Disclaimer: The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.
Now here’s the real disclosure: I was sent this item for review in May, but actually bought one for myself as a holiday gift back in December at Best Buy. And, I have been recommending this tech to anyone who will listen, anyone with a child!
I usually hide it behind my desktop tower, but I brought it out to show you the general area that it is kept in, by my master computer.
Circle with Disney can help to manage all of your home’s connected devices.
My circle is set to manage my husband and son’s phones, and my son’s PC. Remember when I asked if you had a child under 18? This device is perfect for monitoring everyone’s Internet usage!
Circle with Disney helps to manage all of your home’s connected devices. I cannot say this enough! With Circle, parents can filter content, limit screen time and set a bedtime for every device in the home. Time Limits offers the ability to limit daily screen time for platforms, apps, and categories, painlessly, until your child screams in despair for that 5th hour of Snapchat!
BedTime:
With Circle’s BedTime feature, no more asking every night for kids to get off their devices. When BedTime kicks in devices say goodnight all on their own.
Filter:
Set individual filter levels for each family member that matches their age and interests. Do it once and it will apply to every one of their devices.
Pause:
Yes, you actually get a pause button for the internet. Pause one of your kids because it’s time for homework or everyone because it’s game night. Either way, Circle has your back.
Insights:
Circle Insights gives you the ability to compare time online today, last week, or even last month. Per site or by interest. You can even find out where you waste time the most.
Here is an example of what I learned about my son’s desktop usage this past week. I can see the specific app he is using, youtube. If you look at the picture above, you can see all the options I have regarding controlling his usage, his time limits, or disallow this app, perhaps after 9 p.m. . He may be 6’1, but he is just turning 14, and I have to be able to monitor what happens on the Internet with my under-aged child. For his protection and mine! He thinks he is mature and smart, but 14 year olds never are!
BUT WAIT! Last week my son said he would be home from school at 4. I was out at blog interviews when I got a notice that a new device had joined my home Internet at 3:10! I immediately raced home as I do not allow my teen to be home with a gang of friends alone. All of his friends know me and think I am a “cool” dad, so the only person this bothers is my son. And I don’t care, this is how I run my home. At the time I was surprised and did not take a screen shot, but I did get one when I got home to show you an example of what the alert looks like:
These alerts come direct to my phone no matter where I am, and enabled me to race home last week before the boys trashed my house!
And there is more with “Circle Go:”
Ever wish you could manage your kids’ devices wherever they went? Circle Go makes it possible. Circle Go takes all of the settings your kids’ devices have at home and extends them to 4G LTE and any other Wi-Fi network they join.
Now I can manage his phone when he is not home! I am a combination of amateur spy and full-time dad, so this add-on is fantastic! This is an added part of the review package I received and am thrilled that I get to monitor my son in the streets as well! He is always up to something and now I get to guide him through these next few years with even more help! No, not micro managing or being a helicopter parent, not at all! For example, I can set the level of Internet sites he is allowed to visit, when out of the house, at kid, teen, or adult. My son’s is set to teen! And when he breaks curfew I reset his device to Pre-K. I do this reset when he is out in the streets after curfew! DO NOT MESS WITH THIS PARENT!
Set up for the device is very easy. Also, the set up for the Circle Go app is also easy but please note: I have disabled my son’s ability to delete apps. He knows that I monitor his whereabouts and has tried to disable his location services, so I already know he would try the same with this app. I own the phone, so I enabled the restrictions that prevent him from deleting apps. If he is not happy with this he can get a job and pay for a new phone and the monthly charges!
In conclusion, this is the must have device for every parent! It is a new and tougher world out there with access to unbelievable amounts of information that needs to be monitored by parents so we can best help navigate our children safely through, to adulthood.
Every parent should be headed to Best Buy to pick up the Circle by Disney now. For more information, and to buy it on-line, visit BestBuy.com. And remember, I have been using this device for almost six months and find it to be a huge help in keeping my child safe!
robin rue says
OMG this sounds awesome. How did I not know about this before? THANK YOU – totally buying one this weekend.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
That is awesome! It’s the perfect way to police the kids without being the “privacy violator parent”.
Bill Sweeney says
Our family needs this in the worst way. We have to keep track of three kids AND ourselves. That’s a lot to keep track of.
Pam Wattenbarger says
Oh wow, this sounds like it can really manage all of the devices in your house. I like the bedtime setting.
Liz Mays says
This sounds super easy! It’s definitely difficult to monitor everything yourself these days so these features would help a lot!
Kelly Hutchinson says
I ad not heard of the Circle by Disney before. My so would absolutely go bonkers over this!
Kim says
I can use this to limit my daughter’s time on her tablet and her dad’s ipad. Thank you for the review.
Jocelyn @ Hip Mama's Place says
This app will definitely let you keep track of everything especially when it comes to your child’s online activity. It’s convenient for parents and it’s a must have!
Amanda Love says
I’d love to make sure that the kids are being responsible especially when I’m not around. This app is great and it’s something that I’d get for my own peace of mind and for the children’s safety. It’s going to do us a lot of good.
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly says
I am so with you there, no entertaining while I am not home, I would not go for that either. I do not have children, but I am the ‘cool aunt’ and that is in spite of me being strict and no nonsense, it’s great to be able to have a central way to monitor all devices and smartphones and know exactly what is going on, can’t be too safe in that regard. By the way I haven’t seen a computer ‘tower’ in ages! 😉
Seattle Travel Blogger says
I think this is such a cute and app for young children.
I really like the feature that gently reminds them that it is bed time.
Tracey says
Okay can I just say having a kid in 2017 is amazing hahah! This is such a great device! My daughter is only 8 months but you can bet I’ll be investing in one of these when she is older.
Theresa says
What a handy device! My daughter is 13 and definitely needs some monitoring when it comes to her online usage. I will be heading to Best Buy to check this out this weekend!
Kita Bryant says
In this day and age, this is so vital. I definitely need this!
Louise Bishop says
This is one handy device! It can save money as well. 😉
Wendy Polisi says
Some parents don’t know where to start in making sure their child is internet safe. That is hilarious that you set it to pre-k.
Mia says
What super features for managing a household with kids in it. Really will help to know exactly what is going on and keeping them safe.
Shannon Gurnee says
That looks like a really great device! With all our kids having technology in our home, we’ll have to check this out!
Chrysa Duran says
This sounds really cool to be able to manage things. I need to check it out for my devices.
Our Family World says
Thank you for the review of the app. My kids are all grown up now and they are pretty much aware of the dangers lurking online. I will let my sister know about this. He has a 14 year old son and a 12 year old daughter. This is going to give her and her husband peace of mind.
Myrah Duque says
This is magnificent. I will share with my niece who has 2 little ones. My daughter is all grown and in college and is aware of what goes on. This is a great app!
Annemarie LeBlanc says
This is an awesome device to have. I love the security feature of informing you of a new device that connected to your home network. I will have to take a look at this. Although my sons are grown ups now, I don’t want them up all night playing those games.
Ej says
A must have, Thanks so much for sharing