Orbiri secures £320K for community-powered solution to end screen-time nightmare
Orbiri, a London-based tech startup, has successfully secured £320,000 in an angel round, following initial seed funding. The company aims to launch a community-driven platform designed to manage children's screen time, addressing growing concerns about unrestricted smartphone use among young people. This approach marks a shift from solely relying on parental controls or outright device bans. The platform offers a community-powered solution, establishing preset screen-time boundaries for children. This framework coordinates children, parents, and schools to create shared digital limits, thereby fostering healthy digital habits. Orbiri is set to roll out next year after completing product development, securing compliance certifications, and conducting trials with early-adopter schools. This initiative is particularly relevant given the increasing adoption of school phone bans and discussions about restricting social media use for under-16s. By facilitating a collective-action approach, Orbiri seeks to make healthy technology use the norm, replacing daily device conflicts. The funding will support upcoming trial phases before the broader launch of the platform. Orbiri's approach emphasizes community coordination as a more effective and sustainable strategy than top-down restrictions. The startup's success could offer a model for other digital solutions prioritizing user well-being and community involvement in the age of rapid technological change.
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