(Special Promo for Augusta Family Readers)

Parenting in the digital age just got tougher. When online school starts in a few weeks, many students will be required to sit in front of a computer for most of their day. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the recommended screen time for children and teens is no more than two hours daily, and absolutely no screen time for children under the age of two. (healthychildren.org.) While online education does not figure into those recommendations, general screen time does, and it will be harder to manage with longer periods of time required from students online. To help manage the dilemma, Circle Home Plus has designed a comprehensive control device that parents are able to use in and out of the home. The system allows parents to set limits, block content, and keep track across all devices (i.e. laptops, tablets, smart TVs, video game consoles, cell phones, etc.). The hardware ensures you can manage devices in your home, while the app allows you to manage mobile devices remotely. Subscribers just download the app, connect Circle to your router, and it automatically detects your family’s devices. There are nine essential parental control features, at your fingertips, so you can customize individual profile settings for each family member. Circle Home Plus (MSRP $129) is available on Amazon, Best Buy, and meetcircle.com. Visit, meetcircle.com for more information and current blog articles.

Augusta Family magazine readers can take advantage of a special promo offer for the week of August 17 – 25, 2020:

Promo code:
Details: 20% off Circle products (1yr or lifetime subscription)
Dates: Aug 17 – Aug 25
Code: BACK2SCHOOL

Source: meetcircle.com

There are several reasons parents should be looking into third-party screen time management solutions right now:

  • Multiple reports show that screen time has been sky high (as much as 500x’s the norm) as a result of quarantine/shelter in place orders of COVID.
  • Kid-focused content is being launched left and right: Facebook Messenger for Kids, Spotify Kids, Disney+, TikTok updates, etc.
  • Cyberbullying is likely to increase because of the time kids are spending online along with the fact that most schooling will be done online in the fall.
  • Continued e-learning in the fall while parents juggle working and participating in “homeschooling” means parents may need extra help keeping their kids on track and focused on studying.
  • This year’s back-to-school season means an influx of devices in the home— whether purchased by parents or sent home by school.

Photo courtesy of Circle Home Plus