Image used with permission of the copyright holder
It can be difficult for parents out there to find the right approach to make sure your kids aren’t tied to their smartphones and tablets 24/7. That’s why Australian company TechDen is here to make it easy with the launch of The Den, a hardware and software solution designed to help set boundaries when it comes to the amount of screen time children spend in front of screens.
The Den provides parents with a physical home for their children’s smartphones and tablets — without the ability for them to easily access their devices. With the companion app, parents can set specific sessions for The Den to unlock to give kids time to use electronics.
Although there are software tools such as Apple’s Screen Time or Google’s Digital Wellbeing, we still have physical access to our electronics. In our experience using Screen Time, we often found ourselves either extending the time we had on a particular app or turning the feature off entirely. With The Den, parents can set more specific boundaries to reduce screen time.
Image used with permission of the copyright holder
Image used with permission of the copyright holder
Image used with permission of the copyright holder
In an in-person demo with The Den, we couldn’t help but think it looked like a much sleeker version of a computer tower. On the front, there are two doors that fold when unlocked, and TechDen’s bear logo in red is on the top. But it’s also not an eyesore, and we actually wouldn’t mind keeping it on the kitchen counter or tucked away in the entertainment center. It can take up to two devices simultaneously.
The process of accessing and locking devices using The Den is simple and children will have no trouble grasping the concept. Simply touch the bear logo and it will flash a red or green light. Red means The Den is currently locked and kids can’t take out their devices. When it’s green, the door will open and they can pull out the slim drawers to grab their tablet or smartphone.
Perhaps one of the most ideal pieces of hardware is that it charges devices at the same time, with Lightning and Micro USB cables available. When the session is over, kids can plug their devices back in and return them to The Den, which will then be locked again until the next session.
With an easy-to-use app, parents can set up and save appointments at any time for any day of the week. Children will receive 10 and 5 minute alerts while on the devices to let them know that time is almost up. After the session ends, they receive a notification letting them know it’s time to return the device to The Den.
Image used with permission of the copyright holder
Image used with permission of the copyright holder
Image used with permission of the copyright holder
As soon as the device is turned on, the app will register it and notify parents that the specific device is back in The Den. If it doesn’t return in time, parents will receive a notification informing them that it failed to detect that unique device.
There’s also a companion app for kids called TechDen Jr., which lets them see their hours and request more time. Parents can then approve or deny the request through their own app. The app also allows children to request a time extension only once during each session. It is available on both iOS and Android.
Of course, it is much easier for children to set boundaries when there is a reward waiting for them. With the app, parents can set goals to track. For example, if you want your child to return the device 20 times without exceeding the five-minute mark, the app will register and track whether the goal is met.
The Den started life as a Kickstarter campaign, but has long outgrown the site’s boundaries. You can now buy Den from TechDen or from Amazon. Prices start at $229. You’ll also need the TechDen Parent app for an iOS or Android device.
Updated April 30, 2019: TechDen is now available on Amazon.
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Categories: GAMING
Source: newstars.edu.vn