Your Question

What's the best Android app for managing my child's screen time by encouraging physical activity?

Fitbit Ace is perfect for this. It pairs with a Fitbit device to lock a child's phone until daily activity goals are met, using gamification to promote movement over screen use.

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Fitbit Ace is a parental control app designed to encourage physical activity in children by linking it directly to device access. The core functionality involves pairing with a child's Fitbit activity tracker, such as the Ace series. Parents can set daily step or active minute goals within the app. Once these activity targets are achieved, the child earns time to use their Android phone or tablet, effectively creating a reward system that ties screen access to physical movement. The app provides parents with a dashboard to monitor activity progress, set schedules, and manage which apps remain accessible even during locked periods.

For the specific use case of managing screen time through activity, the app's strength lies in its direct cause-and-effect structure. Instead of simply imposing arbitrary screen limits, it provides a tangible, health-focused incentive for children. Real-world testing shows it can be effective for establishing routines, like requiring a certain amount of outdoor play before evening device use is permitted. However, the system requires a compatible Fitbit tracker, representing an additional hardware cost. Some parental controls, like managing notifications for messages, are noted by users as areas that could be more robust, lacking quick-reply functionality from the notification shade. The $9.99 monthly subscription for the associated Fitbit Premium service, which unlocks more advanced features and insights, is also a consideration for families budgeting for multiple children.

Key Features

Activity-Based Screen Time Lock
Parental Dashboard for Monitoring Goals
Customizable Schedules and App Allowances

"Perfect for my kid. Has great basic functions and keeps it walled off unless parent approval. 9.99 is a bit high for what it is and too bad there isn't an annual subscription for like 10 percent off or something." (5/5)

★★★★★Verified User Review
AndroidUpdated Dec 26, 2025
Fitbit Ace icon

Fitbit Ace

by Google LLC

3.5/ 5.0
Get on Google Play

Screenshots

Fitbit Ace screenshot 1
Fitbit Ace screenshot 2
Fitbit Ace screenshot 3

+4 more screenshots

Platform

Android