What makes screen time calm?

Not every app is loud. The difference is a handful of design choices, and they are easy to check before you hand over the tablet.

1. No ads or autoplay

An ad breaks the child's attention and hands it to someone else. Apps that are free "with ads" are paid for with exactly that.

2. No timers, streaks or losing screens

Countdowns and "you lost" screens add pressure that a small child can't read as a game. Calm apps let a round end when the child decides.

3. Nothing to read, nothing to decode

If a game needs instructions, a pre-reader will guess — or tap randomly. Pictures, sound and a short demo should be enough.

4. A parent gate that actually works

Purchases, links and settings should sit behind something a grown-up can do and a four-year-old can't, such as reading a number written in words.

5. A natural end

A daily limit you set, and a friendly "see you tomorrow" screen, beat a tug-of-war over the device.

Every Pumlo app is built this way. See the apps →