FT Kids Tech

Volume 10 | Issue 03
TECHNOLOGY
YOUR HANDY GUIDE TO EVERYDAY
Kids TEch
to
A brave new world Learning through games

Kids tech: good or bad? Tech toys
Baby steps to baby tech Protecting your kids
A 9.9 media Publication
fAST
tRACK
to
Kids Tech
powered by
Chapters
Kids Tech
march 2015
06PAGE
A brave new world
Technology is the pathway to the future. And that’s only possible if
children are able to constructively use its full potential to maximise
their own
18PAGE
The effects of technology exposure on
kids of today
Steve Jobs reportedly restricted his kids from accessing the iPad. Were
his fears of the ill effects of tech unfounded? Is tech good for kids or
does it cause more harm? Read on...
27PAGE
Baby steps to baby tech
Apps, websites, user interfaces and everything else you need to know
when preparing your child for modern technology.
Editorial Manager Test Center Associate Art Director

Credits
The people behind this book
Executive Editor Jayesh Shinde Anil T

Robert Sovereign-Smith
Reviewers Sr. Visualisers
Assistant Editor Mithun Mohandas, Shigil Narayanan
Siddharth Parwatay Anirudh Regidi Sristi Maurya
Abhijit Dey
Writers Visualiser
Elroy Desmond Design Baiju NV
Infancia Cardozo Sr. Creative Director
Nicole Anklesaria Jayan K Narayanan Sr. Designer
Samir Alam Pradeep G Nair
Sr. Art Director
Contributing Copy Editor Anil VK
Infancia Cardozo
cONTENtS 3
51PAGE
Learning through games
For parents and caretakers concerned about their kids being ruined by
video games, here’s a solution...
63 PAGE
Tech toys
Kids are curious by nature, and yet that curiosity needs to be cultivated
and nurtured to be put to good use. On that note, here are a bunch of
gadgets and resources that’ll put any child on the path to becoming
the next generation Elon Musk.
80PAGE
Protecting your kids
Keeping kids away from the dark side of the internet is easier than
you’d think. Here are some must have apps and utilities to do just that.
Volume 10 | Issue 03
TECHNOLOGY
YOUR HANDY GUIDE TO EVERYDAY
© 9.9 Mediaworx Pvt. Ltd.

Kids TEch
to
mARCH 2015
Published by 9.9 Mediaworx

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form
or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher.
The Arduino™ boards, shields, IDE and parts of the code depicted in this
Cover Design: Manjith PB
KIDs TeCH
book are by Arduino™ and are covered under the CC BY-SA license.
March 2015
Free with Digit. If you have paid to buy this Fast Track from any
source other than 9.9 Mediaworx Pvt. Ltd., please write to
editor@digit.in with details
Free With Digit march 2015
A brave new world Learning through games
Custom publishing Kids tech: good or bad?

Baby steps to baby tech
Tech toys
Protecting your kids
If you want us to create a customised Fast Track for you in order to

03 A 9.9 media Publication
demystify technology for your community, employees or students

contact editor@digit.in
4 iNTRODUCTION
Introduction
O
ften we feel that everyone who uses technology is just like us
– people who have similar backgrounds, similar tastes and
most importantly people a similar age group. This couldn’t
be farther from the truth. There is an entire user-group we
simply overlook – kids! Every thought about it? Your niece, nephew,
child, younger sibling, neighbour’s kids, they’re all users of technology.
The current generation of adults have only adopted the habit of tech-
nology in the last 20 years. However, for those of us who were born after
the proliferation of internet mobile devices, things are very different. In this
technology driven atmosphere it isn’t easy to know what is and isn’t right
for these young ones all around us. Knowing what are the safe routes to
technology literacy falls firstly in the hands of adult caregivers. So whether
you’re a parent, sibling or even a babysitter - educating yourself is the first
step. So gather around boys and girls and take in this month’s Fast Track
to Kids Tech which brings you techno tips for tiny tykes.
We begin by taking an overview of what constitutes “kids tech”. Where
does adult tech end and kids tech begin? What are the resources avail-
able for adults to know what is the right choice? And what is the cultural
difference between children born into technology and their parents? We
answer all these question and more as we journey into the world of digital
natives and their relationship with technology. We also devote chapters
that address a few of the concerns caregivers should have when leaving
their young ones with mobile internet technology. Using case studies and
other empirical data we advise you on the fundamentals of technology
and its effects on the security of your children.
In subsequent chapters we chart a step by step plan or “baby steps”
towards technology acclimatisation. In addition, we assess and suggest
various different user interfaces and operating systems for mobiles and
PCs which can be used to create a child-centric computer. This section not
iNTRODUCTION 5
only has a vast assortment of educational and entertainment apps suitable

for children but also explains the structured environments necessary for
children to make the most of them. We also throw in a thorough catalogue
of educational hardware tech and toys that will help maximise a child’s
growth and development. We wrap things up with a parental toolkit
which will allow you to manage your kids usage and keep a watchful eye
on them. In short, we give you all the knowledge you need to make the
right decision for your child as they grow up. We hope this Fast Track
helps you secure your child’s technological upbringing during these
rapidly changing times.
As always, we welcome your feedback and questions at: editor@digit.in.
Now stop kidding around and go read!
6
Chapter #01
A brave new
world
Technology is the pathway to the future.
And that’s only possible if children are
able to constructively use its full potential
to maximise their own
T
echnology is a great amplifier; capable of transforming the human
mind and society at large with rapid ease. As tech becomes more
pervasive in our world, it becomes increasingly important for
us to assess its relationship and impact on the most vulnerable
among us – the children. Technology for kids was once restricted to mere
video games and elementary educational devices, but today it has become
as intimate as their home-packed school lunches.
Today’s kids are often times leashed to cellular devices and distracted
with entertainment devices for reasons of safety and convenience. In doing
so, their parents and caregivers risk the peril of these children encountering
unfiltered content. As the disparate archipelago of technology unifies with
the mainland of a kid’s daily misadventures, we need better means of
monitoring and directing it towards a safer state. While tackling the difficult
questions in our roles as parents, siblings, educators and citizens, we must
also lay down the law on a force as powerful as the internet and social media
which can influence our future generations.
A brave new World 7
This Fast Track

tackles these issues
and advises you on
how to best use tech to
your kid’s advantage.
We’ll cover various
topics – beginning
with the basic
discussion of what
“kids technology”
is and going all the
way up to laying out This may soon happen
a digital curriculum
using which kids can make the most of the tools available to them. Managing
an equilibrium of knowledge and security is the biggest challenge before
us. And while we may not be able to constantly protect kids from the chaos
of the interconnected information network, we can ensure that nothing of
significant harm leaks into their as yet unspoiled and tender minds with
the help of useful utilities.
Kids Tech Vs. Adult Tech

It’s hard to draw the line between tech meant for adults and tech for non-
adults. The simple objects of demarcation are clearly the baby toys with
blinking lights and the educational plastic playthings every frantic parent
purchases when their child is born. But for the most part, the world of
technology doesn’t discriminate between its users. A child is just as capable
of using a cell phone as an adult (after the baby drooling phase, of course).
However, the manner in which children use technology is the distinguishing
factor – such as their choice of websites and applications, not to mention
their naive acceptance to what they find online.
The tools of technology. i.e. computers, consoles, mobile devices and
tablets are designed to be intuitive and ergonomic with human behaviour.
It’s the unique approach that children bring to the already easy-to-use
devices that makes them more “kid tech” than “adult tech” from the get go.
While an adult would use these tools to accomplish a task, a child is more
inclined to explore it organically. With this awareness in mind, technology
makers have already started designing hardware and software products that
are specifically targeted towards children which limit their exposure and
8 A brave new world
control their content. From customised operating systems that use large,
fun fonts in bright colours to applications that focus on educating children
in various elementary fields. Some technology makers have, in fact, gone
so far as to make age-appropriate laptops, tablets and mobiles for children.
But it isn’t reasonable to expect everyone with a child to fork over tens
of thousands of rupees for a laptop (such as the ‘PeeWee Pivot’) which is
exclusively for kids. For most young families, austerity is the order of the
day. Preparing and protecting your children in their use of technology
doesn’t necessarily mean having to spend lakhs in ensuring an arsenal
of tablets, laptops and mobiles that your kids will outgrow in a couple of
years. Kids, like technology, are adaptive and tend to outgrow simple toys
and trifles very quickly. The bottlenecking of their technological exploration
The iPotty combines an iPad with an actual potty to help potty train your child
via limited tools isn’t an effective way towards fostering growth. And as
pedagogical research has shown, the level of engagement from a caregiving
adult is directly proportional to how well a child benefits in their relationship
with technology.
For readers, this means that “kid tech” also includes the tools that adults
will need to better manage their children’s technology usage. So broadly
speaking, kids tech is the sum total of all technological tools – from OSes
to applications that will help kids thrive mentally and emotionally, while
assisting in the participation of adults as gatekeepers and protectors.
Thankfully, there are many methods of taking charge of technology in the
household with a few tricks and applications which we’ll be sharing in this
issue of Fast Track.
A brave new World 9
First contact with the digital natives

If you were born after 1994, you probably don’t recall the distinctive sound
of an internet connection in progress. The screeching tone of the dial-up
modem attempting to connect with a server so you could experience the
web in all its glory at 64 bits per second. In fact, it’s very likely that you’ve
spent a majority of your life surrounded by mobile phones as opposed to
landlines – implying that you lack complete awareness of a period when a
phone call was something that required your physical presence in a specific
place at a specific time. If you were born after 1994 in India, you are nearly a
digital native, but not quite. However, if your first memories of calling home
involve using a cell phone and your main resource for school homework
was a computer then you’re definitely a digital native.
Children born in 2005 and later are normalised to a world that’s rife
with technology, from tablets to the web. In smaller, nuclear families in the
urban setting where the attention of the parents is divided, it’s but natural
for gadgets to fill the void. Which is why for many families, the use of
personalised devices such as tablets has unfortunately become a substitute
for an affordable
babysitter. As children
find constant unending
distraction on these
devices, they risk being
completely removed
from experiences that
today’s adults would
remember as being
Kids are born with internet already set up and running normal from their
own childhoods. Take,
for instance, the simple
youthful memories
of interacting with
other children
regularly in person
and participating
in physically taxing
activities such as
games of hide and
A toddler playing by himself on a laptop seek or sports. Today,
10 A brave new world
the sight of pre-teens sitting in a room doing all of that over an app isn’t
uncommon. In fact, even the excitement of engaging with friends while
playing video games is being slowly replaced by services like Twitch, which
allow viewers to just watch other people playing the game.
But it’s lazy to just wash our hands of the problem and presume that
today’s kids are a different species, who are destined to be different than
their parents. This isn’t just another example of the generation gap, but
the result of parental complacency. After all, today’s adults too once had
their tryst with technology, even if it was more analogue in form – such
as a bicycle – but rarely, if ever, did kids ride off to other cities while their
parents just sat at home uncaring. The only difference with technology
today is that it brings the big bad world right onto a screen that’s staring
your child in the face.
Kids are natural explorers and gravitate to newer technology, while
for most adults technology adaptation is an acquired skill. Even the term
“digital native” is nearly antiquated due to the natural propensity of children
acquiring technological proficiency faster than adults. This was proven in
a case study from Tufts University and the MIT Media Lab, when solar-
powered tablets were given out to village children in Ethiopia. Within 20
minutes of being given these devices, the children in this village, who hadn’t
experienced any electricity or literacy, were able to begin using the device
without any help. And in less than a week they were using 47 apps. The
“digital native” is in all of us, but only when we’re children; it’s the growing
up that makes us estranged from our native roots of open learning.
This gap in perceptions is what adults need to understand when dealing
with digital natives – that their exposure and vulnerability to the real
world is far more fragile than the earlier generation’s. The balancing act
between the risks and advantages of new technology falls on the responsible
shoulders of adults, and a proactive approach instead of a passive-reactive
approach is necessary. Each successive generation will always have a higher
aptitude towards technology, but it’s in the hands (and wallets) of adults as
to how much and how often they exploit it. Opening up to one’s own level
of accountability is the first and most critical step, in ensuring the proper
use of technology by our children.
Kids on the Open Web

Fear is never a good motivator for learning, but evolutionarily it’s an effective
one. And when it comes to children on the web, there’s much to fear. But
A brave new World 11
No matter the platform, a child’s activities can be monitored
we aren’t fear-mongering to sell easy solutions. Fear is also a gateway to

vigilance and caution, which are necessary traits in an unpredictable world.
And while most adults have acquired a sensible approach towards how
securely they use technology, we’ve all seen cases of abuse and violations.
Be it leaked government secrets or stolen private content – the perils of
having anything on the web is acutely well known by adults. However,
kids are not acclimated to this reality and educating them about the risks
is a slow and gradual process.
Never before in the history of India, or for that matter the world, have
more people been so closely connected. Communication has become the
backbone of all industries, and the speed of contact is unprecedented.
Long gone are the days of pre-booked long distance trunk calls and postal
services. Today, most people are reachable on their mobile phones and
email. And for kids who transverse this space, it’s more natural for them
to have a Facebook page than to know their full postal address. However,
the spectrum of intimacy which children share with these technologies
varies by age. While no kid under six years is likely to be running their
own Facebook or Twitter page, that can radically shift as kids begin to
socialise in the real world.
As per recent estimates by researchers at Common Sense Media, in an
urban household, children under the ages of 12 consume more than three
hours of media per day. This persistent usage includes all forms of digital
engagement and content, from computers to tablets. Interestingly, this
Tool of instant communication
trend coincides with the declining rate of reading, which is replaced by

multimedia or social networking activities. Research also shows that the
time children spent viewing screens increases with age, from infanthood
to early teens and then spiking significantly as they approach their teens.
Alarmingly, this period coincides with a noticeable drop in their academic
retention in subjects such as math and science.
In addition, nearly 65 percent of children under the age of eight consume
television programming for nearly 90 minutes everyday. The effects and
influence of media are slowly shifting to other mediums such as the internet
on mobile devices, making their usage more frequent throughout the day,
which in turn is suspected to result in lower socialising and attention
span disorders. Thanks to these ever-present devices, the attraction to
mobile and console gaming, social media interactions and educational-
based computer usage is on the rise since the last two years in households
with internet access.
The core of these results aren’t just correlative to technology use amongst
children, but also indicative of certain affecting factors. While technology is
observed to help enhance educational engagement amongst kids, this rule
doesn’t apply when children aren’t supervised in its use. The tendency of
children to use their computer during time allotted for other non-educational
activities such as social networking, gaming and general entertainment is a
major factor in the above stated results. This impact is more severely noticed
in relatively lower-income households, where the burden of micromanaging
young children is difficult to pull off by either parent.
Even admirable ventures such as the ‘One Laptop Per Child’ program,
which have been enacted in many poor regions of the world, was indicative
of the general trend. While kids were able to access these cheap networked
technologies to further their studies, it was only when they were supervised
that they naturally used it for educational purposes. In most cases, the
program was only one-sided, where children were introduced to the
technology but were never guided towards how to make the most of it for
education-specific purposes.
In addition to the detrimental effects of parental complacency and lack of
content management, researchers have also noticed the deeper psychological
effects of social networking amongst younger peer groups. Many serious
social and psychological problems such as bullying and depression are
being detected amongst younger children who are on social networks.
The impact of peer-group bullying is significantly magnified amongst
these closed and anonymous spaces, where it becomes easier to victimise
and abuse kids. And due to the shifting importance of social network
influence, it’s becoming more frequent among these peer groups to undergo
extreme behaviour, which results
in higher anxiety often times
associated with being “popular”
and “friended” online. The perils
become significantly amplified
for early teens who operate on
more intimate mediums such as
Snapchat, where very private
information is traded.
Above and beyond all these
persistent risks lies the general
Cyber bullies could be threatening your child risk of child predators. The
anonymity of the networked
space and easy-to-infiltrate social network systems help many sexual
predators exploit and entrap children online. While instances of online
sexual child predators in India are scarcely reported, it’s usually due to
lack of willingness to come forward as opposed to lack of incidences. At the
core of it all lies unprepared children who are left to wander the dangerous
grounds of the online space. These children can not only inadvertently be a
risk to each other, but also place themselves in risky scenarios purely out
of lack of any personalised education.
For parents, the role of technology in the household is an afterthought –
the devices are considered just passive appliances, and little or no thought
is given to the risks they pose. And as children get more and more clever
at bypassing dictatorial parental control systems, it’s more important for
parents and adults to directly and emotionally communicate with their
children regarding the dangers of new technology. Every device is a window
into the world of the child and it’s often impossible to know who’s on the
other side. The duty of the parent is to reinforce these windows to the best
of their abilities given the age of the child. The need to talk and teach the
child directly can never be overemphasised. Despite these proactive actions,
however, adults need to place more rigid safeguards on younger, more
vulnerable children. Applications, software, operating systems and other
methods of protecting children online are a must-know for any responsible
parent who allows their child to wander online.
Innovations in e-learning
The current state of the kids technology market is in a state of boom. The last
few years have witnessed record growth for the under-12 years consumer
segment in kids-oriented technologies. This ascension has coincided with
the increasing technology penetration all over the world, especially within
urban India. Since modern parents tend to live in a nuclear household, the
reliance on technology is also high, as is the surplus income available to
direct towards that end. The market, however, is highly fragmented and
segmented in a number of areas including software apps, games, toys and
devices. Interestingly, all these segments tend to stem from the same core
which is education, making e-learning the key market within which the
industry orients its growth.
The ability of e-learning for under-12 children has already borne fruit
in the west. But recent progress in India itself has shown it to be a game-
changing tool as in the case of ‘The School in the Cloud’ program. The
program formally received funding in 2013 from scientist Sugata Mitra
through the TED organisation. He had already set up five such programs
in India prior to his $1 million grant and has continued to expand them
since then. His programs utilise the potential of using online resources
to connect children with a ‘Self Organised Learning Environment’ or
‘SOLE’. Using commercially free tools such as Skype, the program
has let children in underprivileged areas direct their inquisitive and
exploratory minds be guided by ‘Skype Grannies’. These Skype Grannies
are a volunteer force of retired elderly women in many countries across
the world who use their free time to Skype and help the children as they
explore the internet. The results have been very positive, proving that
e-learning solutions need further exploration at every level through
innovative thought.
This form of innovation in e-learning is necessary for the industry’s social
viability to be valid. The market for digital learning has been booming since
the proliferation of personal computers. However, many of the solutions
have been simplistic and temporary. The majority of the programs used
in digital learning for young children have been games that help develop
basic academic skills such as math, spelling and reading. These programs
were distinct options on a PC back in the day and can now be found for free
on the internet, but
they compete
with a wider
world of risky
distractions. Since
the methodologies
of education,
technology and
culture are so
intertwined, the
mechanics of how
children learn
also differs from Tech helps students to connect with teachers across the world
country to country.
The refining of all these factors towards a unified understanding is necessary
if businesses are going to market child-oriented e-learning, which in itself
is a new beast, one that is still being finessed in India and the world.
Forecasts for the education sector

The projections for the current year anticipate the education market in
India to reach almost $110 billion in revenue. The market already witnessed
growth of nearly 18 percent in 2013-2014 and then to over 50 percent in
2014. This trend points to the anticipated growth of a further $40 billion
by 2017. Globally, new regions such as Asia-Pacific and South America
also follow similar trends and embolden these projections for 2015. In Asia
alone, the e-learning market has witnessed over-the-top growth in countries
like China, Vietnam and Malaysia, which make up a sizeable chunk of the
global 30 percent that Asia represents.
Opportunities and obstacles

A major chunk of the e-learning business is, in fact, located squarely on
the internet with little or no hardware device components involved. The
‘Bring Your Own Device’ or ‘BYOD’ model of software-oriented services
(SaaS) is a further driver of the industry, promoting local innovation and
investment in the market. Within this model of enterprise, consumers are
offered the ability to use existing devices such as mobiles and tablets to
directly access the e-learning services via the internet. A record number
of start-ups within India are looking to this growing market as a lucrative
opportunity within which to create and sell new products.
The proven ability of e-learning for adults has long been understood,
but within this existing segment, e-learning for children is a relatively
new field especially with its mobility aspects. With the BYOD SaaS model
in place, which uses apps to service the consumers, the wealth of options
tremendously increases. And as mobile technologies become increasingly
powerful, the idea of using these mini-supercomputers as platforms for
e-learning is becoming increasingly exciting. Current market research
shows that along with China, Japan and South Korea, India is projected to be
a top consumer of mobile technologies in the next two years on a global scale.
Most professionals and companies involved in this industry don’t consider
technology, infrastructure and literacy to be their biggest obstacles. Given the
naturally expansive access to cheaper computing devices, subsidised devices
from governments, as well as the expanding internet infrastructure, the key
worry for e-learning business is the content. The need to develop culturally
appropriate content that’s engaging, informative and evolving is the key
goal of the industry at the current time. There’s a great deal of interest from
venture capitalists who
are pouring in billions
to discover the right mix
of quality content from
start-ups.
Clearly, the biggest
contender in this
segment for the year
2015 is Google. The
company has announced
plans to target under-13
Help your kids stay safe online kids with new products
If used correctly, search engines can be your child’s source of clean fun
within the next few months. Given the central role of Google as the search
engine starting point for almost everyone, it makes sense that the company is
engaging with children. While child-oriented “safe search engines” already
exist in the form of KidRex and GoGooligans, the majority still resort to
Google Search as the default option. Google’s announcement of developing
and releasing kid-oriented services such as email, search and video is good
news for parents. It remains to be seen how deep Google will invest in more
mainstream e-learning products but it does work as a lightening rod for
other companies to do the same. This means more options for parents as
they look to help their child achieve their highest potential.
18
Chapter #02
The
Effects of
Technology
Exposure on
Kids of Today
Steve Jobs reportedly restricted his kids
from accessing the iPad. Were his fears
of the ill effects of tech unfounded? Is
tech good for kids or does it cause more
harm? Read on...
H
ave you met five-year-old Mumbai-based pre-schooler Moksha
Jain? She can’t get through a single meal without her tablet
playing cartoons in front of her. Or ten-year-old Bangalore-
based Ethan D’sa, who has a cellphone, tablet AND laptop and
can always be seen on either one or all of those attention-seeking gadgets
at any given time of the day? Kids today are battling an addiction of sorts.
kids tech: good or bad? 19
Is all play and no work making Jack a dull boy?
Tablets, smartphones and gaming devices such as Nintendo DS, Wii and
PS3 are gifted to them not only as a means of entertainment, but also to buy
that little bit of momentary peace of mind for the adults. Basically, a “shut-up
toy” (an actual industry term) to occupy them during daily routines such
as errands, car rides and eating out.
It is said that the smarter the toy, the lesser challenged the kid. Every-
thing is done at the click of a button or rather the tap of a screen nowadays.
Even easy access to information could potentially be spoiling the younger
generation, with spoon-fed solutions from Google and an abundance of
even information of the wrong kind.
But is exposure to technology all bad? After all, we at Digit live and
breathe technology 24/7, and we can’t possibly condone something that’s
obviously detrimental let alone dedicate an entire FastTrack to it. Rest
assured as always there is a flipside and in this case an upside.
There is enough research on the pro-technology side that suggests expo-
sure to technology is in fact good for children. Take the most cited example of
gaming. Research suggests gaming aids in multi-tasking, analytical ability,
decision making and self control.
Think of the first generation that grappled with embracing technological
innovations like the telephone or television. It did take getting used to. Many
20 kids tech: good or bad?
of you adults reading this would’ve had TV as a part of your life growing up.
Your formative years weren’t ruined and you didn’t turn out so bad, did you?
Perhaps there only needs to be a bit of acclimatisation on our part. Per-
haps it’s just a simple case of dealing with change, establishing boundaries
and making the technology work for us the way we want it to. Either ways
the question of whether tech is good for kids, is not an easy one to answer.
Both sides have to be looked at and in this chapter we shall be doing just that.
Let’s play the devil’s advocate and start with the bad...
The problem with 21st century tech

Tech overuse, in particular smartphone and tablet overuse, among toddlers
according to many researchers may stunt social-emotional and language
development and problem-solving skills.
For quite some time now kids-specific tablets such as Mosti’s Chhota
Bheem Tab or Inte’s Eddy Tablet have been available for children, and this
huge market exists for a reason. A recent survey by PBS reports that 70
percent of parents polled allow their toddlers and young kids to use their
iPad. Now couple that statistic with this one: eighty percent of a child’s
mental growth happens in its first two years. Scary, huh? Should you be
trusting a tablet during such a crucial stage of a child’s development?
Ok, so your 2.5-year-old has learnt the alphabet by himself, can pho-
netically sound them, put them in order and even count to 30, but can he
use the letters in any type of linguistic context? Does he understand what
these numbers and alphabets actually mean? Your pride may be based on
the fact that you could do none of these things at his age, but all he’s doing
is rote learning, that is, memorising by repetition. Then again, isn’t that
how all kids learn in the beginning? Evidence suggests that well thought
out apps, games and television shows such as Sesame Street can actually
help vocabulary and reading comprehension, but only once children are
much closer to school age. While the level of engagement is extremely high,
thanks to the tech being inclusive and making them feel like their voice is
being listened to, these gadgets can’t replace the benefits of human atten-
tion. Sorry Siri and Dora the Explorer.
Multi-tasking moghuls
It’s not uncommon to find children playing a game on their tablet while
watching a programme on T.V. Or older kids surfing the internet while
texting and listening to music. While we applaud their ability to multi-task
Even something like learning to type may give a child that little edge
and make rapid decisions, we can’t overlook the fact that kids doing this
regularly have trouble focusing on schoolwork and homework or seeing
complex tasks through to completion. There’s plenty of research telling us
how and why concentrating on one task is better than doing 2-3 things at
a time. If your kids are eating while watching television or movies on their
gadgets they’re not paying complete attention to either task.
Are they videogames or mind games?

Speaking of the ability to make rapid decisions, let’s talk about videogames
and gaming apps for a bit. According to an AC Nielson survey, by the time
a child finishes primary school, s/he will have already witnessed 8,000
murders and 20-25 acts of violence each hour. Yes, this is children targeted
media we’re talking about. Also, simply because the title has the word “game”
in it, doesn’t immediately qualify it as such for everyone. The reasons for the
age rating on games are the same as those for movies – violence, sex, nudity,
gore, drug use and profanity. You wouldn’t let your kid watch an R-rated
movie, why would you allow her to play games targeted at an older group?
The damage continues...

Each minute spent playing games on a gadget is taken away from the time
the child could have been playing with other kids her age, learning in the
process, how to resolve conflicts and take on leadership roles.
A study published in the October 2014 issue of ‘Computers in Human
Behavior’ revealed that digital media decreases children’s ability to read
other people’s emotions and social cues. Participants, 11-12 years of age,
were asked to recognise human emotions from a series of photographs
and muted videos. Half of them were then sent to a camp to complete
traditional camping activities such as hiking, archery and learning about
nature. Access to their gadgets was taken away, while the other half
went about as usual with their day on digital media (which on a typical
school day averaged four-and-a-half hours of screen time). The post-test
revealed that the campers showed marked and significant improvement
in their ability to guess emotions, while the gadget-toting group showed
only slight improvement, revealing just how important face-to-face
interactions are.
Effect on physical well-being

Tech’s negative effect on physical health is irrefutable. Not only is the apple
of your eye ruining his vision by not blinking, constantly focusing on the
gadget (thereby making it hard to eventually adjust to viewing distances)
and sitting in pitch dark with the bright screen, he’s also increasing his
chances of being overweight and unhealthy by not getting enough exer-
cise and sunlight. Sleep problems due to exposure to light emitted by
gadgets right before sleeping and orthopaedic complications are other
issues that could also negatively affect your child’s daily life and simply
can’t be ignored.
We should just hide it all away from them, right?

Isn’t it wise then to give your child a Play-Doh set rather than an iPad?
It only makes sense right, considering the former will help unleash your
toddler’s creativity compared to tech consumption on the iPad? Not really.
Why? Read on.
Benefits of tech
Think back to many years ago. Inventions that were new back then – be
it the telephone, radio or even the internet – were plagued with concerns
about their evil effects on users, but aren’t even given a second thought
now. Change is scary. Present day tech may not be childhood as you know
it but like with everything else, it takes some getting used to. With time, it
gets easier as you learn about the virtues of its introduction. Let’s look at
some of these benefits.
Goodbye modem. Hello Wi-Fi

It’s mind-blowing how much progress we’ve made, especially in the fields
of science and tech. Today’s kids will never experience the frustration of
90s kids. We grew up around landline phones and desktop computers that
would take forever to start. And don’t even get us started on modems that
would kick us out of chatrooms the moment the landline phone was picked
up. Tech has taken great strides even in terms of how much processing power
gadgets of todaty have. Try this on for size: You’d need approximately 850
old Apple computers to equal the power of a single iPhone – something
that can fit in the palm of your hand.
Let the games begin

Researchers say that the brain is ever-changing and not fixed so inter-
acting with a device may make your kid’s brain sharper. It’s common
knowledge that playing action games improves hand-eye co-ordination,
but did you know that gaming also aids in multi-tasking, decision making
and self control? As per a study published in December 2013, there’s
“a robust positive association between cortical thickness and video
gaming duration”.
Furthermore, improvements in higher-level cognitive functions such
as task switching, working memory and reasoning were associated with
improvements in a strategic video game. This study was supported by an
experiment led by Adam Chie-Ming Oei and Michael Donald Patterson at
the Nanyang Technical University of Singapore. The duo studied different
types of games – spanning life simulation games (e.g. Sims), object matching
games (e.g. Bejeweled) and action games/finding hidden objects (e.g. Hidden
Expedition) – and their positive impacts on different types of cognitive
skills. The researchers identified an improvement in visual search skills,
which were sharpened through games that required matching and spatial
memory capabilities. Also, the ability to track multiple objects improved
via action games. Soon, we’ll be seeing games being prescribed for clinical
treatments of ADHD or even brain injuries. If the game is well designed
enough, its benefits can surpass even the advantages of reading books and
consuming other forms of media.
Dancing with the wii
What about their social skills, their health?

Isn’t being in a zombie-like state putting a dampener on their social skills?
Not if adults involve themselves in the child’s gaming activity. It is a com-
monly accepted fact that team activities help develop social skills and
self-esteem. It’s the same with gadgets. Kids get a boost in confidence when
they’re able to show off their knowledge of how gadget controls work and
act as teachers to adults showing them, for example, how to get around
certain obstacles like skipping an ad to get to a video quicker.
Children now have the never before seen ability to connect with other
kids from all over the globe, giving them access to other cultures through
cartoons like Peppa Pig and Dora the Explorer. Their minds are expanded
thanks to different points of view and ways of seeing the world even before
they’re 10.
Parents encouraging kids to use interactive media together with them
soon learn of the many opportunities their toddler comes across to move
their bodies, dance and exercise. Barely 6 years of age, Caytlin Fernandes
can go to YouTube, look for choreography videos for her favourite songs
and imitate the steps within a few minutes. Exergaming, i.e. games that
require players to perform physical activities in order to play a game (Dance
Central, Just Dance) are just as effective at combining the enthusiasm for
gaming with exercise. Physical activity in this form ranges from dancing
and aerobics to martial arts and a variety of sports moves giving them a
host of benefits such as facilitating family bonding, cardiovascular exercise,
sensory motor learning and improved cognitive performance in the bargain.
Will preventing access to tech hinder my child’s future?

A certain section of society believes that in an increasingly computerised
world, if their young’un are deprived of gadgets at a younger age, they’ll
be left behind. While it’s true that giving kids access to computers is akin
to giving them an opportunity of a head start in learning how to use them,
let’s not forget that by the time he or she graduates from college, tech such as
iPads that they’ve painstakingly learnt to use during school will be obsolete
by then. On the bright side though, this means that children exposed to all
that tech will be able to more easily adjust to newer inventions than kids
who gave it the cold shoulder.
Already there are reports about Finland scrapping cursive handwriting
from their curriculum and replacing it with Keyboard typing. Then there
are mass movements aimed at kids such as code.org which operate from
the belief that coding is the new literacy.
Get involved with children and their tech exposure

Michael Calce got his first computer at the age of six. As a 15-year-old, he
went on to be known by the online name “Mafiaboy” when he launched a
massive cyber-attack. Today, Michael works as a consultant for companies
trying to protect their online systems from security breaches.
Kids below the age of seven can easily pick up foreign languages so why
can’t they learn to code? iPad games such as Kodable teach kids as young
as five years old programming fundamentals. If they display a passion for
understanding how apps and web sites work, those are early signs that a
career in programming could be on the cards at a later stage. Think about
your own chosen profession and how it relates to your early life ambitions.
If you assemble computers for a living, you probably enjoyed deconstructing
and building things as a child.
One may argue that exposure to digital media may be helpful only to
those pursuing a career in tech, but the thing is it’s all around us, and not
going anywhere so we might as well get our kids to jump onto the tech
bandwagon, if not for anything else than to prevent goof-ups that could
cost them a job.
Balance is important
What would we do without tech? Nothing apparently. When was the last
time you dialled a contact number from memory or calculated a discount
without the help of a calculator? While calculators are great in a pinch, you
don’t want to be suckered into using any device that threatens to leave you
mentally dependent on it. So let’s not deprive the little one the knowledge
of the basic ways of surviving just in case technology fails us when we
need it the most.
Baby Steps to Baby Tech 27
Chapter #03
Baby Steps
to Baby TecH
Apps, websites, user interfaces and
everything else you need to know
when preparing your child for modern
technology.
T
here are no easy moments when raising a child. Very few things
beyond feeding, clothing and sheltering children is ever obvious.
And for modern day parents who are overwhelmed with the
rapidly changing nature of their children’s world technology
can be a frightening monster. Major concerns such as “how much is too
much?” and “what are my kids doing online?” can drive a parent to many
a sleepless nights. Well, breathe easy - we’ve got you covered.Familiarising
Kids to Technology
All parents know that kids are highly attuned to new skills and love
exploring. For most early life skills, children require the assistance and
guidance of adults; from learning to use the bathroom facilities to tieing
their own shoes. Similarly, the way they learn to use technology also requires
guidance and assistance from parents. Depending on the age of the child it
becomes necessary to identify the different exposures they will encounter.
28 Baby Steps to Baby Tech
For toddlers there

is very little other tech-
nology that they need
to be overly concerned
with - most activities
should have a physical
component to reinforce
Why not start ‘em young? the motor skills and real
world lessons. But soon
after the age of 2 years old most children become active and capable of
moving around on their own - this is when things get harder. The wider
exposure of independent mobility and the interactions that come with lead
to unrestricted exposure and interaction. So for parents who may even try
to keep their kids away from tablets and cell phones, there is an inevitable
failure in the attempt.
Kinds that are between 2 years and 12 years of age require a more gradual
and paced training with technology. This training shouldn’t be authoritative
or restrictive, rather like training wheel on a bicycle help in educating the
child on the discipline required for safety and stability. By making early
technology interaction a collaborative experience, between the child and
parent, there can be greater control over how the child uses the devices at
their disposal. This is especially useful to keep the child focussed on the
relevant tasks on the device which if left on their own would lead them from
click-to-click down the internet rabbit hole.
But independence is also an important trait that needs to be inculcated
within children, so while sitting with a tablet and reading along makes
sense, there are times when letting the child play educational games on
their own is also advisable. The time when such decisions are to be made
differs from child to child, and it is the responsibility of the parent to assess
the nature of their child. The type of books the child likes or the types of
games she responds to is helpful in this effort. But the final ability and ease
of downloading new materials,
whether it be books or games or
ever websites, should be man-
aged from an early age.
The lesson of technology
being a privilege and not a
right should be clearly com-
municated to the child. The
expectation of owning a tablet,
mobile, computer and gaming
consoles shouldn’t be taken Play to win at tech
for granted and it is up to the
parents to communicate and explain this philosophy to their child. Since
kids left unattended are more likely to spend their time aimlessly online or
playing games or watching media, the parents have to create an environment
where the learnt familiarity of the technology is just another part of the
bigger holistic development. This implies no personal technology devices
until the child demonstrates the discipline and restraint in their use. If
left unmonitored, the persistent use of these devices will distract the child
from other wholesome activities such as sports, socialising, interpersonal
communication and appreciation for the natural world.
Only during the early periods can parents truly break through the digital
noise to have such important lessons heard by their child. The responsibility
of which applications are installed on the devices falls directly on the adult,
and children shouldn’t be given the power to download whatever they wish
on to the device. A tech-savvy parent should have a clear record of what
activities their child is conducting on these devices. And just like every part
of the child’s life, there should be clearly established boundaries regarding
proper usage and etiquette, otherwise bad habits like being on the device
during dinner and not looking at a person while communicating, will build
up at an early stage making it harder for mental and social growth during
the teenage period.
Apart from the directly proactive role that parents need to play when
relating to their child, it is also important to set-up digital safe-guards which

will protect your children when you can’t. Setting up parental controls on
the individual devices is a good first step towards managing your child’s
exposure to the web. There are a myriad of means of solidifying these
measures such as installing child-centric customised user interfaces on
the specific devices your children will be using. We shall be discussing how
parents can do that in the next section.
Installing Custom User Interface

During the course of their early life children will encounter all forms
of technologies. Just in the house it is very likely that PCs, tablets and
mobiles will be available for
them to explore. So we present
you with options of custom-
ised user interfaces which will
not only make it very easy for
you to manage your child’s
content intake but also ensure
their maximum engagement.
For PC
When it comes to computers
there is a whole world of
Everyone has a right to technology options to choose from but
the selection of interfaces isn’t
quite as varied. While many corporations have made attempts at designing
child centric PCs, none of them have are truly value for money in comparison
with the free-to-use options from the open source community. The conveni-
ence of recycling an old computer desktop or laptop for your child’s needs
has never been easier thanks to Linux based operating systems. The open
source community driven user interface has a good selection of options to
choose from for every age group. Not only does this save parents money, it
also allows you to customise your interface as your child grows. We take
an overview and walkthrough of the most useful Linux based systems
for children.
DoudouLinux
Even as the name cause mild sniggering in adults it is just a tongue in cheek
joke since most kinds using it wouldn’t really have advanced verbal poo
based pun abilities. The operating system is designed for for very young
children starting at the age of 2 years old. The free system is the complete
peace of mind system for children to have unrestricted access to as well.
The system allows for multiple languages, including Hindi and Punjabi,
which can be instrumental in developing a multilingual child if the house
is also multi-lingual. The system features a fully controllable parental guid-
ance system which complements the existing set of educational softwares.
One of the most awesomest features of DoudouLinux for low-tech savvy
parents is its ease of use. The operating system is available as a autorun
CD ROM file which works of the dynamic memory of the computer and
doesn’t alter any of the hard disk space data. This basically means that
the interface runs directly with no installation required. The system has
a built-in content filtering system and privacy protection while on the
internet. The dynamic nature of the program means that it can be carried
around on a CD or pen drive and plugged into any computer, anywhere.
The system requirements for using DoudouLinux are very basic so even a
system from 2005 can easily run it.
Qimo for Kids

Qimo for Kids is a bit more
robust Linux variant OS for
aimed at children. Just like any
other Linux system it is avail-
able free and is built around
the Ubuntu Linux distribu-
tion. With Qimo, children are
able to make the most of a wide Looks easy doesn’t it?
assortment of educational, age-
appropriate and child-friendly programs as soon as its out of the box. It also
includes content filtering and privacy control settings for online surfing.
The operating system has very basic requirements; a 400 MHz processor,
256MB RAM and at least 6GB of hard disk space. The Qimo experience
can easily be side-loaded on to a Windows PC or installed as the primary
option on any machine. As a bonus, it can also be run directly off a LiveCD
or a bootable pen drive for greater convenience.
The technical process for setting up Qimo is very simple - you just need
to download the ISO file from the Qimo4Kids website and decide how you
would like to deploy it. If you wish to install it on to a system then you will
need to burn it to a CD. Then you will need to insert the CD into the machine
on which you wish to install the OS and then start the machine. You will be
prompted upon starting the machine if you wish to proceed to the existing
operating system or go to boot drive to install Qimo - from here you can
also choose to run it off the CD directly. On selecting the install option,
the process is a very simple step-by-step procedure. Remember, that on
installing the OS you will wipe out the existing OS.
For iOS
A sizeable number of people are beginning to use tablets in the home to
entertain and educate their kids. However, tablets only come in two oper-
ating systems i.e. the Apple iOS for iPads and Android OS. The iOS system
is a fairly uniform and rigid system in visual appearance which makes it
appealing to both kids and adults. The user experience however is extremely
convergent which allows for any user, even a child, to easily jump between
existing apps to buying new ones, or to move from a browser to a video
streaming app with ease. Although these features make the device easy to
use, they aren’t necessarily desired for kids.
In order to make an iOS device child-ready the adult needs to tinker
around in its settings. The first thing to do is to activate the Restrictions
option from the Settings menu under General Settings. Using the options
here adults can restrict which applications are permitted on the device. You
can activate Restrictions and set up a four digit passcode which needs to be
something your child wouldn’t be able to guess. Other changes advisable
is to decide if you want your child to have completely unrestricted access
to the internet or not. For the former, it is best to detach the device from
the internet by not installing
a SIM card or setting up a
Wi-Fi connection. This will
ensure that the child only
access’ the apps and data that
has been set up on the device
by the adult.
Alternatively, internet
based applications like Safari
and YouTube can be deacti-
It’s all in the settings vated from the Settings menu.
Additional restrictions would be needed in iTunes where age-restriction can

be set-up ensuring that no inappropriate content is delivered to your child.
By individually allowing separate apps and setting up parental guidance
on other internet based portals, parents can evolve the usage of the device
as the child grows up. A major suggestion is to disconnect any financial
information from the iTunes account so that the child is unable to make
purchases from the iStore. This is especially important since many “free”
iOS games for kids are actually “freemium” games that have massive in-app
purchases. By severing the financial information there is zero chance of an
unintended expense. This can also be moderated by not sharing the iTunes
password with the child, which may prove problematic as the child grows
and needs to download free applications independently. For the early years
it is advised that the child always seek permission from the parent before
downloading and installing any new app.
For Android
In comparison to Apple iOS, the Android market place is a lot more varied
and this truly shows with the degree of depth in child oriented programs.
Beyond the typical control settings on an Android mobile or tablet, the
Google Play store offers up a variety of custom launchers and user inter-
faces which can add
multiple personalities
to any device.
KIDO’Z
The KIDO’Z Kid Mode -
TV and Games launcher
application for the
Android OS is a boon The KIDO’Z launcher for Android
for parents who wish
to closely manage their kids tech use in a fun way. The custom interface
designed for kids narrows down the access to different media for children
while retaining elements that are most relevant, such as educational apps,
games and video content. The set-up of the program begins with setting
up a user account or accounts, which can vary depending on the number
of children using the device. This ensures that each child has a personally
satisfying space to learn and have fun within. The interface requires a
password to exit and functions like an OS for kids. So as long as the kids
don’t have the exit password the KIDO’Z app is the user interface portal
through which they can experience the internet.
The master settings allow parents to determine which apps are visible
on the device as well as set up usage limits for each account. This time limit
feature ensures that kids don’t binge on digital media and have are forced to
do other things. The in-app KIDO’Z browser can also be customised to block
out pages and implement parental controls when surfing the internet. The
browser comes with an ad-blocker and a pre-set of approved pages which
can be broadened by the adult user for the child. The program also connects
to a App store which has all child friendly options that are educational and
fun. Other aspects include KIDO’Z TV and KIDO’Z Games, while the Games
market is mostly flash based, the TV app is perfectly tuned to kids with
educational movies, video clips and shows that kids will love. The program
can also be managed by desktop through the admin adult account so that
changes can be made as and when
required without having to take
the device from the child.
Famigo Sandbox
The Famigo Sandbox app is
another powerful child-centric
user experience design for the
Android device. Famigo touts
itself as an early education
program and it does show. The
app is suitable for kids from the Famigo might just be what you’re looking for
early age of 1 or 2 years old as
well as children with disabilities such as autism. The app comes is a
variety of plans, the free plan provides users with a protected learning
environment for their child with limited games, videos and website
access. The app also restricts in-app purchases by the child and requires
adult intervention. The other paid plans are for Rs. 60 and Rs. 300 per
month - the former plan includes new videos, educational safe web
browsing, security features and app integration from the main device.
The latter plan adds to the basic plan with a variety of free apps and
more intricate ability to employ parental controls like time limits and
usage monitoring. The paid versions do make the experience better as the
content in videos and games is constantly refreshed with useful media.
The major bonus here is that the media isn’t curated by an algorithm
or software, rather it is a team of humans at Famigo who hand pick the
content to ensure their security and relevance.
Top 30 Apps for Education, Creativity and

Entertainment
To get you started on the right foot we present you with our top sugges-
tions for the best kids-centric apps on the market right now. And best of
all - they’re free.
Endless Reader
Price: Free, In-App Purchases
OS: iOS, Android
The Endless Reader is a great app to get your kids
reading from an early age. The app is presented as a
rich world of lively and cute monster characters that
befriend you child. The app design is great in helping children learn to spell
words and also act them out adding deeper retention and understanding.
Dr. Panda’s Toy Car

Price: ` 120
OS: iOS, Android
This game is a great environment for kids to enjoy role-
playing games with an educational twist. The game
includes two giant cities to explore using a variety of
vehicles. The interactive nature of the game engages
kids to keep exploring and learning new things on the go. It even allows for
basic multiplayer and is available ad-free.
Hoopa City
OS: iOS, Android
Think of this game as SimCity for kids that uses the
interactivity and fun of open world creation and
infuses it with educational lessons. As kids learn how
to bring together elements to build a city they also learn
about different buildings and rules. The game is open to discovery and has
great replay value for young children.
Stack the Countries

Price: ` 120
OS: iOS
While the game itself is very basic, it is quite cute and
densely packed with lessons. The subject matter of
geography is eased into the child using cute characters
in the form of country shapes. The quiz format helps
gain knowledge of flags, cities, landmarks and nations.
The key lessons are to know the names of the countries and where they are
located. Highly engaging and fun.
Alphabetic
OS: iOS, Android
This spelling game is fairly sneaky in how it used
gameplay to teach kids how to spell. Its a highly
engaging hidden object game where kids need to learn
spelling skills to accomplish the goals. The best way
to play the game is to play the game with your child and encourage them
along to discover the right letters.
Buddha for Kids

Price: ` 310
OS: iOS
An odd yet effective game, Buddha for Kids, is intended
to teach kids history. The app maker has a series of
similar apps that focus on different historical figures.
The game itself uses illustrated images to tell the story
of Buddha in an abridged manner. The artwork and story telling is perfectly
suited to young minds.
Lego Juniors Create and Cruise

Price: Free
OS: iOS, Android
The app from toy brick maker Lego is intended for kids
between 4 and 7 years of age. The game is a great way to
foster imagination and building skills without having
to deal with the physical mess and cost of physical Lego
bricks. The game requires kids to build their own vessel and then use it to
transport cargo for bonus bricks.
LEGO DUPLO Train

Price: Free
OS: iOS, Android
Another fun game from LEGO, it takes your child into
a world of train driver travelling from station to sta-
tion. Kids need to control their wagons as they load,
construct bridges, follow stop signs, refuel and even
make new tracks to explore the world. Endless hours of fun for younger kids.
Monster Math
Price: ` 190
OS: iOS
Monster Math is an amazing educational tool that truly
impresses. The game uses adventurous storytelling
with its lead character Maxx to explore worlds where
math problems need solving. The app is worth its cost
many times over due to its engaging and clever design, art and ability to
keep kids interested. And the story is a bonus above all making it truly a
fun experience.
Crayola ColorStudio HD
Price: Free
OS: iOS
ColorStudio HD is a no-frills paint app that is a must
on every tablet. For the simple reason that it will ensure
that your kids don’t draw and paint on household
surfaces. But besides that the app does a great job
at making it easy for kids to draw, colour and create drawing from their
imagination.
Little Things Forever

Price: ` 190
OS: iOS and Android
Little Things Forever is a remarkably popular app for
kids and for good reason. The game design and visuals
are used superbly to help kids learn about thousands of different objects.
The game gets them to use the little things to piece together visual puzzles
and complete goals. The artwork is beautifully done and is complimented
well by its fun musical tracks.
Snail Bob
Price: ` 60
OS: iOS
Snail Bob is a game designed for younger children to
learn physics based strategy. The game has a slower pace
for easy playing and is centred around the Snail char-
acter. The goal is to guide the snail to the exit as quickly
as possible. The app is beautifully visualised with cute characters and music.
Toca Boca Kitchen 2

Price: ` 190
OS: iOS
The sequel to the ever popular Toca Boca Kitchen is
a quirky and fun game for kids. It allows kids to mix
and mash their own food concoctions in a virtual world
and see how it tastes. Children can cut up items, fry
them or bake them and blend together odd combina-
tions to feed their virtual Kitchen friends. The reactions of different tastes
makes the game very entertaining and engaging for young kids. For Indian
parents there is even an option to enable a “Vegetarian Mode” to keep things
culturally accurate.
Toca Boca Hair Salon 2

Price: ` 190
OS: iOS
Another game from Toca Boca, kids have the freedom
to design and play around with their virtual characters
hair style. The visually rich depictions keep kids and
adults equally amused and really fire up the imagination.
Sago Mini Road Trip

Price: ` 190
OS: iOS
This game is designed for kids between 2 to 5 years of

age. The game’s simple dynamic allows for a lot such
as packing suitcases with odd items, choosing from a
variety of vehicles and even doing a car wash or fuel
refill. There are no strict rules for driving and kids
can take any route, including the sky, to reach their
destinations. A cute game for cute toddlers.
Forestry
Price: Free
OS: iOS
Forestry offers up a surprisingly wide range of
activities for kids that relate to the real world. The
educational set up of the game focuses on children
learning how to live in the wild. The activities include
how to build a house, gathering food, going swimming and setting up a
sleep camp. The game is useful to help build memory skills and atten-
tion. The game does come with in-app purchases to parents need to
take precautions.
Virtuoso Piano
Price: Free
OS: iOS
Although this app isn’t designed for young kids, it does
have great value in a musical household. If any of the
parents or siblings know how to play the piano, this
app is of great use in getting younger ones on board
(with volume control). Young kids can learn basic key positions on limited
octaves using the whole of the tablet screen. It is also useful to teach young
kids about music in general.
Dumb Ways To Die

Price: Free
OS: iOS and Android
Although everyone knows Dumb Ways to Die as a
funny viral video of how not to get killed, in its app
form, it is rib ticklingly awesome. Kids enjoy the ani-
mated character and the music, which teaches them
what the title promises. Not only is the app good to teach safety but also
helps kids sing and dance.
Tynker
Price: Free
OS: iOS and Android
It’s never too early to learn how to code. And with the
Tynker app, parents can familiarise their kids with the
basics of programming skills. Perfectly suited for the 5
and above age bracket the game helps build algorithmic
thinking. As kids progress in the game they build up an understanding
of how to construct coding puzzles. These skills can then be used in the
Sandbox mode to make new games by the kids themselves.
Me Books
Price: Free
OS: iOS and Android
The interactivity afforded by the digital medium is
brilliantly used for getting kids to read with Me Books.
While interactive enhanced ebooks are available sepa-
rately, the Me Books app brings the best for kids under
one button. The books include popular characters such as Angry Birds
as well as movies like Frozen, to keep kids interested. The app helps your
kids learn to read better and can even be used to re-record a narration in
the voice of your kids and yourself.
Toca Lab
Price: ` 190
OS: iOS
Another Toca Boca experimental game apps which
brings science into the mix. For parents who wish to
get their kids comfortable and interested in the subject
from an early age there is no better choice. Kids can
explore the periodic table and understand how different reaction work such
as heating, mixing and spinning (centrifuge).
The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Friends

Price: ` 60
OS: iOS and Android

By taking one of the best children’s books ever written
and infusing it with the power of digital interactivity,
this app is a great way to teach kids many things.
Using the same beautiful illustration from the original
story, the app takes young kids on a journey with the
Very Hungry Caterpillar and teaches them counting,
memory skills and pattern recognition, all the while reinforcing healthy
eating habits. A great app for preschool kids.
The Foos
Price: Free
OS: iOS
The Foos is another great app to get kids into program-
ming. The basic version allows kids to learn how algo-
rithmic routines work through the game dynamics.
Kids guide the game’s Foo characters to complete each
level by dragging and dropping instructions into their routines. The game
is expected to be enhanced and broadened as the year goes on.
DisMonster
Price: ` 190
OS: iOS
DisMonster is a great app for young kids who might
be scared of the dark and monsters. The app encour-
ages the kids to confront their fears in a safe and fun
environment. The app helps kids get over their fear of
the dark and can even get them to understand how scary looking things in
the dark are just harmless objects. Its a great way to build confidence for
young children and learn how to take control of their imaginations.
The Sight Word Adventure

Price: ` 120
OS: iOS
The Sight Word Adventure is a gaming app that helps
children who are just learning to speak some important
vocabulary. The app uses vital high frequency words
for young speakers and readers so they become more
comfortable with communication. The app is at its core a memorisation

system which helps with difficult words that children don’t naturally
retain. The app used various mini-games to teach hundreds of words
while allowing parents to track their child’s progress. The interface is very
intuitive and relatable to the early years of formal education, making kids
prepared to excel in school.
Telling Time With the Smurfs

Price: ` 190
OS: iOS
Telling Time With the Smurfs is exactly as the name
implies - a teaching tool for understanding time using
cartoon characters. It comes in the form of a story
adventure to get across the practical skill of time telling.
The replay value allows kids to keep practicing their skill in various forms of
the exercise. The game comes with a rich production value of music, sound,
illustrations and effects to keep kids interested at all times while they are
being educated. The intelligent progression from stage to stage allows kids
to pick up all the necessary skills in an easy and fun manner, making the
app a total value for money.
Autista - Speak, Type and Play

Price: Free
OS: iOS
Autista is an app designed by an Indian app maker
specially targeted towards kids with autism. The app
helps these kids improve their verbal and motor skills
though smartly designed games. The game comes in
three major modes: Speak, Type and Play which focuses on verbalising,
typing and fine motor skills respectively. The game interface is customis-
able to suit the child’s needs and uses a variety of tools to help connect with
the child. The app was designed with input from specialist agencies and
professionals in the field of autism education and has proven to be a boon.
Avaz
Price: ` 6,900
OS: iOS and Android
Avaz is another app similar to Autista made by an Indian firm but it has
been exclusively designed for the Android interface.

It also uses the technology at its disposal to engage
autistic children and develop important skills. The app
is far more intricate than Autista providing a host of
features including social networking integration and
log tracking for all elements of progress. The app is
best suited for institutions due to its hefty price tag
and can be used in classrooms where special needs
are a priority.
Indian Story Teller

Price: Free
OS: Android
Indian Story Teller may not be the most sleekest and
modern looking app available but it does a solid job of
introducing kids to Indian stories. Not only does the
app use hand-drawn looking illustrations to engage the
kids in classic folk tales it is also multi-lingual in many Indian languages.
The app is a great way for parents to sit with their child and experience the
stories from the Panchatantra in a fun and intimate way.
Apps by LogTera
Price: ` 60 and above
OS: iOS
LogTera is an enterprising e-learning start-up based
out of Pune which has made impressive moves in the
education market. The company offers a variety of
educational apps for children of all ages in neat little
market segments and school grades. The apps offered use colorful and cute
illustrations and animations to teach school curriculum subjects like Math,
General Knowledge and Geography from classes KG to 5th grade. They
were declared as the winners of the Best Educational Apps of 2014 by the
Scientific Objective Fair by Balefire Labs.
Top 10 Educational Websites for Free

Looking beyond apps and devices we bring to you our top ten list of websites
for children of all ages. Parents can feel confident letting their kids loose on
this domains knowing that not only will they find age-appropriate content
but also be extremely engaged and educated during their time there.
Night Zookeeper
The Night Zookeeper game is actually
an app designed as a website suitable
for tablets. The game is a fascinating
experience for kids as it opens up to
them an imaginative studio environ-
ment. Kids not only play the game but
also use the studio to create their own
animal characters in their own stories.
The game is practically free with the option of a paid expansion pack.
National Geographic Kids and

Little Kids
The brand of National Geographics
is well known throughout the world.
Now, thanks to the archiving of con-
tent online and child oriented curation,
parents can let their children experi-
ence the wonder of the world through
the NatGeo websites. The two separate
websites are oriented towards young and very young kids and bring to them
a vast array of photographs, games, information and videos. The website
serves as an indispensable tool in allowing your kids to explore the world
safely from home.
Pottermore
Any child who hasn’t experienced J.K.
Rowling’s magnificent fantasy works,
in film or books, hasn’t had a chance at
true wonder. The vast world of Harry
Potter is accessible from the Potter-
more website which Rowling closely
manages. The website is a treasure
trove for Potter fans and is specially
designed for kids. The portal has a variety of Harry Potter games, reading
materials and new stories on a regular basis. It’s a great way to connect with
the reading of Harry Potter by younger

kids even after the movies and books
have run their course.
A Mighty Girl
A Mighty Girl is a highly recom-
mended website for younger girls. The
website brings together games, toys,
music, videos and stories for girls of
all ages that foster empowerment and inspiration. The goal of the website
is to educate and condition girls to be more confident and foster higher
self-esteem through positive and inspirational storytelling experiences.
The website helps girls find relatable content that speaks to their issues
and needs, all the while helping shape them into powerful young women.
Build
The Build With Chrome website uses
3D rendered virtual CAD (computer
aided design) programming to create a
Lego-like environment. Kids can login
using their Google ID or just use it as
is, however the former allows them to
save and print their designs. The website
allows kids to have true LEGO building
experience with multiple coloured bricks and a variety of differently shaped
parts. The potential to create is limited only by the imagination. The highly
engaging program is easy to navigate and smoothly operation on Chrome.
It helps children develop spatial reasoning and coordination necessary
during the early years. The objects built using Build With Chrome can
easily be exported, shared, saved and
printed for the child to have. And if the
parents are familiar with the technology
they can even be sent for 3D printing if
the resources are available.
How Stuff Works

Perhaps the most often asked questions
by kids is “why?”. And rightly so, but it
can be extremely frustrating for parents to keep answering every tiny ques-
tion. In this case, the website How Stuff Works is a great boon to helping
answer your kid’s questions. The website is easy to navigate and filled with
a vast store of information to answer the most inquisitive child. The website
also has videos, shows and games which help to test how much the child has
learnt. For young kids the website works best alongside the supervision of
the parent who can help use the visual illustrations and videos to explain
things to their child. For older kids it is a fascinating place to explore and
learn on their own.
NASA Kids Club

It’s never too early to get your children
fascinated with the cosmos. The NASA
Kids Club website is a great place for
budding astrophysicists and astrono-
mers to catch the science bug. The
exciting information is presented to
kids across a variety of ages and can
be tuned to different skill levels. The
website has a number of space related games for kids to enjoy as well as a
variety of entrancing photographs. The website also has printable colouring
sheets and suggestions for teachers and parents alike on how to help their
kids learn more about space.
Funology
The Funology website hosts various
creative activities for young kids and
parents. Kids can find activities like dif-
ferent crafts projects, simple cooking
recipes, home based science experi-
ments, magic tricks, jokes and quizzes.
The website is regularly refreshed with
new content so kids can always find
something new to do. The website works best for the child with parental
involvement given its activity driven nature. A lot of the activities help the
child relate to the real world through physical interaction and experience.
This form of experiential learning has been critically proven to be necessary
for children to have a well rounded and holistic upbringing.
KidsReads
The KidsReads website has a very
simple agenda - to get kids reading.
The website works as a friendly
“goodreads” for kids where age appro-
priate content is available. A variety
of information such as author details,
book titles, interviews, contests and
stories are available to browse. Its a
great place for kids to discover what book they would like to read next
and also give their own feedback. The website benefits from parental
involvement as it gives them all the information they need about a book
their child may be reading or wants to read.
Fun Brain
Another fun and educational website
is Fun Brain which is chock full of
cleverly educational games and activi-
ties. The website offers math oriented
and reading games, as well as a host
of reading options for young children.
The games are designed to impart val-
uable mathematical and vocabulary
lessons to kids while being fun and polished. Kids can even find brand
name stories such as Diary of a Wimpy Kid and known comic strips for
some relaxed fun.
Parental control and supervision

If you’ve read this far, good job! We can safely assume that you really
care about the well-being of your child. If you’ve skipped to this part,
shame on you. Go back and read the whole thing. There are no shortcuts
to parenting.
That said, let’s look at 10 tips on how to best ensure that your tot can
safely explore their gadgets:
1. We’ll reiterate what we said earlier: tech should simply be an extension
to learning, never a replacement. Avoid using the device as a reward,
lest you reinforce the belief that these tools are simply toys, when in fact
they’re portals to a world of knowledge, collaboration and insight.
2. Turn on parental controls, also known as ‘Restrictions’ on iPhone, iPad

and iPod touch, to prevent access to specific apps and features. These
apps could be timelock apps that allow you to limit the amount of time
your child spends daily on his device, apps that filter out adult content,
restrict app purchases and even monitor call, SMS and Internet activity.
Use security software with parental settings on.
Setting restrictions on your Android device
A first-of-its-kind website targeted at kids with such settings already in

place is Worldoo. Its design is tailor-made keeping children’s interests
to learn, express and play in mind. Co-created by parents and teachers,
the ad-free, no click-outs site claims to provide a holistic ecosystem for
development.
The LeapPad is another child-friendly product that’s aimed at children
ages four to nine. Parents can download apps from Zoodles.com and
check out sites such as Common Sense Media and SmartAppsforKids.
com that review kid-friendly apps.
3. Set rules and conditions for use of these devices. One of these rules could
be that you should be able to have complete access to the device at any
point of time.
4. Different rules apply to different kids. According to the American
Academy of Pediatrics and the Canadian Society of Pediatrics, infants
aged 0-2 years shouldn’t have any exposure to technology, while those
between 3-5 years should be restricted to it for one hour per day, and
those between 6-18 years should be allowed two hours per day. These
rules however apply if gaming is the focus of the interaction. If the kid
is a student using the device as a productivity tool, you can take a call
on how much longer you’ll allow access.
5. Children below the age of 10 must be constantly monitored so you know
what exactly they’re doing. Besides them exploring unsavoury media,
there’s also the danger of anti-social elements luring them (read: pae-
dophiles and kidnappers). Keep media screens in family areas so that
a child’s media usage can be monitored. It goes without saying that TVs
and computers should be kept out of bedrooms.
A tablet called The Fable could be useful. It comes loaded with a special
content management system designed to protect kids from inappropriate
content and unfamiliar people.
6. Talk to your child about the risks online. You can’t always control what
kids use computers for so it’s best to teach them how to use it safely.
Teach them what tech is good for and explain why to avoid the bad
parts. Educate kids to critically think and they will filter out the bad
for themselves.
7. Give them plenty of loving attention. Dr. Carolyn Jaynes, a learning
designer for Leapfrog Enterprises, suggests: “You can help your child
get more out of a smartphone or tablet by sharing in the experience.
Engage with your child as he tries out a new app, asking questions
about the game and pointing out different aspects of the content. This
practice, typically called ‘co-viewing’ when applied to TV-watching, can
help increase your child’s comprehension skills.“
Jeannie Galindo, supervisor of instructional technology for the Manatee
County School District in Florida says, “In an unsupervised environment,
I wouldn’t recommend a smartphone or tablet purchase for a child until
at least between the ages of 11 and 13.”
8. When making age-appropriate media choices, it’s important to focus
on the content and message.
9. You owe it to your child’s safety and well-being to learn about new
technologies and social networks, in particular. Tech is here to stay and
unless you understand how technology and social network sites work
and what they offer, especially in terms of security, you won’t be able to
help your child. Model responsible usage of technology yourself.
10. Take care of their vision. The 20-20-20 rule comes in handy here. Every
20 minutes, have them spend 20 seconds looking at something 20
feet away.
These were just quick tips. The exact tools to use and how to set them
up is covered in the last chapter. Do check it out.
Learning Through Games 51
Chapter #04
Learning
through
Games
For parents and caretakers concerned
about their kids being ruined by video
games, here’s a solution...
E
very parent and teacher out there can attest to the fact that no
matter how smart a child is, getting them to study is quite a dif-
ficult task, simply because of all the distractions out there. So
why not take one major distraction – video games – and put it to
good use? There are so many good educational tools available, a bunch of
which are cleverly disguised as games. They will captivate not only kids,
but some adults as well with their storylines while educating them along
the way. Here are a few of the best ones covering topics such as Physics,
Engineering, Art and English.
Ogre Academy Math

Platform: iOS
‘Ogre Academy Math’ is an educational game created to enhance the basic
math skills of children. This game caters to a slightly younger audience
of ages 5-6 years by default, but can be customised to appeal to those at a
higher grade level as well.
52 Learning Through Games
The game takes place in an ogre-filled classroom that’s part of a player

avatar’s dream. The player is given a series of questions in the form of
math problems that he must solve. Most of these problems are simple, but
the difficulty increases as you go on. They can be addition, subtraction or
counting problems. With each correct answer you get a candy bar which is
used to feed the ogres. While some students may object to having to give
away the candy, it’s used to keep the ogres at bay so it must be done. After
ten or more wrong answers the candy-deprived ogres come and carry the
avatar away from their bedroom.
Ogre Academy Math promotes quick thinking and the flexibility to
switch between different types of questions. Players must think strate-
gically and learn when and how to use
shortcuts like “rounding off”, since they
don’t have pen and paper at hand and have
to rely on quick thinking.
Ogre Academy Math will have special
appeal to teachers as they can use it to create
unique lesson plans. They can customise the
problems for any grade level. As an added
bonus, the teachers receive detailed reports
on the children’s progress as they go along.
Website: http://ogreacademy.com/
Kerbal Space Program

Keep the ogres at bay by feeding Platform: PC
them treats The ‘Kerbal Space Program’ is a PC-based
game that emulates a space flight simu-
lator. Basically, you can build virtual rocket ships and blast them off the
planet. Gameplay takes place on a planet called ‘Kerbin’, home to little
green humanoids called ‘Kerbals’. These comical little characters build
very good spacecraft parts. It’s up to the player to construct and assemble
the components into rockets or spacecrafts in the most efficient way pos-
sible. There’s a lot of physics involved in building the rocket ship. If not
constructed properly, it could fall off the launch pad while taking off or
explode mid flight. Once you’ve built a good spacecraft, you must learn
to achieve orbit and then finally land your spacecraft on other planets.
There are three game modes: Sandbox, Science and Career. As you can
imagine, the level of difficulty rises with each of them. In the Sandbox
Mode, players learn the basics. Players can pick any object from the inven-
tory and building mistakes are forgiven.
In the Science mode, part picking is restricted. You have to complete
scientific experiments on Kerbin and within other parts of the solar system
before you can unlock them. Career mode adds funds, reputation and
contracts. Players should complete contracts to earn money to pay for the
Build and launch rockets using the kerbal space program
parts. Contracts can include tasks like testing rocket parts under certain
conditions or exploring places and reporting back.
Historical spacecrafts like the Apollo Program or the Mars Rover can
be recreated. Children with an aptitude for physics and an interest in
aerospace will find this a very enriching learning experience. Find the
demo of this game in the Omega DVD
Website: http://dgit.in/KerbalSpaceP
Amazing Alex
Platform: Android, iOS
‘Amazing Alex’, created by Rovio Entertainment of Angry Birds fame,
is a physics-based puzzle game. Alex is a curious boy who likes to build
things with household objects. Players are given goals to complete and
supplies they can use to achieve these goals. The main task is to create
chain reactions, which are simply sequences of events that achieve the
goals. For example, you can set off a line of dominoes which will push a
ball off a ledge into a basket below. Stars are scattered all over the place
and your aim is to have the event sequence complete without touching
them for a higher score.
The nice thing about the game is that it uses household and play objects
that children are already familiar with. These objects react realistically
with one another. Kids learn short-term planning by adjusting to changing
conditions and requirements. It puts their planning, flexibility and focus
skills to work. They can even create and share their own puzzles for
others to solve.
There are over a hundred levels spread across four locations. You
start off in ‘The Classroom’, and then move onto ‘The Backyard’, ‘Alex’s
Bedroom’ and finally ‘The Tree House’ depending on the stars collected
in the previous levels.
The graphics are high quality, fun and engaging. Kids can try rec-
reating the challenges in the real world using Legos and building kits.
They can then compare
how actual physics
works as compared
to the gameplay and
what additional factors
contribute to making
things tick.
Amazing Alex is
often used to help
children with ADHD
gain focus. Following
directions and plan-
Help Alex create chain reactions with these objects ning ahead are tasks
that these kids have dif-
ficulty with. Amazing Alex helps them focus and plan strategies in a fun
way, which helps them respond to it in a much better way than regular
classroom activities. Through it, they get hands-on introduction to physics
concepts like inertia, gravity and friction.
Website: http://www.amazingalex.com/
QuizUp
Platform: Android, iOS
QuizUp is for the slightly older kids. It’s a fun-filled trivia game based
on the popular board game ‘Trivial Pursuit’. It has over 250 catego-
ries and is highly competitive. Players are matched with other players
from across the world. Each quiz is exactly seven questions long, each
lasting 10 seconds. The timing is

perfect since it prevents boredom
and those with sketchy internet
connections don’t have to forfeit
midway. You can play as many cat-
egories as you like and the more
you play, the higher your skill level
in that category goes.
QuizUp is fantastic for learning
time management and general
knowledge. Sometimes questions
repeat, which helps you commit
them to memory. Children can opt Spoilt for choice with Quiz Up
for challenging categories such as
Math and English and then take a break and complete a fun quiz like a
Harry Potter themed one. It’s also very exciting, because you’re playing
with real people rather than just a computer interface.
Quiz up is not only informative, but also highly addictive. Kids can
spend hours playing and come away with lots of new trivia facts learned
and math skills mastered.
Website: http://dgit.in/QuizzUpp
Google Art Project

Platform: PC
The ‘Google Art Project’ is a collection of over 30,000 works of art from all
over the world. From Impressionist artwork at the Art Institute of Chicago
to Modern artwork from the Tate at London, the Google Art Project amasses
all periods of art. The high resolution images allow kids to get closer to the
images and examine every detail. Each museum has nominated one piece
as a ‘Gigapixel Artwork’, which means that Google has captured it using
gigapixel photo capturing technology. It produces an image containing
7 billion pixels, so viewers can view the piece in microscopic detail. Be
advised, kids could see violence or nudity in these pictures, so it’s neces-
sary for guidance of some sort while perusing.
You can either browse the artwork on the webpage or through the
online museum in the form of a map. Some international museums that
are included in the project are: The National Gallery in London, The Met
in New York, the Uffizi in Florence and The Hermitage in St Petersburg.
Google Art Project
Such a vast collection might be daunting at first, but kids will soon
enjoy exploring the museums from all over the world.
It’s kind of a virtual meta-museum with many thoughtfully designed
features by Google, as always. The FAQ section has a Visitor’s Guide in the
form of a video for first-time users, and the site can be translated into as
many as 19 languages. There are lessons, quizzes and project ideas. Users
can create their own collections and share them with friends.
The Google Art Project encourages children interested in art to take
their first steps in art appreciation and history. They can explore museums
at their own pace, stop and ask questions, compare works from museums
across the world and develop their creative abilities.
Website: http://dgit.in/GooogleArtP
World of Goo
Platforms: PC, iOS, Android, WiiWare, BlackBerry, OnLive
‘World of Goo’ is a game kids will take an instant interest in, simply because of
the name. The game revolves around building large structures using balls of
goo. The game is divided into multiple chapters, each containing several levels.
Each levels has its own music and graphic theme keeping things interesting.
To play the game, the little balls of goo provided to you have to be stretched
out into structures forming ladders, bridges or buildings toward strategically
positioned pipes. These pipes then suck the goo and take it to the World of
Goo Corporation, where it’s made into various products. These structures
have to be built well enough to overcome gravity and some physical terrain
difficulties such as hills,

cliffs, spikes and wind-
mills. Different goo balls
have different properties
making each unique.
There’s also a bonus
meta-game called the
‘World of Goo Corpo-
ration’, where the chal-
Get creative in the World of Goo lenge is to build the
highest Goo Tower. The
game subtly draws parallels between the World of Goo Corporation and
real-world companies that make similar products in an attempt to get kids
thinking about modern world consumerism.
Teachers can use World of Goo as a fun way of explaining geometry.
There’s an open sandbox mode in which teachers can set challenges
and competitions.
Website: http://worldofgoo.com/
SpaceChem
Platforms: PC, Android, iOS
‘SpaceChem’ is a puzzle game based on the principles of chemistry and
chemical bonding. In the game, you play the role of a Reactor Engineer
working for a company called SpaceChem. As a Reactor Engineer, you have
Create new elements with Space Chem

to create circuits through which atoms and molecules flow. You do this with
the help of waldos, which are remote manipulators. While you don’t need
to have any prior chemistry knowledge to play the game, all the reactions
and chemical constructions are based on real chemical and atomic science,
so you’ll definitely learn something each time you play.
Each level provides you with elements that need to be assembled and
disassembled to create new chemical molecules. There are pairs of cir-
cuits along which your elements need to travel to the target output areas.
Unnecessary collision of the waldos must be prevented.
Build fun things with Fantastic Contraption
Initially, the puzzle consists of only a single reactor, but later in larger
puzzles the player can guide the chemicals through multiple reactors to
get the final product.
SpaceChem is a mental workout and an excellent puzzle game. It forces
you to look at the bigger picture while completing multiple tasks at once.
Fantastic Contraption
Platforms: PC, iOS
‘Fantastic Contraption’ is a Flash-based game played in a web browser.
The object of each level is to move the red objects into a rectangular-shaped
goal area. You’re given different materials and a blue “building area” to
help you build your “fantastic” contraption. You must be able to move the
red objects past certain obstacles into the goal area.
It takes a while to get used to the game, but there’s a very helpful tutorial
at the beginning that smoothens out the process. There’s no one correct
solution. Each player can come up with his or her unique solution to the
level. The developers allow you to design your own levels or share your
solutions with others, but you’ll have to create an account to do so.
There are over 40 built-in puzzles and 16,000 downloadable ones.
You can play for free on the Fantastic Contraptions website or download
the app for $1.99. All you need are an active imagination and some basic
problem-solving skills.
There was a Fantastic Contraptions 2 released in 2010.
Website: http://dgit.in/FantContrap
Minecraft
Platforms: PC, iOS, Android, Xbox, Playstation
Minecraft is a computer, tablet and Xbox video game that’s been around
for ages and is still very popular by both, educators and hardcore gamers.
It allows you to build your own world from scratch. Gameplay mostly
involves building and destroying structures using blocks or 3D cubes.
Build 3D cities with Minecraft
There are different kinds of materials to be put to use such as various

ores, stone, dirt, water and tree trunks. Some of these materials have to
be mined, while others are freely available.
The game has three modes: Survival, Educational and Adventure. You
can play at different difficulty modes with or without the hostile creatures
that threaten your creations.
Minecraft has numerous educational benefits. It teaches about various
subjects with or without parent/teacher involvement.
While playing Minecraft, players must figure out how to best use their
resources. For example, for paper you require three units of sugarcane. In this
way, the game also improves basic math and manipulation skills. Minecraft
only uses cubes to build structures. But these structures take on different
geometrical shapes like cuboids, tesseracts, square-based pyramids, etc. In
this way, kids get a quick lesson in 3D geometry. Setting up circuits teaches
kids the basics of logic circuits. Feedback is immediate and safe. You can build
switches without electrocuting yourself. You can even construct weapons to
guard against attacks.
Setting up a server allows parents to give their children a safe environment
to develop social skills and teamwork.
Website; https://minecraft.net/
NASA’s Space Place

Platform: PC (web), Android and iOS
‘NASA’s Space Place’ is a website developed by NASA in 1998 and is complete
with interactive games, projects and facts about Earth and Space. The collection
of games offered is complex and interesting, each teaching you something new.
Each game offers a new topic to be learnt, for example, how a black hole works.
The activities have detailed information on the solar system and other
science topics. Kids can
freely ask questions and get
audio responses in return.
There are instructions for at-
home experiments.
‘Space Place Prime’ is a
spin off from NASA’s Space
Place. A majority of its content
is educational – be it articles,
imagery or movies.
The Specatular Space Place by NASA The Space Place program
has also released several
mobile games mostly for iOS. These include ‘Comet Quest’ and ‘Satellite Insight’.
Comet Quest is a game revolving around the Rosetta Mission. You’re given a
spacecraft and learn how scientists use Rosetta to explore comets. Satellite
Insight has a more complex background story. You have to save the ‘GOES-R’
satellite from losing any of the data it is collecting by safeguarding the data grid.
Website: http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/
Scribblenauts
Platforms: Nintendo DS
‘Scribblenauts’ is an action and puzzle video game. The objective of the
game is to help the game’s hero, Maxwell collect little yellow stars called
“Starites”. The player can summon anything just by writing its name on
the screen.
Scribble nauts is an example of ‘Emergent Gameplay’, which means
that the level of difficulty changes with the choices you make in the game.
You can have infinite gaming experiences with this dynamic methodology.
Kids are at their creative best using logic, language and problem solving.
The tasks can be as simple as collecting a Starite from a tree or as difficult
as rescuing it from a bunch of bears in the forest.
All you have to do is write out the tools you need. For example, to get
the ‘Starite’ out of the tree, write the word “rope” and a rope will appear.
You can write the craziest things you can think of – even a dinosaur!
Summoned objects can be weapons, animals, forces of nature or even
famous people. This is because the Scribblenauts Dictionary contains
over 22,000 words. The more you play, the more your imagination grows
and more inventive the solutions. There are 220 levels over 10 areas, each
with a different theme.
Scribblenauts has won two ‘Parent’s Choice Awards’ and is suitable
for children ages 8 and above. ‘Scibblenauts Remix’ is available for iOS.
Website: http://dgit.in/ScribblenautsPlay
Scribblenauts – Let your imagination go wild

The Professor Layton Series

Platform: Nintendo DS
The Professor Layton Series consists of six puzzle games plus a film. It’s
built around the adventures of two characters, Professor Layton and Luke
Trinton, and is based in contemporary London. Each game is a series of
puzzles and mysteries in towns Professor Layton and Luke visit. As part
Join Prof. Layton and Trinton on their captivating adventures
of the game, you go along with them on their eventful journeys and help
them solve mysteries.
The puzzle solving teaches math, logic, spatial orientation and math.
The storyline keeps kids thoroughly entertained and engrossed. It’s aimed
at kids 11 years and above.
The games are divided into two trilogies. One set tells you of the Pro-
fessor and Trinton’s many adventures together. The other is more about
how they met and began their journey.
The third part of the series, ‘Professor Layton and the Unwound
Future’ won a ‘Parent’s Choice Silver Honors Award’ from the Parents
Choice Foundation.
Tech Toys 63
Chapter #05
TECH TOYS
Kids are curious by nature, and yet
that curiosity needs to be cultivated
and nurtured to be put to good use.
On that note, here are a bunch of
gadgets and resources that’ll put any
child on the path to becoming the next
generation Elon Musk.
E
veryone has to start somewhere – Bill Gates’ journey to success
began with an electro-mechanical typewriter, with which he
wrote his first computer program. Another case in point is Mark
Zuckerberg, who developed a music player app in high school.
But even as early as 2000, technology was still a difficult concept to grasp.
Over the years, countless people have worked on making technology more
intuitive for the layman to understand. Then along came another wave of
innovators that had the brilliant idea of simplifying gadgets to the extent
that even kids could use them. The result? A plethora of fun products and
services that are now available for children (of all ages, adults included)
to start learning with. The downside to this is that the extensive range of
options make selecting the right product a tad bit confusing. Fear not. This
64 Tech Toys
chapter guides you through the different categories of tech-related gadgets

and online software to help you ignite the genius within kids.
Robotics
Everyone, at some point in their lives, has considered the possibility of
owning a robot that does what they ask of it. That goal seems easier to
achieve in today’s world. We’ll talk about some of the popular robotics-
based toys in the next few pages.
1.Ozobot
Ozobot has been termed as “an intelligent robot that can be used for both,
physical and digital gaming.” Ozobot is a small,spherical-shaped robot
that has color detection and line-following capabilities.With the latest
technology in mind, the creators of Ozobot went a step further and made
the robot compatible with iOS and Android platforms, enabling the robot to
be controlled via a smartphone
or tablet. The robot incorporates
a five-sensor array for line detec-
tion and comes with a Li-poly
rechargeable battery. It also
has gyro-sensors and sensors
to detect physical and digital
surfaces, color and time of day
for better performance. Despite
its many features, the Ozobot is
touted as the world’s smallest
robot, measuring only over one inch in both, height and diameter. The
company further claims that Ozobot has the ability to make independent
decisions, thanks to the random algorithms added to it. The micro-USB
charged robot can be used in a wide range of gaming activities, from simple
line following to digital racing games such as the ‘Ozobot OzoRace’, the
company’s proprietary game for iPads. The race is designed to start on
the iPad and then continue on a physical track (which has been coded
by the user). This application is a hybrid inclusion of both, physical and
digital surfaces. Another fun feature of the Ozobot is the multicolor LEDs
that provide visual feedback. They can also be coded by the user to show
a specific display.
Ozobot: http://www.ozobot.com/
Tech Toys 65
2. Lego Mindstorms
Lego has already made a name for itself as one of the leading construction toys
manufacturers around. The company took it a step further by announcing
the ‘Lego Mindstorms’ project.
The main component of Lego MindStorms is the brick. This brick is the
programmable brain of the entire kit. It consists of four input ports, four
output ports, one mini-USB port to connect to a computer (by which users
upload the code to the brick) and one extra USB port (to add Wi-Fi capabili-
ties or anything else). It also comes with a micro-SD slot for file storage and
a speaker. The other main components of the kit are mostly sensors that
detect color, touch and angular velocity. Miscellaneous parts like wheels
and connecting bricks are included
as well. The brick can be used as a
tool to nurture your child’s program-
ming skills. Lego offers its own pro-
prietary software that lets users ‘code’
in a GUI interface with tiles, known
as ‘blocks’, representing blocks of
code. Each block has a certain color
code. There are four main blocks:
Action blocks, Flow blocks, Sensor
blocks and Data blocks. There’s an
additional sub-block in blue, known
as Advanced blocks, meant for con-
nections via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
The Mindstorms kit can be used
to create a list of robots recognised
by Lego as its own creations, like the ‘TRACK3r’, ‘SPIK3R’ and so on. But
it has also been extensively used in DIY creations. For example, 12-year-old
California-based Shubham Banerjee developed a low-cost DIY braille printer
when he found out that retail printers were extremely expensive. This single
project has led to him starting his own company and developing a low-cost
printer known as ‘Braigo’ for sale.
Lego Mindstorms: http://dgit.in/LegoMindstorms
3.Sphero
‘Sphero’ is just what it sounds like – a sphere. But this isn’t just any sphere,
you can control it with your smartphone. That’s right, the ball-like robot can
66 Tech Toys
be controlled via Android or iOS smartphones once the two are connected
via Bluetooth. The product from Orbotix includes multi-colored LEDs, a
polycarbonate shell and a roll speed of seven feet per second. Users can pro-
gram Sphero using ‘MacroLab’, a GUI-programming app meant to introduce
beginners to programming. The app is available for download on leading
mobile platforms. The ball can be programmed to perform various tasks
ranging in complexity. Some of the simpler tasks are rolling along, line fol-
lowing, racing with other Spheros and so on. One of its advanced features is its
ability to act as an external marker in augmented reality (AR) vision – appar-

ently the first time a robot is being used in this way. The company released
an AR game to supplement Sphero called ‘Sharky the Beaver’, where users
control a beaver on a screen by means of the sphere as an external marker.
The company has also released the SDK for the toy’s software so that users
could make their own apps to be used with it. This is how there are over 25
apps in the Google Play Store made by its users.
Sphero: http://www.gosphero.com/
4.Sam Blocks
The latest tech toy making the news these days is the ‘SAM’ set of building
blocks, based on wireless connectivity. It’s also used as a prototype for
companies developing for the Internet of Things.
SAM is the brainchild of Joachim Horn, who got fed up of using a mul-
titude of wires every time he needed to make an electrical circuit. This led
him to the idea of connecting two or more components wirelessly. Soon, he
Tech Toys 67
began working on the idea and SAM blocks were born. The SAM kit consists
of building blocks very similar to Lego. However, each brick is a separate
module and can be connected to each other using Bluetooth. The modules
are divided into sensors, motors and other electrical components. Using the
provided GUI software, a user connects each block to another block. The
software represents each block as a tile, which users drag and drop to connect
with each other. The applications for SAM blocks are varied: from simple
wireless circuits to complex household automation and security systems,
wireless switches and networks, your child will soon find an activity that
meets his/her level of intelligence. However, according to Joachim, the main
role of SAM is to educate people about the Internet Of Things, a concept
that’s still gaining ground as of now. Horn says that users can connect their
projects to the Internet and social networks, thus enabling the circuit to be
used from any location with Internet.
SAM Blocks: http://samlabs.me/
5.OWI Educational Solar Robot

This robot from OWI Robotics lets children experience the working of
both, solar power and robotics in one kit. As if that weren’t enough, the kit
lets users modify the robot into 14 different forms, such as quad-bots, dog-
bots, slither bots and so on. The robot comes equipped with a solar panel
saving users from the additional expense of batteries for it. This also gives
68 Tech Toys
them the opportunity to experiment with solar charging as an alternative

to alkaline batteries.
The 14 varieties of robots are divided into two levels of seven robots each,
based on their difficulty. The first level includes the following robots: Turtle-
bot, Beetle-bot, Quadru-bot, Boat-bot, Walker-bot, Dog-bot and Wheel-bot.
The other set of seven robots include: Roly Poly-bot, Auto-bot, Slither-bot,
Surf-bot, Zombie-bot, Crab-bot and Row-bot, and are more difficult to make.
OWI Robot: http://dgit.in/OWIRobot
Tablets
After smartphones, tablets are the next big invention in technology.
It’s no surprise that the public would take to tablets so easily. Espe-
cially with many major manufacturers bringing out tablets specifically
for kids as well, incorporating child-friendly features, parental con-
trols and child-safe material. Keeping the target audience in mind, here
are a few tablets tailor-made with (but not exclusive to) kids in mind.
1.Amazon Fire HD Kids Edition

Amazon has a plethora of tablets in its collection, ranging from simple e-book
readers to fully capable tablets. One of its offerings is a compact, kid’s version
of the Amazon Fire HD, known as the ‘Fire HD Kids Edition’. The tablet
with 8GB in-built storage, out of which around 4.5GB is available for use. It
Tech Toys 69
consists of a quad-core
processor, both front
and rear-facing cameras
and a full-HD display.
Amazon makes it clear
that it wants children to
have the full tablet expe-
rience by incorporating
all the latest features into
the Fire HD Kids Edition. Amazon Fire HD
The tablet, covered in a
free durable case, has a full two years no-nonsense warranty, which Amazon
assures covers all damages caused to the tablet.
One useful feature found in the Fire HD Kids edition is parental control,
known as ‘Amazon FreeTime’. Parents can change the settings of the tablet,
add time slots for use and control what apps can or can’t be downloaded
using a passcode. There’s also the option of creating user profiles so that
multiple children could have their own accounts with personal settings.
Like all Amazon tablets, this one also has a customised version of Android
made by Amazon. Kids can get access to free books, movies or TV shows
for a full year.
Amazon Fire HD Kids Edition: http://dgit.in/AmazonFireHDKids
2.LeapFrog LeapPad
LeapFrog is an education-centered company that combines the latest tech-
nology with educational resources. The LeapFrog LeapPad is one such
example. It sports a 5-inch touch screen and Wi-Fi, along with 4GB of
memory and a quad-core
processor. Bundled with a
durable green case, Leap-
Frog also provides a two-
year warranty similar to
Amazon’s, promising to
replace the tablet if any
damage occurs.
The LeapPad comes
with its own proprietary
LeapFrog software and can have
70 Tech Toys
upto three user profiles in it, which are customisable with profile photos
and backgrounds. It includes 10 basic apps such as a calculator, music
player, clock etc. The company has its own app store where kids can search
for and buy more apps or games.
LeapFrog: http://dgit.in/LeapFrogTab
3.Kurio 10S
The ‘Kurio 10S’ is an Android tablet. It has a 10-inch IPS screen, a quad-core
processor, dual-front stereo speakers, and front and rear cameras. It comes
with a protective bumper cover and 8GB of internal memory. One advantage
of the Kurio 10S is that it provides access to the Google Play store, so that
users can download a wide range of applications. The tablet also has multiple
parental control features and a child-safe web browser that prevents chil-
dren from encountering
explicit content online.
One can set up to eight
user customisable profiles
and restriction app down-
load as well. The interface
can also be changed to
the stock Android inter-
face and used like a fully
capable Android tablet. Kurio
Parents can also manage
time by setting up time slots and block tablet access for certain time periods.
The tablet comes pre-loaded with 60 apps, including popular mobile games
such as Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja and Cut The Rope, as well as content from
kid’s movies such as Cars 2, The Avengers, etc.
Kurio 10S: http://dgit.in/Kurio10S
4.Samsung Galaxy Tab Kids Edition

Samsung introduced its own tablet with kids in mind after seeing the market
for children’s devices. It’s called ‘Samsung Galaxy Tab Kids Edition’. It
comes encased in a colored bumper for protection and has a 7-inch display,
1.2Ghz dual core processor and Android 4.1. The user interface comes in
two modes: Kids mode and the default Android mode for advanced users.
The Kids mode consists of a tiled arrangement, with each tile representing
an app. It also comes with pre-loaded content such as games and anima-
Tech Toys 71
tions to provide amusement

to children.
Like all child-specific
tablets, the Galaxy Tab
Kids comes with parental
control so that parents can
set restrictions on apps,
manage time slots for chil-
dren, review websites and Samsung Galaxy Tab
block explicit sites.
Samsung Galaxy Tab Kids Edition: http://dgit.in/SamTabKids
5.Nabi Tablet
Nabi defines the ‘Nabi Tablet’ as not just a tablet, but “a springboard for
greatness.” The tablet, while maintaining all the functions of a full Android
tablet, aims to educate children in a fun way. The company has exclusive
versions of the tablets according to age group – there’s the Nabi Jr for kin-
dergarten children, Nabi 2/2S for children aged 3-5 and so on. The core com-
ponent of the Nabi tablets
is the software. Nabi has a
suite of software for each
age group known as the
‘Wings Learning System’.
It contains software in all
educational leagues, with
special emphasis on maths,
vocabulary and writing
skills. The software covers
school grades from kinder- Nabi
garten to Class 6. It also has
a rewards system to encourage better performance among kids called ‘Nabi
coins’, which kids can use to purchase apps and other content.
Each tablet comes with a protective red bumper for durability and
scratch-proof glass. All tablets are fitted with high-end Nvidia Tegra pro-
cessors for gaming purposes.
The other main feature of the Nabi tablets is the Nabi Security Admin-
istration (NSA). It’s a parental control system, where parents can set time
control and app restrictions. The tablet gives insights into how it’s being
72 Tech Toys
used, i.e. the type of content being shared by their children, among other
things. Parents also have access to the educational insight system that let
them know of their child’s performance and improvements.
Nabi Tablet: https://www.nabitablet.com/
SOFTWARE RESOURCES
While there are many different toys to spark one’s creative mind, there’s no
dearth of software available – for download and online – to help nurture
programming and other tech skills in children. Indeed, good programming
skills is one of the essentials to become technologically sound of mind.
In the next few pages, we’ll guide you through a few of the most popular
software available to children.
1.Scratch
‘Scratch’ is one of the most popular coding resources available on the internet
today. It’s mainly meant to serve as a guideline for learning programming
languages, using which they’ll be able to create games, animation and digital
stories. Initially started as an MIT Media Lab project in 2003, Scratch is
now used by millions of people in over 150 different countries and 40 dif-
ferent languages. In reality, Scratch is a free, visual programming language
meant to introduce kids to the Ruby on Rails framework. Using drag-and-
drop blocks, users can digitally connect one block to another and thereby
create a digital puzzle of sorts that can be compiled and run by the user.
The user interface of Scratch is meant to be as child-friendly as possible.
Children, as a rule, always prefer creating visual inventions that they
can see and recognise. Hence, it’s a simple, drag-and-drop interface with
individual blocks representing blocks of code. The user logically connects
each block of code to another to perform a certain action. Thus, Scratch
was designed to be used by children who’ve had little or no programming
experience whatsoever.
There’s a wide Scratch online community, where users can upload their
creations and – depending on the license – let other users download, edit
the program and share the edits with others worldwide. There are also
communities online that help a user upon any difficulty encountered. And
while the target audience of Scratch is children, it’s meant to be used by
people of all age groups. Thus, the Scratch community is one of the largest
programming communities online.
Visit the Scratch website at http://scratch.mit.edu/
Tech Toys 73
Introduce kids to Scratch and watch them become programming geniuses
2. MIT App Inventor

If you’ve ever wondered how one could make Android applications without
extensive coding knowledge, then the ‘MIT App Inventor’ is for you.
Developed in partnership with Google Inc, the App Inventor is an exten-
sive software that runs as a web service, letting anyone with access to the
internet and a Google account learn how Android apps are developed. App
Inventor works along the same lines as Scratch. It features digital ‘puzzle
pieces’ that users can logically connect to perform tasks. However, the
usage of App Inventor is much more extensive since it can even be used to
create full-fledged Android apps. The variety of tiles include media tiles,
internet tiles, camera tiles and so on. Users can create mobile apps, widgets
and web apps as well.
App Inventor is divided into four main sections: The designer, blocks
editor, compiler and a debugging app. The design window is where the
components of the app such as windows, buttons and pictures are arranged
together. The blocks editor does the behind-the-scenes work. Here’s where
you arrange each block in accordance with the corresponding block. The
compiler and debugging software are apps provided as a download to run
on a computer to ensure the user’s app runs smoothly.
App Inventor has more than 85,000 weekly active users and an app
database of nearly 47 million apps. It has been used in a wide range of fields
74 Tech Toys
MIT does it again with the App Inventor
such as education, government and research. Hence, App Inventor provides

an easy way to begin app development without any real knowledge of Java
or the Android programming framework.
Visit the App Inventor homepage at http://appinventor.mit.edu/.
3.Kodu
The ‘Kodu’ Game Lab is a visual programming language developed by
Microsoft Inc. Originally meant for the Xbox, it’s now available as a down-
load for computers running Windows as well. Kodu is a supplement to
students who are interested in learning coding, but didn’t find it appealing
enough. It provides a fun visual approach to programming.
Kodu teaches object interaction, mathematics, logic and so on. It’s
designed as a game maker with a cute little animated player ready for
use. The user can move the player around the screen, give it commands
to carry out and add objects as well. Users can click on the objects and
give them a behavior, so that the player can interact with the objects
later in the game. There’s also a lot of visual customisation such as land-
scaping, changing the surface of the game, etc. Then, using if-else condi-
tions, the user provides instructions to the player to be executed in the
game. The game can be compiled and exported as an .exe file as well.
Kodu is being used as an educational resource in many schools. As reported
Tech Toys 75
Kodu
on the Microsoft UK blog, “In Australia, the Victoria Department of Educa-

tion is using it in a pilot programme across 26 of its schools, and has created
a site called ‘PlanetKodu’ to continue development, which is an entire Kodu
community with lots of help and video screencasts.”
Kodu is a fun and educational resource and worth a try if your child is
interested in making games as well as learning the basics of programming.
OTHER TECH TOYS

Our guide on tech toys isn’t nearly over. There are a few amazing creations
that are a part of no precise category, but still awesome and intuitive enough
to be worth a mention here.
1.Anki Drive
If you’ve always wanted to drive a car via your smartphone, ‘Anki Drive’ is
the closest you’ll get to driving any car. Anki Drive is a remote-controlled
car system with a difference. The user can connect with a car through a
smartphone and control the car remotely. The starter kit comes with two
cars, a special track-like mat which the cars race on, a micro-USB charging
cable and instruction manual. There are seven different cars available, and
each car has its own specialities with four different attributes – Combat,
76 Tech Toys
Vroom with Anki Drive
Chassis, Engine and Energy. The most significant part about the cars is that
the cars come with a form of Artificial Intelligence that lets them determine
where to go, whether the region ahead is safe to travel on or not, and so on.
A user can play against another player or play against the secondary car as
an AI. There are four game modes: ‘Race Mode’, ‘Team Mode’, ‘Battle Mode’
and ‘Balance Mode.’ Each of these modes relies on the attributes mentioned
above for the cars to compete with each other.
Anki Drive: https://anki.com/en
2.Nano-Falcon
The ‘Nano-Falcon’ is touted as the world’s smallest helicopter. It certainly is
small considering its weight of 11 grams and length of 6.5 cms! It comes with
a gyro-stabiliser and a built-in rechargeable Li-Poly battery with over five
minutes of flying time. Included is the Infrared remote controller, which uses
four AA batteries and transmits up to five meters. Despite being so small,
it has all the functions of an RC helicopter, such as hovering and moving
around on all axes, among other things. This tiny and cute helicopter is
definitely worth a look if you’re interested in tinkering with RC vehicles,
but don’t know where to start.
Nano-Falcon: http://dgit.in/SLNanoFalcon
Tech Toys 77
Small is good
3.Parrot Drone
Not more than a few years ago, drones were considered as military-grade
hardware. Today, drones are used in civil research and autonomous opera-
tions, as tools to carry resources from one location to another, and even sold
as novelty toys to children in retail stores. One such product is called the
‘Parrot Drone’, a hybrid of a toy and a highly useful piece of equipment.
The Parrot Drone features a three-axis gyro-stabiliser to correct itself
should anything happen to the flight ultrasound sensors to detect ground
altitude measurement. It also has a 720p HD camera to record videos and
take JPEG pictures of the flights undertaken.
The structure of the Parrot is made entirely out of carbon fibre, while the
inner mechanisms of the drone are protected by foam padding. It uses four
brushless motors for propellers and a motor controller that manages the
functioning of each motor. The Parrot’s most advanced features are its GPS
navigation system and Flight Enhancer. The GPS system weighs 31 gms and
the bundled 4GB flash drive stores any flight paths. The ‘Flight Enhancer’
is an app, which can be downloaded from major mobile platforms. It lets
users view the flight path in 3D and control the drone via the smartphone,
among other things.
The Parrot comes in four colors, and spare parts are included in the box,
although the warranty covers any damages done to the drone.
Parrot Drone: http://ardrone2.parrot.com/
78 Tech Toys
Everyone wants a parrot drone. Including you.
3.RoboMe
‘RoboMe’ is a fully built robot that has the power of customisation. Users
can give the robot its own personality by attaching an iPhone or iPod to
the robot’s head, wherein the robot’s ‘face’ appears. Users can then play
around with each feature of the robot’s body, such as face and arms. You
can ‘program’ the robot using the mobile app to perform custom moves, like
running around, dancing, etc. The robot comes with an array of sensors
which allow it to interact with outside objects. Even humans. (The robot
can shake hands with you!)
The AI of the robot is so designed as to let you investigate outside objects
around itself. Perhaps the best part of RoboMe is its voice recognition
system. One can upload a set of commands via the app and then speak out
those commands to RoboMe.
RoboMe: http://dgit.in/RoboMe
4.Arduino
‘Arduino’ might be a little advanced for children to use, but that doesn’t
mean its not worth a mention. The website describes it as “an open-source
electronics platform based on easy-to-use hardware and software”. More
simply, Arduino is an open source electronics prototyping board originally
meant to reduce the time taken to develop new products, but now being used
as an educational and recreational tool all over the world.
Arduino has applications everywhere – botany, robotics, even space. A
project involving Arduino called ‘ArduSat’, which lets people develop their
own space-based experiments, is a by-product of the technology. Children
Tech Toys 79
Check out our last month’s FastTrack to get started on this one
have been known to make exciting creations with Arduino. A little girl named
‘Super Awesome Sylvia’ runs her own electronics podcast, where she show-
cases the things she creates using Arduino, such as Arduino shields, displays
and so on. Another group of kids have created a pair of soccer-playing
Arduino robots and went on to become world robot football champions.
The founder of the Arduino project, Massimo Banzi, believes that Open
Source hardware and the DIY movement is the face of the third industrial
revolution. Arduino is fast becoming a popular device to experiment with
and helps speed up product developments. Since the project is completely
open source (free to modify and share), there are also clones of Arduino
manufactured with a specific task in mind, like Wi-Fi modules, Bluetooth
modules and servo modules, to name a few.
80 Safety First
Chapter #06
PROTECTING
YOUR KIDS
Keeping kids away from the dark side of
the internet is easier than you’d think. Here
are some must have apps and utilities to do
just that.
Smut-proof Your Home PC

Keep a track of your young one’s online activities and keep
them safe from the evils of the Internet.
Children of all ages are now more tech savvy than ever. Thanks to services
like Steam, Netflix, Spotify, as well as P2P sharing protocols such as
BitTorrent and Darknet, downloading games, music, movies, and TV shows
is easier has become child’s play. With the boom in popularity of websites
like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Snapchat, every teenager seems to
have at least more than one social networking account
However, as a direct result of such unrestricted access, Internet addiction
is slowly becoming a serious issue. Add to that the massive peer pressure
on making social networking accounts, kids who decide to forgo the act of
staying connected with their friend circles are shunned and at times even
ridiculed for not being net savvy enough.
Safety First 81
This coupled with increasing reports of kidnappers and sexual predators

using online portals to lure unsuspecting children, there is a rising need
for software that allows parents to monitor and control their children’s
Internet usage. Parents are obligated to teach their kids to be mature and
responsible when viewing content on the Internet. However, it can be a bit
awkward to explain to them why it is important that they keep their distance
from websites of a certain nature until they reach a more appropriate age.
For this reason, parental control or child monitoring apps are important since
they can act as a protective barrier between your children and the dangers
of the Internet. In this section, we have outlined a list of applications for
PCs and smartphones that should allow you to gain a semblance of control
over your child’s Internet usage while also maintaining a safe distance, thus
allowing them to explore the Web responsibly without having to constantly
watch over them with hawk’s eyes.
Net Nanny 7
Net Nanny is a household name (quite literarily) when it comes to parental
tracking and child control utilities; so much so that all similar applications
that sprung up were known as Net Nanny clones. Currently, Net Nanny 7 is
the most feature-packed parental monitoring app available for PC yet. Some
might be put off by the fact that it does not support Windows 7; however,
the legacy version of Net Nanny 6.5 is compatible with older, Windows XP
PCs, although you will have to forgo a good number of features.
Net Nanny 7 allows you to create a separate login account at the browser
level for each child, unlike most other parental apps that require a separate
Customize the level of restrictions according to category

82 Safety First
Windows/Mac user account for each child. Net Nanny has a very user
friendly web-based interface. Previous iterations used a Windows applica-
tion, but Net Nanny ditched this so as to facilitate better integration with
their smartphone app. This makes it possible to sync settings between your
PC and smartphone, so any changes made on either platform are reflected
across all devices.
The core feature of most parental control apps is the blocking of websites
with inappropriate/harmful content. Net Nanny 7 allows you to customize
the control settings for each account on the basis of pre-set configurations
for different age groups such as child, pre-teen, teen, and adult: for example,
you can allow your 14-year-old to visit news websites that may contain
news articles with graphical and violent multimedia content, but you can
restrict such content for your 8-year-old. You can choose to either block the
website altogether or display a warning and give your child the choice to
view the blocked website at their own discretion. Net Nanny 7 has a total
of 17 different categories, and you can add your own URLs to categories for
a more hands-on approach.
Net Nanny 7 can send parents a notification whenever their child attempts
to access a website from a blocked category. For example, should your child
attempt to visit a website seeking information on abortions or suicide, you
will receive a notification via email, so you can act swiftly to counsel your
child. The application also includes a special masking feature for websites
in the “Profanity” category wherein the webpage will be allowed to load,
but any offensive and profane terms will be appropriately censored using
special characters.
Net Nanny lets parents set up an internet usage schedule for their kids. This
way, they will only receive access to Internet access apps such as browsers,
IM, and other web-based applications during a predetermined schedule,
ensuring they don’t delay their bedtime or get distracted during homework.
This scheduling can be taken a step further with the “Internet Allowance”
feature, where you can give your kids a sort of “prepaid” account of Internet
hours, which they can distribute evenly across their access time. Obviously,
once a child uses up their hours, they will not be allowed to access the Internet
until their account auto refills, which can be either daily or weekly. While some
may see this as a step too far in terms of parental control, it can be a healthy
remedy for children who are overly addicted to the Internet.
Net Nanny has an excellent and very customizable notification feature
by which it emails you every time your kids attempt to access restricted
Safety First 83
websites. It also boasts of a detailed report generation tool that provided

excellently demarcated data visualized in the form of graphs and pie
charts. With its web-based interface, you can login from any PC and view
a summary of your family’s internet usage, subdivided to a customized
level of detail. This allows you to view a summary detailing the number
of sites blocks or warnings issued (depending on your settings) with the
categories and reasons for blocking, as well which user attempted to access
these particular websites, along with detailed timestamps and URLs.
Link: http://dgit.in/NetNannyPC
K9 Web Protection
The developers of K9 Web Protection, i.e. Blue Coat Services, may ring a
bell as they are well known for developing customized web-protection tools
for enterprises. Chances are that if you work for a fairly large organization
that stresses on Internet
security, your firewall
and Internet portal
monitoring is handled by
an application developed
by Blue Coat Services.
It comes as little
surprise that K9 Web
Protection is based on Blue
Coat’s existing software,
which has been repacked
into a feature-rich parental
control utility which is
free of cost. Although the
K9 has 66 different categories of websites that you can
software is fairly popular choose to block or monitor
owing to its price, it does
lack a host of features that are commonplace in other paid applications. On
a positive note, the application is very light and is easy to install and setup,
making this an excellent option for parents who are considering trying out
a parental control utility for basic web-blocking features but are hesitant
to spend the money on premium software.
With its default settings, K9 Web Protection blocks over 24 categories of
websites including common ones such as gambling, weapons, pornography
etc. However, if you wish to enforce stricter rules, Blue Coat has a curated
84 Safety First
database of websites spanning 44 additional categories (similar to the ones

they use for their enterprise level software), including games, humour,
entertainment, music, etc. You can also choose to block URLs that contain
specific keywords. Similar to a feature in Net Nanny 7, it can analyse web
pages to detect profane/inappropriate words and censor them.
Besides the standard web protection and blocking, it also has a basic
form of scheduling, so you can restrict your child’s internet usage during
bedtime, thus ensuring they do not waste time on late night browsing
sessions. K9 also comes with a unique “Time-out” feature, wherein you
can block complete web access if your child constantly attempts to access
restricted URLs/domains. The trigger settings can be varied between 5–50
attempts every 5–60 minutes, while the Timeout period can vary between
as short as 5 minutes to even a whole day!
K9’s report summary feature is quite extensive for free software. It gives
you a breakdown of Internet usage as per category including number of
blocked requests along with a detailed breakdown of how the requests
were blocked. You can review each blocked URL along with the reason for
blocking, although it is not currently possible to identify the user account
that requested the URL; this can prove a major drawback for PCs that are
used by multiple children.
Link: http://dgit.in/K9WebProtect
AVG Family Safety

AVG is a very trusted name when it comes to computer security apps. It
comes as no surprise then
that their parental control
utility, aka AVG Family
Safety, is extremely feature-
packed, intuitive to use,
and relatively affordable
when compared with other
security apps.
AVG Family Safety
includes a configuration
tool that can be accessed via
the web (from any location)
and includes support Restrict access to movies and games on the basis of
for multiple computers/ ESRB and MPAA ratings
Safety First 85
devices. Setting up different user accounts for multiple children is also

easy and these settings can be synced across multiple devices. AVG has
about 61 different categories for blocked websites, and there are presets
available that vary according to age group. You can also customize the
“age templates” depending on your level of comfort. For example, you may
be okay with your older children viewing artistically tasteful websites
containing nude imagery, which may be more impressionable on the minds
of younger children.
Unlike most parental control utilities, AVG blocks websites at a network
level and can be used with any browser. This allows for a number of other
useful features such blocking movies and TV-shows depending on their
MPAA or FCC rating. For parents who are concerned that their children
are constantly playing violent video games or listening to music with
explicit lyrics, AVG Family Safety can also block games based on their
ESRB ratings and also restrict access to iTunes music with explicit lyrics.
This program blocking can be extended to other third-party applications,
allowing you to restrict access to music players, IM clients, etc. It also
includes a simple chat/IM logging feature that monitors your children’s
chats, allowing you to take action should you find any indication of cyber
stalking or cyber bullying.
For those of you with Net-savvy children, AVG is specially designed
to prevent the use of software and tools that can bypass parental control
apps, such as proxy server tools, VPN extensions, DNS masking etc. It can
also capture your child’s login credentials every time they log into a social
networking site, although they will be notified of this. This way, you will
not be violating their privacy in a mistrustful manner, which may lead to a
whole set of parental issues regarding trust and responsibility.
Parents who wish to take a more open-minded approach can provide
their children with a password that overrides all protection, although their
browsing history will be logged for you to assess later. You can also plan
a timetable-based approach to restrict kids’ web-browsing to safe (and
limited) hours, especially if they start exhibiting signs of Internet addiction.
Link: http://dgit.in/AVGFamSafety
Qustodio Parental Control 2015

Qustodio is slowly growing in popularity in the market for parental control
utilities owing to its extent of features and ease of use. As a result, it is
also an expensive option, with a price point similar to that of Net Nanny
86 Safety First
Restrict access to movies and games on the basis of ESRB and MPAA ratings
7, although the single use license allows you to control up to five different
devices, which is a great selling point.
Similar to Net Nanny, Qustodio has ditched the traditional Windows-
application-style client and has opted for a more intuitive and also more
attractive online dashboard for those who wish to set up devices or alter
configurations via a PC/Mac. It also has smartphone apps for Android and
iOS, which allow you to track reports and configure settings on the go. The
setup procedure is also similar, where you must create profiles for each
child, each with their own set of customized restrictions.
Qustodio has a standard block list of around 20 categories, which you
can choose to either block or get notified for every time your child attempts
to access those particular websites. The latter option, which is also available
in Net Nanny and AVG, is particularly useful for when you wish to allow
older children access to certain websites, such as entertainment and gaming,
but wish to be notified each time they do.
Besides this, Qustodio comes with the standard fare of settings you would
expect from top parental control apps, including scheduling Internet access,
forcing “safe search” option on search engines, and dynamically analyzing
web pages to block profane and smutty content. However, Qustodio also
Safety First 87
offers some features that you will not find on other parental control apps,
such as setting separate limits for each associated device as per the usage
habits of the children.
For example, you can block your child’s access to their smartphone (on
select apps) while they are at school and when they are using their PC to
finish homework. You can block PC access late at night while allowing for
some time on their phone or tablet. This feature also extends to applications,
which means you can restrict your child from playing games during
homework hours and bedtime.
Link: http://dgit.in/QuStudio
Secure Your Child’s Smart Device

In this age of mobile technology, kids are slowly being introduced to
smartphones and tablets at a very young age. While many parents may
be hesitant about handing their children smartphones, it would be foolish
to ignore the obvious advantages, such as the ability of knowing their
whereabouts at all time, access to a host of learning apps and games, as well
as the chance to educate them about the vastness of the internet and how to
responsibly use it for the means of research and entertainment.
This vastness of the Internet is unfortunately a double-edged sword. In
other words, it is extremely easy for children to stumble across websites with
inappropriate content ranging from the slightly sketchy to the dangerously
profane. Adult topics such as pornography, violence, drug use, as well as
culturally offensive subject matter including sexism, racism, etc. are very
easy to search for. While some parents may attempt to inculcate responsible
Internet use by means of solid advice and trusting their children’s right to
make an informed decision, more often than not, children—especially those
of a very young age—may have their curiosity piqued and will not hesitate
to browse such websites.
For this exact reason, using an effective parental control app on your
smart device seems like an excellent option. Below is a list of popular parental
control apps packed with features ranging from basic browser filtering to
advanced application control.
Net Nanny (Android, iOS)

Net Nanny may be best known for its feature-packed PC/Mac application;
however, there is an app available for smart devices on iOS and Android
platforms. Both platforms support Internet filtering by blocking access
88 Safety First
Restrict access to inappropriate websites
to malicious and inappropriate websites. This is done by replacing the

default browser with a customized browsing tool that filters all incoming
communication and restricts blacklisted URLs and domains.
In iOS devices, you will have to manually disable Safari browser using
your Apple passcode. This ensures your kid is forced to use the Net Nanny
browser for any online work. In Android, this is done by installing the
Net Nanny app and logging in using your Net Nanny credentials, which
requires a separate Android license (included if you have purchased Net
Nanny 7 for PC/Mac). The Android app automatically disables/restricts
the use of any other browser.
Both platforms require you to login using your Net Nanny credentials.
Furthermore, if you use Net Nanny 7 for PC/Mac, you can sync the same
settings with your smartphone/tablet app, thus saving you the hassle of
having to reconfigure a new user account on each child’s device.
Both platforms support safe search enforcement, profanity masking,
as well as custom filter categories. However, this is where the Android
version edges out over the iOS one by providing additional features such
as an application manager, remote administration, and email notifications.
Unsurprisingly, the Android version is more than double the cost of the iOS
app. However, the Android app does have a minor drawback: overriding the
restriction for viewing blocked websites is extremely tedious. For instance,
if you wish to whitelist a particular website, you will have to login to the
Net Nanny web portal and manually add the URL to the whitelist; there is
no password override option in the browser.
Safety First 89
Net Nanny Android: http://dgit.in/NetNannyAndroid

Net Nanny iOS: http://dgit.in/NetNannyiOS
eKAVACH (Android, iOS)

India’s answer to digital parental control apps, eKAVACH provides Android
and iOS users with a complete, failsafe option for securing your kid’s
internet use. Available for Android and iOS, eKAVACH has an extensive
list of features from intelligent web filtering that blocks websites from
specific danger categories such as pornography, violence, etc. to real-time
alerts that provide parents with instant notifications whenever their child
attempts to access a blocked website.
As is in the case of the Net Nanny, the Android version of the eKAVACH
app is more feature-packed when compared with the iOS one. This is mainly
due to Apple’s strict security features that prevent third-party applications
from accessing administrator-level controls. In fact, eKAVACH is heavily
inspired by Net Nanny and includes more or less the same features such as
safe search enforcement as well as real time notification alerts for restricted
actions such as web requests for blocked websites, attempts to search for
blocked keywords, and even attempts to uninstall the eKAVACH app.
The eKAVACH service requires you install two different applications
on separate devices: the child version of the app is installed on the phone/
tablet to be monitored, whereas the parent version of the app is installed
on the device used for configuring
devices and viewing reports. Using the
parent app, you will be able to view a
detailed summary of your child’s online
activity, including a list of attempts to
view blocked URLs as well as a list of
them same.
Another excellent feature of
eKAVACH is the ability to geolocate
your child via their smart device. This
“heartbeat monitoring” feature keeps
a track your child’s smartphone using
GPS and cell tower approximation,
and keeps a detailed log of your
child’s recent locations. This enables Monitor your child’s Internet use on
you to gain a sufficiently accurate the go
90 Safety First
approximation of your child’s location should they go missing. The app

also has a panic button built into the child app, which your kid can activate
in the case of emergency. This will send you (the phone on which the parent
app is installed) an immediate notification informing you of your child’s
approximate location, with an option to call back.
However, eKAVACH’s main USP is that it is currently free on both the
App Store and Google Play, making it an ideal choice for parents who wish
to try out child protection apps.
eKAVACH Android: http://dgit.in/eKAVACH
Parental Control (Android)

Parental Control is an Android exclusive child-friendly application that takes
a different approach towards parental safety. It acts as a replacement shell
extension (aka home screen) that restricts access to undesirable content,
while also providing standard tracking and control features. Like most of
Your kids can access all apps via the home screen
the apps on this list, it has to be used in tandem with a partner app, which
in this case is aptly titled Remote Control.
Parental Control takes a restriction to a whole new level with its kid-
friendly approach. Instead of selecting which applications to block, you
select some to be whitelisted for access. The app then pins these whitelisted
apps to the bright, cartoony home screen, which is obviously aims to appeal
to young children.
Safety First 91
In addition, the app can prevent your kids from downloading risqué
applications by blocking access to Google Play. It can also stop your child
from making in-game transactions using your credit card—which is
especially a high risk problem in games that innocuously encourage kids
to buy these items without properly informing them that actual money will
be needed for these items.
The app includes a call-blocking feature wherein the phone can be
programmed to allow calls and SMSs from select numbers. This works
both ways as your child will only be allowed to make calls to the numbers
from the same list, avoiding any accidental, awkward calls to strangers. If
you are worried that your child might try to make mischief by changing the
settings on the smart device, rest assured they will be wasting their time
as the app blocks access to the settings menu. When you find the need to
make changes to your kid’s device, disabling kid’s mode is hassle free as all
you need to do is type in the security pin when prompted.
Parental Control also includes a simple but robust tracking feature,
by which your child’s (specifically, their device’s) location is mapped and
logged. Although the application is a free download from Google Play,
you have the option of purchasing
a premium version that unlocks
additional features. These include
a maximum 12 hours log of your
child’s movement history, as well as
the ability to schedule the app auto
launching at a preset period with
the option to set different periods
for weekends and weekdays.
Qustodio (Android and iOS)

While Qustodio may be better
known for its more feature-rich
app on the PC and Mac, they also
provide a great optional app for
Android and iOS. Again, there
are numerous similarities to apps
from other services on this list. For
example, Qustodio supports iOS in
the same manner as Net Nanny and Setting up devices is easy
92 Safety First
eKAVACH, in that it provides a secure browser for your children to use.

You log in to the browser using the same credentials as that of the PC app
and apply restriction settings as per your required level of protection. Note
that you will have to manually disable the Safari browser and remove any
other third-party browser as Qustodio can only monitor traffic through
its own app.
The Android version does not have such restrictions and thus comes with
a number of additional features. You choose which apps your kid can access
by blocking them outright or simply monitoring their use instead. Qustodio
provides additional support for monitoring calls and SMSs, allowing you
to create a list containing safe phone numbers for incoming and outgoing
calls and SMSs. It can also monitor social network activity in apps such as
Facebook and Snapchat, allowing you to protect your child from potential
cases of cyberbullying and online predators.
Qustodio’s main selling point would be that it is available for free on
both platforms, although you have to sign up for a Qustodio account. This
allows you to store settings and reports on the cloud, saving you the hassle
of configuring the app if ever you need to reinstall it, and allowing you to
view detailed reports of your child’s internet usage from anywhere.
QuStudio Android: http://dgit.in/QuStudioAndroid
QuStudio iOS: http://dgit.in/QuStudioiOS
DinnerTime (Android, iOS)

As the name suggests, the app was born out of a need for a way to get
children to stay away from their phones during dinner and get them to spend
quality family time. This simple
approach was taken a step further,
and the app now comes with a
host of other features, all aimed
towards getting children to spend
less time on their smartphones/
tablets and more time doing other
quality activities.
DinnerTime simple concept
is masterfully executed with an
attractive and easy-to-use user
interface. Whenever, you wish Ensure your kids are smartphone-free during
to call your kids for dinner or tell dinner time
Safety First 93
them it’s time for bed, you simply have to send a command from your smart
device. This will bring up a full screen message on the kids’ devices, pausing
the running app and restricting any input until either the preset timer
runs out or the parent enters a passcode on the child’s device. The Android
version of DinnerTime uses the same app for both the parent and child
devices, while the iOS version requires separate apps for each device type.
After installing the DinnerTime app on your device as well as that of
your child, you will have to go through a quick setup process. The child app
will send an SMS to the parent device to initiate pairing, following which
the parent device will have to send a confirmation message, completing
the setup. Parent devices can then set break times for dinner and bedtime,
during which the child’s device will be unusable. They also have an option
to pause the child’s device using a button if you want them to take a time
out from using their smartphone for unhealthy, prolonged periods.
Parents who are impressed by the app’s functionality but are also looking
for a more hands-on approach can try out DinnerTime Plus—an extension
of the DinnerTime app with number of additional features. DinnerTime
plus allows you to restrict device apps, as well as permit the use of apps on
a time limit policy, preventing your kids from spending all their phone time
playing games and chatting. It includes a live monitor feature that tells you
which application is running currently running on your child’s device as
well as an activity history function that keep a log of the applications your
child has been using. The free version allows you to link another device as
a parent device, and with a small in-app purchase, you can unlock detailed
usage reporting as well as the ability to link up to 5 kids’ devices.
DinnerTime Android: http://dgit.in/DinnerTimeAndroid
DinnerTime iOS: http://dgit.in/DinnerTimeiOS
Apps to Make Parenting Easy and Fun

Parenting apps don’t always have to be centered on monitoring your child’s
behavior. From making chores fun to ensuring your family’s health and
safety, we present curated list of apps designed to make parenting easier
for you and more fun for your children.
White Noise Baby (Android, iOS)

White Noise Baby is an app that helps your baby sleep better by playing
soothing ambient sounds that lull it to sleep, much like a lullaby. It comes
loaded with a wide range of looped sounds that pacifies restless children by
94 Safety First
providing an auditory diversion that is safe

and soothing. It makes use of white noise—
better known as the static sound from TVs
and Radios that are not receiving a working
signal—which has been shown to encourage
deep sleep, enhance meditation, and even
cure insomnia.
Besides the standard color-coded noises
it also includes loops of ambient sounds
such as a car ride, vacuum cleaner, dripping
water, air conditioner, and some others. In
addition to noise generation, the app also
includes a virtual baby rattle that can be
controlled by motion and touch.
Android: http://dgit.in/WhiteNoiseBabyAndr
White Noise Baby iOS: http://dgit.in/
WhiteNoiseBabyiOS Help your baby sleep better
HealthKartPlus (Android, iOS, Windows Phone)

Keeping your family in good health is always a primary concern.
HealthKartPlus is an excellent app that gives you extensive information
on medicines available in the India. Designed for the use in India and
recognized by the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, this app
features a very intuitive interface that makes it easy to use, even for those
not familiar with smartphones.
The app has a number of extremely useful features, including a database
of over 100,000 medicines. As an expecting mother, you can check the side
effects of a particular drug, including its impact on pregnancy and lactation
as well as its effect on your body if you consume alcohol. Parents can use the
app to learn about various ailments for which medicines are available, so
as to gain a better understanding of the drug’s effects on their child’s body.
You can also use the app to search for substitute medicines, most of which
have the same composition but are significantly cheaper since they are
manufactured by a lesser known company. Users in the Delhi NCR region
can avail of the HealthKartPlus delivery service. You can use the app to order
medicines and in some cases avail of a discount of up to 15%. You can use your
phone’s camera to scan your prescriptions to store in the app, which you can
use later to order medicines.
Safety First 95
HealthKartPlus Android: http://dgit.in/

HealthKartPlusAnd
HealthKartPlus iOS: http://dgit.in/
HealthKartPlusiOS
ChoreMonster (Android, iOS,

Windows Phone, PC)
ChoreMonster takes a very novel approach
to tackle an age old problem: getting kids
to do their chores with minimal fuss. The
basic concept involves parents assigning
kids with chores and kids completing
chores to earn points that can be redeemed
for rewards that can be digital or physical
in nature.
To use the app, parents can either Search for affordable substitutes
download the app on their smartphone
or use the intuitive web-based application on their PC or Mac. Parents can
then assign chores to their kids, and each chore will have a certain point
value, which the child earns after successfully completing their chore.
Kids can access chores the same way parents assign them: either using the
smartphone app or the web app.
Once kids accumulate enough points, they can redeem them for both
virtual and real-life rewards, which have to be set by the parents. You can
customize rewards to range from smaller prizes, such as unlocking a movie
to watch or getting a
small toy as a gift, to
larger ones including
taking your kids for a
family trip. Kids also
earn tickets to the
Monster Carnival for
each chore completed,
which they can use
to spin the “Monster
Wheel” and unlock cool
virtual monsters for
their collection. Pretty Make chores fun with a healthy reward system
96 Safety First
soon, your kids might be begging for chores so that can get that new bike
they’ve been eyeing.
ChoreMonster Android: http://dgit.in/ChoreMonsterAnd
ChoreMonster iOS: http://dgit.in/ChoreMonsteriOS
Cozi Family Organizer (Android, iOS, Windows Phone)

Cozi is a one-app solution for your family organizational needs. This task
management app allows you to coordinate tasks with family members by
syncing a fixed family schedule across each family member’s device. The
app allows multiple users
to create, view, and edit
shopping and to-do lists,
mark important family
event dates, and make notes
in journal entries with
support to attach photos.
The app also includes
a neat family journal in
which members can jot down
special moments and attach
photos to make them more
memorable. The Android
version also includes support
for home screen widgets for
quick access to the family
Organize your family’s schedule on the go calendar, grocery and to-do
lists, and journal entries.
Cozi Family Organizer Android: http://dgit.in/CoziFamOrgAnd
Cozi Family Organizer iOS: http://dgit.in/CoziFamOrgiOS
Cozi Family Organizer Windows Phone: http://dgit.in/CoziFamOrgWP

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Volume 10 | Issue 03

A brave new world Learning through games

Editorial Manager Test Center Associate Art Director

Executive Editor Jayesh Shinde Anil T

© 9.9 Mediaworx Pvt. Ltd.

Published by 9.9 Mediaworx

A brave new world Learning through games

Custom publishing Kids tech: good or bad?

If you want us to create a customised Fast Track for you in order to

demystify technology for your community, employees or students

only has a vast assortment of educational and entertainment apps suitable

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we aren’t fear-mongering to sell easy solutions. Fear is also a gateway to

Tool of instant communication

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Forecasts for the education sector

Opportunities and obstacles

Is all play and no work making Jack a dull boy?

The problem with 21st century tech

Are they videogames or mind games?

The damage continues...

Effect on physical well-being

We should just hide it all away from them, right?

Goodbye modem. Hello Wi-Fi

Let the games begin

Dancing with the wii

What about their social skills, their health?

Will preventing access to tech hinder my child’s future?

Get involved with children and their tech exposure

For toddlers there

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