Parents need to know that Amazon FreeTime is an app that’s meant to be paired with the subscription-based Amazon FreeTime Unlimited service that provides e-books, apps, and video content for kids age 3-12. Supporting up to four kids, parents can control what media kids can access via the app (or on a related device, such as a Kindle or Fire TV). Depending on the age settings parents use, violence, substances, sexual content, and language vary, though all content is intended for kids. Different devices support different media types, but the Android app allows access to books, movies/videos, apps, and a browser. Kids are locked in when they enter the app, but there is always an emergency phone dialer available in a few clicks, so parents will need to keep an eye on that with little ones. Read the app’s privacy policy to find out about the types of information collected and shared. Note: Amazon is one of Common Sense Media’s paying content partners, but its app was reviewed by an independent writer.

WHAT’S IT ABOUT?

Amazon FreeTime requires families to create a “Household” on at least one parent account; up to two parents can be attached to any Household. They can then add up to four kids with their ages so each one can have their own age-appropriate content. Once that is set up appropriately and the app is installed and connected to an adult’s Amazon account, they can begin to customize settings for each child. To shut down device use, parents can set a range of time (called bedtime) when kids aren’t able to use the device and can set time goals for the use of educational content, though there’s no way to specify exactly what the educational content is. They can even check a box that won’t allow kids to use any content until they’ve met the educational goals. Also, parents can limit screen time as a whole or limit the amount of time spent reading, watching videos, using apps, or browsing the web. To get even more specific, these can be broken down between weekday limits and weekend limits. There’s also an app-based web browser that parents can entirely disable or limit by adding specific URLs and web-based videos. If they want to check on what their kids are seeing, they can check the browsing history. Parents who want more fine-grained options can add certain books, videos, websites, and apps that the kids can access from the device or online. Lastly, they can set restrictions on in-app purchases.

In terms of the kids’ experience, they can’t search but can browse by characters (Dora, Harry Potter, and so on) and topics (Adventure, Science). They also can see their goals, if any, and when they meet them. If they have a block on non-educational content, they can only see the apps, videos, books, and sites they are allowed to enjoy at the time. For safety purposes, kids can access an emergency phone-dialing option.

IS IT ANY GOOD?

This fantastic set of parental controls is finely tuned and specific enough for all members of the family, but compatibility with more devices would be helpful. Amazon FreeTime is exactly what parents of young kids want: It locks down the device and creates a safe free-exploration zone for kids. The content is moderated by Amazon based on age, but parents have additional options for choosing exactly what their kids can — and can’t — see. Even better, they can provide age-appropriate media for your 6-year-old, while also catering to your 3-year-old, all on the same device. Overall, it’s just the sort of thing to make parents’ lives easier.

RATING AND CONTENT

Recommended for ages 3 and older

Quality: 4 out of 5

Educational value: 3 out of 5

Ease of play: 4 out of 5

Violence and scariness: 0 out of 5

Sexy stuff: 0 out of 5

Language: 0 out of 5

Drinking, drugs, and smoking: 0 out of 5

Consumerism: 2 out of 5 (Are products/advertisements embedded? Is the title part of a broader marketing initiative/empire? Is the intent to sell things to kids?)

APP DETAILS

Devices: Android, Kindle Fire

Price: Free to try (Free to download, $2.99/month)

Release date: May 16, 2017

Category: Entertainment

Publisher: Amazon Mobile LLC

Minimum software requirements: Android 5.0

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Common Sense Media is an independent nonprofit organization offering unbiased ratings and trusted advice to help families make smart media and technology choices. Check out our ratings and recommendations at www.commonsense.org.