Designed For Children
Designed for Parents

After 5 years of development, the Sentinel LaunchPad was released in May of 2025. While the technical hardware and software design elements are innovative, it is the careful and deliberate human factors design based on child development that is the most unique aspect to this product.

The design details are captured in a white paper that was written for those seeking additional information on how the LaunchPad can serve as a child’s first computer yet remain useful into adulthood. This white paper explains the rationale for certain operating design elements and the details are to numerous to simply paste on a web page. To access this white paper, simply complete the form below and you will receive an email with a link and password to access the document.

Document Summary

The stated mission of the Sentinel LaunchPad is to help parents easily guide their child’s use of media technology to prevent overuse, dependency and other forms of harm. The LaunchPad was given its name to symbolize its role in helping parents successfully launch their children into adulthood. The Launchpad’s design was informed by developmental child and adolescent psychology, the current state of research showing the impact of screen-time on children and 20 years of experience treating problematic videogame and other screen addictions. This document has been written to inform the reader of these design elements and how they serve children and their parents. The LaunchPad design had these specific goals:

1. Lower risk of physical and psychological harm to children by:
a. Preventing dependency and addiction to screens.
b. Helping delay the introduction of Smartphones and Social Media to children.
c. Helping parents encourage children to engage in off-screen activities with family and friends.
d. Helping parents adopt regular screen-free times for children.
e. Helping parents set and maintain reliable use limits.

2. Help parents prepare their children for a successful future with screens and technology including:
a. Supporting child development from elementary school age through high school by safely expanding their online world, privacy and freedom to explore as they grow and mature.
b. Helping children to use computer technology and online resources for successful academics.
c. Helping children to use screen time for guided exploration of enriching online and offline activities.
d. Helping children perceive entertainment/socializing screen time as a privilege and reward.
e. Helping children develop screen-time self-regulation skills.

To access the full 40+ page document, please complete the form below. Thanks