Show HN: Brainrot messed up my kid's attention span, so I built a tool to fix it(www.agentkite.com)

2 pointsby aadivar4 hours ago2 comments

ticulatedspline3 hours ago
While good parental controls are definitely lacking this feels like this doesn't really address the underlying issue and at best simply restores some aspect of "VHS and Cable TV" parenting of the days of yore. Perhaps even worse since it doesn't seem like it would instill any resiliency to the very effects it blocks, as soon as you remove kite from your child's path would you expect them to remain steadfast or immediately revert to that addiction?
Marketed as a next gen ad-blocker I could see more utility.
On the directly harmful side seems like you could ask it "hide all posts from an opposing viewpoint" to help people create echo chambers.
From a product standpoint, general purpose first-party browser agents (from Microsoft/Google/Apple) might eat your lunch. Though if you get far enough fast enough you might get bought out! ;-)
- aadivar3 hours ago
  For us this is less about shielding forever and more about restoring friction. VHS-era TV at least had natural boundaries — episodes ended, tapes ran out. Infinite scroll never does. we are basically trying to bring back stopping cues.
  re: On the echo chamber point — yeah, that’s something we’re thinking about. The intent is to target mechanics (infinite scroll, counters, autoplay), not viewpoints.
  re: browser vendors eating our lunch — totally possible. But there’s also an inherent conflict for engagement-driven platforms to aggressively reduce engagement.
  Appreciate your thoughts!
niveditn4 hours ago
Hi, this is Nik (niveditn), the other creator of Kite. Happy to answer any questions about the tool here!