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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of TOPs Balance. All opinions are 100% mine.
A few summers back Pete and I realized that without the daily planned schedule that the school year brings to the girls lives they were at risk of becoming addicted to the internet and cell phone addiction issues. It started innocently enough with playing a game on their electronic devices first thing in the morning, but by the end of the day, we noticed that they hadn’t stopped playing for hours!
Since that time, we have been looking for good ways to make sure that they don’t develop technology addiction. We want them to have a healthy relationship with electronics because used in a proper manner, they can be great additions to their lives.
Thankfully, as the years have passed, some great new apps have been developed to help off-set the growing trend of mobile device overuse and consumption by children and teens. Our new favorite one is TOPs Balance (Task Oriented Passwords).
The new TOPs Balance app features an unlock method that has effectively reimagined a mobile device as a powerful and effortless knowledge delivery system.
Whenever the user reaches for a device, TOPs delivers a “Knowledge Burst”—a 10-second infusion of grade-specific educational content—prior to launching the users’ home screen. The material ranges from moments in history, to vocabulary and science. It’s all combined with dramatic imagery and drawn from partnerships with content leaders such as Encyclopedia Britannica, Merriam Webster and Getty Images.
The iOS version of TOPs also features an “audio read” function.
Parents and users first customize the intensity of learning by selecting either optional or mandatory delivery of Knowledge Bursts. Then, users are prompted with Knowledge Bursts at every device unlock, thereby balancing their mobile device overuse.
We chose the optional delivery method (low intensity) for Ashley’s device that gives her a unique prompt, or persuasive option for a 10-second Knowledge Burst at every unlock screen.
The mandatory delivery method (high intensity) is a more dedicated balance strategy and requires the completion of a 10-second Knowledge Burst at every unlock prior to gaining access to the home screen.
Ashley used it for a few days before we really sat down and talked about it because I wanted to see what she thought about it. Although it is set up to add an educational boost to their electronics time, Ash really thought it was fun and found herself closing her iPad more often just to do more of the Knowledge Bursts!
I loved the parent section where I could customize it and see her progress. You can even increase the difficulty by changing the grade level. There are a lot of benefits to adding this to your child’s electronic devices, and I could even see myself adding it to my own iPad just to break up the cycle and add a little more fun to my day. 
The app is available in both the App Store and the Google Play Store for $4.99. As an introductory offer, the app will be available for just $2.99.
Such a brilliant idea for kids and adults, although I could use it on my computer more than my iPad. I like that it encourages learning and interactivity.
It would probably be good for a lot of us grownups as well 🙂
That sounds like an awesome app. I am heading over to check it out now.
This is a very interesting way to keep kids engaged and learning! I might have to try that myself since my child loves his iPad!
Amazing what is now possible, things we couldn’t have imagined even half a dozen years ago. Sharing this one w/ parents i know!
I definitely think electronic addiction is something to be concerned about. Living in technologically advanced world, its no wonder our kids and adults have issues. Me included!
Sounds like the perfect solution to our tech problem! It’s tough to pull the kids away from their gadgets these days, so it’s nice to have an app like this. I hope this helps a lot of parents when it comes to teaching their kids about gadget/internet use.
What a cool idea. That burst of knowledge would be great for the kids. I love that there are a range of difficulty levels.
This sounds great! I just wrote about my daughter obsession with technology. I feel like it has become a real issue!
What a cool app! It sounds like something I would love.
Looks like a great app, Gonna check this now
Now this is a pretty cool app. Definitely worth checking it out!
What a cool idea to help kids and parents balance electronics. I have a child that loves technology. I need to get this so we can balance things.
This is great idea for kids to keep them engaged and learning! Cool App!!
I will check these apps out. I don’t want to end up being the strict mom at the end so I’ll set some limitations for my son now.
This is so genius. Im going to look at it for my daughter. Its so reasonably priced too.
This is a must-have app for all parents with kids. Sometimes, it is hard to impose discipline on them.
What a great way to embrace technology instead of keeping our kids from using them, right? I think this app is very helpful and it’s great for parents and children! I’m going to have to use one of these soon.
Yes I do get worried because they have easy access to tablets and celphone. This sounds like a great app to try and prevent electronic addiction.
I’m not overly concerned with electronics addiction. I feel like there’s always something every generation that makes parents say, “It’s the end of everything!” I do however, love this method of getting a little extra education into the kids. That’s pretty smart.
It’s definitely a nice way to add a touch of learning to their days. That’s important!
My grand son has a bit of an electronics addition so during school, my daughter and hubby have to limit his time. I will tell them about this app because I think it’s a great idea. I might even add it to mine.
This is a brilliant idea for ALL of us. I know that I am way too focused on technology and this is such a great way to make my addiction a little bit more beneficial for my brain.
This sounds like a fun app. Thankfully my kids have gotten away from their electronics more this summer and want to be outside!
Wow. That is a great app! I know how difficult it is to pry kids away from their devices, so, giving them this knowledge burst would still ensure that they learn a little something everyday.
This is such a great idea and I bet it’s still really helpful in helping them learn and grow more! Technology isn’t all bad!
Most kids are addicted to electronic devices. This sounds great because they can learn at the same time.
I totally agree that kids these days spend way too much time using electronics. What a great solution!
That’s a helpful way to encourage parents to have children stick with technology but with proper restrictions and guidance. Though the full version price seems a bit steep, most would think about getting a free alternative.
THIS IS BRILLIANT! IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO KEEP THE KIDS OFF THE TECH AND LET THEM EXPERIENCE ACTUALLY BEING A KID!
This sounds awesome!!! It amazes me all the great new educational apps that are coming out for the kids!
This sounds like a really great idea! too many kids just sit in front of a screen all day, it’s nice to see parents working hard to keep that from happening.
I do worry about the kids being addicted to their electronic toys. Great idea to use this app. I have to try it out
This is neat. I’ll have to read up on it more to see if it would be good for the girls’ iPads. Thank you for sharing.
This is very informative and timely. I will share this to my friends who have kids and I hope they will have the app.
TOPs sounds like a great app to keep the kids learning during the summer. I may have to get it for my phone just to keep my mind thinking instead of just browsing.
I do worry about the amount my kids are online. This is an app I will have to check out for sure.
This is an excellent app. They might as well be learning something while they are using their devices.
Well that is one way to get their attention on education! What a very cool way to add learning to your tablet.