Aiming to make the Internet safe for children
Taryn Plumb, Special to the Journal
W. Marc Bernsau
The goal of Billerica-based startup Playrific is to simplify the Internet’s clutter for parents, and ultimately foster an online safe haven for children. Led by CEO Beth Marcus, the company aggregates, categorizes, and packages educational content into a free, gender-and-age-appropriate app.
“It’s about letting kids safely connect with what’s going on in the outside world,” said Marcus, a co-founder who has been involved with more than a dozen startups in various industries, including Microsoft-acquired EXOS Inc.
Founded in 2010, the company is backed by $2.8 million from two rounds of funding. The firm announced raising $1.7 million on Dec. 4 led by Golden Seeds, along with Launchpad Venture Group, Walnut Venture Associates, Northeast Angels and Maine Angels. The startup is also supported by a new Boston-based education technology accelerator called LearnLaunch.
Playrific’s site now sees more than 80,000 unique visitors every month. The firm’s app was developed by co-founders Geraldine Tortelier and Isaac de la Pena, and is compatible with multiple platforms, including Mac and Windows.
The app is now being used by families and schools.
Primarily for ages 10 and under, the app can be initially accessed for free after a parent creates a username and inputs their child’s age and gender. The parent then, as Marcus explained it, “gets out of the way to let their kids explore.”
That exploration encompasses videos, games, virtual arts and crafts, reading and music, all incorporated into short, themed digital packages that the company calls “playpacks.” These playpacks center around topics such as science, math, letters, current events, dinosaurs, holidays, seasons and animals.
“I love to watch them learn sign language, sing along with their favorite characters, and dance around their computers,” said Catherine Allen, a Boston-area resident whose two daughters use the app.
Abigail Marsters, executive director of the Sharon Cooperative School, said Playrific allows her teachers to regularly integrate “exciting, intelligent and fun curriculum” into their classes.
The company, with about 10 employees, prides itself on its team of educators and parents who watch all the videos, and categorize and connect content.
In moving toward a monetization model, Playrific will eventually introduce low-priced playpacks, and also plans to work with device manufacturers to have its app pre-installed on devices.
“Kids are going to be in front of a screen anyway,” Marcus said. “We’re turning it into a positive experience that parents will be happy about.”
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