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Ask HN: Parents: Best screen-time limiting software?

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Ask HN: Parents: Best screen-time limiting software?

#1

Post by hazard »

Recently I set my nine year old up with an old Linux desktop as his first real computer. Of course he is set up in the living room, no headphones, and with a kids Google account that I can fully monitor.

Right now a pain point is trying to set time limits on websites (like youtubekids or lego.com) because although I don't object to them per se, I also don't want him to spend hours browsing the lego website, watching videos, etc.

On iOS devices there are good tools that allow granular level time blocking of websites, apps, etc. Does anyone know of any tools that allow even basic password-protected time blocking on desktop browsers, or a cross-platform (iOS/Linux) time limiter?

Re: Ask HN: Parents: Best screen-time limiting software?

#2

Post by brntsllvn »

This might help?

https://ubuntuhandbook.org/index.php/2021/11/time-limits-for...

I use a physical kitchen eggtimer to signal to my son it's time for a break. I joke that the eggtimer is compatible with all operating systems, has less setup and maintenance than any (let's be honest) linux application and generally forces me to get out of my chair to turn it off. It's simple, but it works.

Re: Ask HN: Parents: Best screen-time limiting software?

#4

Post by master_crab »

Unfortunately/fortunately (depending on your relationship with Apple) iOS is probably the best “general-purpose” OS for limiting screen time. I’m sure there are a lot of in-app tools you can use in android, but nothing for the entire ecosystem

(conversely those in-app controls notoriously make it difficult to unify controls in iOS as well)

Re: Ask HN: Parents: Best screen-time limiting software?

#7

Post by lencastre »

The best advice is no blocking, open and frank conversation, showing interest for what they are watching, and being available when they see something they don’t understand.

Every child is different, some will be more addicted to the internet but in different levels and in different ways. And kids are smart, and will find ways to get what they want outside your monitoring.

To guide (not force) them to seek interesting YouTube channels, can be very rewarding, and even healthy. Develop their curiosity and be ready to explain.

In the extreme of blocking and over protection may have the opposite results and resentment.

All this is easier said than done.

Full disclosure: pi-hole, iOS screen time, and Microsoft family safety

Re: Ask HN: Parents: Best screen-time limiting software?

#9

Post by Someone1234 »

sorokod wrote: post #6

That should be your responsibility mate. Use a timer if you need one, five min before it rings let your offspring know (no one likes to be interrupted in the middle), once the time is up that is it.

> That should be your responsibility mate.

This type of commentary online is contradictory and lazy.

- Parent puts in effort to manage their child's time (and or access).

WHY AREN'T YOU PARENTING?!

- Parent doesn't put in effort to manage their child's time (and or access).

WHY AREN'T YOU PARENTING?!

Plus when a parent really goes whole-hog on the whole protective thing they get criticized for being authoritarian and or not allowing their kid to make mistakes/grow into an adult.

The direct implication here is that a child should only have exactly as much time on technology as the parent has free time to sit behind them and look over their shoulder. Yet if you phased a parent doing that as a question from the child's point-of-view, it would get HEAVILY criticized (and perhaps not incorrectly either). In essence all parenting today exists in a super position (or "Schrödinger's Parenting" if you will) wherein everything they do is incorrect and or a complete contradiction.

Seemingly to comes from two groups:

- Those who have never had kids.

- Those who had kids before technology really existed like it does today.

These people don't really have anything valuable to offer the discussion.

Re: Ask HN: Parents: Best screen-time limiting software?

#10

Post by sorokod »

lencastre wrote: post #7

The best advice is no blocking, open and frank conversation, showing interest for what they are watching, and being available when they see something they don’t understand. Every child is different, some will be more addicted to the internet but in different levels and in different ways. And kids are smart, and will find ways to get what they want outside your monitoring. To guide (not force) them to seek interesting…

Content and time limit are distinct issues. There is much to say about content but time limit is simple:

* there should be one

* it will make no sense to a child as something they enjoy and is available in unlimited quantity, will be taken away for no reason they understand

* It will come down to an argument from authority and one needs to be strong, emotionally intelligent and sensitive to make that work.

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