PapaTimeScreen time their kids
actually earn.
Kids do chores, earn tokens, then start their own iPad sessions — within the bedtime, daily limit, and schedule you set. You stay in Telegram. Just type or talk to the bot in plain language.
Quick answer
PapaTime is an iPad parental-control app where kids earn tokens by doing chores and spend them on their own screen time, inside the bedtime and daily limits parents set. Parents run everything from Telegram in plain English — no commands. Free during the private beta.
How it works
How does PapaTime turn chores into screen time?
Chores in. Self-served minutes out.
Three pieces, one closed loop. Set it up once and the rest happens on its own — no permission slips, no parent in the loop.
Kids do chores
Tasks live on the iPad. Kids tap "Done" and snap a photo. You approve in Telegram.
You stay in Telegram
Talk to the bot like a person — type or send a voice message. "Add three chores…", "Move bedtime to 10 tonight." It just works.
Kids run their own time
No asking permission. Kid taps "Buy 30 min" themselves, inside the bedtime + daily limit you set. iPad locks itself when time runs out.
Parent control
How do parents control screen time from Telegram?
Just talk to the bot. No commands to learn.
Tell PapaTime what you want in plain English — typed or spoken. Add a single chore, dictate a whole list, change bedtime for the night, top up tokens with a note. The bot understands.
Built for the long haul
What makes PapaTime different from other parental controls?
Every detail tuned for fewer fights.
Talk to the bot, don't command it
Plain English, typed or spoken. Dictate a list of chores in one voice message. Change bedtime by saying so. No /commands to memorise.
Kids self-serve their sessions
No 'can I have screen time?' a hundred times a day. Inside your bounds, they tap Buy 30 min themselves. You set the rails, they walk them.
Three-tier app shielding
Games locked unless time is active. Educational apps always available. Emergency apps never blocked — even at bedtime.
Bedtime that sticks
Set the window once. Outside it, the iPad shows 'Rest time' instead of being available — gentle, not punitive. Override for one night with a single message.
Homework first
Optional weekday block: nothing unlocks until the homework chore is approved. Reward tokens are configurable.
Pause and resume
Kid can pause an active session. Saved time isn't lost. Unused minutes refund as tokens at midnight.
Daily limits, flexibly
Daily max, free tokens at midnight, schedule windows — all adjustable. The iPad enforces them automatically so you don't have to police.
Quiet observability
Ask 'how's Mia doing today?' to see balance, usage, and active session — without weaponising the numbers. No shame, no scoreboards.
What do parents ask most about PapaTime?
What is PapaTime?
PapaTime is an iPad parental-control app where children earn tokens by doing chores and spend them on their own screen time, inside the bedtime and daily limits parents set. Parents control everything from a Telegram bot in plain English — text or voice messages, no slash commands.
How does the token system work?
Each chore has a token reward parents set (e.g., +5 for making the bed, +10 for homework). When the child completes a chore on the iPad and a parent approves it from Telegram, tokens credit instantly. The child then spends tokens to buy screen-time sessions in 15- or 30-minute blocks. Unused minutes refund as tokens at midnight.
Do I need to install anything besides the iPad app?
Just the iPad app and the Telegram messenger you already use. There is no separate parent app to learn. The PapaTime Telegram bot understands plain English (and voice messages), so you can add chores, top up tokens, change bedtime, or check status by just messaging it.
What happens at bedtime?
Outside the daily window you set, the iPad shows a gentle 'Rest time' screen instead of being available. Always-allowed apps (e.g., emergency contacts, e-readers) remain accessible. You can override bedtime for one night with a single Telegram message.
Is PapaTime free?
Yes — it is free during the private beta. Beta access is invitation-only; join the waitlist to be considered. Pricing for general availability has not been announced.
Does PapaTime work on Android?
Not yet. PapaTime is iPad-only on day one because it relies on Apple's FamilyControls and DeviceActivity frameworks, which do not exist on Android. An Android version is not on the immediate roadmap.
Try PapaTime with your family.
We're onboarding new families every week. Drop your email — we'll send a beta invite and a setup guide.