Screen Time Limits for Kids:
Android Settings Every Parent Should Know
Too much screen time is a real concern for Indian parents. Android has several built-in tools to help — here is how to use all of them, including brand-specific settings on Xiaomi, Samsung, and Realme.
Last updated: June 2026 · 6 min read
Option 1: Google Family Link (Best for Under-13)
Family Link gives you the most control — daily time limits, bedtime lockdowns, and app-by-app approvals. The phone locks automatically when the limit is reached; your child can only make calls.
Set up Family Link
Install Google Family Link on your phone, create a supervised Google account for your child, and link their Android device. See our full setup guide for step-by-step instructions.
Open the Family Link app → select your child
Tap Screen time → Set limits. You can set different daily limits for school days and weekends.
Set a bedtime schedule
Under Bedtime, set the hours when the phone locks automatically. A common setting: lock at 9 PM on school nights, 10 PM on weekends.
Set per-app time limits (optional)
Tap App activity → tap any app → Set timer. Useful for capping YouTube or games without restricting the whole phone.
Option 2: Digital Wellbeing (Any Android, Age 13+)
Digital Wellbeing is built into Android and does not require a supervised account. It is less strict — your child can override limits — but it is the fastest way to add time awareness without a full Family Link setup.
Go to Settings → Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls. You will see your child's app usage for the day. Tap any app to set a daily timer. When the timer runs out, the app icon grays out and can only be unlocked by going back into Digital Wellbeing settings.
Enable Bedtime mode to automatically enable Do Not Disturb and switch the screen to grayscale at a set time each night.
Brand-Specific Controls
Xiaomi / Redmi / POCO
Settings → Screen Time (MIUI 13+) or Settings → Digital Wellbeing
MIUI has its own Screen Time feature that includes app timers and a Kids Mode with a PIN. Kids Mode locks the phone to a curated set of apps and cannot be exited without the PIN.
Samsung (One UI)
Settings → Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls
Samsung also has a Focus mode that disables distracting apps on a schedule. Parental Controls links to Google Family Link from here.
Realme / OPPO / OnePlus
Settings → Digital Wellbeing or Settings → Kids Space
Kids Space (on some models) creates a locked child environment with curated apps. For general limits, Digital Wellbeing app timers work the same as stock Android.
Motorola
Settings → Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls
Stock Android with minimal customisation. Family Link is the better option for Moto phones for children.
Recommended Limits by Age
1 hour / day
Video calls with family excluded. Co-viewing with a parent only.
1–2 hours / day
School days: 1 hour. Weekends: 2 hours. Homework apps excluded from timer.
2–3 hours / day
Social media and games capped. Educational content excluded.
Agreed upon together
At this age, a family agreement works better than hard limits. Focus on phones off after 10 PM.
How Children Try to Get Around Limits
⚠️ Switching to a different Google account
Fix: Remove all other accounts from the phone. Only the supervised account should remain.
⚠️ Changing the date/time on the phone
Fix: In Family Link, disable the child's ability to change date and time in device settings.
⚠️ Factory resetting the phone
Fix: Family Link ties the supervised account to the device. After a reset, the account still requires parental supervision to set up.
⚠️ Using a browser instead of the app
Fix: Enable SafeSearch and set daily browser time limits separately under Digital Wellbeing.