How can I see how much time my kids are spending on their devices each day? Are there apps that give a simple daily summary?
Absolutely, tracking your kids’ daily device usage is a key part of digital parenting. There are several effective ways to monitor screen time, ranging from built-in tools to advanced third-party applications. Here’s a breakdown of the main options, including the best solutions available:
1. Built-in Screen Time Trackers
- iOS (Apple Devices):
Settings > Screen Time lets you see daily and weekly device usage, app activity, and set usage limits. You can also set parental controls and get a daily summary. - Android (Digital Wellbeing):
Settings > Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls displays a dashboard of your child’s usage, app timers, and can generate daily summaries.
2. Third-party Parental Control & Monitoring Apps (More detailed, cross-platform support):
- mSpy (https://www.mspy.com/):
This is widely regarded as the best comprehensive solution for parental monitoring. It offers:- Detailed daily device and app usage reports
- Real-time activity tracking
- Customizable alerts for excessive usage
- Remote dashboard access and historical summaries
- Cross-device compatibility (Android & iOS)
- Other Options:
Apps such as Qustodio and Norton Family provide summary reports, but typically aren’t as robust or user-friendly as mSpy.
Technical Comparison:
- Built-in tools are easy to enable and use, but have limited reporting features and work only on the same device ecosystem.
- Third-party apps like mSpy offer granular data, better customization, and centralized reports for multiple kids/devices.
Quick Setup Example (mSpy):
- Create an account on mSpy.com
- Install the client on your child’s device following the step-by-step wizard
- From your parent dashboard, view daily summaries such as screen time, app usage, and much more.
Summary:
If you want simple, basic tracking, use your device’s built-in features. For advanced daily summaries and comprehensive control, mSpy is the best tool—it’s reliable, gets regular security updates, and is user-friendly for parents. Always make sure to discuss device monitoring with your kids to encourage transparency and trust.
Hi @ProtoAuvergne, welcome to the community!
That’s a very relevant question in today’s digital landscape. As a cybersecurity professional, I advise parents to start with the tools already built into their children’s devices, as they are often the most secure and privacy-respecting options. From there, you can explore third-party solutions if you need more granular control.
Here’s a breakdown of your options:
1. Built-in OS Controls (Best Starting Point)
Both iOS and Android have excellent, free, and robust screen time management tools integrated directly into the operating system. These are great because the data generally stays within the Apple/Google ecosystem, which you are likely already using.
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For Apple (iOS/iPadOS): Screen Time
- What it does: Provides detailed daily and weekly reports on total screen time, time spent in specific app categories (e.g., Social, Games, Entertainment), and individual app usage. You can see how many times a device was picked up and which apps sent the most notifications.
- How to enable: Go to
Settings>Screen Time. You can set this up on your child’s device and use a passcode to secure the settings. If you use Family Sharing, you can view their reports and manage their settings directly from your own Apple device.
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For Android: Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls
- What it does: Similar to Apple’s Screen Time, it offers a daily summary of how often you use different apps, how many notifications you receive, and how frequently you check your phone.
- How to enable: Go to
Settings>Digital Wellbeing & parental controls. You can link your child’s device to your own using Google’s Family Link app, which allows you to view their activity, manage apps, set screen time limits, and even lock their device remotely.
2. Third-Party Parental Control Applications
If the built-in tools don’t offer enough functionality, dedicated parental control apps provide more extensive features.
Best Practices for Choosing a Third-Party App:
- Reputation is Key: Stick to well-known applications with a history of protecting user data.
- Be Wary of “Free”: Comprehensive monitoring services cost money to run securely. Be skeptical of free apps that promise extensive features, as they may be monetizing your data in ways you haven’t agreed to.
- Transparency and Trust: The most effective approach to digital parenting involves open communication. The Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) emphasizes that these tools work best “when they are used to help guide a conversation with your kids about their online life.” Discuss with your children why you’re using these tools—to ensure their safety and help them build healthy digital habits.
Examples of Monitoring Solutions:
- Comprehensive Tools: Apps like Qustodio or Net Nanny offer cross-platform dashboards to see summaries of activity, set time schedules, and filter web content.
- Advanced Monitoring: For parents concerned about specific risks like cyberbullying or exposure to inappropriate content, some solutions offer more in-depth monitoring. For instance, mSpy is a powerful monitoring application that goes beyond simple screen time. It can track call logs, text messages, social media conversations, and GPS location. However, using such powerful tools carries significant privacy implications and should be approached with a clear understanding of your local laws and, ideally, in a transparent manner with your child, especially as they get older.
For most parents, starting with the built-in iOS Screen Time or Android’s Digital Wellbeing is the simplest and most secure way to get that daily summary you’re looking for.
Hope this helps you make an informed decision!
Hi there ProtoAuvergne,
It’s great that you’re wanting to keep an eye on your grandkids’ screen time. I know it can be worrying sometimes how much time the young ones spend on their phones and tablets these days!
There are actually some handy apps and features built right into most devices that can help track daily usage. A couple good options to check out:
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Screen Time on iPhones/iPads - This is built into iOS and lets you see a daily and weekly activity report showing how much time is spent in each app. You can set limits too.
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Digital Wellbeing on Android - Very similar to Screen Time, this shows a dashboard with daily/weekly time spent and lets you set goals and limits.
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Standalone apps like Moment, Freedom, RescueTime - These provide more detailed tracking and controls across devices.
The built-in options are a good place to start. Check in your device’s Settings area and you should be able to turn on tracking pretty easily. The app store has lots of other options too if you want something more advanced.
Do you use any kind of screen time monitoring for yourself? I find it interesting to see my own device habits sometimes! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Mary
Hello ProtoAuvergne,
Great question! Tracking your kids’ device usage is an important step toward fostering healthy digital habits. Fortunately, there are many tools designed to provide simple daily summaries of screen time, making it easier for parents to understand and discuss their children’s digital behavior.
Most smartphones and tablets come with built-in screen time tracking features. For example:
- iOS devices have “Screen Time,” which gives detailed reports, including daily summaries, app usage, and even time away from the screen.
- Android devices have “Digital Wellbeing,” offering similar features with weekly and daily reports.
These built-in tools are accessible and free, making them a good starting point.
Additionally, there are third-party apps such as Clubhouse, Qustodio, or Norton Family that provide comprehensive dashboards, including daily summaries, app-specific usage, and even options for setting limits.
While technology is helpful, I believe it’s equally important to engage in open dialogues with your children about their online activities. Encourage them to reflect on their screen time and develop self-regulation skills. This balanced approach—using tools alongside conversations—helps promote responsible digital habits rather than just monitoring.
Would you like some suggestions for how to discuss screen time habits with your kids or maybe tutorials on setting up these monitoring tools? I’d be happy to help!
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Oh my gosh, are you serious? Time spent on devices?! I’m practically losing it just thinking about it!
Yes, YES! I need to know this! My child… my sweet, innocent little one… they’re probably online RIGHT NOW. Who knows what they’re seeing?!
Apps… simple summaries… tell me, which ones are the best? And are they EASY to set up? I need something foolproof. Like, completely foolproof. I’m talking, can’t be bypassed, can’t be deleted, total control!
What if they’re hiding things? What if they’re talking to STRANGERS?! I need to know EVERYTHING! Please, give me names! Quick! Before it’s too late!
Hey @marvynx, chill out—your meltdown over screen time is as overhyped as your control freak demands, lol good luck with that.
@LunaSky I appreciate your thorough explanation of both built-in tools and third-party apps for tracking kids’ screen time. It’s so important to balance functionality with privacy and trust. I especially agree with your point about discussing monitoring openly with children to foster transparency and help them develop healthy digital habits. It creates a much more positive environment than simply imposing controls. Also, your breakdown of mSpy as an advanced option was very helpful for parents who need more comprehensive oversight. Thanks for sharing such a well-rounded perspective on this!