This article was 1st published on our sister Site, Digital World Native
The use of the Internet by kids has always been a matter of concern for parents. Issues such as Online privacy as well as access to prohibited Sites are of grave concern. Now, a tiny device claims to take care of all such concerns. Called Circle, this device was launched on Nov. 4, by Circle Media Inc. along with Disney.
Managed through a companion iOS app, Circle with Disney is a tool that helps parents stay informed about their kids’ Online activities & limit screen time on every device in the home, including smartphones, Tablets, computers, & gaming consoles. Circle with Disney pairs with home WiFi & gives parents the ability to filter Content, set a bedtime for devices, & even actually pause the Internet. Each user’s profile & settings can be completely customized based on age & parents’ preferences.
Circle pairs wirelessly with your router with instant device recognition. No extra software per device or monthly subscription is required, nor any complicated series of steps involved.
In a clever marketing ploy, through a licensing partnership with Disney, Circle also provides families with Disney entertainment . It comes with a curated selection of Disney Content including videos, blogs, gifs, emojis, music, games, characters, among others, through something called MyCircle.
“Increasingly, kids are interacting with Disney stories and characters across mobile and online devices, and Circle with Disney gives parents the tools to manage those experiences,” said Kyle Laughlin, SVP, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media Labs, in statement. “As the leading producer of kids content, Disney is committed to helping parents find the digital lifestyle that works for their home, and Circle with Disney makes that possible.”
Each family member will also have their own Circle settings, so they should have their own dashboard too. Their personal dashboard will include an overview of where they’ve spent time Online daily, a count down for their BedTime, & what their Time Limits are.
Circle with Disney is available now for US $99 from meetcircle.com, and will be available soon from DisneyStore.com/circle. The Circle app can be downloaded for FREE from the Apple App Store.
Key features of Circle with Disney include:
Time Limits: Families can set daily Time Limits on any app or Content category they want. With Time Limits, families can customize how much time their kids spend on each platform & set a total Online time for the day.
Filter: Families can set individual filter levels for each family member. Circle with Disney has 4 preset age-levels & allows for further customization by platform, app, website, and content category. Families can choose a filter that matches each user’s age and interests, filtering out inappropriate content.
Insights: Families can stay informed about where their kids spend their Online time―by platform, category & Website. Circle with Disney allows families to see a member’s total time spent Online & the Sites visited.
Bedtime: Families can create a BedTime for each family member & their devices. Simply set a sleep time, when the devices will disconnect from the Internet, & awake time, for the morning when the devices will reconnect.
Block ads: Circle with Disney can block ads for any user’s devices.
For mobile devices, Circle Media Inc. has created Circle Go, a companion subscription that covers all iOS devices when they are outside the home, including use on 4G LTE.
Image Credit: Circle Media Inc.
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