Transform Your iPhone into a Kid-Friendly Starter Phone with Screenable's Innovative App!

In a game-changing development for tech-savvy parents, a new app called Screenable is revolutionizing how children are introduced to technology by transforming any iPhone or iPad into a manageable starter phone. Designed with growth in mind, Screenable offers tailored modes to cater to children at various developmental stages.

The "Dumb Phone" Mode: A Perfect First Step!

At its foundation, Screenable features the “Dumb Phone” mode, which essentially converts your iPhone into a simple flip phone. This mode restricts kids to using only Phone, FaceTime, and Messages, providing a limited and safe communication environment. While Screenable itself doesn’t impose restrictions on contacts, parents can easily utilize Apple’s robust parental controls to specify safe contact numbers, ensuring their kids only communicate with trusted individuals.

For parents looking to gradually introduce more functionality, the Dumb Phone mode allows for the addition of other apps as children mature, providing a customizable experience as they learn the ropes of digital interaction.

Navigating Independence with "Screen Trainer" Mode

As children grow and begin to explore technology independently, Screenable’s “Screen Trainer” mode enters the scene. This mode fosters a collaborative relationship between parents and children, allowing incremental access to a broader array of apps. Through this mode, parents receive real-time notifications detailing which apps their kids are using. Additionally, the “Overtime” feature empowers children to practice managing their daily screen time, preparing them for future independent device use.

Introducing Social Media with Care: The Upcoming "Social Trainer" Mode

Looking ahead, Screenable plans to launch a “Social Trainer” mode designed to thoughtfully introduce children to the realm of social media. This feature enables parents to grant access to social platforms one at a time, facilitating a responsible approach to online engagement. From Instagram to Snapchat, Screenable will provide a tailored setup process to set time restrictions and implement in-app parental controls for various platforms.

If parents wish to allow access to less mainstream social media services, Screenable encourages thorough research and discussions prior to granting access, promoting informed choices in digital parenting.

A Family Affair: The Story Behind Screenable

Screenable is a family-founded initiative, created by brothers Tom and Stevie Clifton alongside their wives, Scarlet Clifton and Hannah Kwon. The inspiration for the app emerged when the Clifton family pondered how best to introduce technology to their children. Disheartened by the lack of suitable existing solutions, they drew on their experience launching a successful cloud-based video maker, Animoto, and decided to pursue their vision for Screenable.

Tom expressed to TechCrunch, “We are pro-technology. Many existing apps encourage extreme restrictions, but our approach is about gradual exposure, helping kids tackle each tech stage effectively.” The mission of Screenable is clear: Equip children with the necessary skills to use technology responsibly and knowledgeably.

Affordable and Accessible

Emphasizing accessibility for all families, Screenable adopts a freemium model. Users can access the fundamental “Dumb Phone” mode at no cost, while additional features are available for a modest subscription fee of $7 per month. This ensures that all parents can start their child's tech journey without financial strain.

Screenable not only aims to facilitate the introduction of phones to children using existing devices but also hopes to reclaim family time by enabling parents to establish “Dumb Phone” weekends or trips, promoting engagement off-screen.

Excited parents have already been inquiring whether they can use Screenable themselves to manage their phone usage, leading to future plans for a parent-centric app feature.

With innovation that respects both technology and familial bonds, Screenable is not just a tool but a movement towards healthier digital habits for future generations.