Finally, an app to restrict kids' smartphone time that they won't hate
Samsung has a new app meant to curb how much time your kid spends glued to their smartphones. And this one might actually work.
The new app, called Samsung Marshmallow (not related to Android Marshmallow, the OS), allows parents to set a group of permitted apps on their kids' devices, as well as enforce daily time limits, and a bedtime.
While this is but one of many screen addiction management apps out there, Samsung has an in-app points system, called Marshmallow points, that the child can earn and eventually use to redeem actual rewards. These include Amazon stored value cards, or coupons to use at stores like Best Buy, Sephora, and Dunkin' Donuts.
The rewards appear to be based on the catalogue for Samsung Rewards, its points programme in the U.S. encouraging people to pay with Samsung Pay, its mobile payment platform.
Unfortunately, the Marshmallow app is limited to Samsung's Android devices, like many of its other apps.
Each day or week, the app will also provide a recap for parents, reporting how well their child did with observing their time limits.
You might even find it's useful for big kids in your life, too.
[H/T Engadget]
Topics Samsung
Victoria Ho is Mashable's Asia Editor, based in Singapore. She previously reported on news and tech at The Business Times, TechCrunch and ZDNet. When she isn't writing, she's making music with her band
