Parents couldn't be more careful with children's internet usage nowadays. With today's launch of Circle with Disney device, parents can now have more control with children's internet use and screen time. Circle with Disney is a device, shaped like a cube, which works hand in hand with an iOS application that will give parents the ability to filter web content, set bedtime schedules, block ads, view usage history and even pause the internet.
According to reports from Tech Crunch, the independent company has created a partnership with Disney to use its brand name. The partnership also gave the company select access to short-form Disney content that includes trailers, video clips, games, social media postings, promos, and more.
Selection varies from across Disney's properties like Pixar, Star Wars, Disney Animation Studios and Babble Network. It can be accessed through the company's MyCircle feature. MyCiricle is a personalized web dashboard for each family member. Parents may place settings appropriate for their children that includes limits on browsing and time.
The company, Circle Media, was established by three persons two and half years ago. They are Jelani Memory, a former creative consultant, photographer and videographer, Tiebing Zhang and Lance Charlish.
A father himself, Memory knows first-hand the challenges that comes with internet and children.
"[My daugther] has her own iPad," says Memory. "I remember when she was two, she was able to grab my iPhone, unlock it, and find apps. And I realized, all bets were off," he says, laughing.
Circle with Disney is not the first device to be invented for parental control solutions. Market has a lot to offer from locked-down web browsers, specialized routers, connected devices to software applications. However most of these devices can be daunting for parents with less technical skills.
Meanwhile the Circle with Disney works wirelessly, doesn't need to be plugged into a router or serve as a replacement to the latter. When fully charged, it can last for days and children cannot easily turn off the device. Everything can be seen and controlled through an iOS application. The app has presets available for different age groups so you won't have to tinker the settings further. You may still make adjustment to these default settings if needed.
The Circle with Disney hardware is sold at $99 and the first product of the many ones that Circle Media hopes to release in the future.
