E-learning software rewards kids with Facebook

An Irish company has developed e-learning software that can be used to limit the amount of time children and teenagers spend on Facebook.

Aftermath, which has been shortlisted for this year’s Electric Ireland Spark of Genius Award, uses Facebook time as a reward for completing maths challenges online.

The software was developed in collaboration with Trinity College Dublin, and is an attempt to solve the dual issues of children sacrificing study time to log on to Facebook and improving math literacy.

When the application is enabled, children will be redirected to the Aftermath site when they try to attempt to access sites such as Facebook. By completing maths questions in a game-based learning environment, the children can earn themselves some down-time on Facebook.

The questions, which have been designed by teachers, are aimed at children and teenagers aged between 11 and 16.

The Aftermath software costs $19.99 per year, and parents can choose the sites for limited access. It is designed to be installed on all web-enabled digital device at home.

“We are really excited to have developed a world-first e-learning system that uses online time as a reward,” Aftermath co-founder Ronan Higgins said.

“The combined issue of teenagers being too absorbed in Facebook and the need to boost their math abilities is a world-wide problem and we believe this product will have a major impact globally.”

The software was created by Higgins and his brother Pierce.

“The influence of technology on teenagers' lives is a daily challenge for parents raising a 21st century family,” Pierce Higgins said. “We want Aftermath to change the way kids think about the time they spend online and that it is seen as a reward, rather than an access all hours activity.”