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App Controls That Just Work

7 min read

The App Control Philosophy

ParentalEdge takes a smart defaults approach to app control:

  1. Known dangerous apps are automatically blocked — you never see them
  2. Age-appropriate apps are allowed — no need to approve every app
  3. You control the exceptions — block or limit specific apps as needed

The 7 App Categories

Every app on your child's device falls into one of these categories:

1. Games

Default: Allowed with 1-hour daily limit
Examples: Minecraft, Roblox, Candy Crush, PUBG

2. Social Media

Default: Blocked for Elementary/Pre-Teen, Allowed for Teen
Examples: Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook

3. Communication

Default: Allowed (these are essential)
Examples: WhatsApp, Telegram, Phone, Messages

4. Education

Default: Allowed with no limits
Examples: Khan Academy, Duolingo, Google Classroom, Photomath

5. Entertainment

Default: Allowed
Examples: YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, Prime Video

6. Restricted

Default: Always blocked
Examples: Dating apps, gambling, VPNs, vault apps

7. Other

Default: Allowed
Examples: Weather, Calculator, Maps, System apps

Auto-Blocked Dangerous Apps

ParentalEdge maintains a constantly updated list of harmful apps that are blocked automatically — you don't need to configure anything.

What's Auto-Blocked:

Dating & Adult Apps

  • Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, OkCupid
  • Grindr, Her, and 50+ regional variants
  • OnlyFans and similar platforms

Gambling & Fantasy Sports

  • Dream11, MPL, Teen Patti
  • Rummy apps, poker apps
  • Cryptocurrency trading (Binance, WazirX)

Vault & Hide Apps

  • Calculator vaults (apps disguised as calculators)
  • App hiders, file lockers
  • Private browsers

VPN & Bypass Tools

  • NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark
  • Psiphon, Tor Browser
  • Proxy apps

Anonymous Chat

  • Omegle, NGL, Tellonym
  • Whisper, Yik Yak
  • Random video chat apps

Predatory Loan Apps (common in India)

  • KreditBee, LazyPay
  • Apps known for harassment and data misuse

AI Companion Apps

  • Replika, Chai, Character.AI
  • Apps that create emotional dependency

Deepfake/Face Swap Apps

  • Reface, FaceApp
  • Apps that could be used for inappropriate content

Setting Up Custom App Rules

Block a Specific App

Your child is spending too much time on a particular app:

  1. Go to Rules → App Rules
  2. Find the app or tap "Add App"
  3. Set action to "Block"
  4. Save

Set a Daily Time Limit

Allow an app but limit usage:

  1. Go to Rules → App Rules
  2. Find the app (e.g., YouTube)
  3. Set action to "Limit"
  4. Enter daily limit (e.g., 1 hour)
  5. Save

The app locks automatically when the limit is reached. Your child sees a friendly "Time's up" message.

Allow an App Only at Certain Times

The most powerful feature — time windows:

  1. Go to Rules → App Rules
  2. Find the app (e.g., TikTok)
  3. Set action to "Allow"
  4. Tap "Add Time Window"
  5. Set days (e.g., Weekdays) and time (e.g., 5 PM - 7 PM)
  6. Save

Example: "YouTube allowed 4-6 PM on school days, 9 AM - 8 PM on weekends"

Always-Allowed Apps

During restricted times (bedtime, school hours), these apps always work:

  • Phone (emergency calls)
  • Messages (SMS)
  • WhatsApp (family contact)
  • Maps (safety/navigation)
  • Clock (alarms)
  • Calculator

You cannot disable essential apps — this is a safety feature.

Pro Tips

Don't over-restrict initially. Start with default settings. Over-blocking causes frustration and encourages workarounds.

Use limits instead of blocks. "1 hour of YouTube" teaches self-regulation. "No YouTube ever" creates resentment.

Review the blocked attempts. Check Activity → Blocked to see what your child tried to access. This informs better rules.

Gaming limits work. The default 1-hour game limit is research-backed and works for most families.

Common Questions

What if my child needs an auto-blocked app?

Some VPNs are legitimately used for school. If needed, contact us and we can add exceptions.

Can my child download blocked apps?

ParentalEdge blocks the app from running, not from downloading. They might install it, but it won't open.

How do limits reset?

Daily limits reset at midnight in your timezone. Usage resets fresh each day.

What happens when a limit is reached?

The app closes with a "Time limit reached" message. Your child can request more time, and you'll get a notification.

What's Next: Learn how to set up bedtime rules and screen time limits in Bedtime & Screen Time Rules.