Managing screen time has become a top priority for many families. Whether you’re trying to ensure your kids use technology responsibly, or you’re looking to stay productive yourself, there’s a tool out there for everyone. Screen time management tools come in various forms, from parental control apps to personal productivity boosters, and they can make a world of difference in maintaining balance in our digital lives.

Here’s a breakdown of 10 highly-rated tools that can help you and your family take charge of screen time.

For Parental Control

1. Google Family Link

Google Family Link is a great starting point for families with Android devices. This free app allows parents to set digital ground rules for their kids. You can manage app permissions, set screen time limits, and even track the location of your child’s devices.

One of the most useful features is the ability to remotely lock your child’s device when it's time for a break—like at dinnertime or bedtime. The app also provides activity reports so you can see how your child is spending their screen time.

Who it’s for: Families using Android devices who want basic parental controls without spending extra money.

2. Apple Screen Time

If you’re an Apple household, Screen Time is built right into the operating system of iPhones, iPads, and Macs. This tool helps you monitor how much time you and your kids spend on your devices, set app limits, and even schedule “downtime” during certain hours.

One standout feature is the ability to create content restrictions, so you can block apps or websites that aren't age-appropriate. Plus, it syncs effortlessly across Apple devices, making it easy to manage the whole family’s tech use.

Who it’s for: Families in the Apple ecosystem looking for seamless screen time tracking and control.

3. Qustodio

For parents who want more robust control options, Qustodio is an excellent choice. This app offers web filtering, app blocking, and location tracking, along with detailed activity reports that show what your kids are doing online.

Qustodio works across multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, and desktop computers. Its detailed monitoring tools make it especially good for parents looking to protect their kids from unsafe or inappropriate online content.

Who it’s for: Parents who want comprehensive monitoring and control across multiple devices.

4. Norton Family

Norton Family is another feature-packed parental control app that stands out for its web supervision and screen time management tools. It offers a “School Time” feature, which blocks distractions during virtual learning sessions—something many parents appreciate these days.

With Norton Family, you can also track your child’s location or get detailed reports on their online activity. It's great for families who want peace of mind when their kids are browsing the internet or using apps.

Who it’s for: Parents who want detailed activity supervision alongside screen time management.

5. Bark

Bark focuses on online safety by monitoring social media, emails, and text messages for potentially risky behavior, such as cyberbullying or exposure to inappropriate content. While Bark doesn’t block apps like other tools on this list, its primary goal is to keep parents informed about their children’s digital interactions.

This app works in the background, so your children can still use their devices naturally while Bark alerts you to any red flags.

Who it’s for: Parents who are more concerned about online safety and communication monitoring than app restrictions.

For Productivity & Focus

6. Forest

Forest is a creative approach to beating phone addiction. The app encourages you to stay off your device and focus by growing virtual trees. If you leave the app to scroll through social media, your tree dies—a visual motivator to stick to your tasks.

Forest is great because it gamifies focus time. Parents can even make it a family challenge by competing to see whose garden thrives the most!

Who it’s for: Anyone looking for a fun way to stay focused, either individually or as a family.

7. RescueTime

Ever wonder where all your time goes during the day? RescueTime provides detailed reports on how you’re spending time on your devices. It tracks your app usage, website visits, and productivity levels, offering insights that can help you identify and eliminate distractions.

RescueTime even has a “Focus Time” feature, which blocks distracting websites while you’re working. It’s like having a personal productivity coach.

Who it’s for: People who need help understanding and improving their digital habits.

8. Opal

Opal is designed to help you regain control over your attention in a world of endless notifications. You can create “focus sessions” that block distracting apps for a set period of time, helping you stay on task.

What’s wonderful about Opal is its flexibility. You can customize settings to allow certain apps—like educational ones or work tools—while still limiting distractions like social media.

Who it’s for: Professionals or students who need help staying focused during work or study sessions.

9. One Sec

One Sec takes a subtle but smart approach to managing screen time. The app creates a brief pause whenever you try to open a potentially distracting app. This delay gives you a moment to ask yourself, “Do I really need to open this right now?”

It’s surprisingly effective for curbing impulsive scrolling habits. If you catch yourself opening Instagram or YouTube too often without thinking, One Sec helps you stop in your tracks.

Who it’s for: Anyone looking to break the habit of mindless app usage.

10. StayFocusd

StayFocusd is a Chrome extension that provides hard limits on how much time you can spend on distracting websites. If you know Facebook or YouTube is eating into your productivity, this tool can restrict access for as long as you need.

One of its best features is the “Nuclear Option,” which immediately blocks all designated sites for a set amount of time. It’s harsh—but effective if you need to hit those deadlines.

Who it’s for: People who primarily need to manage distractions while working on a computer.

Choosing the Right Tool

Not sure which tool is best for you? Here are some tips to make the right choice:

  • Identify Your Needs: Are you looking for parental controls, or do you need help staying focused yourself? Start by identifying your primary goal.
  • Consider the Platform: Some tools work better on Android, others on iOS. If you’re choosing for the family, pick one that works across all the devices you use.
  • Check the Features: Do you want detailed monitoring, just screen time limits, or web filtering? Match the tool to your priorities.