Reducing Screen Time Is Easy with These 5 Must-have Tools
Ever wondered just how much the world could achieve just by reducing screen time? You’re not alone. In today’s world, technology is a constant presence in our lives. No matter what age group you find yourself in, from kids watching cartoons to elders scrolling on social media we all tend to spend more time staring at screens.
What if managing your screen time was easier than you thought? In this blog, I’m going to explain easy and practical ways to cut down the average time that we spend on our screens each day & also help you up your well-being. I will tell you how to set realistic boundaries, and even share some apps to limit screen time. Okay, let’s make some more space for life off-Screen!
Table of contents
Why Reducing Screen Time Matters
Ever realize how your body feels after you’ve been staring at screens all day long? It might be a headache, eye strain or just feeling tired. If you feel this way, it’s not just you, many people are experiencing a screen time rebellion. So, here are key reasons why you should limit screen time in the digital world and how doing this can drastically improve your life.
- Healthier Body:
Really remember those evenings where you binged on a series, one after the other, or your consecutive hours behind the screen at work. Regularly spending too much time on your phone increases the risk of developing long-term health problems such as obesity and heart disease. Instead, think of what you can replace an hour behind the screen with by getting outdoors, squeezing in a quick workout. Small changes in your lifestyle can make you feel better and cut down on health risks. - Happier Mind:
Constantly checking your phone or scrolling through social media can be quite exhausting, and even brings on anxiety. Reducing screen time allows for mood boosting activities, like reading and picking up a new hobby. When you reduce your mobile usage time, it helps you give rest to your mind. - Better Sleep:
Watching late-night TV or scrolling through your phone in bed disrupts your sleep hormones. Spending less time on your phone before bed helps you to fall asleep more quickly and sleep better! Set a screen time limit and make it even more stringent before bed. - Stronger Relationships:
Put your phone away during meals or when you’re with others so that screens don’t steal your precious time spent with loved ones. More than that, it makes you connect more with the people around, creating stronger bonds.
Software need for Reducing Screen Time
These days, with all the digital distractions out there, it can be quite a challenge to restrict screen time. Here, screen time parental control software plays a big role. This keeps a record of the average screen time you dedicate, gives access to insights, and helps stringently set goals.
These tools can be used to eliminate distraction or restrict phone usage time during important moments, for example during family dinners or study time. Great for parents, these apps help limit screen-on time and aid with encouraging healthy screen time behaviours from an early age.
Key Features to Look for in Screen Time Management Software
Here are a few important features to look out for when choosing apps to limit screen time. These features can help you keep better control of your screen time limits.
- Time Tracking: Better track how much time you spend on your phone and have a good idea of which apps or sites are eating the most of your time. This can help you determine where your day goes screen wise so you can adjust for reducing screen time.
- Automatic Screen Blocking: This feature blocks device access once the screen limit is reached. It’s an easy way to enforce the limits you’ve set without constantly monitoring yourself.
- Custom Alerts: Get Custom notifications to keep you aware of your screen time limit. This feature allows you to be reminded of the usage level and avoid too much on screen time.
- Cross-device Sync: This feature is responsible for enabling all your devices to connect and communicate together. And if you’ve been using the tablet for an hour, then move to the laptop, the software recognizes this, and resets accordingly.
- Detailed Usage Reports: View your daily screen time usage down to the minute. These reports show how much time you spend on the phone, and other devices to help you assess progress and be more responsible for your digital habits.
Top 5 Must-Have Software Tools for Reducing Screen Time
Struggling to get a grip on your screen time? Below are the top 5 software tools made specifically to help you deal with your screen time.
#1 QOLI.AI - The Ultimate Tool for Screen Time Management
Qoli.ai is the most advanced and versatile solution to schedule and control screen time. Unlike other options, Qoli.ai is your one stop solution for reducing screen time, real-time monitoring, app-specific tracking, and usage reports. Whether you are looking to promote responsible device use or develop healthier digital habits for your entire family, Qoli has all the advanced tools with ease of use that no one can match.
Key Features
- Screen Time Limits: You can simply set screen time limits for the day which automatically locks devices and prevents your kids from using them.
- Usage Reminders: Real-time reminders let you know when time limits are displayed as close and restricted keywords are engaged, providing one easy way to manage usage.
- App-Specific Limits: Qoli goes further than nearly all of its competitors by allowing you the ability to set app-specific limits and blocking, creating a more balanced digital life.
- Detailed Screen Time Reports: Get detailed reports breaking down how much time you spend on each app and website, so you can focus on reducing screen time.
Pros
- Lock devices immediately after the screen time limit has exceeded.
- Detailed app and web activity reports
- Live screen monitoring to supervise instantaneously.
- User-friendly interface to set screen time limit
Cons
- Maybe a bit tight on older children.
- Time and attention are needed for periodic monitoring.
- For some, features might be too advanced for basic use cases.
Pricing
Qoli offers you to choose different plans that fit your needs, all allowing access to every single feature from screen time limits to app usage tracking and real-time monitoring.
- Monthly Plan: All features for $5.99 per month, to confidently manage your family’s digital life.
- Quarterly Plan: Great value at $15.99 for every three months to remain in regular control over your app usage, activity tracking, and much more.
- Yearly Plan: This is the most affordable plan at $59.99 per year, which allows you to enjoy all features completely like geofencing, real-time tracking and detailed activity reports and much more at a discount price.
How to use
- Buy a Plan: Simply go to Qoli.ai site, choose a custom plan that suits your needs and pay.
- Download and Install: Download the software in your laptop and install tracking applications in devices.
- Configure Preferences: Personalize settings for screen time, apps and web filters. Easily change these settings from the simple, easy to use dashboard.
- Monitor and Adjust: Stay updated with real-time monitoring and detailed reports, changing rules to match your family’s requirements.
#2 Qustodio - A Reliable Option for Screen Time Management
For reducing screen time on multiple devices, Qustodio is the best. Scheduled by 15-minute blocks, the app has customizable restrictions to help you keep an eye on your child’s digital usage without hovering.
Key Features
- Screen Time Limits: Set daily time limits, with the option to block access once the time limit is reached.
- Time Period Restrictions: Schedule access for limited hours only, to ensure balanced screen usage.
- App-Specific Limits: Set how long your child can spend on specific apps, keeping them focused on priority work.
- Activity Reports: View breakdowns of time spent per app or website.
Pros
- Good for handling screen time across multiple devices.
- Limits specific apps for better focus
- The reports are user-friendly with usage trends and behaviors.
Cons
- App-specific time controls are only available in top premium plans.
- The number of devices is limited to 1 on the free plan.
Pricing
- Free Plan: Basic screen time management for limited use.
- Starting Plan: The plan starts at INR ₹2,070/year (Approx $27/year) annually having limited access to all features.
- Full Plan: Complete plan costs INR 3,680/year (Approx $48/year) offering complete access to all features.
How to use
- Create your account via the Qustodio website, download the app and install it on all devices.
- Easily set up and adjust user profiles, screen time limits, and filters in the Qustodio dashboard.
- Keep tabs on activity, control access, and adjust settings directly from your dashboard.
#3 Norton Family: A Practical Solution for Screen Time Management
A good choice for reducing screen time, with custom web filters and School Time settings. This will allow you to disable certain apps or websites during school hours, helping your child stay focused on their studies.
Key Features
- School Time Feature: This feature blocks specific webpages, i.e., YouTube or Facebook, when your children are at school.
- Time Supervision: Helps to set daily screen time limits on Android and Windows.
- Flexible Scheduling: Allows customizable day and night screen time scheduling.
- Emergency Access: Allows emergency calls to selected contacts after time durations.
Pros
- Easy setup and configuration.
- Gives detailed screen time and app usage reports.
- Children can ask for more screen time to accommodate.
Cons
- No app-specific time limits.
- It does not offer a screen time solution for iOS and macOS.
- App monitoring is also constrained on iOS.
Pricing
- Standard Plan: Available for INR 899/year (with some basic parental control features)
- Deluxe Plan: Annual price of INR 1199, which gets you additional security and comprehensive parental controls.
How to use
- Step one is to download and install the app and create child profiles on all devices.
- Configure web filters and screen time schedule from the dashboard.
- Access usage reports, adjust settings or approve more screen time if necessary.
#4 FamiSafe: Flexible Screen Time Scheduling for Android and iOS
FamiSafe allows for reducing screen time on Android, iOS, macOS, Windows and Kindle. With its clean, friendly interface, it’s great for parents who are new to the world of parental control apps and are looking to manage time limits, and app usage.
Key Features
- Screen Time Limit: Configure general time restrictions on platforms such as Windows, macOS, and smartphones.
- Instant Block: Closes all active apps and prevents new ones from being opened when time limits are reached.
- Activity Reports: Provides complete summary of app usage by days/weeks.
Pros
- Simple configuration and control.
- Gives a degree of control over the times apps can be used.
- Kids can ask for additional screen time, adding some flexibility.
Cons
- Chromebook users can skip screen time alerts.
- Kids on mobile devices aren’t alerted in real-time when their screen time is about to run out.
Pricing
- Monthly Plan: This plan will monitor up to 10 devices, and costs $9.99 disrupts per month.
- Yearly Plan: Price of USD 59.99, or roughly around INR 4,920 which provides unlimited device monitoring.
How to use
- Install and Setup: First, visit the official website of FamiSafe or respective app store to download and install it on the device you wish to monitor.
- Configure Screen Time: Set screen time schedules to manage overall usage for specific apps.
- Monitor and Adjust: Check usage reports to adjust settings and respond to any extra screen time requests of your child.
#5 Mobicip: Flexible Control for Managing Screen Time
Mobicip allows you to have more definite control over reducing screen time on your child’s device for platforms like Android, iOS, Windows, macOS. You can also schedule your approach to app and web access with specific rules for them.
Key Features
- Customizable Filters: Customize your app and web filters to the hours and days that work best for you.
- Daily Free Time Limit: Manage your child’s overall screen time per day, even during free/leisure time.
- Vacation Mode: Relax the rules easily for vacation or other occasions where you want more flexibility.
Pros
- Offers detailed device usage with time zone customization.
- Notifies your child that their screen-time is almost up.
- Allows your child to ask for more screen time directly in the app.
Cons
- Cannot block individual apps, only categories.
- Even when the time is up, your child can still use offline apps.
Pricing
- Lite Plan: This includes monitoring up to 5 devices and is priced at $2.99 per month.
- Standard Plan: This plan costs $4.99 per month and includes protection for up to 10 devices.
- Premium Plan: This plan lets you monitor up to 20 devices for $7.19 per month.
How to use
- Install the App: You can download and install the app from the official website or your device specific store.
- Set Up Profiles: Set up individual family member profiles and adjust app and web access settings per profile
- Customize and Monitor: Easily change settings based on your daily or special occasion needs.
Take Control of Your Screen Time Today!
With the above-mentioned points in mind, you might have finally understood that reducing screen time is a good thing for physical, mental health, relationships and to your well-being. That is, until you get Qoli – a solution for easy screen time management. It gives you comprehensive usage reports, app-specific limits and app blocking so that you can help your family adopt healthy digital habits.
Ready to make a change? Get Qoli today and start taking back your digital life! Now it is time to get your life back and pay attention to the things that really matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does reducing screen time improve sleep? +
Yes, reducing your screen time can help you sleep better because the lights from screens make it difficult for you to fall asleep.
What is a healthy online time limit for teens online? +
One of the best time limits for online teenagers is limiting the entertainment time to 2 hours each day.
How to spend less time on phone? +
Teach yourself to check your phone at certain times, turn off notifications, and keep it out of sight during mealtimes or family time.
How to get kids off screens? +
To stop your kids from spending too much time on screens, create daily routines filled with fun activities that include playing outside and reading books.
Does TV count as screen time? +
Screen time includes watching TV as well. Anything that involves looking at screens, like TVs or phones, is included.