Local mother, entrepreneur and inventor Antonia Holder — the founder of a new child-centred brand, Kids Digital Wellness — today announced the launch of an innovative ergonomically designed product to help children to practise safer screen time.

The DigiRoo is a patent-pending electronic tablet case that boasts an adjustable stand to ensure that children are watching their digital devices in a posture-safe position.

According to Mrs Holder, mother to Layla, 7, and Logan, 4, the idea for the DigiRoo came about in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Two years ago, Mrs Holder noticed that her daughter would hold her body and head in distorted positions when using her tablet.

She started researching how she could get her daughter to hold the tablet in a less physically damaging way.

“I started researching poor posture for kids, and learnt our bodies were never designed to withstand the pressure of our head constantly looking down at our devices,” she said. “It puts a lot of pressure on our spine and neck because the weight of our head in that downward texting position is actually up to 40lb.”

Speaking with chiropractors and physiotherapists, Mrs Holder learnt that the safest way to hold our necks is actually between the 10 to 20-degree angle range, with “just a little tilt”.

Then one day, in the early morning hours, she came up with a solution for how she could help not only her children but thousands of others.

“It was 4am when I got the divine download that I needed to create a product that raised the tablet up to eye level,” she said. “I started mapping out what that first sketch of the DigiRoo tablet cover and stand would look like.”

She did some market research and found there were few products like the one she wanted, specifically targeting children.

“Weeks later, I realised the night I woke up out of my sleep was actually the anniversary of my mother’s death,” she said. “I get emotional talking about it, but that was confirmation for me that I had to pursue the idea.”

Mrs Holder said it has been a journey since that day.

“I didn't want to cut any corners, which is why I’ve had to learn so much over the last two years,” she said.

The process of developing a new product from scratch stretched her faith. She had to trust that what was needed would be provided at every step of the way.

“I’ve always been an ambitious person, but this endeavour really required courage to ask for what I needed, as well as determination,” she said. “I've had setbacks along the way and have had to keep going. It has taught me just how resilient I am.”

Her husband, Lloyd Holder, encouraged her to pursue the new business venture and offered feedback and guidance throughout the process.

“He has supported this venture from Day 1 and is very much involved in the decision making,” she said. “I’m excited about building this legacy with him.”

DigiRoo will be accepting pre-orders starting on Cyber Monday, November 28.

www.kidsdigitalwellness.com