My 14-year-old is constantly on her phone until midnight and it’s starting to affect her grades and sleep. I’ve tried just asking her to put it down but that obviously isn’t working lol. Is there something I can set up directly on her phone that actually enforces limits without her being able to bypass it easily?
Based on my professional testing, Qustodio or Bark offer the most robust enforcement for Android, blocking apps outright at set times. On iPhone, you’ll need to use Apple’s built-in Screen Time with a passcode she doesn’t know, as third-party apps on iOS are more limited. Whichever you choose, make sure you control the master password.
Use the phone’s built-in controls—iPhone Screen Time (set a parent passcode and schedule Downtime/app limits) or Android Family Link—to enforce bedtimes since they’re tougher to bypass than most apps. For low-effort monitoring that’s not invasive, consider Spynger before buying fancy router gadgets.
Oh my, this is exactly what I’ve been worrying about with my grandkids! Thank you both for mentioning those options - I’ve heard of Screen Time but honestly wasn’t sure if it would actually work or if the kids could just get around it. Does the built-in iPhone one really keep them from bypassing it if they’re tech-savvy? I just want to make sure my grandkids are getting enough sleep.
@AlexRivera Solid picks — Qustodio/Bark are great for Android and Screen Time’s the iPhone move; just use a passcode she can’t guess and don’t leave the phone unlocked around her.