The Adventures of Ash & Ollie: Screen Time
By Dana Anderson,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Sweet story about screen time helps kids understand limits.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this app.
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
The Adventures of Ash & Ollie: Screen Time
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What’s It About?
Create an account, or sign into an existing account on the Fingerprint game network of apps. View the tutorial, then read or listen to the storybook app, and tap the screen to discover animated objects on each page. Choose easy or regular mode for the mini-game, where kids navigate a rocket through a sky of stars, collecting stars as they go. Kids and parents also can upload photos to the in-app photo album.
Is It Any Good?
THE ADVENTURES OF ASH & OLLIE: SCREEN TIME's rhyming story is a brilliant way to get kids thinking about the importance of screen-time limits. It's fun for kids to listen to this non-preachy story, which stars two happy brothers and includes animated objects that kids can discover on each page.
As kids soak in the message that screen time is fun, so long as it's only one part of a balanced life, they also can play a very simple, just-for-fun game. The in-app photo album is intended for kids to take a pictures of offline activities, such as a favorite snack or a fun thing to do outside, although encouraging young kids to begin taking photos with mobile devices of naturally offline activities doesn't exactly fit the app's overall message. Also, very young kids using this app may not be ready for that feature and might want to stick to the storybook and game (in easy mode). The only real downside to this app is the bothersome amount of marketing of the developer's other apps. With fewer ads, The Adventures of Ash & Ollie could be a perfect use of screen time.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about screen time. This lighthearted but clear-headed storybook app can be a great way to introduce (or reinforce lapsed) clear screen-time rules to your kid. Read Common Sense Media's "How to Set Screen Rules That Stick."
Talk with your kid about the differences between online and offline fun. For example, Ash and Ollie's mini-game includes a rocket ship that "catches" stars for points; you and your kid may also go outside at night to look at real stars. What makes each experience uniquely fun?
Ask your kids if they notice in the storybook how the kids monitor their screen time. If your kids are old enough to use a timer, ask them if they'd be interested in trying a similar self-monitoring method to help learn self-regulation.
App Details
- Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android
- Skills: Self-Direction: self-reflection, time management, Emotional Development: perspective taking, self-awareness, Responsibility & Ethics: making wise decisions, Tech Skills: using and applying technology
- Pricing structure: Paid
- Release date: April 3, 2014
- Category: Education
- Publisher: Fingerprint
- Version: 1.0
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 6.0 or later; Android 2.3 and up
- Last updated: July 8, 2020
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Download
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate