna Hughes on 16/03/2017

...Our Web History Monitoring function just had a makeover. If you are Screen Time subscriber and your child has Android Marshmallow or Nougat on their device, keeping your kids safe online just got a whole lot easier.

…Our Web History Monitoring function just had a makeover.

If you are Screen Time subscriber and your child has Android Marshmallow or Nougat on their device, keeping your kids safe online just got a whole lot easier.

Once you’ve gone through the simple setup process, select ‘Web History’ from the main menu. There you will find a list of all of the sites that your child has visited during their ‘Play’ time.

Your screen will look a bit like this:

So at a glance it will become immediately obvious if your child has been on a site you don’t recognise. At which point you can check the site in question for any content you don’t feel is suitable.

This list will also reveal what your child has been searching for (if they have searched within a browser app).

OK so your children might feel like they are being snooped on. But we’re not about snooping. We’re about good, honest parenting.

We designed Screen Time, our parental control app, with our kids best interests in mind. Everything from improving their time management skills to guiding them towards a healthy online/offline balance.

Did you know, according to a recent survey conducted for the Children’s Commissioner by Mumsnet, 73% of parents are concerned about their children accessing inappropriate material online?

There are already parental controls set up on some devices to help block inappropriate content, as well as search engine filters such as Google’s SafeSearch. However these aren’t 100% accurate. Which, for us, means they aren’t good enough on their own.

Our Web History monitoring feature adds extra reassurance that your child is surfing safe.

We know this feature is something our Android Marshmallow and Nougat users have been requesting for a while now and we always aim to please. So if you’re planning on giving it a try, do let us know how you get on either via the comments below or our Social Media channels. We’re always on hand to help too so if you have any questions, just ask.

We already have some happy customers 🙂

“Beautifully done. You guys rock!!!”

“Nice! Thanks for this update. Exactly what I’ve been waiting for.”

“Working flawlessly, including searches and cards in Google now, such as articles.”

“Fantastic!”

Our lovely Screen Time subscribers, March 2017

The National Day of Unplugging – How to get the kids to switch off without a meltdown

by Anna Hughes on 24/02/2017

The National Day of Unplugging is nearly upon us. For a full 24 hour period, running from sundown to sundown, people are switching off all of their devices, and potentially having, dare we say it, real life, face to face interactions with other humans.

For the Screen-Lover of today, the suggestion of having zero access to a smartphone or tablet for a full 24 hours can be a daunting prospect. For some it’s the thought of losing communication with friends on Snapchat or Whatsapp. For others, it’s not being able to play their favorite game. And then there are those for whom the very idea of being unable to share an image of their freshly sliced #avocado on Instagram, is the stuff of nightmares.

“People won’t know what I had for lunch”, they’ll say.

So asking the kids (and, let’s be honest, the parents) to switch off their devices for a whole day is a tall order for many. And of course will lead to the classic question: WHY?!

Well kids, here’s why!

Because parents everywhere have been told that screen time should be reduced for the sake of their child’s health. However, some new research released by the department of psychology at Stetson University in Florida, has found that kids can spend 6 hours per day staring at a screen without “even minor negative outcomes,” *

This is all very reassuring, but we at Screen Time Labs are big believers that, while there is an awful lot to love about smartphones and tablets, nothing boosts the endorphins like a day outdoors in the fresh air. (Check out our top tips on how to get your kids to agree to put down their devices and join you outside).

Convincing a child of this when they are heavily engrossed in a game of Minecraft could of course prove challenging. Which is where our app can help. And here we have our top tips on how to switch off your kids devices without a meltdown:

Pause your child’s device from your own handset

Our app allows you to go all ‘He-man’ on your kids – you can have the power over their device. So if you like, you can ‘pause’ their smartphone or tablet simply by pressing a button on your own handset. To avoid winding them up too much though, we recommend you at least send them a 5 minute warning first. Because no one likes being rudely interrupted. We also recommend you do the following:

Set daily time limits for screen time

The key to stopping those ‘switch off’ rows is to ensure all parties – parents and kids – are clear about the rules from the outset.

One way of doing this is to agree on a daily time limit. Inviting the kids to help with this decision not only gets you working together, it gives them, (particularly tweens/teens) a chance to take responsibility for their own behaviour. Our app has a useful feature that enables you to do just that using your phone. And if you’d like for you child to still be able to access some apps even when their time is up, you can use the settings to ensure some of their apps are blocked, and others aren’t.

Draw up a family screen time pact.

Reduce chance of meltdown by being fair. This is a simple contract between parent and child on the use of mobile devices. Edit and print this one to save time. Work together with the kids to decide upon the rules so they feel like they are getting a say. It could include rules about how much screen time is allowed each day and when devices are and are not allowed to be used. Stick it to the fridge, this way it will stay present as a reminder to all.

It’s up to you and your kids to decide the penalty for breaking the pact. But be warned, the contract is a two way street, what you ask your kids to do, you too need to adhere to 😉

To find out about all of the other cool features available and to download the Screen Time app, click here

And if you are joining in with The National Day of Unplugging on March 3rd-4th, good luck!

What will you do when you’re unplugged?? Let us know in the comments below!

Here’s what some of us at Screen Time do when offline…

Polly, Designer (and feline related venue supporter)

Nick, Developer (Spot the dad with small kids)

Nick, MD (and part-time lumberjack)

Anna, Content Manager (Occasional over-sharer)

Jordan, Digital Marketer (cheating a little here with his offline suggestion)

Find out more about National Day of Unplugging click here.

*The lead author, Christopher J Ferguson, from the department of psychology at Stetson University in Florida

How to stop nagging your children

by Anna Hughes on 17/02/2017

We are loving Miriam’s review of our app this week. No parent wants to be the Bad Cop, right?! “This is really easy to use. It's making a huge difference in the amount I have to nag. I'm now 100 percent consistent because I don't have to remember to follow through. It's like an automated bad cop. I like being the good cop.” Miriam, Feb 2017

If we had a dollar for every parent who told us that our app has helped put a stop to nagging in their house, we’d… be heading out for a much better than normal lunch, we can tell you.
And Miriam has an excellent point about the parent’s struggle to remain consistent with promises, threats, rewards and punishments when it comes to the kids.

We can help with that. Just set the Daily Time Limit on your child’s device, and let the Screen Time app take the blame at Switch Off time.

Then all that’s left for you to do is to sit back and enjoy your new harmonious (or at least, noticeably less shouty) household.

Try it now for FREE if you haven’t already.

Do you have any other good nagging prevention strategies you’d like to share?

Tell us all in the comments below! We’d love to hear from you 🙂

8 ways to get your kids off the couch during The Big Game

by Anna Hughes on 02/02/2017

We at Screen Time are big believers in having a healthy online/offline balance. Which is why we made our app - to help parents to have more control over the amount of time their kids spend on their devices. The Big Game is fast approaching, which means a whole lot of screen watching is in store - roughly 4 hours of it depending on how keen a fan the viewer is.

That’s a lot of time spent on the couch. And with 22 people (or 23 if you include Lady Gaga) running around and working up a sweat on said screen, there’s some inspiration right there to follow suit and burn off some energy.

Or at least the kids can while you eat chips and point.

We’re not about to suggest switching off the TV during such a momentous occasion. There’s no need for such extremes when there are commercial breaks to be taken advantage of.

In the time it takes to see various individuals joyfully glug a fizzy drink, an 11 year old could do 20 push ups. Or master the art of ‘Ball Spinning On The Finger’. Or jump up and down on the spot if they’re a bit younger.

In doing so, the child in question will burn off energy, increase levels of happy hormone, Serotonin, and decrease chance of door slamming. At the same time, the parent can be relieved of any guilt they may have experienced in relation to 4 hour TV-athon. Everyone’s a winner.

As an incentive, perhaps the kids could be rewarded with some cheeky Bonus Time on their device using our app.

We here at Screen Time HQ like to practice what we preach. So, in the name of helping others achieve that online/offline balance, we bring you our very own…Screen Time Commercial Break Challenge!

Watch as Screen Time team members, Polly, Anna, Nick and Neil demonstrate their ball ~~skills~~ attempts, push ups and ‘going up and down stairs’ techniques, all in the comfort of our Bristol office.

(Please be assured that no one was harmed during the making of this video. Apart from maybe Neil, during the Push Up Challenge. Sorry Neil).

Disclaimer: Take care doing these exercises. We are Developers/Designers/Customer Supporters. We are definitely not Chuck Norris.

The Screen Time Commercial Break Challenge

New Year’s resolutions and how to keep them, using the Screen Time app

by Anna Hughes on 06/01/2017

Happy New year from Screen Time! (We’re not sure when you’re supposed to stop saying that either). At Screen Time HQ, we’ve been discussing our New Year’s resolutions. The standard ones have inevitably been thrown in (join a gym, eat more healthily, slightly reduce Prosecco consumption), as well as a couple of less traditional ones involving underpants (see graph for details).

But how likely is it that we will all stick to our resolutions?

A classic one for many is of course to spend more quality time with the family. One rather large obstacle that can get in the way of this great intention however, is the kids smartphone or tablet.

If it’s a choice between posting selfies on Snapchat/playing Minecraft, or, say, a family bike ride, chances are you’ll not be getting the bikes out of the garage without a fight.

Luckily, as all Screen Time users know, our app can make this New Year’s resolution a lot more achievable and a lot less painful.

“It takes the fight out of managing screen time”

Aleah LaFrancis. Screen Time user

Simply pause their device and you are free to cycle off into the sunset with your offspring in tow.

Or if the kids need a bit of extra convincing, you could try introducing some ‘family’ related tasks that will earn them extra time on their device. For example, a family hike could earn child half an hour bonus time on their tablet. Or a family game of cards could earn them an extra 20 minutes on their smartphone. Or whatever you decide. You control everything – which is the beauty of the app.

Similarly, if 2017 for you means getting fit or simply allowing yourself some more ‘you’ time, send your loved ones a Play. They get some extra time online and you get a six pack. Everyone’s happy.

We’d love to hear about your New Year’s resolutions. Please share in the comments below 🙂

10 ways to not lose your kids this Christmas

by Anna Hughes on 01/12/2016

Smartphones and tablets are set to be a popular present for kids this Christmas. We already have an app to help prevent us from losing ours to their devices. Here are ten ways to not lose them at the shops.

With the Christmas festivities fast approaching, parents will be all consumed by the daunting task of making sure everyone is happy on the big day. Children, big and small, are at bursting point as they excitedly ponder what has been left for them under the tree. The challenge for parents at this time of year (as if there weren’t enough already), is to orchestrate the balance between what their kids want, and what their kids actually need.

In a recent survey, 20% of parents intend to buy their children a new device this Christmas. So tweens and teens across the country will soon be gleefully unwrapping smartphones and tablets.

And if they’re not careful, that’ll be the last they see of our beloved offspring as they disappear behind their screens. The Christmas sweater that was lovingly purchased by a relative remains wrapped and forgotten beneath the tree. The annual game of Charades is cancelled due to a shortage of contenders.

But fear not!

The Screen Time app can help parents manage the amount of time their kids spend on their devices, so you still get to enjoy those precious family moments.

One thing our app can’t do however is prevent our kids from getting lost in other ways. We’d love to introduce a button for this but until we do, here are a few useful pointers to help you hang onto your kids when out doing your Christmas shopping:

1. Write your phone number on your child’s arm. Even if they have memorised it with impressive accuracy, they might not remember it at times of need.

2. Take a picture of all offspring before you leave the house. Handy for descriptive purposes in the event of misplacing your child. Memory can be uncooperative during such times.

3. Agree on a meeting place for everyone to wait at if lost.

4. Point out who it’s okay to go to for help. For example a police officer, a member of staff, a mom with her children.

5. Dress your child in bright clothes so you can spot them from a distance.

And if you want to go that extra mile:

6. Give your child several helium balloons to hold. Ideally so they float above the crowd for easy identification.

7. Dress all children in high vis vests. (Additional hat with large flashing light attachment optional).

8. Do the Conga at all times, ensuring all family members participate for the duration of your public outing.

9. Use the power of incentivisation to keep your children close. This can be achieved by attaching a smartphone to your belt or alternatively, a fishing rod. See illustration above for guidance.

10. Leave the kids at home. They’d probably prefer it there anyway. Which also allows for ample shopping time on your own terms 🙂

Three easy Thanksgiving activities to lure your kids away from their devices

by Anna Hughes on 24/11/2016

It is definitely tempting to give the kids some bonus time on their tablet or phone just to keep them out of the way while we dress and stuff the turkey, set tables, quietly glug eggnog etc.

And that’s fine.

Or, rather than lose our children to their devices while we do all of the work, we could always find ways to get them involved with the preparations (bear with us here).

Who knows, you might even bond a bit too.

Evidence is posted below in our quick video tutorials, each lasting less than 60 seconds.

We’d love to see your creations. Feel free to share on here or on our Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter feeds using #kidsunplugged.

Successful AND unsuccessful attempts are all welcome! Good luck 🙂

Mini Pumpkin Pies

Turkey Cupcakes

Turkey Paper Bag Puppets

Struggled to introduce Screen Time to your kids? Check out the Family Screen Time Pact

by Nick Merry on 28/10/2016

The Family Screen Time Pact. “But why?” – sound familiar? It's great to have inquisitive kids, but those two words must pass our younglings lips more than any other.

The Family Screen Time Pact

We get constant feedback from parents about how beneficial the screen time app has been to their children and family as a whole. These compliments often come with: “After the initial arguments”.

But be warned, it’s a two way street, what you ask your kids to do, you too need to adhere to.

It’s designed to be printed and stuck to the fridge, this way it will stay present as a reminder to all. We’ll leave the penalty for breaking the pact up to you… and your kids!