Author Archives: Pavel Chuchuva

Screen Time Guide for Parents

MyVision.org has a helpful guide for parents including recommended screen time by age:

Age	Recommended Screen Time
Under 18 months	None, except for video calls with an adult present
18 to 24 months	Only educational content under adult supervision
2 to 5 years	One hour of non-educational screen time on weekdays and up to three hours on weekends
Over 6 years	Limit specific screen-based activities, such as video games, instead of overall screen time. Encourage an activity that does not involve screen time.

How to Set Up Amazon Fire Tablet so that Your Child Can Access Content that You Choose Only

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Tablets can be amazing gadgets for kids. They can watch videos, play games, read books, and more, yet you should have the option to protect them from the inappropriate content. Following are the steps to do that.

Secure your account

Open the “Settings” screen, find the “Personal” option and click “Security and Privacy”. Make sure you have a Lock-Screen Password set. You can pick either a passcode or a Pin; select whichever you consider progressively secure and simple to remember.

Setting this will guarantee your kid can’t get to your screen by essentially leaving their own. In your monitor, a youngster may incidentally remove applications, delete videos from your watch list, and even include or expel things from your Amazon list of things to get. It’s ideal for playing it safe and putting these features far off.

Create a child profile for your child

Pull down the list from the top of the screen, and tap your user symbol. Here, search for the “Plus” button to add new users, clicking OK to confirm this step.

Here, click Add a Child Profile (grown-up profiles are also accessible, should your partner need one). Then enter the details: name, date of birth, etc.

You can choose between two accessible subjects. “Blue Sky” is for the children under the age of 9 while the “Midnight Black” theme is for kids somewhere in the range of 9-12. At the point when you’ve settled on your decisions, click “Add Profile”.

Add content to your child profile

With the profile made, the following screen will ask you to include appropriate content. You can choose books, videos, recordings, applications, and so on that you are OK with your kid exploring.

Tap to choose the content you’re OK with and then tap “Done”. If whenever you need to change the material the child can get to, open “Settings” then go to “Profile” and “Family Library”, at that point click “Add Content” or “Remove Content”.

You can also check the Age Filters screen. This is a component you can flip on or off varying; when on, it lets you set an age extend for the material your kid can see. If you need to guarantee your little one isn’t viewing horrible videos (or other extraordinary shows on Amazon Video), this is a significant element.

You should slide the lower age and upper age range bars as suitable. The tablet will guide you on what number of applications, recordings, and books are distinguishable from the chosen extend. At the point when you’re OK, click “Back” to exit. At last, make a point to set the “Enable In-App Purchasing” setting to off. That will keep them away from piling on charges in games.

Set Up Screen Time

You most likely don’t want your kids spending the entire day stuck to their tablets, particularly whenever there’s an opportunity to do outdoor tasks. So setting up some time limits is a smart thought.

To do this, open “Set Daily Goals” and “Time Limits”, and click the switch to on. You’ll see a screen split into two tabs: “Weekdays” and “Weekends”. Every one of these lets you set a “Bedtime” when the tablet will off, and “wake up time” when it opens up once more.

Here you can also set “Educational Goals”, with time limits for apps, videos, audiobooks and books. There’s additionally a “Learn First” option, letting you block fun material until “Educational Goals” are met.

Further down, you can set a “Total Screen Time” (so your kid may have, say, two hours of tablet time inside a 16-hour term). You’ll additionally discover “Time” by “Activity Type”, where you can set time limits for each activity.

Set Web Content

Your child’s tablet must be online to get to Amazon content. Yet, imagine a scenario where you need to restrict your kid’s access to the web.

Open the kid’s profile again and search for “Web Settings”. Here you’ll discover the switch of “Enable Web Browser”. When clicked, you’ll have the option of “Limit Web Content”, where you can include Websites, and Web Videos, using the “Plus” button.

Then, the Settings tab lets you “Enable Pre-Approved Web Content”. This is Amazon’s curated content, so you can anticipate that the material should be appropriate for your kid.

Review Online Activities of your Child

In the event that you need to see your youngster’s tablet activities (maybe to check whether TV shows are more well-known than games), Amazon offers an element that lets you check what they’re doing. You can, without many efforts, deal with this option of “Settings” then “Parental Controls”. Look down to the “Activity Center”, and on “Monitor This Profile”.

Wrap up

At this point, you should have total control over your kid’s Amazon Fire tablet. Your child can access content that you have selected only.

Safe Vision is Completely Free During Coronavirus Pandemic

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I decided to make all Safe Vision premium features FREE during coronavirus pandemic.

This means that you can unlock unlimited number of channels, set time limit to more than one hour per day and set up multiple child profiles.

You would have to update the app to version 45.0 or higher to get premium features for free. You can check version number from the app by opening settings from sidebar menu.

If you have an existing premium subscription you can cancel it and keep using premium features for free – just make sure that you have version 45.0 or higher.

Stay safe and healthy in these difficult times.

Get Safe Vision

How to Set Time Limits on Amazon Fire Tablet

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Amazon Fire tablets have powerful parental controls that allow restricting screen time for your child. Here’s how to set them up.

First, open FreeTime app and tap on cog icon next to your child’s name:

Next, tap ‘Set Daily Goals & Time Limits’ under Child Settings:

Enable checkbox on top right on the next screen. Here you can set different schedule for weekdays and weekends:

Set Total Screen Time to how long you want to allow your child to use the tablet per day.

I suggest to also set Bedtime (curfew time) – you don’t want your child to stay up late or get up in the middle of the night to play games or watch videos. Our house rule is no devices after 8 pm.

You can also require your child to reach an educational goal before they can access entertainment content. For example your child should read books (on Fire tablet) for one hour before they could do anything else. That feature didn’t work for my son though – he would simply open a book and do something else while tapping on the screen from time to time waiting for the time to pass.

You can also restrict time by activity:

This lets you set time limit for using apps, reading books, listening to Audible, watching videos and browsing the web. I like to restrict using apps (that means playing games) and watching videos but leave reading books unrestricted.

Don’t forget to switch the tablet to your child profile before handing it over to your child.

How Safe Vision App Protects Kids from Malicious Videos

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There is a lot of talk about Momo challenge on the Internet. Reportedly there are videos on YouTube that look like innocent children cartoon but have horrifying image in the middle.

The news are quite disturbing. However it looks like there is no proof that those videos actually found their way to YouTube Kids app.

Momo Isn’t What Parents Need to Worry About on YouTube – Intelligencer

Is Safe Vision safe from this problem?

Safe Vision app starts with all YouTube videos locked. Parents then unlock pre-set list of known good channels based on child’s age range. They can also choose to unlock channels and videos one by one, at their discretion.

I personally review the channels that are available by default in the app. The chances that creators of child-targeted channel, e.g. Pinkfong would suddenly post something inappropriate are extremely low.

There are rumours that official Peppa Pig channel has been hacked and some of their videos contain Momo challenge but I couldn’t find any proof of that.

Bottom line: suicidal videos are definitely locked by default in Safe Vision app.

How to Block YouTube on Amazon Fire Tablet

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There is no doubt that YouTube has a lot of great content for the whole family, but there is also a lot of content that could be inappropriate for children. Being able to block YouTube from your Amazon Fire device is going to be useful. This is also good if you are looking to give these devices to several children at different times. Either way, we are going to show you how to get this done by using Amazon FreeTime.

1-The first step is to tap on the “FreeTime” tab that is situated on your home screen:

2-The second step is to tap “Add a Child” on the following screen:

3-Now enter the child’s name and their date of birth. You can also choose the type of theme you prefer.

4-You can now decide what content you want to add for your child to use. This means that you can choose any game or application you want. You can always add more content later if you wish:

5-The following screen is going to give you the option to decide if your child will be given access to the web browser. If you decide to allow it, you can also use the Amazon filter to allow your kid to access only specific sites that are available. These are also settings that you can change at any time:

6-You can always enable and disable the web browser at any moment by opening FreeTime, tapping on the cog next to your child name and scrolling down to the “Web Settings” section:

7- Amazon approves sites like Nickelodeon, PBS kids and Science Bob by default. You can choose to block all websites and then add any websites you want to allow your child to access.

8-You can easily access the list of children and choose any name you want to switch to the desired profile:

Blocking YouTube on Amazon Fire without using Free Time

If for some reason you don’t want to use Amazon FreeTime, you can still block YouTube on your Fire tablet by blocking web browsing completely. Your child won’t be able to access any website, though. Here’s how to do it:

1-Open settings and tap on parental controls; this will allow you to set the password. Once you have done that, just tap on “Amazon Content and Apps”:

2-Now go to the web browser section and tap on “unblocked”.

3-You can also block any access to Amazon Stores and protect your purchases to prevent your child from installing the YouTube app.

The good news is that by using any of these methods you are going to be able to protect your child from a large amount of harmful content that they could accidentally stumble upon.

Safe Vision helps parents to control YouTube videos for their children.

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Kid-friendly YouTube Channels

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YouTube has a lot of kid-friendly shows. However I strongly recommend using a filter to prevent access to inappropriate videos. Try Safe Vision app – it’s free and all channels below are available there.

Big Block Singsong

Big Block Singsong is a hilarious and thoughtful series of musical animations by director and animator, Warren Brown and composer and recording artist, Adam Goddard.

Many full episodes are available where colourful characters sing and perform.

Big Block Singsong YouTube channel

Little Charley Bear

Little Charley Bear is an enchanting CGI infant series about an imaginative and playful bear. Under the watchful eye of his friend, the Narrator, this adorable little bear uses his imagination to play and go on adventures where he discovers new things about himself and the world around him through active role play.

Aimed at young children aged up to four years, Little Charley Bear is a gently paced show that inspires creativity, discovery and imagination. It has the feel of a classic children’s television show but with advanced modern animation. Although Little Charley Bear doesn’t talk, he can clearly convey what he is thinking and feeling. The Narrator provides Little Charley Bear with helpful advice and guidance throughout the show. He is his mentor and trusted carer figure, however it is Little Charley Bear and his imagination that drives the story.

Little Charley Bear YouTube channel

Raa Raa the Noisy Lion

Raa Raa and his friends solve noisy mysteries, go on adventures and have lots of fun while mastering language and communication skills. Based in the Jingly Jangly Jungle, each episode follows Raa Raa and his wonderful gang of friends; Topsy the giraffe, Huffty the elephant, Crocky the crocodile, Zebby the Zebra and Ooo Ooo the cheeky little monkey. Each of Raa Raa’s noisy friends has a special communication talent to help the gang convey information and meaning and help Raa Raa solve the problem of the day.

Raa Raa the Noisy Lion official YouTube channel

The Little Grey Fergie

The little grey tractor with a secret – he’s alive!

Little Grey Fergie YouTube channel

Lassie

“Lassie” is an animated series that updates the classic story of the noble dog. Lassie now belongs to Ranger Graham and Dr. Sarah Parker’s family. Their 10 year old daughter Zoe, her best friend Harvey, and the fearless, faithful Lassie fill their days with adventure. From facing down a backcountry brush fire to reaching out to some of the characters who live in the park’s countless canyons, for Lassie and Zoe each day brings new, exciting and sometimes dangerous challenges.

Lassie YouTube channel

The Jungle Book

Join Mowgli and his friends Bagheera, Baloo and Kaa the Python, as they take on the evil Shere Khan who is out to get Mowgli. Set in the lush jungle of Seeonee, Central India, The Jungle Book explores how Mowgli lives and survives in the wild. Filled with wonderful adventures and valuable life lessons.

The Jungle Book YouTube channel

Bumba – the Little Clown

Bumba is a little mischievous but always cheerful clown. He performs in a circus full of sounds and colors. To help him, he can always count on his best friend Bumbalu.

Bumba YouTube channel

Maya the Bee

A young bee named Maya has left her hive to discover the beauty and mysteries of nature. As she explores the meadow where she lives, she meets other insects living there, plays to her heart’s content and shares her joy with her friends. Constantly amazed by her discoveries, Maya’s enthusiasm is contagious.

Maya the Bee YouTube channel

Olivia the Pig

Olivia is a little pig with a big personality and even bigger dreams. Whether she is at home with her family or at school with her friends, Olivia sees every day as an adventure. This 6 3/4 year-old dynamo has an extraordinary imagination and believes anything is possible – if you can dream it, you can achieve it! Confident, spirited and lovable, this precocious pig is an expert at making her voice heard, inspiring girls everywhere to think boldly and dream BIG.

Olivia the Pig Official YouTube channel

Peppa Pig

Peppa lives with her mummy and daddy and her little brother, George. Her adventures are fun, sometimes involve a few tears, but always end happily.

Peppa Pig – official YouTube channel

Hey Duggee

Duggee is a big friendly dog who runs The Squirrel Club – a place where kids take part in all kinds of activities, have adventures & earn activity badges along the way.

Hey Duggee official YouTube channel

Postman Pat

Each story features Postman Pat and his black and white cat Jess and their adventures in the village of Greendale. Pat is more than just a friendly postman delivering the mail, he is always ready to lend a willing hand to all the people he meets on his rounds.

Postman Pat official YouTube channel

Booba

Booba is cute and inquisitive, like a five-year-old kid. He explores the world without anger or resentment, only joy and wonder. He doesn’t talk, although he does make sounds to express his emotions.

Nobody knows where he came from, but he has obviously missed the last 100 years of human progress and explores modern locations with boundless energy and enthusiasm. His awkward movements, combined with a strong desire to learn more about the world around him, often have hilarious results!

Booba YouTube channel

Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom

Young fairy princess Holly and her best friend, Ben Elf, live in Little Kingdom, a tiny land where flowers and grass grow above the tallest towers. Being a princess, Holly has magical powers, but her attempts at magic often go awry — but that is to be expected because even her fairy teacher, Nanny Plum, sometimes has spells that don’t go as planned. Thankfully, Ben is there to help when things don’t go right for Holly; although he doesn’t possess special abilities, he is extremely handy. Together, Holly and Ben go on adventures with their friends, including Gaston the Ladybird, and work together to fix magical mistakes.

Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom official YouTube channel

Fireman Sam

Fireman Sam is a British animated comedy children’s series about a fireman called Sam, his fellow firefighters, and other residents in the fictional Welsh rural village of Pontypandy.

Fireman Sam YouTube channel

How to let your child play on your iPhone without it ending in drama

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There comes a time when you need to keep your child entertained and all you have is your smartphone. Perhaps you are stuck in the traffic or sitting in a waiting room.

There are lots of great child apps and games that will keep your child busy for sure, but when it comes to finishing and handing the phone back there is usually a little drama. Your child is in the middle of something and doesn’t want to part with this great toy. You end up being the “baddie” because you took away all the fun.

The solution is to get help from the technology. You can set a timer on your iPhone and when it finishes the phone will turn itself off and stay locked until you enter a passcode.

The phone can even announce that their time will soon finish. No problem: your child understands that the fun activity just finished on its own and hands your phone back to you.

Here’s how to set it up.

Open Settings, then Accessibility. Scroll down to the end and tap Guided Access in the “Learning” section:

Enable Guided Access and tap Time Limits. Enable Speak there and set alarm sound:

Now, open any app and press the Home button three times (you will need to press it fairly quickly). You should see the Guided Access screen:

Tap “Options” on the bottom and set time limit:

Tap Done and then Start. Your iPhone is ready for your child.

Another great benefit of guided access is that your child is unable to switch to another app on your phone and mess with the settings, delete something important or access something inappropriate.

See also Use Guided Access with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch on Apple website.

Why I built Safe Vision

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Safe Vision is a mobile app that helps parents filter YouTube videos for their children.

When my daughter was 7, she was staying home alone from time to time (admittedly too early). One day she watched some scary videos on YouTube unsupervised. That was a traumatic experience for her: for a while, she was afraid of the dark, could not sleep alone, and would not stay alone in her room. Every little noise would scary her. She was telling us that things have moved on their own. It took her quite some time to recover.

Also, I noticed that my son watched a lot of gaming videos with strong language in them. That’s when I decided to do something about it.

The trend is alarming: according to the study by NSPCC 40% of children seen violent material and nearly a third reported seeing self-harming or suicide content on YouTube.

Initially, I wanted the app to do all the filtering according to the child’s age. But I quickly discovered that parents have a wide range of opinions about what’s appropriate for their children. Today the main feature of the app is “unlocking” channels and videos in the parent mode.

I strongly believe that we as parents are responsible for what goes into the minds of our children. It’s like food: left to their own devices, children would eat a lot of junk food and candy. However, we as the parents are responsible for providing healthy choices.

This is true when the children are very young and lack a moral compass to tell them what’s good and what’s not.

I think James Bridle gave the best advice for parents about YouTube:

If you have small children, keep them the hell away from YouTube.

However, if you still want to let your child watch YouTube, please use some kind of parental control tool.