Screenblock™
rations your children's screen time.

How does Screenblock work?

Screenblock is installed between the TV and the power supply, and so controls the flow of power to the TV.

Installation is simple: open the Screenblock lid, insert the TV plug, then close the lid and lock it. Plug Screenblock into the wall socket and you're done!

Screenblock is programmed to offer preset time allowances for you to choose. For example, you might choose to allow the TV to be watched for a total of 2 hours in the day, the time to be taken in the periods from 7.00am-9.00am and 4.00pm-7.00pm. You make your choice, of whatever times and periods you like, and programme Screenblock accordingly. In addition to the pre-set allowances, there are variable allowances that allow you to program any combination of times you like.

With your Screenblock you are supplied with three tags, in effect a ‘Parent Keys’. This enables the parent or person in control to override the preset programme at any time they choose.

Screenblock has a disciplinary feature that allows the parent or other person in control to cut the daily viewing allowance, which Screenblock programmes in 15-minute units. This feature is a bit like the football system: three tokens are provided a green, a yellow card and a red card. If you choose to impose a new restriction on the viewing allowance you offer the yellow card up to Screenblock; each time you do so 15 minutes will be deducted from the daily allowance. If you want to go further you offer up the red card, and then all the remaining allowance for the day will be withdrawn. The green card will restore the day's allowance.

Once the preset allowance is used up, Screenblock automatically cuts off the power to the TV or screen.

You, or the children, may want to conserve the viewing time allowance available within the permitted periods. To do this simply switch off the TV, or put it into standby mode. Screenblock will automatically recognise what you are doing, and will pause the allowance countdown until the TV is next turned on.

In many households there is a TV for communal use, and to allow for this Screenblock has an Override facility. When this is activated, it allows unconditional viewing of the TV at whatever time is chosen, for example from 9.00pm in the evening.

If at any time you choose to restore TV viewing, Screenblock can be instructed to allow TV viewing by presenting a tag and pressing Screenblock’s On button.