Try Timily Free
Calm cozy room with Timily mascot reading a book - positive reinforcement screen time app for kids and families

Why Positive Reinforcement Works Better Than Strict Control

We believe screen time shouldn't be a battleground.

At Timily, we guide it into growth.

See How It Works

Why We Built Timily

From strict screen time control to building trust and habits

"I didn't like the parent I was becoming."

Like many parents, I thought stricter rules and parental control apps were answers. I set limits. I locked apps. It only made things worse. The more I controlled, the more my son hid. Screen time turned into a constant fight.

When we finally talked calmly, something changed. He told me he hated wasting time too. Scrolling for hours before an exam made him feel bad. He wanted to stop -- he just didn't know how. Then he showed me his Duolingo app:

"I sneak around only because you control too much"
"I have a 500-day streak here. Why can't we have something like this for screen time?"

That question became Timily. We built it with love. And with a promise: to help kids build self-control, not just follow rules.

See How It Works →

Our Belief

Calm doesn't mean passive.

At Timily, calm means replacing punishment with rewards, control with trust, and reminders with self-control.

The Old Way

CONTROL
  • Punish mistakes
  • Parents decide rules
  • Constant reminders
  • Constant monitoring
  • Being controlled
  • Stops when control stops

The Timily Way

CALM Parenting tech
  • Reward effort
  • Agree together
  • Take initiative
  • Built on trust
  • Self-control
  • Habits that last

Built on Behavioral Psychology

Timily's approach is based on how kids actually build digital habits, motivation, and self-control

Why Screens Are Addictive

Understanding the Dopamine Loop

Many apps are designed to trigger quick dopamine rewards. They are built to keep kids watching, clicking, and coming back.

Timily slows this loop by helping kids connect effort with rewards.

Kids Need a Say

Autonomy & Intrinsic Motivation

Kids try harder when they feel involved, not forced.

Timily lets kids agree to goals instead of just following rules. This builds ownership over their own screen time.

Learning to Wait

The Power of Delayed Gratification

When kids get everything right away, self-control is hard to learn.

Timily helps kids practice waiting and earning access. Over time, kids learn to pause before reaching for a screen.

Rewards Over Punishment

Reward-Based Feedback

Constant criticism often leads to pushback or giving up.

Timily focuses on effort instead of punishing mistakes. Effort and progress are rewarded.

Designed for Different Minds

Neurodiverse-Friendly Screen Time App

Not all kids focus the same way, and that's okay. Timily uses calming visuals and clear steps to reduce overwhelm.

It supports neurodiverse kids, without pressure.

Real Problems Timily Solved

These are the struggles we kept running into as parents.

"I'm exhausted from reminding my kid all the time."

Daily reminders around homework and screen time often turn into tension.

Timily replaces nagging with clear goals and earned access, so kids know what to do on their own.

"The more I control screen time, the more we fight."

Strict limits and sudden locks often lead to arguments and pushback.

Timily shifts control into shared rules and rewards, reducing daily struggles.

"My kids know they're spending too much time on screens, but can't stop."

Many kids feel bad after long screen sessions, yet struggle to pause once they start.

Timily helps kids slow down, focus first, and earn screen time through focus, not guilt.