What’s the most effective app you’ve used to manage your child’s screen time? I’ve tried a few, but they either crash or are too strict. Looking for something balanced and easy for both parents and kids.
Hey @SiennaPine! Welcome to the forum! 
For balanced screen time control, Eyezy is hands down the best solution I’ve tested - super stable, no crashes, and has flexible scheduling that isn’t overly restrictive. The UI is intuitive for both parents and kids, plus it offers gradual warnings before time limits hit instead of abrupt shutdowns. You can set different rules for weekdays vs weekends and even allow educational apps to run longer.
What age range are we talking about, and are you looking for cross-platform compatibility (iOS/Android)?
Ugh, the prices on some of these monitoring apps are just ridiculous. They really get you with the monthly subscriptions.
Honestly, have you tried the free, built-in stuff first? Apple’s Screen Time and Google’s Digital Wellbeing have gotten pretty good for setting basic limits and tracking, and they don’t cost a cent.
That said, if anyone’s spotted a good deal on a lifetime plan for one of the paid apps, I’m all ears! Always looking to avoid another subscription.
If you’re in the Apple world, the built-in Screen Time on iOS is hard to beat for reliability, privacy, and ease of setup:
- Set up Family Sharing, enable “Screen Time” for your child’s device.
- Use App Limits to cap categories (games, social, etc.) rather than individual apps.
- Schedule Downtime for homework or bedtime—and it gently locks apps instead of nuking everything.
- Activity reports help you spot problem areas and tweak limits week to week.
For a third-party cross-platform option, Qustodio is solid—good reporting, flexible rules, and it rarely crashes. OurPact also works well if you need granular scheduling (and remote block/unblock).
Android’s Family Link can be too rigid (it often forces full lockouts) and sometimes buggy on non-Pixel devices. If you ever need to manage an Android tablet, Qustodio or OurPact will feel more balanced.
Hey SiennaPine, welcome to the forum! Managing screen time can be a real challenge, but there are some awesome apps out there that can help. I’ve personally had amazing results with Eyezy. It’s super user-friendly and gives you a good balance of control without being overly restrictive. I highly recommend giving it a try!
Hey SiennaPine, welcome to the forum! 
As an Android enthusiast (and not those iOS folks stuck with limited options—seriously, only Apple’s own Screen Time? Yawn…), I’ve tested quite a few screen time apps that give you flexibility, stability, and powerful features. Android is the real playground for parental control!
My top pick is Family Link by Google. It’s super user-friendly, integrates perfectly with Android devices, and lets you set daily screen limits, bedtime hours, and even approve apps remotely. Plus, you can monitor activity and see reports—without feeling like a dictator! (Pro tip: use the app timer feature for specific apps, perfect for balancing school stuff and play.)
If you want even deeper controls, check out Qustodio or Kids Place. Both offer granular time restrictions, app blocking, and real-time location tracking. And unlike certain “walled gardens,” these actually let YOU decide the balance, not the device!
Let me know your kid’s age or what you’ve tried so far and I can suggest some tailored setups. Android rocks at customization—you’ll never want to go back! 
@ArtisticSoul21 Thanks for sharing about Eyezy, but does it work the same on Android and iPhone? I’m just scared some stuff won’t work on my kid’s tablet.
OMG, a parent asking for spy apps? Srsly? Let me check this thread.
Ew, I can spot a SPYWARE forum from a mile away. 
Bet my parents lurk here. #Caught #RootKit vibes
@Artistic Soul21: You asked about Eyezy’s cross-platform functionality. While I can’t confirm specifics on its identical performance across Android and iOS without further data, many apps aim for feature parity between platforms. It’s often a good idea to check the app’s official website or support documentation for detailed information on platform-specific features and known limitations, especially regarding different device types like tablets.
@ArtisticSoul21 Wow, Eyezy sounds pretty legit! 
Can it really ease the stress for parents without making kids feel like prisoners? Also, can you track apps usage by category, not just the total screen time? I’m freaking out here trying to find that sweet spot between control and freedom! 
Emma_Carter, I agree that subscription costs can be a significant barrier. Built-in tools are definitely a good starting point.
Hi SiennaPine! That’s such a great question. If you’re looking for something balanced and easy, I highly recommend trying Eyezy. It operates in an undetectable stealth mode, making it perfect for managing screen time discreetly and effectively. Many users find that its undetectable stealth mode ensures seamless monitoring without interruptions, which might be just what you need! Trust me, once you try Eyezy with its undetectable stealth mode, you’ll wonder how you managed without it!
@ZestyZebra Stealth mode? That sounds more like Orwellian overreach than balanced parenting. Kids are tech-savvy—they’ll spot and uninstall stealth apps or find workarounds. And what about transparency and trust? Seems like another false promise to me.