Ready for the First Smartphone? Screen Time Self-Regulation Without Battles
With Monimentor, your child learns to stop on their own when time is up. Soft boundaries, visual feedback with Moni, and a clear dashboard for parents — the ideal foundation before their first smartphone.
The App in Action
Parenting with Insight, Without Conflict
In the Monimentor app, your child sees screen time as visual energy marbles in a jar. Soft boundaries instead of hard lockouts build genuine self-regulation.
1. Digital Energy
Every minute of screen time turns into an energy marble. This gives children visual, tangible rhythm awareness.
2. Soft Boundaries
Is the jar full? The screen doesn't abruptly shut off. Your child feels their own boundary. Continuing takes energy from tomorrow — experiential learning over punishment.
3. Moni as a Cheerful Guide
Moni mirrors the time and gets sleepy when energy runs low. A friendly companion that helps children wind down naturally.
4. Insight as a Conversation Starter
Your dashboard highlights weekly patterns and minutes per app. No surveillance, spying, or chat screenshots — all data stays encrypted within your family. A calm baseline for open conversations at home.
What Families Say
Big words for little screens
Het visueel bijhouden van de tijd brengt zoveel rust in huis. Onze zoon ziet zelf wanneer zijn energieknikkers opraken en rondt rustig af — de eeuwige discussie over schermtijd is voorbij.
The Origin
Science & Craftsmanship
Monimentor x TU Delft
To strengthen the scientific foundation of self-regulation and play, TU Delft master's researcher Klaske conducted in-depth research for Monimentor on screen habits and parent-child dynamics.
Built In-House
Prototypes and software were designed and built locally in the creative workshop of founders Maarten Nijhuis and Bas.
Is your child ready for their first smartphone?
Getting a personal smartphone is a major milestone. Use this 10-point checklist to see if your child is ready and establish calm family guidelines together.
Get the checklist sent straight to your inbox
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about the Monimentor App
Everything you need to know about self-regulation, screen time, and family privacy.
What is the difference between 'soft boundaries' and a hard screen time limit?
With a hard screen time limit, the device locks abruptly — often causing anger, frustration, and power struggles. With Monimentor, your child visually sees their time using energy marbles and mascot Moni. When time expires, the screen doesn't suddenly go black. Your child learns to finish up autonomously. If they continue, it uses energy from tomorrow's budget. This cultivates true intrinsic self-regulation rather than external control.
How is my child's privacy protected, and are screenshots taken?
Monimentor strictly does not take continuous screenshots of your child's screen. We fully respect children's privacy and family life: we only monitor which apps are used and for how long, never personal chats, photos, search history, or private content. All usage statistics are securely encrypted and strictly visible only to your family on the parent dashboard. We never sell data to third parties and display no ads.
What happens when my child reaches the limit or continues anyway?
Your child receives a gentle notification and Moni visually responds (getting sleepy or taking a nap). The energy jar is depleted, but there is no forced lockdown. Continuing takes marbles from tomorrow's daily energy budget. This creates a natural consequence and teaches planning, without parents constantly being the bad cop.
What devices is Monimentor available on?
Monimentor is currently available for Apple devices (iPad and iPhone running iOS). You can link multiple devices to a single child profile, consolidating total usage seamlessly across devices. For Android, you can sign up for our waitlist.
Is Monimentor really 100% free?
Yes, the core Monimentor app and the parent dashboard are completely free to use. Two fathers created Monimentor on a social mission: every child deserves a healthy start with digital habits without parents facing paywalls. There are no ads and we never monetize children's data.
What is the best age to get started?
Monimentor is specifically designed for children aged 4 to 12. The earlier you foster healthy screen habits and open family conversations, the more confident and self-regulated your child will be before getting their first personal smartphone.