Apps that shut iPad off after set amount if time - trying to enforce screentime limits

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks PPs for the info re dinnertime + and ourpact. I'll look into them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How about instead of staring at iPad screens for a few hours in the AM, they play. Do kids even know how to do that anymore? Use their imagination? Build, create, color, write stories, read books, etc... Or are you content with screen addicted kids who are "bored" with free play?

Yes, because those are the only two alternatives, right? Either kids know how to play and enjoy a wide variety of interests, or they use electronics. Come on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks PPs for the info re dinnertime + and ourpact. I'll look into them.

Another app that allows this is unglue. Don't know which is better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How about instead of staring at iPad screens for a few hours in the AM, they play. Do kids even know how to do that anymore? Use their imagination? Build, create, color, write stories, read books, etc... Or are you content with screen addicted kids who are "bored" with free play?

Yes, because those are the only two alternatives, right? Either kids know how to play and enjoy a wide variety of interests, or they use electronics. Come on.

Um, not the PP but if my kid had free range of an iPad every weekend morning that is all they would do.

[Anonymous]

The app is called "parents." =D

[Anonymous]

Guided access does this it's in settings accessibility

[Anonymous]

Great info

[Anonymous]

There's a built in parental control that includes a timer. It's called guided access. You can set it up in the settings, under accessibility.

[Anonymous]

We tried a lot of apps and they were too much trouble. Guided access was a PITA.

The most successful thing we did was just to use the time on the app - and it has a big alarm that goes off when it's done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We tried a lot of apps and they were too much trouble. Guided access was a PITA.

The most successful thing we did was just to use the time on the ipad- and it has a big alarm that goes off when it's done.

Sorry, meant iPad. fixed above.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I have a few era effective app for this. It is called Me. You set a timer and carry it with you. Or you can even use the on on a microwave. When the timer goes off, you take the iPad away. Works every time.

The only time our kids play ipad is when they wake up early on weekends so that we can sleep in till 8, so your "app" would defy the entire point of letting have ipad time.

I'm posted above and I get it. I'm a single parent and I have my kid 24/7/365. It sounds like there are 2 parents in your household so alternate sleeping in. If you both want to sleep in, let them play with the iPads until you wake up. They won't self destruct if they play for an hour or two.

Or, you know, they could both sleep in and use an app so they kids don't spend the entire time on the iPad. Hence the OP's question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We tried a lot of apps and they were too much trouble. Guided access was a PITA.

The most successful thing we did was just to use the time on the ipad- and it has a big alarm that goes off when it's done.

Sorry, meant iPad. fixed above.

Wow, really? My 6 year old figured out how to disable the alarm before it went off! Switched to the timer on the stove, which he cannot reach.

[ThomK]

Yes, PP!

We've got a lot of articles on our blog http://treehouseeyes.com/the-myopia-blog/ about this topic - getting our kids more outdoor play and less screentime is very good for all sorts of health reasons.

Thanks.

Thom
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