Ripple
Less scrolling at the park and playground with kids
You sit on a park bench or by the playground while the child plays, then open short video or short drama, and look up to find the child asking for the phone. Once they get it, they scroll too. The site also has family time, weekend and workout pages; this page covers parks and playgrounds. The first part below is for adults setting their own outing limits, the second is for parents whose kids scroll outdoors. Android is at v0.1.13 and iPhone at v0.1.5, and the features differ, so both are covered.
Adults: less scrolling on outings
Add an outing or weekend outdoor schedule first
Put short video, short drama, livestream and games on the list, for example 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. on weekends, or match the hours you usually go to the park or playground. Those apps will not open during the window. Maps, calls and chats still work. If you only go out on weekday evenings, set only those windows.
Use daily limits and open limits for one more clip
Set how long each hard-to-quit app can run per day, in custom minutes, or set 0 minutes to block it all day. Add how many times it can open, and turn on the short wait before each open so your hand pauses while the child is on the slide and half an hour does not disappear. See the open limit page.
Use one-tap focus when you need to play with the child
When the child wants you to push the swing, take photos or play in the sand, turn on one-tap focus to lock short video and games for a while, then it ends on its own. Maps and calls still work. See the one-tap focus page.
WeChat Channels and Moments can start with a few minutes
On Android you can limit only Channels and Moments inside WeChat: start with a short allowance, then write a reason to extend, up to 3 times a day, counted toward the WeChat daily limit. In strict mode, extending needs the unlock code. Chat itself still works while you are out.
Turn on strict mode if you undo the rules on the bench
Give an unlock code of at least 8 digits to family, and turn on strict mode. Loosening rules then needs their code. Strict mode also turns on Anti-Uninstall. If you forget the code, you can request release after 72 hours. See the strict mode page.
Parents: kids scrolling outdoors
Add an outing or weekend outdoor window for the child
Kids ask for the phone easily when a parent scrolls nearby. On the child's phone, add an outing or weekend outdoor window such as Saturday and Sunday morning and afternoon with short video and games on the list. Parents keep the unlock code.
Leave a small daily budget, or use 0 minutes on heavy outing days
On normal days leave short video 20 to 40 minutes and a small open limit. On days at the park or playground that stretch into long scrolling, temporarily set games and short video to 0 minutes, then change it back once you are home.
The playground bench does not bypass the limits
Schedules and daily limits apply to the apps, so scrolling on the bench or by the playground is still blocked. On Android turn on Anti-Uninstall, and strict mode if needed. Ripple counts time since the phone started, so moving the clock back does not reset the limits.
Set the same outing limits on your own phone
If the parent scrolls, the child copies it. Set the same outing rules on the parent's phone first. For a full weekend day, see the weekend page. After you get home in the evening, see the family time page.
If the child uses an iPhone
iPhone v0.1.5 can block apps by schedule, block deleting apps, protect against clock changes and use an unlock code, so an outing schedule works. Open limits, daily limits, 0 minutes, one-tap focus, strict mode, Channels allowance and website blocking are Android only for now.
Setup steps (Android v0.1.13)
Install or update to the latest version
Download the latest Android APK and turn on accessibility when asked. If you have an older build, update in Settings › About › Check for updates. On iPhone install v0.1.5, which needs iOS 16 or later.
Add an outing or weekend outdoor schedule
Put short video, short drama, livestream and games on the list. Adults often use weekend morning and afternoon windows, or match the hours they go to the park. Kids can use an outing or weekend outdoor window. Leave maps and calls off the list.
Set daily limits and open limits on apps you open most
Give short video, news and social apps a daily cap and an open limit. Apps that take over an outing can be set to 0 minutes. WeChat Channels can use the short allowance with a written reason to extend.
Set unlock codes and turn on Anti-Uninstall for a child
Adults give the code to family, and parents keep the code on a child's phone. On Android turn on Anti-Uninstall, and strict mode if you want a firmer lock. On iPhone turn on the block on deleting apps.
FAQ
I keep scrolling on the park bench. What helps?
On Ripple for Android v0.1.13, add an outing or weekend outdoor schedule with short video on the list. Add daily limits and open limits on those apps. When you need to play with the child, turn on one-tap focus. For a firmer rule, turn on strict mode and give the unlock code to someone else. Maps and calls still work.
My kid scrolls as soon as they get the phone at the playground. What can I do?
Add an outing or weekend outdoor schedule on the child's phone, keep the unlock code with parents, and turn on Anti-Uninstall. On Android, changing the system clock does not help. For a stricter outing, set short video to 0 minutes and change it back once you are home.
How is this different from the family-time, weekend and workout pages?
The family time page covers evenings at home, weekend covers lying around all day on holidays, and workout covers gyms and walks. This page covers parks and playgrounds with kids, and it follows Android v0.1.13 daily limits, open limits, one-tap focus, strict mode and Channels allowance. More answers are on the FAQ.
Can I still use maps and make calls while out?
Yes. Put only short video, short drama, livestream and games on the list. Leave maps, calls and the camera off the list so they keep working. The limits are there so you do not open a feed while the child is playing.
Does the iPhone version have these features?
iPhone v0.1.5 has schedules, the block on deleting apps, clock change protection and an unlock code. Daily limits, open limits, 0 minutes, one-tap focus, strict mode, Channels allowance and website blocking are Android only.
Does it cost money or need an account?
It is free with no ads and no account.