Ripple
My Kid Takes a Phone to School and Watches Short Videos: A School Hours Schedule on Android and iPhone
Many parents give their child a phone so they can reach them on the way home. At school the phone comes out during breaks and study periods for a few minutes of short videos. This page shows how to set a school hours schedule so entertainment apps stay closed during the day while calls and messaging keep working.
Suggested school schedule
Keep only contact apps
During school hours keep calls, texts, a messaging app and maps. Block short video apps, games and the browser.
Class groups still work
On Android block only WeChat Channels and Moments. See the WeChat Channels page.
Clock changes do nothing
Time is counted from device uptime. See the clock change page.
Kids with an iPhone
On iOS 16 and later blocking runs through Apple frameworks. See the iPhone page.
Setup steps
Install Ripple
On Android install the APK and turn on the accessibility service. On iPhone you need iOS 16 or later and Screen Time permission.
Create a school schedule
Pick Monday to Friday and match the school day, for example 7:30 AM to 5 PM.
Choose apps to block
Block short video apps, games and the browser. On Android, under WeChat select only Channels and Moments.
Set a parent unlock code
The parent keeps the code. Turning off a limit or uninstalling asks for it.
Turn on uninstall protection
On Android enable the on-device uninstall guard. On iPhone enable the block on deleting apps.
FAQ
Can my child keep calls and messaging during school hours?
Yes. Block short video apps, games and the browser for the school schedule. On Android you can block only WeChat Channels and Moments so class groups and messages from parents still come through.
What if my child changes the phone clock?
It does not help. Ripple counts time from device uptime, so moving the clock does not end the schedule early.
Can my child just uninstall Ripple?
On Android 11 and later you can turn on uninstall protection from the phone itself without a computer. On iPhone Ripple uses Apple's ManagedSettings, so the chosen apps cannot be deleted during the schedule.
Is iPhone Screen Time not enough?
The Screen Time passcode is only 4 digits and kids often learn it, and Ignore Limit is easy to tap. On iOS 16 and later Ripple uses Apple's FamilyControls and DeviceActivity frameworks so blocking runs in the background, and unlocking needs an 8 digit parent code.
Does this affect weekends and holidays?
Pick only Monday to Friday for the school schedule. You can add a looser weekend schedule or none at all.