Tackling screen time concerns

Concerned about their own children’s habits, two entrepreneurial dads have developed a new product that helps parents manage kids’ screen time and bring a sense of family togetherness back into the home.

Inspired by the pandemic lockdown, product designers Al Ramsay and Simon Weeks of Delatite Studios launched a Kickstarter campaign to accelerate development of their LOOTBOX product.

“Like all parents around the world, we had a big problem,” Ramsay said.

“Hours of online schooling combined with extra recreational screen time was a tipping point for our kids — they were changing, and we were concerned.”

Weeks said the COVID-19 pandemic had exacerbated an existing issue.

“Like many parents, we’ve seen our kids’ behaviour deteriorate as they spend too much time on these highly addictive screens. It didn’t feel right, we had to do something about it.”

The two discussed a simple idea: a lock box for devices, but more. Anyone who has seen the Social Dilemma documentary on Netflix knows that a lock box is not enough.

LOOTBOX charges up to 12 devices of any type, including large laptops and game controllers, and features clips to keep cables tidy inside. What makes the product more than a charger is the use of smart sensors that track access and send alerts if anyone tries to break in to the box and give parents valuable information around real-time screen usage.

The product is currently undergoing final production adjustments and any funds received in addition to the Kickstarter target will be used to support kids’ health not-for-profit organisations.

“Our primary aim for LOOTBOX is to help families find screen-time balance and restore meaningful connection,” Weeks said.

“We hope that, with funding support via Kickstarter, LOOTBOX will make a positive difference to other families, as it has ours.”

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Gary Perkin