Entrepreneur Richa Singh, who was no stranger to the digital landscape due to her creation of the Blogchatter blogging community, realized the potential dangers that the internet posed for children and adolescents when she became a parent in 2021. Recognizing that even the most tech-savvy individuals felt uncertain about their children’s online security, Singh took the initiative to address this concern.
Engaging with fellow parents, Singh discovered instances of children’s safety being compromised due to age-inappropriate content and phishing attacks. In response, she founded Happy Parents Lab, a startup that developed an ingenious solution named Happinetz.
Happinetz is a technological advancement that functions as a protective measure, filtering out content unsuitable for young audiences and thwarting phishing attempts. Co-founded with COO Vikas Agarwal, the bootstrapped company aims to create a safer online environment for children.
Singh stated, “The initial challenge was deploying the technology. We had to ensure that Happinetz could seamlessly integrate with various devices, routers, ISPs, and browsers. It is compatible with a range of devices, including smart TVs, phones, laptops, desktops, and tablets. Its compatibility eliminates the need for parents to modify their household technology setup.”
The innovative Happinetz device resembles a box that can be linked to a home router. Using the accompanying Happinetz app, parents can manage and filter age-inappropriate online content. Additionally, the app enables parents to monitor their children’s internet usage and screen time.
Happinetz was officially launched on July 31 and has garnered positive feedback from both consumers and industries. Singh acknowledged the divisive nature of the internet among children and highlighted the Happinetz box as an initial step towards creating a secure online environment for them.
The device is equipped to address concerns beyond content filtering. Singh revealed that their tests for potentially explicit content led to the discovery of news articles detailing instances of individuals watching inappropriate material in public places, resulting in arrests.
While various tools currently exist for parental control, including Google’s Family Link and Microsoft’s Family Safety, Happinetz aims to offer a comprehensive solution. The startup seeks to create a safe internet space for children by meticulously curating content and ensuring compatibility across devices.
Singh’s venture also extends to the gaming domain. While Kid Mode generally blocks gaming, Happinetz allows access to a curated selection of 50 games. Singh emphasized their ongoing efforts to add more vetted games to the collection.
Beyond her startup’s achievements, Singh advocates for responsible internet usage. She envisions social media as a platform for meaningful conversations and personal growth rather than instant gratification. As Happinetz garners interest, Singh stresses the importance of addressing the internet’s complexities in a balanced manner, ensuring a safe online experience for children while allowing access to age-appropriate content.
