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Daylight DC-1: Getting Started
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Parental Controls
Parental Controls

Parental Controls

While the Kids DC-1 comes with some built-in parental controls, we really like the StayFree app to fill in the gaps. StayFree is a parental control app that helps you manage your child's device and usage. Features include app blocking, screen time limits, scheduled restrictions, website filtering, keyword blocking, and PIN-protected settings. These tools help you create a safer and more intentional digital environment for your children. Here’s how!

Download the StayFree app on the DC-1

Limit Apps Between 5PM and 8PM (or any preferred time)

Create a time block schedule to ensure that your child is not using their DC-1 at certain times of the day, such as the hours right after school when they should be doing homework. Or in the hours right before bed, to prevent unhealthy screen time.

Navigate to Limits:

  • Go the Usage Limits tab (Bottom 2nd icon from the left)
  • Press + Add Usage Limit
  • Choose Apps, Websites, or Categories

Select your desired apps:

  • Use the top search bar labeled “Select apps, websites, or categories to limit”
  • Search for app or choose any from the list
  • Press the bottom Select button

Create the First Blocking Schedule:

  • Select “Block on a schedule”
  • Pick your desired days
  • Set the schedule from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  • Press Save

Create the Second Blocking Schedule:

  • Press and Hold the first limit
  • Duplicate the blocking rule
  • Select the duplicated limit
  • Set the second schedule from 8:00 PM to 9:00 AM
  • Press Save

Limit All Apps after 10pm (or any preferred time)

Use this feature to limit any apps that you don’t want your child to access after a certain time.

Navigate to Limits:

  • Go the Usage Limits tab (Bottom 2nd icon from the left)
  • Press + Add Usage Limit
  • Choose Apps, Websites, or Categories

Select your all apps:

  • Use the top search bar labeled “Select apps, websites, or categories to limit”
  • Check the Select All box
  • Press the bottom Select button

Set the Blocking Schedule:

  • Choose “Block on a Schedule”
  • Pick your desired day
  • Set the start time to 10:00PM
  • Set the end time to 9:00AM
  • Press Save

Set Daily Usage Limits

Daily usage limits are helpful in preventing addictive tendencies, such as doom scrolling or too much social media time.

Navigate to Limits:

  • Go the Usage Limits tab (Bottom 2nd icon from the left)
  • Press + Add Usage Limit
  • Choose Apps, Websites, or Categories

Select your desired apps:

  • Use the top search bar labeled “Select apps, websites, or categories to limit”
  • Search for app or choose them from the list
  • Press the bottom Select button

Set the Daily Limit:

  • Choose “Set a Daily Usage Limit”
  • Set the desired time limit

How to Block Websites

Block specific websites to help prevent your child from accessing content that may be distracting, inappropriate, or unsafe. This feature can be helpful for limiting websites that are not covered by app restrictions, giving you another way to guide your child’s browsing experience.

Navigate to Limits:

  • Go the Usage Limits tab (Bottom 2nd icon from the left)
  • Press + Add Usage Limit
  • Choose Apps, Websites, or Categories

Select your website:

  • Use the top search bar labeled “Select apps, websites, or categories to limit”
  • Type in desired website to top search bar and check the box
  • Press the bottom Select button

Set the Blocking Schedule:

  • Choose “Block Permanently” (or any other option that works)
  • Tap bottom right save button

Block Settings App Permanently

We like to block the settings app so your child doesn’t remove potential restrictions or delete the Stay Free app.

Navigate to Limits:

  • Go the Usage Limits tab (Bottom 2nd icon from the left)
  • Press + Add Usage Limit
  • Choose Apps, Websites, or Categories

Select your desired apps:

  • Use the top search bar labeled “Select apps, websites, or categories to limit”
  • Search and select the “Settings” app
  • Press the bottom Select button

Block the Settings App:

  • Under “How do you want to limit usage”, choose “Block Permanently”
  • Press Save

View Your Child’s App and Website Usage

You can better understand how your child is spending time on the DC-1. This can help you spot which apps or websites they use most often, recognize unhealthy patterns, and decide where limits or restrictions may be helpful.

View DC-1 Usage:

  • Under the graph is a list that shows the most-used apps to least-used apps
  • Top graph gives visual representation of time spent on the DC-1
    • Toggle top right graph icon on the card for different styles

Filtering Days, Categories, and Usage:

Days

  • Select top left dropdown that says “Today”
    • Choose your specified date range

Categories

  • Select “All Categories” dropdown
    • Choose your specified Category from the list

Usage

  • Select “Apps and Website” dropdown
    • Choose specified Usage type

Create a Pin

When you put a pin in place, your child will not be able to alter the parental controls you put in place. We recommend using a pin for this reason.

Navigate to Usage Limits and Tracking:

  • Press the top left icon “☰”
  • Open “Settings”
  • choose “Usage Limits & Tracking”

Set Your Pin:

  • Press “Lock Usage Limits” and choose “PIN Protection
  • Enter your desired PIN
  • Press Save

Reset Pin Code

Navigate to Usage Limits and Tracking:

  • Press the top left icon “☰”
  • Open “Settings”
  • Choose “Usage Limits & Tracking”

Request code:

  • Press “Lock Usage Limits” and choose “I forgot PIN code”
  • Press the email link below support@stayfreeapps.com to request a reset code
  • Once you receive the code, enter it into the Reset Code field

How the PIN Works

The StayFree PIN helps keep your parental control settings protected. Once a PIN is set, your child will not be able to change restrictions without entering the PIN. This helps to make sure the limits you set stay in place.

The PIN in action:

  • If you don’t put a PIN in, a rule is unable to be toggled off
  • When you type in the PIN you are able to toggle on or off the rule(s) you have set

Hide Apps (StayFree)

Hide the StayFree app from the DC-1 app list to help keep parental control settings protected. This can prevent accidental changes and make sure the limits you set stay in place while your child uses the device.

Hide StayFree on the app list:

  • Go the “S” section of the app and find the StayFree app
  • Tap + Hold until the menu comes up
  • Select “Advanced”
  • Press “Hide from app list” + confirm again

To view hidden apps:

  • Go to the very bottom of the app list
  • Select “Niagara Settings” —> “Productivity”
  • Scroll down until you find “Hide Apps”
    • To unhide apps
      • Tap and Hold the app
      • Select “Show Again”

Contact us

If you have any questions, comments, or feedback please get in touch with us.