Child Screen Time

At a glance

• Editor score
  3.0 / 10
• Pricing
  Open source
• Best for
  Technical Android users wanting open-source screen limits
• Paid from
  Free
• Facts checked
  22 Sep 2026

• Where it wins

  • Minute-level usage tracking with daily allowances and extension credits
  • Blocking overlays, hardware-key controls, and media pausing
  • Tamper resistance through administrator protection and persistent monitoring

• Where it doesn't

  • Requires building and installing the app from source
  • Android-only deployment limits device coverage
  • Does not provide schedules, location tracking, or content filtering

Our verdict on Child Screen Time

Child Screen Time is an open-source parental-control application for Android devices. It is aimed at families who want detailed screen-time limits and usage monitoring, particularly technical Android users comfortable with a source-built mobile application. Daily time allowances, extension credits, minute-level tracking, fullscreen blocking overlays, hardware-key blocking, and automatic pausing for videos, games, and music form the core experience. The app requires Android 9.0 or later.

Setup is more involved than installing a typical consumer parental-control app. The project is installed by building it from source with Android Studio and Gradle. Operation also depends on usage-access, overlay, and device-administrator permissions. Persistent foreground-service monitoring, background monitoring with WorkManager, and battery-aware monitoring are intended to keep tracking active, while password-protected administrator settings and device-administrator support add resistance to tampering. Community support and documentation are the available support channels.

Its strongest fit is focused screen-time enforcement rather than broad family-safety coverage. The published feature set covers allowances, extension credits, activity reports, blocking overlays, media pausing, and monitoring, but does not include schedules, location tracking, verified content filtering, or app-specific blocking. Android-only deployment also narrows its ecosystem fit. Choose Child Screen Time if open-source software, detailed usage data, and control over the build process matter more than a guided setup or multi-platform controls. Families seeking location features, content filtering, or broader device coverage should choose an alternative built around those capabilities.

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Child Screen Time pricing

Child Screen Time fact sheet

Alternatives to Child Screen Time

• BarkA broad cross-platform monitor with schedules, blocking, alerts, and location tools.9.2
• QustodioA broad parental-control suite with AI safety alerts and five-platform coverage.9.0
• OurPactA broad parental-control toolkit for families managing up to 20 child devices.8.9

See all Child Screen Time alternatives →

Featured on iTechGuides

Child Screen Time is listed in our Parental Control Apps directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update