Do you often worry if your child is on their phone or tablet when they are supposed to be asleep at night? I admit I do! I usually have that gut feeling and urge to sneak in their rooms to catch them red handed. The truth is I have caught them more times, than I can count. And I am sure there has been many times, where they heard me coming thanks to the dog and put the devices away before I could get in the bedroom. Seriously, I know most people would say, “Why don’t you just take the devices up at night?” I mean that does seem like the reasonable thing to do. However, for many reasons I do try to avoid having to take up devices at night.
One reason is because they use their phones for alarm clocks, and the second reason is because they my husband works at night, and in case of an emergency if he couldn’t get a hold of me for some-odd reason I know one of the kids would pick up. However, that don’t mean I don’t have other restrictions set in place for phone usage during the night but the truth is there are still some restrictions I can’t fully set up like being on social networks and accessing certain apps in until now. Thanks to the new Goodnight app, I know instantly when my kids are using their devices when they’re not supposed to! This way, there is no more trying to sneak in bedrooms and auguring from them trying to convince me other wise.
What is the Goodnight App?
Goodnight is a new app that allows you to monitor your child on their mobile device to help you know when they are on their devices when they shouldn’t be AKA BED TIME. With your account, you can setup your child’s bedtime and wake time. Then you simply install the app on your child’s device, login with your account, and set the device to your child’s name. From that point on the device will be monitored.
Goodnight will alert you if your child is on their mobile device after their assigned bedtime. Think your child is smart enough to remove the application? Once installed and setup, if the app is deleted you will be emailed letting you know that the app’s “heartbeat” has not been received. Better yet if your like me I just turn on restrictions on my Phone so no apps can be deleted with out my secret code..
How to set up the Goodnight App:
Goodnight has to be installed on both parent’s and child’s device. The great thing is the devices don’t have to be the same platform (so iPhone to Android or visa versa). On your device, make your account and be sure to select parent. You will set up your kids’ names, bedtimes and wake times. Then, on your child’s device, sign in the same way you did on your device but choose child from the beginning menu and choose the right child. Watch the video below to watch the full sign up process.
My Thoughts:
My first thought when I learned about the app was ” I knew it was just a matter of time.” The truth is I have often wished there was a way that I could tell when my kids were on their phones or tablets when they were supposed to be sleeping! I knew, deep down; someone was going to make an app like this because let’s face it; there is almost an app for everything now!! So, trust me when say that I love this app that is totally an understatement. I have been waiting for years now so I was excited but the kids not so much!
Get the Goodnight App:
Download the App today in the iTunes store or Google Play for just $2.99 *You will have to purchase a copy for each device you wish to install Goodnight on. However, ff you are running iOS 8 you can use Family Sharing and not have to pay again for the other devices.*
Enter to win:
That’s right I am giving one lucky winner a $25 iTunes or Google play gift card (winner picks) so you can try the app out yourself free! So, enter below for your chance! This giveaway ends 3/2/2015 @ Noon EST. Winner will only have 48 hours to reply to either winning email, tweet or FB post so be sure to keep your eyes out. I would hate for you to miss out! a Rafflecopter giveaway
I make them leave them with me when they go to bed.
I take them before I go to bed
I set up parental control feature to help.
Thank you for the wonderful review of our app Goodnight. We really appreciate you taking the time to post about our latest app. We hope your readers enjoy the app and if anyone has any questions — please feel free to reach out to me personally about it.
Thanks!
Justin
I take advantage of the parental controls.
If I don’t want them on it, I put it up where they can’t get it. Problem solved.
They get X amount of time to use them a day and I monitor that and they follow.
I take them away when I don’t want them using them and put them where they can’t get them.
I use parental controls
We really do not have a way right now, have not had too many problems yet……but I am sure they will be coming!! This app would be wonderful!
My son leaves his iPod in my bedroom when he goes to bed so I know he’s not playing it when he’s supposed to be sleeping!
I put them up and they have to ask me to have time on them. They are getting older and sneaky though.
I make sure they are not on their devices when they aren’t allowed by using the parental controls!
andysavi.mom@gmail.com
We put them away for the night.
I make them leave them downstairs before they go to sleep.
My kids are grown so I don’t monitor their devices.
I have to physically take them from them.
We do not allow my daughter to take her electronics into her bedroom
Never had that problem. My daughter was grown up long before there were “devices”!
Our concern is them taking them to bed. We have our kids leave their devices in the living room when they are going to sleep.
They’re put up and away where only I know where they’re at.
They have to turn them off and leave them on the kitchen counter before they go to bed.
We all follow the general rule that we leave all tablets and laptops in the dining room and don’t take them into our bedroom with us at night, so that works pretty well!
They have designated times for this and when it’s not they’re put away by me.
thank you
I watch them and check in on them. I also have parental blocks on when possible.
Honestly I try not to micromanage my kids. If they have done what they are supposed to do (homework, rooms cleaned, ect) I leave it up to them how they choose to spend their free time.
We check on my oldest before before and then we just have to trust her. My youngest daughter still sleeps with me so I know when she is on her ipod. Thank you!
I have a basket that I make my boys put their tablets and phones in, when they aren’t playing with them.
My kids are grown, but I always made them charge them in the kitchen overnight.
I keep control of the device and they have to ask to use it.
i take the device from my nephew. problem solved. 😉
don’t have that problem, our kids are grown, and grandson is only 1 yrs old. But Im sure before you know it, I will need this app, thanks
They put their devices away outside their bedroom
I made it clear to my kids that I don’t want them on their tablets or phones when it’s lights out. I will random checks 15-20 minutes after bedtime. I’ve caught my 11 yr old on his ipod or tablet a couple times. I take it from him and put it on my desk downstairs. Thinking of making a rule of no electronics in the bedroom ever
We just have a few rules such as no devices at the table or in bed. Other than that we can use them freely with parental controls set up.
ITs better to take their devices and give them to them when they are allowed to use them
I limit their access time and make them use it close to where I am
I just take them away when I don’t want them on them. They do not have all day access to them.
Everyones is put in a special basket at supper time every night
I take them away and monitor their usage.
I have them keep them in the living room or dining room every night.
Their “devices” are left with me before bed.
I take them away .
I take the devices away!
I keep them until homework is done and at bedtime.
Thanks for a great giveaway!
Haven’t had to do this yet.
I take their devices into my bedroom at night when I go to bed. I also have a password lock on the main computer and laptops.
We put them away for the night when we go to bed.
We like to utilize parental controls on all devices.
take it away at night.
I tell ’em time’s up and they turn them off. So far we’ve been lucky, even the teen listens. 🙂
i use parental controls and i also take them away through out the day and when they are in bed