What are KidzCoins?
Our unique kids coins are the simple solution to help families manage or limit their children’s screen time at home. The time tokens can be given out by parents and traded in by children for recreational (passive) screen time. Children can also earn the reward coins for good behaviour or they could be given as a form of pocket money! Families use them in lots of different ways.
Professors, doctors, scientists and teachers agree that establishing healthy screen time habits early on is the key to making sure technology doesn’t damage our children’s mental or physical health, social skills or chances of academic success.
But managing screen time without nagging or always being the ‘bad guy’ can be really tough. These coins for kids are a simple and fun way to teach and motivate children to take responsibility for managing their screen time in a very positive way so that they don’t become addicted to screens.
Designed by parents and tried and tested by families, it’s an easy and stress-free way to manage screen time at home.
We are proud to have received the backing of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health for our product. “The development of KidzCoins is a fantastic idea which will allow parents to hand over some responsibility to children themselves, teaching them the importance of time management as well as the need to live a balanced lifestyle.” – Professor Russell Viner
As featured on BBC Radio 5 Live and in The Sun newspaper
Did you know?
Latest research reveals that, by the age of seven, many youngsters will have spent what equates to one full year in front of a screen, rising to three by adulthood.
Food for thought
Cambridge University scientists believe that too much screen time seriously harms GCSE results with extra TV time having the worst effect on grades.
Believe it or not
Even Apple’s co-founder and former Chief Executive, Steve Jobs, was concerned about his children’s gadget use so he limited their screen time at home.
How they work
This is how we set up KidzCoins but you can set your own rules to suit you and your family. See our Top Tips from parents for more ideas.
Buy your KidzCoins now!
One pack contains 21 coins:
9 x 60 minute coins
8 x 30 minute coins
4 x 15 minute coins
That’s enough coins for up to 14 hrs screen time per week. Health experts recommend a maximum of 2 hrs screen time a day.
Each pack costs just
£5.99 + p&p
What experts say
What Doctors say...
Children should have daily screen time limits – Leading psychologist Dr Aric Sigman
Too much screen time is causing increasing psychological problems, such as depression and anxiety, in children – Public Health England
Children should have TV-free days or two-hour limits on the time spent in front of screens - The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice)
- More info & links
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Limit children's screen time, expert urges - BBC News
Overload of screen time 'causes depression in children - Independent
Limit TV to help fight obesity, says NICE - BBC News
What Teachers say...
Teenagers who spend too much time watching TV or playing computer games achieve lower GCSE grades. The typical 14-year-old pupil, during the first year of a GCSE course, spends about four hours a day in front of a screen. Those who spend an hour more than that scored 9.3 fewer GCSE points – the equivalent of going down two grades, for example from a B to a D – Cambridge University
What Others say...
Parents struggle to limit children’s screen time - Action for Children
Online pressures creating ‘nation of deeply unhappy children’ - NSPCC
Top Tips
These are the Top Tips we’ve received from parents so far:
- We really only have a problem with screen time at the weekend, so that’s when we use them
- On long car journeys the children are allowed ‘free’ gadget time
- We decided to make active games exempt from our screen time rules so tennis on Wii Sport, for example, is free screen time
- When our daughter needs to do homework or research on her computer, we don’t take time tokens off her
- We use KidzCoins as reward coins to encourage our son to read more, so if he reads for half an hour he earns a 30-minute screen time coin
- If there’s a family film we all want to watch, we make it ‘free’ TV time
- My daughter likes to keep her coins in her piggy bank, along with her actual pocket money
- Our older child manages a week’s worth of coins at a time while our younger child has his coins one day at a time
- We just gave our daughter half the coins to start with. It'll then be easier to increase the number of coins if we need to, rather than having to take some away if she doesn't need as many
- Our children have to earn their screen time kids coins. It’s amazing how keen they are to do their homework or tidy their bedrooms now!
- If our son still has coins left at the end of the week, we give him a reward for managing his time so well.
Share your tips and experiences with us, send us an email or find us on Facebook
Latest News
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14 August 2019
Half of children can't identify stinging nettles - The Independent
A quarter of parents say their children have little to no interest in the natural world and one in three said spending too much time sitting in front of a screen was to blame, according to the study.
https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/children-stinging-nettle-screen-time-nature-deficit-a9056171.html -
12 August 2019
Parents pay cash bribes to their kids to stop them looking at screens - The Sun
Nearly a quarter of parents resort to giving cash to their children if they agree to swap screen-time for homework and an early bedtime, according to an Ofcom survey.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/uknews/9703834/parents-pay-cash-bribes-kids-smartphones-tablets/ -
10 February 2019
Parents more concerned about children on social media than knife crime - The Sun
Social media is now third biggest worry facing British parents with bullying and drug abuse the top concerns.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8393769/parents-concerned-childrens-social-media/ -
9 February 2019
Children spend twice as long on their smartphones than they do talking to their PARENTS. Survey reveals kids spend up to 23 hours a week glued to devices - Daily Mail
Children are spending twice as much time staring at their smartphones than talking to their own parents, a survey has revealed. Startling figures reveal the average child now spends almost an entire day (23 hours) a week looking at their device but less than two hours a day talking to family. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6682103/Kids-spend-twice-long-smartphones-talking-PARENTS.html
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18 January 2019
Parents should restrict children's screen time to 2 hours a day - by age of eight the average child will have spent a year sitting in front of a screen - Nursery World
The Association of Play Industries report says that children are choosing to watch TV, play games on laptops and tablets or spend time on social media over playing outside. https://www.nurseryworld.co.uk/nursery-world/news/1166609/call-for-childrens-screen-time-to-be-restricted-to-two-hours-a-day
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9 January 2018
Apple investors call for action over iPhone addiction among children
Apple must investigate the dangers of iPhone addiction among children and make it easier for parents to control screen time, investors have said. The average teenager spends about 4.5 hrs a day on a smartphone.
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/jan/08/apple-investors-iphone-addiction-children -
6 November 2017
Screen time is children's favourite activity according to survey commissioned by BBC Children in Need & Asda to launch the Power of Play campaign
Being on a computer, tablet, games console or mobile phone is now a child's favourite way to play, according to a survey of 6-12 year olds
https://www.aol.co.uk/news/2017/11/06/children-choose-screen-time-as-top-playtime-activity/ -
28 September 2017
Too much Facebook and social media causes virtual autism according to psychologists - International Business Times
Spending hours on social media affects ability in children to read emotion
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/too-much-facebook-causes-virtual-autism-claim-experts-1641051 -
23 September 2017
How to help children navigate the technology battlefield - The Telegraph
Survival tips to help children navigate the technology battlefield
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/family/screens-teens-survival-tips-parents-technology-battlefield/ -
8 September 2017
Limiting screen time in favour of physical toys or outdoor activities is vital for building social skills, emotional resilience, empathy, adaptability and the foundation for learning - not to mention healthy bodies and brains.
"It's all about balance....Persuade children to put down the iPad and pick up an actual pad. Swap clicks for bricks. Be less appy, more happy. Stop taking the tablets - or at least decrease the dose" - Michael Logan (The Telegraph)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/thinking-man/lego-dies-replaced-screens-can-kiss-goodbye-civilisation/ -
5 August 2017
Children's Commissioner warns parents they must intervene to stop children consuming screen time like junk food
Children's Commissioner launches #digital5aday campaign to help families manage children's craving for screen time
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40840823# -
19 July 2017
Study reveals children are damaging their emotional development by spending more time with devices than with each other - The Sun newspaper
Children as young as three are hindering their emotional intelligence by spending too long staring at screens instead of socialising with other youngsters, a study has shown.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/living/4055507/study-reveals-children-are-damaging-their-emotional-development-by-spending-more-time-with-devices-than-with-each-other/ -
31 May 2017
Toddlers at risk of tech addiction as parents rely on gadgets to entertain kids - Good Morning Britain (ITV)
Toddlers who spend up to three hours a day staring at smartphones, tablets and TVs could be at risk of developing screen dependency disorders later in childhood, according to psychologist Dr Aric Sigman.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/tech/toddlers-risk-developing-tech-addiction-10530433 -
17 May 2017
Increase in screen time is putting kids' health at risk: World Health Organization
A dramatic rise in screen time is putting children's health at risk, according to a World Health Organization report. Experts warn teens are "slaves to handheld devices" with inactivity posing the risk of cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes.
http://news.sky.com/story/rise-in-screen-time-putting-childrens-health-at-risk-who-report-warns-10880927 -
12 May 2017
Kids who have limited screen time are at lower risk of being obese
Children who have limited screen time are at a lower risk of obesity and may also be better at managing their emotions
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-4496546/Children-regular-bedtimes-likely-obese.html -
17 April 2017
KidzCoins mentioned in The Sun newspaper in screen addiction feature
Are your kids game junkies? KidzCoins highlighted in a double-page spread in the UK's most read newspaper - The Sun - as part of a feature on children's screen addiction
https://www.thesun.co.uk/living/3343737/four-mums-reveal-how-their-kids-miss-sleep-meals-and-playing-with-pals-to-spend-more-time-in-front-of-screens/ -
15 April 2017
Children as young as 13 attending 'smartphone rehab' as concerns grow over screen time
A third of British children aged 12 to 15 admit they do not have a good balance between screen time and other activities.In the US, the problem has become so severe for some families that children as young as 13 are being treated for digital technology addiction.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/teenage-technology-addiction-smartphone-rehab-seattle-clinic-children-aged-13-mobile-devices-a7684356.html -
4 March 2017
Children's rocketing use of technology creating an epidemic of poor sleep
Children's rocketing use of technology coupled with more lax modern parenting is creating an epidemic of poor sleep - Panorama investigates
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-39140836 -
15 February 2017
We spend FOUR times as long on screens as enjoying time together as a family, according to survey
Almost nine in 10 parents think gadgets get in the way of their time together as a family and more than half struggle to keep the dinner table a tech-free zone
http://www.mirror.co.uk/tech/technology-trumps-family-spend-four-9817802 -
1 February 2017
KidzCoins celebrates successful first year in business
Happy Birthday to us! It's our 1st birthday at KidzCoins and what a year it's been. Thank you to everyone for all your support over the last 12 months.
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30 December 2016
Screen time more dangerous for children than activities in Swallows and Amazons, warn academics
Spending hours staring at screens is a more dangerous pastime than the perilous activities carried out by the children in Swallows and Amazons, academics have said.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016/12/30/screen-time-dangerous-children-activities-swallows-amazons-warn/ -
25 December 2016
Experts call for official guidelines on child screen use
A group of leading authors, educationalists and child-development experts is calling on the government to introduce national guidelines on the use of screens, amid concern about the impact on children’s physical and mental health.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/dec/25/experts-call-for-official-guidelines-on-child-screen-use?CMP=share_btn_tw -
12 December 2016
Tech gadgets are replacing traditional Christmas stocking presents
Tech gadgets are replacing traditional Christmas stocking presents, according to Barclaycard
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4015496/Tech-gadgets-replacing-traditional-Christmas-stocking-presents.html -
24 October 2016
Top paediatricians urge parents to limit children's screen time
Parents who want to see their children become happier and more well-adjusted socially are better off severely limiting their exposure to smartphones and tablets, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3867960/Top-pediatricians-say-limiting-kids-time-smartphones-tablets-hour-day-banning-screentime-completely-18-months-makes-happier-children.html -
6 October 2016
Children checking mobile phones at night for Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO) - Pupils are coming to school tired and unable to concentrate
Almost half (45%) of young people are checking their mobile phones after they have gone to bed, according to a poll carried out by Digital Awareness UK and the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-37562259?ocid=socialflow_twitter&ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbcnews&ns_source=twitter -
27 September 2016
Campaigners warn of cyberbullying rise at start of new school year
Safety group Internet Matters warns that the start of the school academic year is the "perfect storm" for cyberbullying, as searches for information about online abuse skyrocket, coinciding with children getting smartphones and greater means of communicating with each other online http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/article-3808882/Campaigners-warn-cyberbullying-rise-start-new-school-year.html
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21 September 2016
Busy parents prefer screen time to calm their children before bedtime
Busy mums and dads admit they prefer screen time to calm their kids rather than reading them a story and tucking them in for the night. Research shows that almost half allow their youngsters to watch TV at bedtime, with a further 28% allowing them to play on iPads, phones and laptops before they go to sleep http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/three-quarters-parents-shun-childrens-8888347
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8 September 2016
Want to raise a reader? Cut down on that screen time - BookTrust
if we want our children to read for pleasure and unlock the benefits that come with this, we must limit screen time - both to make space and time for reading, and to help our children to focus and concentrate on enjoying a good story - BookTrust http://www.booktrust.org.uk/news-and-blogs/blogs/booktrust/1009/
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5 September 2016
iPads and screens contributing to a decrease in child mobility
Today's four-year-olds often 'not physically ready' for school, early years specialists warn, as iPads and screens are all contributing to a decrease in child mobility that can impact on academic learning http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/school-age-four-year-old-children-not-physically-ready-experts-warn-a7220476.html
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4 July 2016
Experts say children should only spend short periods on touchscreen devices
According to researchers, technology affects muscle development in children
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3672856/iPads-stop-child-s-muscles-bones-developing-properly-Young-upper-limbs-three-times-playing-conventional-toys.html -
25 June 2016
Go Gadget Free on National Unplugging Day - 26 June 2016
KidzCoins has produced a free downloadable Screen Time Contract and Certificate for you and your family to use on National Unplugging Day. Click here to print off a copy:
http://kidzcoins.co.uk/uploads/kidzcoins-unplugging-contract.pdf -
25 June 2016
Survey reveals children missing out on traditional family lifestyles due to screen time
Millions of youngsters are missing out on traditional family lifestyles because they spend 32 hours every week using technology
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3659513/Millions-children-missing-traditional-family-lifestyles-spend-32-HOURS-week-screen.html -
24 June 2016
How will your children spend their free time during the school summer holidays?
With the long summer holidays around the corner, steps need to be taken to discourage children from spending all their free time in a screen-induced haze
http://www.mnn.com/green-tech/gadgets-electronics/stories/dont-let-kids-spend-summer-days-screen-induced-haze -
23 June 2016
More children seeing chiropractors with back and neck pain
Young people are becoming increasingly sedentary which is damaging their posture, resulting in more children under 16 seeing chiropractors with back and neck pain. Technology is often the cause.
https://t.co/CDDHHoDi75 -
22 June 2016
Switch off technology and rediscover being a family
Parenting experts are warning that digital devices are harming relationships, stopping youngsters from developing face to face communication skills and teaching children that disappearing into digital devices for hours is OK. National Unplugging Day on June 26 asks us all to go back to the good old days before technology by putting down our smartphones, tablets and computers for 24 hours to experience life unplugged.
https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/lifestyle/family-matters/210384/switch-off-from-technology-and-rediscover-being-a-family/ -
21June 2016
KidzCoins urges families to #GoGadgetFree on National Unplugging Day 26 June
KidzCoins is proud to be supporting the UK's largest digital detox on Sunday 26 June by urging families to #GoGadgetFree on National Unplugging Day.
With growing concerns about the impact of too much screen time on children's mental and physical health, social skills and chances of academic success, it is hoped that the one-day campaign will prompt families to think about their ongoing use of gadgets and screens.
KidzCoins is a positive way of teaching children to regulate their own screen time behaviour to prevent addiction issues arising in the future and is backed by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health as well as TV psychologist Dr Arthur Cassidy.
Gail and Vanessa from KidzCoins said: "Anything that shines a spotlight on the impact of screen time on family life is a positive step and we are delighted to offer Gemma Johnson at National Unplugging Day our support."
More information: www.NationalUnpluggingDay.co.uk -
17 June 2016
Parents urged to avoid using screens and gadgets as 'digital dummies' during the summer holidays
A top child psychiatrist from The Priory has urged parents not to use iPads and iPhones as digital dummies during the summer holidays
http://nationalunpluggingday.co.uk/2016/06/16/the-priory-clinical-director-urges-parents-not-to-use-ipads-and-iphones-as-digital-dummies/ -
14 June 2016
And the winners are...
Thank you to everyone who supported our NSPCC Big Board Game Day campaign by entering our competition to win Monopoly Empire games courtesy of Hasbro. Congratulations to our winners: Twitter: @wotstarmagic Facebook: Jennifer Derry Instagram: wishartharriet
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13 June 2016
Simple but effective and extremely good value for money
Thanks to one of our customers for this feedback: "With 2 boys seemingly interested only in their screens, these coins changed their behaviour instantly. We introduced them as rewards so they now have to earn screen time. They monitor their minutes carefully and when their time is up, they turn their appliances off without the usual fuss and drama. They're both keen to suggest coins for each other if they feel they do something worthy of a coin! Such a simple but effective system and extremely good value for money."
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12 June 2016
KidzCoins sales earn donations for NSPCC
Gail and Vanessa would like to thank all those who bought packs of KidzCoins over the last 2 weeks. We have donated 50p to the NSPCC's Big Board Game campaign for every pack sold during that time. Thank you for your support.
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7 June 2016
Special delivery from No.10
Thrilled to receive this from 10 Downing Street: "I was delighted to hear of the success KidzCoins is enjoying and would like to congratulate you on all you are doing to teach children how to manage their time effectively."
Thank you Prime Minister for your "warm regards and best wishes for the future." We hope the KidzCoins we sent you help with your family screen time issues. -
10 May 2016
"...simple but brilliant..."
We always value our customers' feedback. Thanks for this Mrs M!
"This simple but brilliant idea works. After a couple of weeks the kids come home and instead of reaching for the tablet computers have been making dens, models, EVEN HOMEWORK. They are managing their own screen time by earning it, and this week I still haven't had to top up their quota from last Sunday! You make your own rules and as long as they are age appropriate and realistic you really can't go far wrong." -
6 May 2016
Dear Prime Minister....
Dear Prime Minister, we prefer a more positive approach to managing children's screen time at home, so we're sending you a complimentary pack of KidzCoins for your family.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/04/david-cameron-bans-his-three-children-from-playing-with-electron/ -
5 May 2016
Survey shows extent to which electronic gadgets are taking over children's lives
3 out of 5 parents say their child is using a touchscreen digital device before they've said their first word
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3575462/Talk-technological-literacy-Young-children-work-tablets-phones-SPEAK.html -
28 April 2016
Family time spent staring at a screen
Natasha Devon MBE, the Government's mental health champion for schools in The Telegraph - Children have less of what they do need...Family time that is spent together is spent staring at a screen.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/2016/04/28/bullied-children-are-being-wrongly-medicalised-expert-warns/ -
26 April 2016
Mums in business blog
Thanks to award-winning blogger Sonia @Mummy_loves for this Mums in Business feature:
http://thismummyloves.com/mum-in-business-gail-and-vanessa/ -
20 April 2016
Healthy praise for KidzCoins
TV psychologist Dr Arthur Cassidy has endorsed KidzCoins: "You have an amazing product which is changing lives and moving parents away from stress. It's a wonderful psychological product which has the potential to reduce child and teenage stress and increase positive mental health. Warmest congratulations."
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16 April 2016
Watch out
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14 April 2016
KidzCoins goes national
Invited to do a live interview with BBC Radio 5 Live’s Peter Allen about KidzCoins and the impact of screen time on children’s lives. Linked to Army Reserve story about young people wasting time on screens.
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12 April 2016
Pain relief
Thanks to the Herefordshire parent who sent us this email: "I think you may have just transformed our pain of setting screen time for my boys."
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12 April 2016
Screen time addiction
Are children becoming too addicted to their iPads and mobile phones? KidzCoins featured on BBC Radio Kent’s Breakfast Show.
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10 April 2016
High profile
"Talking of good ideas....KidzCoins clearly has merits..." - Rex Cooper, Editor - Kent Profile magazine – www.kentprofile.com
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4 April 2016
MP backs KidzCoins
"KidzCoins, created by two mums in my constituency, is a brilliant way for families to manage their children’s screen time at home in an easy and positive way. There is growing concern about childhood obesity rates and the impact screen time can have on family life as well as on children’s mental and physical health and chances of academic success. This parenting product, which has been tried and tested by local families, is a positive response to these concerns, enabling parents to teach their children to manage their own screen time responsibly and thereby encouraging a healthier lifestyle balance. I wish Gail and Vanessa every success with this venture" - Tom Tugendhat MBE MP, Member of Parliament for Tonbridge, Edenbridge and Malling
About us
Meet Gail and Vanessa!
Gail and Vanessa were fed up of gadgets increasingly impacting on their families’ lives. Chatting to others over coffee, it became obvious that it was a frustration shared by lots of other parents too. The caffeine kicked in and the two mums had a brainwave. That’s when KidzCoins was born!
The kids coins were launched after being bravely tested by their friends in the village of Wateringbury in Kent. It could have gone horribly wrong at this point, but thank goodness, it didn’t. Parents welcomed the concept and the children liked the coins – some didn’t even want to spend the coins on gadget time, preferring instead to save them!
Since launching in February 2016 the kids coins have featured in the press and on local and national radio and even got the backing of MPs and No.10! News about KidzCoins has spread far and wide with sales across the UK but also in the United States and Norway too!
Our dream is for homes to become a bit less stressy, for children to rediscover the excitement of real-life adventure as well as virtual entertainment and for parents and children to live happily ever after...or something like that. We hope KidzCoins bring your family a fairytale ending to screen time squabbles and telly tantrums.