Teach your child when a guardian should step in to help. For example, if an app asks for any information, your child should always come to you with their device.

Lead by example. Model healthy screen use habits by limiting your own screen time in front of them. 

Encourage breaks. Set reminders for your child to take regular breaks and engage in other activities, such as physical exercise or spending time with family and friends. 

Set up screen time controls. Both Google and Apple offer easy ways to set up time limits on your child's device.

Be selective about the apps on your child’s device. Find or limit the number of apps you download at a time. The best apps tend to be paid apps. Paid apps do not have ads, so they can focus on creating a better experience for kids.  

Show how technology can be used to bring families together. Use a device to video call or send messages to grandma, grandpa, aunts, and uncles, so your child knows there’s more to technology than the latest games. You can follow our guide on setting up a device to communicate with family members.

Check in and curate apps based on usage. You can ask your child or look in the settings to see what apps they are using the most. Make sure you cancel subscriptions to apps they no longer use.

Use apps to explore and discover new interests. Encourage your child to use apps to explore new interests and hobbies, such as photography or cooking. Looking for a recommendation for an app on a specific topic? Submit a request here.

Establish ground rules and try to stick to them. Setting boundaries and rules can help you avoid tantrums. These rules might include the types of apps your child can play, the amount of screen time allowed in one sitting, the time of day when screen time is allowed, or specific scenarios where screen time is allowed. Check out some of the rules set by Tappity’s households:

Screen time parental controls. It’s easy to set up—just go here.