Bedtime & Screen Time Rules

TL;DR — Set up bedtime lock in 30 seconds:

1. Go to Rules → Time Rules → Restricted Windows
2. Set bedtime start and end time (e.g., 10 PM - 6 AM)
3. Save — phone locks automatically every night

Essential apps (calls, messages, alarms) still work during bedtime.

How do I lock my child's phone at bedtime?

This is the most searched question — and the easiest to solve. Bedtime mode locks the device on schedule. When active, the device shows a "Bedtime" screen and only essential apps work. No more phone-under-the-pillow battles.

Setting Up Bedtime Lock

1. Go to Rules → Time Rules
2. Find "Restricted Time Windows"
3. Tap "Add Window" or edit existing
4. Set start time, end time, and days
5. Save

That is it. The phone locks automatically every night at the time you set, and unlocks in the morning.

Age-Based Bedtime Defaults

When you select your child's age profile, bedtime is pre-configured:

Age Group	Bedtime Start	Bedtime End
Young Kids (5-10)	10:00 PM	6:00 AM
Middle School (11-15)	10:30 PM	5:00 AM
High School (16-17)	11:00 PM	5:00 AM

Pro tip: Set different bedtimes for weekdays vs weekends:

• Weekdays: 9:30 PM - 6:00 AM (before tuition next morning)
• Weekends: 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM

What Works During Bedtime

Even during bedtime, these essential apps always work:

• Phone (calls)
• Messages (SMS)
• WhatsApp
• Maps
• Clock (for alarms)
• Calculator

This ensures your child can:

• Call you in an emergency
• Respond to important messages
• Use their alarm clock

How do I set daily screen time limits?

Daily limits cap total screen time per day. Once the limit is reached, the device locks — even if it is the middle of the afternoon.

Age-Based Defaults

When you select your child's age profile, daily limits are pre-configured:

Age Group	Mobile Limit	Computer Limit
Young Kids (5-10)	3 hours	6 hours
Middle School (11-15)	4 hours	8 hours
High School (16-17)	6 hours	12 hours

Customizing Daily Limits

1. Go to Rules → Time Rules
2. Find "Daily Screen Time Limit"
3. Adjust the hours (max 12 hours)
4. Save

What counts toward the limit:

• Active app usage
• Web browsing
• Video watching

What doesn't count:

• Phone calls
• Essential apps (messages, maps)
• Background music

Can I block apps during school or homework time?

Yes. Beyond bedtime, you can create additional restricted windows for any recurring time block.

School Hours Example

Block recreational apps during school:

1. Go to Rules → Time Rules → Restricted Windows
2. Tap "Add Window"
3. Name it "School Hours"
4. Set time: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
5. Set days: Monday - Friday
6. Save

During school hours, only essential and educational apps work.

Homework / Tuition Time Example

Enforce focus during homework or after-school tuition:

1. Add a new restricted window
2. Name it "Homework Time"
3. Set time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM (or match your child's tuition schedule)
4. Set days: Monday - Friday

Tip: Allow educational apps during homework time by going to App Rules and marking them as "Always Allowed."

What time controls does ParentalEdge offer?

ParentalEdge gives you three independent ways to control screen time, and they all work together:

1. Restricted time windows — Bedtime, school hours, homework time. The device locks during these windows regardless of remaining daily time.
2. Device-wide daily limits — Total screen time per day. Once used up, the device locks.
3. App-specific limits — Per-app time budgets. For example, YouTube gets 1 hour per day, even if the overall limit is 3 hours.

Your child might have 3 hours of daily screen time, but also a bedtime window where the device is locked regardless of remaining time. These layers give you precise control without having to micromanage.

What if my child needs more time?

Sometimes rules need to bend. ParentalEdge makes this easy without changing permanent limits:

How Extensions Work

1. Your child hits their limit or a restricted window starts
2. They tap "Request More Time"
3. You get a notification
4. You can grant 15 min, 30 min, 1 hour, or 2 hours

Granting Extensions

From the parent app:

1. See the request notification
2. Tap to open
3. Choose extension duration
4. Your child's device unlocks immediately

You can also proactively extend time:

1. Go to your child's device in the dashboard
2. Tap "Extend Time"
3. Choose duration

This is useful during exam season when your child legitimately needs more screen time for studying, or during holidays when you want to be more relaxed.

Pro Tips

Be consistent with bedtime. Changing bedtime frequently undermines the rule. Kids adapt better to consistent limits.

Start generous, then tighten. It is easier to reduce screen time gradually than to start strict and face rebellion.

Use the Activity insights. Check when your child actually uses their device. You might discover they are spending most of their screen time right before bed — which means the daily limit is fine but bedtime needs to be earlier.

Weekend flexibility matters. Slightly later bedtimes and longer limits on weekends feel fair to kids and reduce arguments.

Exam season adjustments. During board exams or mid-terms, consider temporarily extending daily limits for educational apps while keeping social media and gaming restricted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my child change the clock to bypass bedtime?

No. ParentalEdge uses server time, not device time. Changing the device clock does not affect restrictions.

What if there's a power outage or emergency?

Essential apps always work. Your child can always call or message you, even during bedtime or when the daily limit is reached.

How do I temporarily disable all restrictions?

Tap your child's device and select "Unlock Device". This pauses all restrictions until you re-enable them. Useful for holidays, family movie nights, or when your child has a legitimate reason.

My child says they need more time for homework.

Check the Activity tab to see how they are actually using their time. If homework apps show low usage but YouTube and Instagram show high usage, the request might not be genuine. Share the data with your child — it is a good conversation starter.

Can I set different rules for weekdays and weekends?

Yes. Restricted windows can be configured per day of the week. Most families set stricter bedtimes on school nights (9:30 PM) and more relaxed times on weekends (11:00 PM). Daily limits can also vary — 3 hours on school days, 5 hours on weekends.

Does bedtime lock work if my child's phone is in airplane mode?

Yes. Bedtime rules are enforced locally on the device. Even without internet, the phone locks at the scheduled time. Your child cannot bypass bedtime by turning off WiFi or mobile data.

What You Should Do Now

1. Right now: Set up bedtime lock — it takes 30 seconds and ends the phone-under-the-pillow problem tonight
2. This week: Set daily screen time limits based on your child's age (use the defaults as a starting point)
3. If needed: Add a homework or school hours window so the phone does not distract during study time
4. Ongoing: Check Activity insights weekly to see if your limits match your child's actual usage patterns

---

Series Complete! You have learned the three pillars of ParentalEdge:

• Web Safety
• App Controls
• Time Rules

Need help with a specific situation? Check our FAQ or explore more guides in the Blog.