Singapore parents share their favourite apps for kids
Earlier this year, the Singapore government issued a set of guidelines on screen time for kids under the age of 12 – cue uproars from caregivers, parents, and young’uns.
We’ve heard it all: excessive screen use for kids has been linked to developmental delays and reduced attention spans, and impacts their communication and social skills. But take a step back from the witch hunt, and have a think before rubbing it in about the screen time guilt.
Screens are an integral part of our reality – instead of banning them entirely for a generation who will eventually spend their lives on all sorts of devices for both work and play, they can be used intentionally, with a framework in place. We ask Singaporean parents for their favourite apps for kids that they’d recommend, so you know these are chop, stamp, guaranteed legit.
*All names have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals.
1. Duolingo
Image credit: Duolingo
We don’t speak Mandarin at home – in fact, I’m only learning Mandarin now as an adult. Growing up in Malaysia, I only learnt Malay and English in school, and spoke dialect at home. Not only has Duolingo been a great help to me in my attempt to learn Mandarin, but it has created another way through which my son and I can bond, since we’re both on this Duolingo journey together.
I can test him on the words he has learnt through the app, and we are engaged in a friendly competition to see how many points we’ve scored through the week. Best of all, the app is free, and you’re only given limited lives at any time, so he’s extra motivated to make sure each one counts.
I’d recommend this for kids from the ages of 4 or 5, since you have the option to choose the level of difficulty in your language course.
– Jack, 46, sons aged 4 and 12
Get Duolingo.
2. Lingokids
Image credit: Lingokids
Too many apps restrict free usage to just 1 or 2 games if you don’t pay a fee, but Lingokids gives you access to a number of free activities each day. It covers topics including English, math, science, reading, art, music, and even engineering and technology through activities, games, and videos.
Image credit: Lingokids
Because we’re on the free version of the app, my daughter is told – in a nice way – that it’s time to put down the phone, since her chosen character is sleeping for the day. Activities are unlocked in a linear fashion, guiding kids’ progress through the thematic chapter. Each activity can only be done once, too, helping to limit screen time.
– Matilda, 40, daughter aged 3
Get Lingokids.
3. Scrabble GO
Image credit: Scrabble GO
I have fond memories of playing Scrabble with my family when I was young – I felt that it was very helpful for my grasp of the English language and spelling. I don’t have as much spare time as I’d like to play it with my kids in person, so having a digital version of the game, which is called Scrabble GO, makes it so much more accessible. A perk of playing on the app is how every word is auto-checked against the Collins UK dictionary, so I can rest assured that we’re all spelling the words as we should.
Plus, the scores are all automatically tabulated for you, and if I’m away from home, I can play the game with my kids virtually too. This game is more suited to older kids, I’d say.
– Jon, 50, children aged 11 and 14
Get Scrabble GO.
4. ScratchJr
Image credit: ScratchJR
I think curated screen use is better than zero screen time, and one app that I allow my children to use for a short while every day is ScratchJr, which introduces programming language to young kids. After all, coding and programming is an essential language for the next generation.
My older kids, especially, have lots of fun creating their own animated stories on ScratchJr – I find that not only are they learning how to program, albeit graphically, they’re also exercising their creativity. What’s more – their stories keep my little ones entertained too!
– Nat, 39, children aged 4, 7 and 9
Get ScratchJr.
5. Stop Motion Studio
Image credit: Beanbag Animation Studio
My boys have so many toys that it’s unbelievable. As my older one started growing out of them, I thought they could perhaps find another way to give the toys a new lease on life, before I gave them away. I put on Corpse Bride and Wallace & Gromit one school holiday, which helped to get the ball rolling on this whole stop motion enterprise.
Now, they’re creating short films, using Stop Motion Studio with their Lego and Gundam toys, that my husband and I watch. It’s great fun for the kids, and a new topic at the dinner table where we ask them about how they’ve developed their storylines and characters.
– Lin, 52, sons aged 8 and 12
Get Stop Motion Studio.
6. Qustodio
Image adapted from: Qustodio
The internet is a dangerous place these days. My daughter isn’t really old enough for me to really sit her down and explain the dangers of the World Wide Web, so in the meantime, apps like Qustodio can help keep her internet experience a safe one.
With the free version of the app, I can turn on web filtering and set a limit on her screen time each day – all of which are quite sufficient for now. I might consider purchasing the paid subscription as she grows older, since the app can alert me to flagged web activities, as well as set timers on specific apps that she might be using.
– Ryan, 35, daughter aged 6
Get Qustodio.
7.Kaspersky Safe Kids with GPS
Image credit: Kaspersky
I’m now using a paid version of Kaspersky Safe Kids with GPS because I have 3 kids of various ages to monitor, though I can control multiple devices and child profiles even with the free, basic version. This comes with web filtering and a safe search function for YouTube, and I am able to block apps by category, and limit screen time – this is pretty good for general use, though the paid app goes one step further.
Now, I can set specific time limits for screen use, and check my kids’ search histories. I’m also alerted should they try to access suspicious content; I can track their whereabouts too.
Do note that this app works much better on Android than iOS – the functions are very limited on the latter.
– Char, 37, children aged 4, 6, and 8
Get Kaspersky Safe Kids with GPS.
8. Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame
Image credit: Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame
I hate to admit this, but Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame didn’t only help my daughter to calm down – it helped me too as I accompanied her through the app. There are only 5 activities on the app, which is quite limited, but its interface forces you to slow down and remember to breathe, as you calm down and think about ways to solve problems you may encounter.
Yes, the problems are more relevant to a 3-year-old, but the process is highly relevant to us adults too. In fact, I’ve been reminded by my daughter to, “Put your hands on your tummy and breathe slowly, daddy!” so I’d say she has learnt something useful from this app indeed.
– Mike, 30, daughter aged 3
Get Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame.
9. Khan Academy Kids
Image credit: Khan Academy Kids
I want my son’s screen use to be meaningful, so when I came across Khan Academy Kids and its library of books, I thought it was pretty good. Not only do they carry fiction stories, there are non-fiction texts as well. I can even put on a story for him to listen to when I’m driving, since the app scrolls through the pages automatically.
Other than stories, there are age-specific activities for letters, numbers and more. Of course, it isn’t as good as pen and paper activities, but this is a fun and educational tool to have when I’m in a pinch.
– Steph, 29, son aged 4
Get Khan Academy Kids.
Tips on guiding your children to navigate the digital world safely
It’s never too early to start teaching your little ones how to use technology and navigate the digital sphere responsibly. Talk openly about the digital world, and encourage your child to tell you about what they have seen and done – whether it’s positive or negative, be it on YouTube, or gaming and social media apps, and so on. This encourages openness about their interactions online, so they feel safe telling you about it at all times.
Image credit: Ketut Subiyanto via Pexels
It’s recommended that limits are set on screen use and content. As with all rules, they need to be consistent, with consequences to face if they’re broken. Start with stricter controls over their usage at a younger age, but there should be a gradual shift towards more independence as your child matures.
Other than just enforcing these rules, it would also be very helpful for parents to also model habits that you would like your children to follow, including taking regular breaks from screens. Setting aside screen-free times, such as putting your devices away during mealtimes, and having offline fun with your children, also encourages them to have good screen use habits.
These are but the tip of the iceberg when it comes to guiding your child in their digital journey, but start small, and know that every little step counts.
Raising children in the digital age
Image credit: Digital for Life
The Digital for Life movement was launched in 2021 to make digital technologies and opportunities accessible to all. This national initiative encompasses programmes that enhance digital inclusion – helping Singaporeans of all ages to enrich lives through digital technology, navigate the online space safely and responsibly, and making sure everyone is future-ready.
Get curated resources on the Digital for Life portal to support you as you guide your children towards safely using the internet, regardless of their age. These include guides on protecting them from online risks, teaching them how to use technology in a healthy and balanced way – much like having a healthy diet, knowing how to handle potential harms such as cyberbullying, online grooming, and other important tools that they will need to navigate the digital sphere.
Parents recommend their favourite apps for kids
There’s only so much we can do to protect our children, and cutting them off from the digital world that is a great big part of their future might only open more doors to trouble down the line. While we cannot control them for life, what we can do is to set up a solid foundation of responsible digital use, so that they can navigate the tricky waters on their own in time to come.
Find out more about Digital for Life’s parent resources
This post was brought to you by Digital for Life.
Cover image adapted from: Duolingo, Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame, Scrabble GO