Facebook has launched sleep mode for its Messenger Kids app. The new feature allows parents to set “off times” for the app on a device used by their children.

Designed for children, Messenger Kids is a free video calling and messaging app that can be used from a tablet or a smartphone. The app allows children to connect with all their contacts approved by parents.

While the app has since its launch got a thumbs-up from children, some parents wanted more controls to make the app inaccessible at times — during dinner time, homework or bedtime for example.

Facebook has now come up with sleep mode, using which parents can set a designated off time. The app will “go to sleep” at the designated time every day, when children won’t be able to access it. Sleep mode is controlled from the parent control center in his or her Facebook account. These pre-determined “off times” can be changed at any time.

Here is how you can use the sleep mode:

1) Go to Messenger Kids controls in your Facebook app.

2) Click on the child’s name, and tap “Sleep Mode” in the App Controls section.

3) Set the hours when you want Messenger Kids to turn off for your wards.

4) You can set different times for weekdays and weekends. Your children will not be able to use the app during the hours set by you.

5) A friendly piece of advice is to keep your child in the loop when you set a time-limit on the app.

6) When the sleep mode is on, children cannot exchange messages or video calls. They won’t be able to play with the camera, or receive notifications, either. If they try to open the app, a message will be flashed telling them to come back later.

In addition to sleep mode, parents can add and remove contacts from Messenger Kids, delete the child’s account, or create a new account from the control panel.

Kids using the app can report inappropriate content or contacts if they feel they are being bullied, says Facebook.

“We will immediately notify a parent through Messenger when their child reports content on Messenger Kids. We will review the reported content and remove anything that does not meet our Community Standards. We will remove kids from the app who repeatedly violate our Community Standards,” Facebook claims.