How should I set up a shared family device, e.g. as a Media Player?

Sometimes multiple kids use the same device, such as the common "shared family iPad" scenario. In this case, it's impossible to track each kid's usage separately, since there's no way for them to identify who is using it at a given time.

Instead of tracking individual kids' times, we recommend setting up the device in Screen Trainer mode and with a daily time allotment of zero minutes, which allows you to keep track of whenever it's being used since you'll get regularly notified about it. That way it doesn't disappear into a kid's room for hours when you're not aware.

How do I set up a shared device?

  1. From the Screenable app on your phone, add a new device.
  2. When asked, create a new kid that represents who will be using it (maybe called "all kids" or "Frankie and Ellen", etc).
  3. Choose the mode you want. For example:
    • Dumb Phone - this is good for a shared, pared-down communications device at home, almost like a landline.
    • Screen Trainer - this is good for general app usage, almost like a media player. See below for more details.

How do I set it up as a Media Player?

Choose Screen Trainer as your device mode, and set it up as follows:

  • For Daily limits, choose "0 minutes". With a zero-minute allotment, it means that each day they'll immediately be in Overtime, so you'll get regular reminders about their usage.
  • For Overtime, choose "Allowed" and then choose the frequency of usage notifications you want to get while your kid(s) are using the device.
  • For Apps with no time limit, only select those you want your kid(s) to be able to use without you getting any notifications about it. We usually recommend audiobooks, reading apps, and maybe FaceTime.

With those settings, here's what the experience will be like:

  1. When the device is first picked up for the day, all apps will be locked down (except for system apps like Settings and Clock, or any apps you've chosen as apps with no time limits), like this:
Each day, all apps start "locked down"
  1. When your kid taps an app, they'll see the following screen:
Zero-minute screen time allotment
  1. If they tap "Start anyway", all apps on the device will become unlocked, so they'll be able to use them. You will receive a notification to let you know the device is being used.
  2. At whatever duration you've specified for your Overtime reminders, your kid will get a warning block screen like the following:
Periodic overtime reminders
  1. If they opt to keep going, again the apps will be unlocked until the next reminder, and you'll receive a notification that they continued using the device.
  2. Kids will continue to get these warnings at same overtime reminder interval you've chosen, and you'll get notified each time they decide to keep going.