CAN THIS APP ‘ UNGLUE’ YOUR KIDS FROM THEIR SCREENS?

A father comes up with a device to help children manage their time better

Tablets and smartphones are fun, and children love all the educational apps, games and videos to entertain them.

Then comes the part where you pry the device from their hands. Sometimes, it’s amicable, but it can also turn into a tantrum- inducing endeavor.

Some parents may worry their kids are addicted to screens. Last fall, the American Academy of Pediatrics advised parents to limit older kids’ digital time to no more than an hour or two a day. As a parent, you know how hard it can be to set limits.

But according to Alon Shwartz, co- founder of the app unGlue, it’s not so much about “addiction” as it is teaching kids how to manage their time.

Kids “don’t have the lifetime experience, responsibilities and tools us adults have,” Shwartz said. “And it is still hard for us.”

Enter unGlue.

Shwartz was so frustrated managing his own children’s screen time that it prompted him to devise an app. UnGlue was inspired by an experience with his oldest son, 18, as he was finishing homework. He checked in, and his son was on his phone. After taking the phone, he followed up and found him on his computer. After a third check- in revealed his son on yet another device, he snatched all three and dumped them on his bed.

“It’s not my proudest moment as a parent,” said Shwartz. “But then I realized ... wouldn’t it be nice if we could do that with a single button?”

UnGlue is one of multiple apps available to help parents track children’s digital habits. OurPact and Screen Time are others.

There’s an unGlue app for parents and one for children. Here’s how it works:

u Parents use their app to set what times kids can access the Internet, set limits on entertainment time, or pause access entirely for special occasions.

uFor kids, their version of unGlue shows a “time bank” where they see how much time they have each day for entertainment. Leftover time can roll over to the next day, but if they run out, they can earn more minutes by doing chores.

UnGlue is available on iOS and Android to track and manage mobile device usage. For those wanting to expand to game consoles, computers, or other Wi- Fi devices, there’s a version for the desktop, but requires a wired Internet connection. Users can also opt to purchase a $ 30 device called the unGlue Puck which syncs to the app and tracks nonmobile gadgets.

UNGLUE The screen time management app unGlue, top, and the children’s version, above.