01
Accompany, don't monitor
Parents set the frame. Children get room to make their own decisions.
Gradual autonomyDigital tools for children
Less scrolling. More self-direction.
SideKids builds apps that give children calm, protected spaces — without attention machines or surveillance, and with a clear path towards digital independence.
- No tracking
- Open source
- For families
The idea
Media literacy starts with the right frame.
Digital education is not about keeping children away from media – although for children under three, experts advise little to no screen time. It is about an understandable frame in which children explore, choose and gradually take responsibility, with adults who watch and listen along and talk about what they experience.
02
Fewer stimuli, more focus
No feeds, trends or autoplay: the tool waits instead of demanding attention.
The Less Online idea03
Private by default
Local data, open software and no business model built on child profiles.
Privacy explainedApps
Two apps, the same calm frame.
Curated video library
SideTube
In development
Parents review channels, videos and playlists; children choose freely within that selection.
- No feeds, trends or comments
- Search limited to approved content
- Profiles, daily limit and sleep mode
Audio plays, music, podcasts
SidePlay
Family testing
SidePlay plays what the family already owns or subscribes to – from its own server, even in airplane mode.
- Resume with one tap
- No recommendations, no autoplay chains
- Parent lock, minimum age per title, sleep timer
Try it
The next, calmer step.
SideTube is being built for iOS and Android, SidePlay for iPhone and SidePhone. Neither app is publicly available yet.
SideTube
In developmentStore and TestFlight links will appear here once the version for families is ready.
Source codeSidePlay
Family testingIn family testing on the family's own devices; release in preparation.
Interested in the family test or have questions? Contact via the provider's website.