ScreenTreat Tips & Tricks

I’ve been using our app with my own kids for quite some time, and just wanted to share some tips and tricks to help you make the most of ScreenTreat. With the right approach, screen time can become a positive motivator for good behavior and healthy routines.

1. Building Trust with Your Child

ScreenTreat encourages kids to take responsibility by marking their tasks as completed. However, they should know that cheating leads to consequences - for example, blocking screen time for a few days.

What I do:

• I check their progress every two days to see which tasks have been completed.

• I talk with my kids about their progress and adjust tasks as needed.

My recommendation:
Do a check-in at least twice a week. It’s a great way to keep kids engaged, honest, and motivated.

2. Setting Screen Time Limits

No matter your child’s age, I suggest starting with a default daily balance of 30 minutes. Kids can then earn extra screen time by completing bonus tasks.

Suggested bonus time by age:

• Ages 6–9: 30 to 90 minutes of extra time (earned via bonus tasks).

• Older kids: 30 to 150 minutes of extra time.

Remember to also set night limits to ensure screens are off during bedtime. Adjust the schedule based on your family’s daily routine.

3. Must-Do Tasks: Build Positive Habits

I recommend setting 3 to 5 must-do tasks, with at least 1–2 that are easy to check at a glance (like making the bed).

Must-do tasks are perfect for forming daily habits. Start small, then adjust as your child grows. For example, my son used to forget to change out of his school uniform. We fixed this by adding a “Change clothes” task in ScreenTreat—it worked!

Top 5 Most Popular Must-Do Tasks:

1. Finish homework

2. Make bed

3. Brush teeth

4. Wash hands

5. Tidy the toys

You can fully customize must-do tasks to fit your family’s needs.

4. Bonus Tasks: Motivate with Rewards

Bonus tasks encourage kids to go above and beyond by rewarding them with extra screen time. For example, 30 minutes of reading can unlock 30 minutes of screen time.

If your child is hesitant to start, break tasks into smaller chunks and adjust over time.

Popular Bonus Tasks Among Parents:

• Reading a book

• Taking out the trash

• Emptying the dishwasher

• Doing sports

• Learning an instrument (like piano or guitar)

Again, the beauty of ScreenTreat is that you can customize everything.

5. Bedtime Rules

ScreenTreat makes it easy to set night curfews by simply selecting start and end times.

Tip: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends turning off screens at least 1 hour before bedtime. If your child goes to bed at 9 PM, set the night mode to start at 8 PM.

Some parents also block screen time until after school, only allowing access after 2 PM (while still keeping calls and messages open).

6. Blocking Apps

When setting up ScreenTreat, you’ll select which apps to block. Most parents toggle all apps, ensuring kids can’t access them without completing tasks.

Important Note: Apple’s built-in apps (like Safari, Phone, and Messages) remain accessible. If you want to block Safari, simply search for Safari in the app menu and check it off manually.

7. Remote Control: Manage Anytime, Anywhere

One of the most requested features is now live—remote management! You can now:

• Turn on unlimited time.

• Block screen time instantly.

• View and adjust your child’s current balance.

• Add, remove, or adjust tasks.

Changes are almost instant (just make sure the device is online). The only setting you need to adjust on your child’s device directly is the list of blocked apps.

You can even see detailed logs of completed tasks, giving you full visibility and preventing shortcuts.

Summary

I hope these tips help you make the best use of ScreenTreat and turn screen time into a positive, motivating tool for your family.

Have ideas on how we can make ScreenTreat even better? We’d love to hear from you! Drop us a note and let us know how it’s working for your family.