Scientists Turn Screen Time Into Movement Time for Aussie Kids
MoveAhead
MoveAhead’s breakthrough technology is helping the 90% of kids in Australia that can’t hop, skip, or jump properly with more than 5,000 hours of active play and 28 million movement skills logged
A new technology is changing the way kids in Australia use their screen time. On average, kids spend six hours a day on screens, and 90% of them have trouble with basic movement abilities like hopping and skipping. These are the abilities that kids need to be active and play sports across their lives.
From Passive Screen Time to Active Play
Irish-based company MoveAhead, created by scientists Dr. Johann Issartel and Dr. Jamie McGann, is on a mission to turn passive screen time into active play using their ''body-as-a-controller" tech, which runs on mobiles, to get kids moving in front of the screen through fun educational games, apps, and assessment tools. This helps them develop mobility skills at home, giving them the foundations they need to have positive experiences in real-life physically active situations.
Dr. Jamie McGann, co-founder and chief product officer at MoveAhead, says, "We're seeing a generation that alarmingly lacks many basic skills to enjoy physical movement and play. Our fun, interactive games adapt as kids play, encouraging them to keep moving, keep learning, and get better every time. Whether they’re flapping their wings, clapping their boots, or jumping over laser beams, kids are improving real movement skills with every session and building the confidence they need to have positive experiences in real-life sports and physical activities.”
MoveAhead is expanding its presence in Australia in partnership with Applaydu, the free software that comes with every Kinder Egg, which is showing significant results already. Australian kids have accumulated an amazing 28 million individual movement skills through more than 5,000 hours of active play, thanks to MoveAhead’s Joy of Moving games, which have been downloaded more than a million times in Oceania.
MoveAhead has also teamed up with big sports like rugby, tennis, and Formula E, connecting kids with sports through mobile play, building confidence, and helping them enjoy movement both on-screen and off.
Australia: A Perfect Fit
MoveAhead's Australian expansion is a perfect fit, as the country is so dedicated to the health and well-being of young people. Libby Ryan, SportsTech Market Executive, Enterprise Ireland Australia and New Zealand, who is supporting the company in their Australian expansion, says that as a country Australia excels at fostering a love of sports in children. "Australia is renowned all over the world for developing incredible athletes at all levels, from professionals and amateurs to leisure performers, starting from a very young age. Playing sports and moving is built into the country’s DNA, so it’s very exciting to see MoveAhead provide their unique technology to children across the country.”
As MoveAhead expands in Australia, the company is looking into working with schools, sports clubs, and health organisations to make the most of the platform for kids' physical development.
Contact details:
Louise Nealon, PR With Purpose, 0403 569 177, [email protected]
