Studies show that 4 out of 5 people check their devices within just 15 minutes of waking up. The tech world has turned nearly millions of people into phone addicts, and it doesn't stop there, as according to various media and reports, 71% of the population usually sleeps with their cell phone one meter away.
On the other hand, it can be said that this uncontrolled activity does not only occur at night, since according to Arbitrion and Edison Research, 91% of people who have a device permanently in their hand have a record of 150 contacts per day, a paranoia, right?
This obsession not only manifests itself in circumstances where many complain that family dinners are sacrosanct and devoid of technology, but many people, especially younger people, cling to their smartphones at those times or while going to the bathroom.
Thus, the measures mentioned above have allowed the emergence of mobile phone monitoring apps, which must surely be some of the most downloaded in the world, since, unlike other apps, they have a direct impact and control over people's mental health.
You can also read: 10 Best Apps To Manage Your WiFi (Android And iOS)
The consequences of constant access to mobile phones
The use of mobile devices It has become a favorite pastime for most people, which unknowingly affects their emotional state, mood, and even their overall health in one way or another.
One of the complications that can arise from this is nomophobia, which is nothing more than the uncontrollable anxiety which occurs when a person is not near a mobile phone.
But while these consequences are a consequence of technology, there are others that are not entirely bad and, in fact, can be very useful and beneficial in addressing the diagnoses that define the relationship with addiction and the limitations that must exist to fully respect this activity.
10 Best Apps to Control Mobile Usage Time
Like a coin, technology has two sides. While we focus on its benefits, we often deliberately ignore its drawbacks. Facebook, Twitter and other gaming apps on our phones may help us communicate, entertain and stay up to date, but we lose track of time and interest in the real world.
Most people stare at screens all day long, which not only distracts them from their current tasks, but also impairs their eyesight. That is why we need apps that record phone usage. There are many apps that limit phone usage.
To help you choose, we have put together a list of phone usage tracking apps that They will help you control the use of your Android now manage your time effectively. These apps also act as time trackers on your Android screen.
1. Qustodio Parental Control
Qustodio is one of the best screen time tracking apps. It is easy to use and helps parents monitor screen time. Qustodio offers powerful parental control tools and supervision, such as setting screen time limits, filtering inappropriate content, and blocking apps and games.
The ability to control devices on different platforms is another advantage of the app. The app helps you understand how children use their phones, including apps and the Internet, so you can set screen time limits appropriate and monitor your browsing activity.
Filtering technology protects children from harmful content and determines in real time whether the content is safe for your child. Qustodio blocks inappropriate content, even in private mode, and allows you to set limits on games and apps and even block certain games completely.
Other characteristics
You can control the time your child spends on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or WhatsApp, track messages and calls, and even set time limits across multiple devices.
Also You can track your child's location and call for help in case of emergency using the panic button. Qustodio Parental Controls for iPhone y iPad It offers web filters and time controls for some apps, but lacks the full parental control features offered by the Android version.
This app offers a simple way to completely disable in-app purchases. Qustodio's most notable feature is the Detailed tracking of text messages and call logs, and the control console easily shows you who your child talks and messages with the most.
2. FamiSafe – Parental Control
Famisafe is a parental control app that allows you to monitor your child's phone, set up geofences, control and block apps, filter web content, and manage screen time remotely. The application has no advertising and is suitable for parents who want to monitor their children's digital and GPS activity.
With FamiSafe, parents can control screen time by setting a location-based schedule, rewarding kids for extra time, and monitoring the use of certain apps.
Also may limit the use of certain applications or set the total usage time of the smartphone and monitor real-time location. The FamiSafe app allows you to set different conditions to filter inappropriate content on YouTube or websites.
Geofences are one of the most innovative features of the app. It allows parents to mark certain places as safe. This can be at home or at school. If a child leaves an area marked as safe, the parents will be notified.
3. Parental Control & Kid Tracker
OurPact is a screen time restriction, app blocking, GPS monitoring, child monitoring and family monitoring app that allows parents to manage their family's screen time and keep track of family members.
These are some of the main features of the application
- App Lock: Lock the Internet and apps at a glance.
- Calendars: Screen time throughout the day or week.
- Kid Tracker: Track your child's location with one of the best geolocation apps for families.
- App List: See what apps are installed on your child's device.
- Family Locator: Whether you want to keep your child safe, find a lost device, or coordinate a delivery, Family Locator is always at your fingertips.
- Block Text Messages: Limit access to iMessage and text messages with calendars, tasks, or handheld notebooks so text messages don't distract you from homework or family dinner.
- Block Porn: Filter sexy adult content on all browsers installed on your devices iOS or Android for kids, providing peace of mind where it's needed most.
OurPact app policies allow you to control all apps installed on your child's device. Block certain applications or set other control rules for educational apps instead of distracting social media. After all, not all apps are created equal.
4. Boomerang Parental Control
Boomerang parental controls offer parents the most flexible screen time options for Android devices. This app is also available for iOS, but has some limitations.
Boomerang sets screen time and restrictions for your child's Android device. It also helps you talk to your child about device usage, good and bad apps, internet browsing, videos, etc. Easily control your child's Android device from their parent's Android or iOS device.
Once the account is created, the user has access to a wide range of powerful features. These include:
- Location tracking: This feature allows you to track your child’s location and GPS. Parents can receive notifications and updates about their child’s location. We found it very easy to set up and connect to your child’s phone with a simple email. The child dashboard also includes “stats” that allow you to see how your child is using the app and what its limitations are.
- Text Message Control: We love the fact that inappropriate keywords in your child's text messages can be edited and monitored. This powerful software also allows you to track sent text messages and unknown numbers.
- Call blocking: This feature allows parents to restrict who can call their child's phone and who can call them. Parents can also view call reports. Again, it's very easy to install and configure with simple navigation features.
- Web browsing: This app has a number of options to control and restrict Internet access. It can be used in conjunction with the company's SPIN Secure Browser.
- Application Discovery and Approval: A wide selection of applications in the App Store and Google Play allows parents to review and approve applications downloaded by their children.
5. Screen Time Parental Control
ScreenTime is one of the best screen time reduction apps for Android and iOS. It allows you to manage the time your children spend on their tablets and smartphones.
Parents can encourage positive habits by assigning and rewarding children for extra screen time. Parents appreciate the Instant Pause feature, which instantly pauses your child’s device, perfect when you’re taking them out to lunch or after school.
You can also invite your partner, parents, or other caregivers to manage your child's screen time settings. Easily manage your family's screen time with one account and control all devices, including your parents' if you want.
Other characteristics
Like all parental control apps, You can control the time your children spend on their smart devicesYou can also see which apps are in use and for how long, receive notifications when your children try to install a new app, and see which websites have been visited from your child's device.
You can use the ScreenTime parental control app to block certain apps at certain times of the day and limit activity during school hours.
6. Screen Time Limit KidCrono
KidCrono is a unique app that monitors children's screen time. It is suitable for children of all ages who regularly use mobile devices. This app helps parents to: monitor your children's screen time, encouraging them to respect play time on their iPad, iPhone or iPod.
This app has no educational value, but it can be an important tool for parents concerned about their children's screen time. Children's use of mobile devices has greatly improved their learning experience, but un Excessive screen time can also be harmful.
The app is well designed and easy to use, but we found it to be too thoughtful and menu-driven. We understand that creating a “screen time” app requires some technical tweaking of the device. Among the many apps on the market, this is probably one of the best.
7.ESET Parental Control
ESET Parental Control is a complete parental control application that takes a comprehensive approach to keep kids safe online. Use age filters to determine which apps your child can and cannot use.
It also blocks age-inappropriate websites and website categories. You can set time limits on the apps and games your child can use and check the location of your child's device or send a confirmation message before they can continue using the device.
Allow children to explore the Internet in a way that is suitable for them. Enter your child's age so that ESET Parental Control can Automatically detect available categoriesFor example, gambling and pornographic content are blocked by default.
Other characteristics
If your child visits a prohibited site, he or she may ask you for permission to access its content. If parents give permission, an exception is automatically made in Web Guard. Application Guard allows you to filter access to applications based on the child's ageParents can decide which apps their children can use and for how long.
The list of apps is downloaded to the child's mobile device. ESET Parental Control offers parents added security by only showing age-appropriate apps to children. Apps that are not age-appropriate can be blocked automatically.
The app's parental portal makes it easy to set up web filters and restrict access to website categories using green and red beeps. ESET can track device activity and display the location of your child's mobile device at any time.
Playing games, keeping in touch with friends, and improving their online skills are important for kids, but so are other family activities. With this feature, you can set daily time limits for the apps you choose.
8. Norton Family parental controls
Ideal for families with multiple children, Norton Family Parental Control protects up to 10 devices (PC, Mac, Android and iOS). Allows you to set appropriate settings for the age of each device, filter websites and monitor movement.
It offers an impressive range of monitoring and parental control features for parents of today's hyper-connected children. The app keeps you informed of the websites your children visit and blocks dangerous or inappropriate sites.
It also helps your children balance their online time. setting time limits on device use. Encourage healthy habits by setting specific times of the day or week when each device can be used and how many hours per day each device can be used.
Other characteristics
This app lets you see the words, terms, and videos your kids are searching for on their devices. You cannot block apps with the Norton Family Premier appParents also receive detailed reports on what their children do on the Internet.
The privacy feature helps prevent your children from sharing sensitive information online, such as their phone number or the name of the school they attend.
With social media monitoring You can see how often your children visit Facebook from a computer or app, as well as the name and age they use in their profile, so you can talk to them about sensible social media habits.
In the Android version, you can see the apps your children have downloaded on their device. The advantage of the app is that it also protects against viruses, spyware, malware and other online threats.
9 Limit Screen Time Control
Limitly lets you block apps, set time limits for apps, schedule apps, control which apps your kids use and how often, and prevent kids from using apps that haven't been tested and approved.
Another useful function is the ability to quarantine an application that the child has downloaded, allowing parents to review the app before using it. And it's nice that the app is free and contains no in-app purchases or other fees.
10 ScreenLimit
ScreenLimit is one of the best apps for limiting screen time. It allows you to control the time your kids spend on their phones by setting a daily time limit for the apps you want to limit.
The app offers flexible controls, which lets you block social media but allow study apps during school hours, or ban games but allow apps for reading before bed. You can temporarily block access if you want your kids to get off their devices and control the apps they use.
Since children can switch devices to expand their restrictions, this is a Cross-platform limiter with advantages added such as messaging, rewards, and allowed app lists.
Tips for apps and websites
If you have a child who is new to phone use, or a teen with their own device, it can be difficult to keep track of all the kid- and teen-friendly apps and websites.
Check out the best websites for kids and teens, keep track of social media apps most popular apps used by teens, find apps that allow you to monitor your child's phone usage, and follow these smart and practical app usage rules for kids to keep your child safe on their mobile device.
Parental control apps are not designed to be used by children, but to be responsive and flexible; Children can request access to content and applications of their choice. Parents can monitor their children's activities and respond to such requests through the parent portal.
You can also read: 8 Best Apps for Managing Social Media
My name is Javier Chirinos and I am passionate about technology. Ever since I can remember, I have been interested in computers and video games, and that passion has turned into a job.
I have been publishing about technology and gadgets on the Internet for over 15 years, especially in mundobytes.com
I am also an expert in online marketing and communication and have knowledge in WordPress development.