A new filtering device has arrived on the market, as ‘Circle With Disney’ places internet access in the hands of parents, along with various ways of filtering inappropriate content for their children.
- ‘Circle With Disney’ is a device able to interfere with the WiFi connection
- It enables filtering content, restricting access, viewing history, and setting bedtime hours
- It works independently, unattached to your router
- ‘Circle With Disney’ is now available for $100
We live in a day and age where technology has advanced, and there are multiple gadgets available. Ranging from smartphones to tablets, they have grown in popularity and spreading out beyond the adult demographic. In fact, many children posses their own device.
This arrived with multiple programs dedicated toward the younger audience in particular, YouTube channels, games, and apps that are specifically designed with them in mind. The problem now appears within the diversity of the internet. It’s a double edged sword in the hands of children, as it arrives with beautiful content, but has just as easy of an access to mature themes.
Unfortunately, either ads or simple pop-ups can derail the course through the ‘safer parts’ of the internet, even unintentionally. Thus, there are multiple systems out there that would help parents keep their children away from unwanted, mature content. Disney has provided its own form, with ‘Circle With Disney’, a small, cubed device for the purpose of better protection.
Unlike most gadgets, however, ‘Circle With Disney’ does not have to work with a router nor is it meant as a replacement. Instead, it’s an independent device that can effectively interrupt WiFi access for the entire house. Furthermore, it arrives with multiple personalizing options that go beyond restricting access.
Through the iOS application that controls it, the gadget can block ads, supervise content, view history, or hit the ‘pause’ button on the internet connection entirely. This would be particularly useful for parents wishing to set bedtime hours. After a certain moment in the day and through morning, there would be no internet access available to distract from much needed sleep.
Parents can also filter the type of content available on their children’s devices. Ranging from pre-K (age 0-5 years old), kid (6-12 years old), teenager (13-17 year old), or adult (18 years old or over), ‘Circle With Disney’ can ban or allow inappropriate content. Furthermore, Disney will also be offering access to their kids-friendly videos, trailers, games, and apps through the device.
However, according to one of the founders and creative consultant, Jelani Memory, the filtering functions are just one thing of what it does. The definition of “parental control” is meant to be changed. Through the ‘insights’ feature of the gadget, which allows parents to see what their child is interested in, this could lead to more topics of conversation.
This way, it would allow them to know what their kids like, and approach discussions about internet content in a positive manner. It could be a nice change of pace. Most parents open the conversation with the more negative aspects, such as scolding their children for spending too much time on Facebook.
‘Circle With Disney’ launched yesterday, on November 4th, for the price of $99.
Image source: wired.com
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.