Bark lets you manage what your kid can access on their device and when — whether that means no social media after bedtime., no YouTube during school hours, or something else entirely.
Schedule Routines
New UI
- From your dashboard, tap the profile you'd like to manage.
- Make sure Devices at the top have a healthy status.
- Under Routines, side-scroll to the routine you'd like to add (like Bedtime).
- On the routine you'd like to add, tap the 📅 calendar.
- Pick days and times for the routine:
- Tap the ✏ pencil to change what apps and sites they can access during that routine.
- Changes may take a few minutes to take effect.
Classic UI
- Log in to your Bark dashboard or app.
- Tap on your kid's avatar at the top and then on Screen Time.
Note: To edit Shared, Guest, and custom home profiles, tap onBark Home at the top and then on the profile.
- Tap on Devices to make sure your kid's phones/tablets are set up.
- Then, tap Rules to create screen time schedules.
Customize current rules
New UI
- From your dashboard, tap the profile you'd like to manage.
- Under the active routine, tap the ✏ pencil to change what apps and sites they can access during that routine.
- Changes may take a few minutes to take effect.
Classic UI
- Open up your parent app / dashboard.
- Tap on your kid's avatar at the top and then on Screen Time.
Note: To edit Shared, Guest, and custom home profiles, tap on - Tap Rules at the top.
- Choose what you'd like to customize:
- Apps & websites
- Device settings (Bark Phone only)
- Exceptions
- Changes may take a few minutes to take effect.
Customize scheduled routines
New UI
- From your dashboard, tap the profile you'd like to manage.
- Under Routines, side-scroll to the routine you'd like to customize.
- Tap the 📅 calendar to change the date or time of that routine, or to delete it.
- Tap the ✏ pencil to change what apps and sites they can access during that routine.
- Changes may take a few minutes to take effect.
Classic UI
- Open up your parent app / dashboard.
- Tap on your kid's avatar at the top and then on Screen Time.
Note: To edit Shared, Guest, and custom home profiles, tap on - Tap Rules at the top.
- Tap on Review other rule sets.
- Tap on the routine you'd like to customize (e.g. Default, Bedtime).
- Choose what you'd like to customize:
- Apps & websites
- Device settings (Bark Phone only)
- Exceptions
- Changes may take a few minutes to take effect.
Types of Routines
Prefer to stick to one solid ruleset to keep it simple? Just focus on the Default Rules routine!
Otherwise, use these routines to schedule automatic rules throughout the day or week.
For example:
🟪 Bedtime: Limit access when it’s time for lights out, like only allowing music or podcast apps.
🟩 School time: Limit what can be accessed during the school day. Customize the apps/sites they need for school or homework, like Zoom or Google Workspace.
🟨 Free time: Dedicated time to use devices just for fun.
🟦 Any other time (Default rules): The default rules when other routines aren't scheduled.
App Block vs. Category Block
You can block specific apps or you can block all apps and sites within a category — like blocking only Netflix or all streaming apps.
Our categories cover tens of thousands of apps and sites. If you don't see a particular app listed, it is likely covered by a category rule.
You're also able to block a category while allowing an app within that category. For example, you can block the Social Media category and also allow the Discord app.
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Device settings (Bark Phone only)
We created the Bark Phone to give you even more customizable controls that can grow with your kids.
Here, you can allow or block texting, the camera, and web browsing.
Learn more about managing your kid's Bark Phone.
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Switch rules for special occasions
You can switch the routine in situations where you don't want to alter the whole weekly schedule for a one-time event.
For example:
- Extra homework time
- School holidays
- Vacations
- Rewarding good behavior
Pause all devices
When you Pause your kid's devices, you are blocking all internet access on their device.
Learn more: Pausing the Internet
Copy rules
In the classic UI, you can copy the screen time routine and app blocking rules you've set up for another kid, saving you time.
Learn more: Copy screen time rules from one kid to another
Daily Time Limits vs. Routines
As discussed in this article, routines help you set schedules for your kid's app and site time. You can pick specific blocks during the week when they can dive into their favorite apps.
But hey, sometimes you don't care when they use those apps, you just want to make sure they don't go overboard. That's where Bark Phone's daily time limits come in! You can set a maximum number of minutes or hours per day for app usage. It's an easy way to keep things in check without worrying about the clock.
Need additional assistance?
Check out our troubleshooting guide. If you still need help, don't hesitate to reach out to us!