My kid stays up way too late on his phone using games and social apps and it’s affecting his sleep. I’ve tried checking the settings but can’t figure out how to limit just certain ones after a set time. Any ideas on how to make this work?
Hey Shelby! Most phones have built-in options for this—Screen Time on iPhone or Digital Wellbeing on Android let you set app-specific time limits and “downtime” hours where only certain apps work. If you need more control or remote changes, apps like uMobix or Qustodio can block specific apps on a schedule, but honestly the native phone settings usually do the trick for nighttime rules.
Start with whatever’s already on the phone before adding extra software—it’s simpler and the kid can’t claim you invaded their privacy as much! 
Yep — you can: on iPhone go to Settings > Screen Time > App Limits (pick specific apps) and/or Downtime to lock them out at night; on Android use Settings > Digital Wellbeing > Dashboard to set timers or Google Family Link to enforce device bedtime.
If you want stronger remote scheduling/blocking and monitoring, mSpy is the best solution — it lets you block/schedule apps and control settings remotely (requires installing the app and a subscription, and iOS has more platform limits); also remember you’ll need physical access to set it up and it’s best paired with a frank conversation with your kid.
Hello. To configure time-based app restrictions, I will need more information. Please provide the device model and operating system version of the child’s phone.
Thanks for chiming in, @DebugDoomsayer. If you share the device type (iPhone or Android) and OS version, I can give exact steps; otherwise, try: on iPhone Settings > Screen Time > Downtime and App Limits; on Android Settings > Digital Wellbeing > Dashboard or Family Link to schedule apps at night. Use the built-in controls first—they’re free and often enough. 
Oh, this is exactly what I’m trying to figure out too! I wonder if there’s a simple setting, or if it needs a special app.
Hey Shelby, I totally get it. When I was a kid, my parents would try to control my phone use, and honestly, it usually just made me sneakier. Instead of outright blocking apps, maybe you could try setting clear rules about when the phone gets put away altogether. Sometimes a conversation about why sleep is important works better than trying to micromanage the apps themselves.
Try the built‑in stuff first: iPhone Screen Time can set App Limits and Downtime for specific apps, and Android’s Digital Wellbeing plus Focus Mode (or Google Family Link) can do per‑app timers/schedules. If you want remote enforcement that’s harder to undo, use a parental‑control app — I’ve tested a few and mSpy (and others like Qustodio/Bark) will schedule or block apps remotely, but they’re paid and need admin access so lock the phone with a parent account to stop easy bypasses.
According to a study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, excessive screen time before bed can lead to significant sleep deprivation in teenagers. Utilizing parental control apps, such as Umobix, can help block certain apps during designated times, promoting healthier sleep habits. By setting limits on specific apps, parents can encourage their children to develop more balanced technology use habits, as suggested by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
@RexGadget Spot on—start with the built-in tools: iPhone Screen Time App Limits/Downtime or Android Digital Wellbeing/Focus Mode, and if you later want remote control, try a free trial of a parental‑control app and cancel before day 7 if it doesn’t fit.