A guide to the best apps for teens
And an overview of what they do
So, your teen or tween just got a smartphone, and you're slightly panicking they'll spend all of their time social networking.
Sound like we read your mind? Well, don’t worry!
We’ve rounded up a list of apps you can gently steer them towards that are a little less addictive and a lot more productive.
From revision tools to mental health support and creative outlets, these apps are designed to support your teen’s growth, confidence, and independence – while still keeping things fun for them!
Revision and study apps for teens
Apps that make learning more engaging and effective.
Quizlet
A popular flashcard app that helps teens revise by testing themselves on key facts.
They can use sets made by others or create their own.
Gojimo
Offers practice questions for GCSEs and A-levels in a range of subjects.
Designed for UK students and free to use.
BBC Bitesize
The app version of the trusted website, with short lessons, quizzes, and videos tailored to exam boards.
Great for short, focused revision sessions.
Popplet
This mind-mapping app helps teens visualise complex ideas and plan essays.
Ideal for creative learners and visual thinkers.
Health and wellbeing apps for teens
Apps to support your teen’s mental health, sleep, mood, and emotional regulation.
luna (we are luna)
That’s us!
luna is a safe, supportive app designed specifically for teens navigating adolescence to use everyday.
It’s not a crisis service, but rather a holistic companion app (like a big sister), offering trusted advice and symptom tracking (including period tracking if they’ve started).
It’s highly rated by both teens and parents, and all the guidance is created in line with the PSHE curriculum and reviewed by NHS doctors.
Clear Fear
Developed by clinicians, this free app uses CBT techniques to help manage anxiety.
Recommended for ages 11-19 and NHS-approved.
Move Mood
Uses behavioural activation therapy to support teens with low mood and motivation.
Great for teens struggling with energy or routine.
Apart of Me
A beautifully designed app to help young people cope with grief and loss.
Created with young people and experts in child bereavement.
Combined Minds
Helps family members support a teen experiencing mental health difficulties by suggesting ways to build trust and connection.
Headspace
A meditation app that acts as a personal guide to health and happiness.
MoodGym
An online cognitive behaviour therapy programme designed to help with depression and anxiety.
MindShift
A free app to help teens and young adults manage anxiety with evidence-based strategies.
SuperBetter
Designed to build resilience and motivation by turning challenges into a game.
Happify
Uses science-based activities and games to help improve emotional wellbeing.
Smiling Mind
A mindfulness and meditation app developed by psychologists and educators.
Calm
A well-known meditation app with tools for stress, anxiety, and sleep.
What’s Up
Uses CBT techniques to help users manage stress, anxiety, anger, and more.
SafeSpot
Offers coping strategies and resources to help teens deal with difficult emotions and situations.
Chill Panda
Helps younger users understand stress and use breathing, yoga and games to feel better.
SAM
Offers practical tools to understand and manage anxiety.
Cove
Lets users create music to express how they feel – a creative emotional outlet.
Feeling Good Teens
Offers audio tracks to help with sleep, confidence, motivation, and managing worry.
eQuoo
An interactive game-based app that builds emotional intelligence and resilience.
WorryTree
Helps users manage worry using CBT techniques and thought-challenging tools.
Productivity and organisation apps
Help your teen stay on top of homework, revision, and daily life
Evernote
A flexible app for note-taking, organising homework, and tracking to-do lists.
Useful for older teens juggling multiple subjects and deadlines.
Forest
This app gamifies focus – teens plant a digital tree while they work and the tree grows as long as they stay off their phone.
A fun way to stay motivated during revision.
Notion
A workspace app that teens can use for school projects, revision timetables, and personal goal setting.
Customisable and visually clean.
Creative and fun apps for teens
Encourage creativity and screen time with purpose.
Procreate (for iPad)
A high-quality drawing app for teens who love digital art.
Offers professional tools but is easy to learn.
Lirica
A language-learning app that teaches Spanish, English and German through pop music.
Fun, catchy, and surprisingly effective.
Animoto
Lets teens create video slideshows with music and text – great for school presentations or creative storytelling.
Sketchbook by Autodesk
A powerful sketching app perfect for budding illustrators.
Free and highly rated for both Android and iOS.
Community and social apps for teens
Apps that help teens feel connected and informed in a safe way.
Trill Project
A supportive, anonymous community where teens can share experiences and get encouragement on mental health, identity, or school struggles.
Moderated for safety.
Ground News
Helps teens understand media bias by comparing how different sources report the same story.
Encourages critical thinking and media literacy.
Hopefully this helps you!
Apps aren’t just distractions. In fact, they can be empowering, supportive, and fun tools for learning and self-care.
With this in mind, we like to describe the bucket of apps we’ve shared – including luna – as “ethical tech” or “tech for good”.
When chosen well, apps can help your teen feel more in control of their world – whether that’s school, stress, or creativity.
So try to be open to trying apps whether together or apart, and checking in with how your teen uses them.
And if you're not sure where to start, luna is a great all-rounder for emotional wellbeing, periods, friendships, and more.
How we created this article:
luna's team of experts comprises GPs, Dermatologists, Safeguarding Leads and Junior Doctors as well as Medical Students with specialised interests in paediatric care, mental health and gynaecology. All articles are created by experts, and reviewed by a member of luna's senior review team.
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