A groundbreaking app named Screenable aims to help parents introduce technology to their children by transforming an iPhone or iPad into a simplified starter phone. Created to grow with a child’s age and maturity, Screenable offers multiple modes that allow parents to gradually expose their children to digital interactions and online experiences.
How Screenable Works: Technology Tailored to Each Stage of Childhood
Screenable is a progressive app designed to cater to various age groups by providing different modes. This thoughtful structure allows parents to manage what their children can access on a smartphone or tablet in a more customizable, developmental way.
“Dumb Phone” Mode: Safe Introduction to Smartphones
In the Dumb Phone mode, Screenable strips down the iPhone to only a few basic functions, mimicking an old-school flip phone. This mode allows kids to only access Phone, FaceTime, and Messages apps, keeping things simple and safe. Although the app does not restrict whom the child contacts, Apple’s parental controls can be used to manage contacts, ensuring kids only communicate with approved numbers.
Parents also have the option to add extra apps as their child grows, making Screenable flexible and adaptable for each child’s unique readiness.
“Screen Trainer” Mode: Collaborative Parental Controls
When kids are ready for more independence, Screen Trainer mode provides the next level of access while keeping parents informed. Children can start using additional apps, and parents are notified about their activity, which allows them to monitor app usage. This mode introduces a feature called “Overtime,” where children can practice managing their screen time within set daily limits.
By offering this middle ground, Screenable helps kids develop responsible digital habits without feeling overly restricted.
“Social Trainer” Mode Safe Gateway to Social Media
For parents hesitant to introduce their kids to social media, Screenable will soon offer a Social Trainer mode. This feature allows parents to permit access to select social media apps gradually, choosing which ones their child can download. Currently, Screenable supports a guided setup for popular apps such as Instagram, Snapchat, Discord, Facebook, BeReal, Tumblr, and Threads. This feature lets parents set time limits on app use, establish in-app parental controls, and encourages them to research any social media platform before their child begins using it.
Additionally, Screenable includes helpful conversation guides on online safety, empowering parents to talk to their kids about responsible digital behavior in social spaces.
Origins of Screenable Family-Driven Mission for Smart Digital Growth
Screenable was founded by Tom and Stevie Clifton, former tech entrepreneurs, alongside their wives, Scarlet Clifton and Hannah Kwon. With backgrounds in tech and entrepreneurship, the two couples wanted to create an app that would introduce technology to kids in a controlled, thoughtful way. Their previous startup, Animoto, a cloud-based video-making platform, garnered significant success, but they opted to self-fund Screenable to keep it a family-oriented project.
According to Tom Clifton, the app was created out of a need for a balanced approach to children’s digital exposure. “We are pro-technology,” Tom said in an interview with TechCrunch. “Our goal is not to lock down every feature but to offer a gradual, supportive transition so kids can learn to use technology responsibly.”
The name Screenable encapsulates this philosophy, as it suggests a tool for children to build safe, controlled screen habits, gaining essential digital skills while minimizing risks.
Distinctive Features: Not Surveillance, But Guidance
Unlike other parental control apps that focus on direct monitoring, Screenable takes a collaborative approach. Rather than reading kids’ messages or tracking their every move, it allows parents and kids to work together to set digital boundaries and develop responsible online habits. This approach encourages a sense of trust, making the app less about surveillance and more about a shared journey to responsible tech use.
Freemium Model: Affordable and Accessible
Screenable operates on a freemium model, giving parents free access to Dumb Phone mode. This choice reflects the founders’ commitment to helping parents introduce technology to their children without cost barriers. For those interested in using the more advanced modes, there’s a monthly subscription of $7, which allows access to Screen Trainer and Social Trainer modes.
Additionally, Screenable enables parents to repurpose old smartphones instead of buying new devices for their children, making it both a cost-effective and environmentally friendly choice.
Future of Screenable: Expanding to Family-Wide Digital Wellness
Looking ahead, the Screenable team envisions broadening the app’s applications beyond just children’s use. The developers are exploring ways to help entire families, including parents, limit screen time when desired. “We’re exploring ideas like turning all family phones into ‘Dumb Phones’ for a weekend or vacation, so everyone can enjoy a break from constant notifications,” Tom explained.
The founders also plan to introduce features for adult users interested in limiting their screen time, as demand has already emerged for such functionality from parents seeking digital detox options for themselves.
Gradual Growth as a Family-Led Startup
Unlike their previous venture, which raised over $30 million in funding, Tom and Stevie have chosen to bootstrap Screenable. The goal is to maintain the project’s family-oriented values and grow gradually at a pace that prioritizes quality and user needs.
By addressing the complexities of introducing children to digital technology in an age-appropriate way, Screenable is filling a unique niche in the parental control market. As more families embrace technology, this app could become an invaluable tool, guiding children towards independent, responsible, and healthy digital habits.
