How to set time limits with Qustodio

With Qustodio, you can set screen time limits for each day of the week. You can also schedule screen-free times or instantly pause internet access. See how to get set up.

Daily time limits

To set daily screen time limits, follow these steps:

1. Open your Parents App or log into your Qustodio account on the web
2. Select the child that you want to set a time limit for
3. Go to Rules and choose Daily time limits
4. Use the tabs to go through each day of the week and use the wheel to set a screen time limit for each one. If you want the device to be blocked for the whole day, then select Block. To reset the limit to 24 hours, select Allow. That’s it!

If you want, you can customize what happens when your child reaches their time limit. To do this, go to Settings (within the Daily time limits page). You have three options:

• Lock navigation: Prevent web browsing and internet access
• Lock device: Block apps on Android, hide apps on iOS devices, and log out of session on desktop
• Alert me: Receive an email when your child reaches their limit

Note that the effects of Lock navigation and Lock device differ depending on the type of device your child has. See full details about how time limits work on each device type. 

Screen-free times

If you want to block access to devices during specific time periods, such as bedtime or study time, then you can do this using the Routines feature. Head here for full details about Routines.

If you are on an older Premium plan, you might see Restricted times instead of Routines. If so, follow these instructions to set screen-free times:

1. Go to your child’s Rules page and then Restricted times
2. Ensure Apply restricted times is toggled on
3. Highlight in red the time periods you want to restrict

Pause internet access

If you want to instantly pause internet access, follow these steps:

1. Open your Parents App or log into your Qustodio account on the web
2. Select your child
3. On the What’s happening now card, select the Pause button
4. Enter the amount of time you’d like to pause the internet for and select Confirm

Once you’ve paused internet access, you can edit the pause by returning to the Now card. Select the Play button to immediately unpause, or select the Settings icon to Edit its duration. 

Note that pause always overrides your scheduled time limit rules. If your child’s devices are already locked due to reaching their daily time limit or a restricted time, then you won’t see the option to pause.

Extra time

If you want to give your child some extra screen time without affecting your daily time limits setup, follow these steps:

1. Open your Parents App or log into your Qustodio account on the web
2. Select your child
3. On the What’s happening now card, select the Quick actions icon
4. Choose Add extra time
5. Enter the amount of extra time you want to add and confirm

For more information about extra time, head here.