Best Screen Time Apps for Students

How often does your student start a task only to get sidetracked by YouTube or Instagram? It’s a common struggle that affects students, parents, and educators alike. To help tackle this challenge, SmartSocial.com has curated a guide to the best screen time management apps. This resource explores the pros and cons of top apps, offering insights to help students stay focused, balance digital use, and build healthier tech habits. 

Educators and parents: Guide your students' reflection and discussion with this student worksheet. (Log in to your Google account and select File-->Make a Copy)

What is a screen time app?

• Screen time management apps are third-party apps that work within your phone by either blocking distracting apps for a specific time period or creating “friction,” or a delay, to opening the apps
• These apps are useful for students and parents alike who are trying to reduce the amount of passive screen time they spend on their devices
• There are both free and paid options available for all devices, though some may not have options for both Apple and Android phones
• Most of these apps differ from parental control apps because students will have the ability to set it up and control app settings themselves from their own smartphone
• For parents looking for social media monitoring, location tracking, or additional parental controls, they should review our other parental control resources to help them find the best parental control apps for their child's phone

AppBlock

• AppBlock allows Android and iOS users to temporarily block apps or websites via customizable schedules, location or Wi-Fi triggers. Its Strict Mode locks in your settings using timers, PINs, charger unlock, cooldown delays, or requiring approval
• A Pomodoro-style focus mode helps balance focused work and breaks
• It tracks app usage and delivers reports to help users understand and improve their digital habits
• A free version is available with basic features that are limited to a certain number of schedules and blocked items
• Paid upgrades add advanced tools like Quick Block, Allowlisting, Launch Count limits, content-specific filtering, automatic blocking of newly installed apps, adult content filtering, and browser extensions for desktops

One Sec

• One Sec is based on the idea that if users are asked to think twice before diving into their go-to social media apps, they're more aware of compulsive social media use and more likely to redirect their attention to something more productive
• Students can choose their most distracting app to manage (multiple apps require the paid version)
• Before opening the app, users go through a 10-second breathing exercise that interrupts automatic scrolling
• The app asks users to reflect on why they’re opening it—helping them separate purposeful use from boredom
• Pop-ups show how many times the user has tried to open the app that day, making patterns of overuse more visible
• The app claims to reduce app usage by 57% on average (source: One Sec)

StayFree

• StayFree is a screen time tracker and self-control app designed for Android users
• The app monitors time spent on each app with clear visuals like pie charts and bar graphs
• It lets users set daily app limits and sends notifications when nearing or exceeding them
• Focus Mode temporarily disables selected apps based on custom schedules to support focus
• Motivational reminders are given by showing uplifting quotes when apps are overused to gently encourage healthier habits
• There is both a free and paid version of this app availible

ClearSpace

• ClearSpace is a screen time management app that creates friction to delay the opening of a specific app and allows users to set screen time limits
• Its goal is to make users more mindful of their screen time 
• ClearSpace users can connect one social media app for free. There is a monthly or annual subscription for unlimited connected apps
• After designating an app to manage, every time that social media app is opened, ClearSpace will open instead and prompt a breathing exercise and a motivational quote. The user will then select the desired amount of time to spend on the app. When the time limit is reached, the social media app closes
• The app is available for Apple devices and there is a Google Chrome extension

HabitLab

• HabitLab is an Android app or Chrome extension created by Stanford University as an open-source research project to help users reduce their amount of screen time
• The program offers 20 different interventions from blocking or pausing videos, hiding feeds, or showing notifications if you’ve been on one site for too long
• HabitLab learns which types of interventions work best for the user based on activity and continues to use it to help reduce screen time

Opal: Screen Time for Focus

• Opal is a screen time management app that allows users to create schedules to help limit screen time and reduce the amount of passive scrolling
• Users will select individual apps and create a schedule and when users attempt to open the controlled apps within the blackout period, they will be blocked
• Opal allows users to “Snooze” the block and access the desired app for a select number of minutes
• Users can try Opal for free for 7 days, but after that there is a monthly or annual subscription to use the app
• There is a social media element to Opal that allows users to connect with friends and check on their screen time progress

Forest: Focus for Productivity

• Forest is available for a one-time fee on the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store
• This focus app is gamified to motivate users to reduce their screen time
• Users open the app when they want to reduce distractions or block apps and focus on a task such as studying, working, or exercising. They select the amount of time to focus, plant a virtual “seed,” and start their work. The seed will grow into a plant unless the user leaves the focus early and then the plant will die
• During the focus mode, all apps will be blocked by Forest and a reminder will be given to get back to work
• Users can create an allowed list for access to specific apps during the focus mode
• Forest claims they will plant up to 5 real trees per user when certain focus goals are met
• There is a social aspect to this app, allowing users to friend each other and see their focus achievements
• There are a few opportunities for in-app purchases

ScreenZen-Screen Time Control

• ScreenZen is a screen time management app that allows users to customize the social media apps, along with days, and times they will be blocked
• The app is free and available for both iOS and Android devices, but there are opportunities for in-app purchases
• Users can set the level of app management from creating a pause before an app will open to completely blocking the app from opening

Freedom: Screen Time Control

• Freedom is a screen time control program that can be used on iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Chromebook, and Linux
• Users can create screen time schedules and link them across different devices, which can be used for a family to track and manage screen time
• Features include blocking the entire internet, blocking certain apps or websites, creating an advanced schedule, or turning on ambient noise during focus time
• Freedom can be purchased for a monthly, annual, or lifetime subscription, but there is a 7 day free trial available

More resources for parents, students, & educators

‍Parental Controls on Student Devices

‍Parents Guide to iPhone Parental Controls (and Other Apple Devices)

‍Google Family Link Guide for Parents & Educators

‍Making Screen Time Fun While Reducing the Negative Impact‍

10 Screen Time Management Tips to Prevent Addiction‍

Balancing Video Game Screen Time for Teens

Conclusion

Our exploration of the best screen time management apps reveals there's no one-size-fits-all solution; each app comes with its unique set of features and pros and cons tailored to different needs and preferences. By integrating these tools into daily routines, students can significantly reduce the amount of time spent on distracting apps, enhance productivity, and foster a healthier relationship with their digital devices. We encourage students, parents, and educators to consider these apps as valuable allies in the quest for balanced digital consumption. Ultimately, the goal is to empower students to make conscious choices about their screen time, ensuring that it supports rather than hinders their academic achievements and personal well-being.