How are tokens earned and used?
Earning Tokens: When a child completes and receives approval for an activity, they'll earn the associated number of tokens which will be added to their balance.
Using Tokens: Earned tokens are automatically converted into screen time when their free time runs out
or they can be manually converted into Gems (for Pocket Money)
Negative tokens - possible reasons:
There are a few reasons you may see negative tokens:
Spending more than earned when app blocking is not enabled:
A negative token balance occurs when a child spends more tokens than they have earned (if they are allowed to in their settings) This can only happen if app blocking is not enabled
Disallowed usage when app blocking is not enabled:
If you have not enabled app blocking and the device is being used when not allowed, the child will also be charged tokens and may go into negative (they will also get repeated messages from the app telling them they are not allowed to use the device now).
Advanced scenario
The child will be charged tokens if he/she uses apps that are "always allowed" during unauthorised times only while the Screen is unlocked. Foe example, Audible or podcasts may be set up as always allowed, so if the kids access the app for a few minutes to start some audio, they will be charged tokens, when the screen is locked the can continue to listen to "always allowed" apps without and tokens being deducted.
- If you like you can add a new mode for "bed time" with 24 hr access which can have some apps allowed that would prevent this issue
Offline device use
If ScreenCoach is working off-line it only knows its allowance from when it when offline, however a child may have used screen time on another device as well, so when the 1st device goes online, the usage data will be synced and the child will be "charged" for their usage and this could send them into negative token balance
You could have assigned a penalty activity
You can optionally assign a negative token and negative Gem value to an activity as a consequence, similar to a yellow card or red card system.
Restoring Token Balance:
To get back into a positive balance, the child will need to earn additional tokens
Manually Clearing Negative Token Balance:
Parents can manually adjust a child's token balance to clear a negative balance or change the number of tokens awarded in to ways:
1. is to add a new activity, and set the token level to the amount needed
2. Is to manually set the child's tokens in their user profile, Here's how:
- Log in to ScreenCoach and switch to a parent user.
- Locate the child's user card and click the three-dot kebab menu on the right.
- Click on "User Settings" and scroll down to find "Token Balance."
- Click the "+" symbol to add tokens or the "-" symbol to reduce the number of tokens.
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