ScreenTime
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Is the 24/7 News Cycle Running Your Life?
Blame it on the Internet. But the truth is that the 24/7 news cycle began 50 years ago. Here’s how to understand its deep roots and evaluate how we get swept into its daily stream.
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The Hidden Screen: Kids In Cars
You might remember when Mom told you not to read in the car because it would make you carsick, but what would she say today? Well before they are able to read words, young children are engrossed with the dashboard display, aka the big screen in the front seat. Kids and screens are getting together…
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Rethink Gifting Arcade Games for Young Kids
Dear Ms. Smartphone: I made the mistake of asking my nephew what he wanted for Chanukah and got a quick answer. He wants a subscription to the Apple Arcade so he can play games. It’s only $4.99 a month so it’s not going to break the bank, but I am wondering whether this is appropriate…
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Should you Select a Kindergarten that Uses Tablets?
Dear Ms. Smartphone: We are picking a kindergarten for our five- year-old next year and the schools we can choose from have different policies for tablets and electronics. One school says that following a math lesson the students use tablets for drills. The other school lets kids use tablets during art class. Is there evidence…
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Install Chat GPT App Now?
Eager to download the ChatGPT App on your phone Here are some things to keep in mind when you use it. Things are different on the phone!
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Are Recipes Better on the Internet?
Dear Ms. Smartphone: During the pandemic I acquired a whole bookshelf of cookbooks. I guess I ordered them online and didn’t pay attention to how many! Now I am back at work and only cook once a day in the evening, usually for myself. I don’t know what to do with these cookbooks and am…
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Filling Downtime without Phone
“I have decided to not scroll when I feel bored. Need suggestions for filling this time without a phone. I am planning a 30 day trial.”
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Rethinking Zoom and Digital Literacy
Zoom is now helping to create a new world of hybrid work. Can it also create a new future for hybrid grandparenting? What if you are missing that family time together?
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Which Phone to Pick?
Dear Ms. Smartphone: I’d like to get a smartphone for my nephew. He lives in Spain where I am visiting this summer. At first I was planning to get him a Samsung phone, and then I saw an article that kids these days prefer to have Apple phones if they can afford it. Now I’m…
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Teens Ditching the Phone?
Dear Ms. Smartphone: My college counselor casually mentioned that my friends and I should try to follow the lead of some NYC students. They stopped using social media or switched to flip phones. He read an article about these teens in the newspaper and thought we should try it out. I think it’s a good…
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ChatGPT in High School?
Dear Ms. Smartphone: Over the winter break I gave my high school students an assignment that is causing some backlash. I asked them to write an English term paper using Chat GPT. A few parents and the administration have questioned the merits of ChatGPT in high school. This is an advanced class on the American…
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Is there Digital Privacy?
The Phone, The TV, and The Fridge…all on camera all on my same IP address.
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Why Watch Teletubbies?
Dear Ms. Smartphone: I heard that the kid’s show Teletubbies is coming back. In my toddler’s playgroup we have divided opinions about it. Some of the Moms remember watching it with younger brothers and sisters and find it cute. Other Moms think the program is dumbed down and do not plan to let their kids…
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Collecting Old Phones?
Dear Ms. Smartphone: I read this week that an original iPhone sold for mega-money at an auction. I am always looking for a new business and like to go to flea markets and house sales on the East Coast. So maybe it’s would be a good idea if I start to collecting older phones and…
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BeReal App Suitable for Family?
Dear Ms. Smartphone: We recently moved here from the UK. I check-in back there with the usual social media but I prefer a newer app called BeReal. I am wondering if the BeReal app could be like a provisional license for my pre-teen, who is 10 years old. I just got him his first phone…
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Did Tech Founders Not Allow Phones?
Maybe it’s B.S.? Before Smartphones?
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Vintage Ipods Have Value?
This old Ipod. Is it about liking vintage or something more?
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No Screen Time Until Two?
Dear Ms. Smartphone: My oldest sister had a baby boy eight years ago and her baby doctor told her no screen time until two years of age. I had a girl last year, and was surprised when the same doctor (we both go to her) said that the guidelines had changed. Her professional society is…
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Reading Apps for Kids
Dear Ms. Smartphone: My granddaughters were staying overnight and I found out that they like an app on their dad’s phone before they go to bed. The app reads stories to them in the evening before they fall asleep. So, I downloaded the app (called Calm) to my own phone and they were happy. But,…
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News Makes Me Anxious
Dear Ms. Smartphone: I feel bad-tempered these days and my ex says it’s because I am watching so much news on my phone. It’s true that my phone is my main source. There is a lot happening out there and I want to stay informed. Maybe the news makes me anxious and worried? I want…
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NoPhone Zone Party
Dear Ms. Smartphone: I am invited to a Super Bowl party at a private club in Los Angeles and it should be a fun time. But I am wondering about the invitation. My friend says that I will need to leave my phone in a Yondr bag they provide, and the club will return my…
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Phone Detox #dryJanuary?
DryJanuary and DryPhone??
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Top Stories- Smartphones in 2021
A year of illumination and heat for the smartphone…
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Electronic Babysitter?
No child should be left behind, when behind means a closed door in a closed room.
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Restrict Time on Video Games?
Dear Ms. Smartphone: My cousins live in Asia and the government there has decided to restrict the time that kids can play video games. Now my grandparents are suggesting that it is a good idea for me and I should limit my time on video games like them. I live in the same household as…
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Private Instagram Account for Kids?
Dear Ms. Smartphone: I read that Instagram might allow kids under age 13 to get online, providing their accounts are private. My ten year old is asking me to set up an account for him like this, and I am undecided. He is a good student and helps me a lot with my other kids…
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Is TikTok Bad for Kids?
Dear Ms. Smartphone: Is TikTok bad for kids and specifically for a girl entering the fifth grade? My step-daughter spent a week in dance camp. Now she is excited to share her videos when school begins. She says she wants to keep making them and aims to be a TikTok influencer this Fall. I love…
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Smartphone Olympics
The Tokyo Olympics don’t seem the same when they are streamed on the phone…
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Home Schooling and Provisional Phones
All parents need to home-school when it comes to smartphones and tweens!
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Learning Spanish by Phone
CUÁl EST TU APP FAVORITO?
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Digital Content and Newspapers
Dear Ms. Smartphone: I see your point about civics and reading a newspaper or magazine with kids at home (I have one in college and three at home). But, it’s really impossible to get it delivered where we live. The paper ends up not coming most days, and when it does, it lands in a…
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Too Much Screentime?
Dear Ms. Smartphone: My daughter, age seven, watches way too much screentime since the pandemic and I want to undo this. What’s the best way to get us back to normal? Going cold turkey seems impossible? Marney, New York Dear Marney, It’s a timely question- there is a new phrase called “collaboration equity” to describe…
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Teen Ready for Smartphone?
Dear Ms. Smartphone: My Dad reads this column aloud to my brother and me so I hope he will see this. I am ten years old and my birthday is next month. I am responsible and accountable. How do I tell my Dad I am ready to have my own smartphone? Emma, Novato Dear Emma:…
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Books to Read Aloud for Baby..
Dear Ms. Smartphone: My wife and I are planning an in-home baby shower (finally!) and we’ve asked guests to gift children’s books to read aloud. Most people like that. But one or two friends say that we are being priggish and old-fashioned. They offered to pool their gift and get us a Kindle and Kindle…
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Screen Time or School Time?
Returning to the classroom. How to wean kids from screens to school?
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How Much Screen Time?
When I get the notification of my weekly screen time I ignore it. Why?
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Smartphone Privacy- Tides Shifting
Does IDFA= Identity Details Facebook Acquires?
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Email out of Control
I am in sales so email is a lifeline…but I am sinking under it!
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Zoom meetings and weird decision making?
Why are decisions of the board so wacky and weird? Is it because of meeting on Zoom?
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Reading Routine: Print or Digital? Go Newspaper!
Bookstores are closed. From now on will digital reading be the norm for kids?
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Year-End Dear Smartphone
The year-end Dear Smartphone column in 2019 was about shopping online and holiday pandemonium. It was a prophetic post: “Maybe a future Christmas will put less emphasis on running between stores and accumulating presents and place more weight on taking holiday images, sharing symbols of the season, or just staying home.” Covid did for Dear Smartphone…
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Can Older People be Influencers?
Older people are on Facebook. Are they stoked to be social media influencers too?
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Help Teen As Social Media Influencer
What should a parent know about a teen who strives to be a Social Media Influencer?
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Is Smartphone Making Me Worried Sick?
Checking for Covid results on email brings even more angst with the avalanche of email messages…
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Should Kids Use Phone on Break?
Learning pods are supposed to replace socialization and school….is the phone adding distance?
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Is Handwriting Dead?
Dear Ms. Smartphone: Is Handwriting Dead? My fifth grader is doing OK with remote school and keeps up to date with classwork. He spends most of the day on the computer and then plays video games in the evening. My worry is that there is no opportunity to turn in assignments written by hand. So,…
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Zoom App on Phone Good?
Zoom Zoom is for Motorways….not for cars.
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Family Setup Good Idea?
Dear Ms. Smartphone: I’d like to give my eight year old more independence since he stays indoors all day for home-schooling. But, I also think he is too young to get his own phone. If he goes on his bike or walks to the nearby store I want to know he gets there safely and…
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Kids Use Ipad in Car?
Long car trip, many miles to go with 1 dog and 2 kids..should we bring out the Ipads?
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Invest in Stocks by Phone?
Brand new investors are using their smartphones to buy and sell stocks. What are the trade (offs).
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Zoom Fatigue: How to Overcome
Dear Ms. Smartphone: After a meeting or two on Zoom, and even a catch-up with girl friends, I am zonked out. Sometimes I skip meals because I feel so fatigued and crawl into bed. It’s just the opposite for my son, who is now home from college. He goes on Zoom in the evening with…
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Quibi Good For Phone?
Would Quibi be a good thing to add to my daily phone routine?
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How Will Teens Study From Home?
Dear Ms. Smartphone: For the rest of this school year my son (grade 11) will take high-school classes at home via computer. We live in an urban area, and while we don’t have the same issues as another nearby public school, we worry about the inequities. Many of my son’s friends are on teams at…
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Teletopia or Infodemic?
Dear Ms. Smartphone: The weekly report for my phone shows that I spent less time this week using it- about 1 hour less. Why am I using my phone less during the quarantine, and should I worry that I am not connecting enough with what is going on outside? Hugh, Woodside Dear Hugh: It’s actually…
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Dual Phone Dual Life
There is a way to untangle the hot mess of home & work merging together on phones.
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Last Minute Shoppers & Phone
There are more people on phones this now…and less people in stores.
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Santa and Video Chat
Should kids have even more screen-time with a video Santa? Husband will play role.
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Need New Phone.. Really?
My current smartphone works…why do I feel ‘pain to attain’ a new one?!
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School Ban Phones?
A mom asks whether schools should ban smartphones during the school day….
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So Lonely with Phone
Everyone is wrapped up in their phones…except me.
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Lost Phone, Kids- It’s The Third Time…
If your kid loses phones over and over…do they need to have one?
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Adding up ScreenTime: Does Meditation App Count?
A reader wants to exclude her meditation app from the count of how much time she spends online…
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Ipads in Library?
Taking kids to library…where they play on Ipads!
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Families and Phones
Dear Ms. Smartphone: I would like to have better communications with my family. But it’s confusing. My mom seems to always be on the phone when I get home from school. When we have a family dinner, it seems like everyone has their phone next to them. But,I Skype my Grandparents weekly and I talk…
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Dear Smartphone: A European Holiday with or without iPhone?
DEAR MS. SMARTPHONE: I’M ABOUT TO EMBARK ON MY FIRST EUROPEAN VACATION AND I’M STRUGGLING WITH THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO BRING MY iPHONE. WHILE I DO WANT TO ENJOY MY VACATION I’M NERVOUS ABOUT FOLKS NOT BEING ABLE TO REACH ME. WHAT SHOULD I DO? AZ, Sausalito Dear AZ: I would not let…
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Dear Smartphone: Needing Newest
DEAR MS. SMARTPHONE: THERE ARE LOTS OF NEW PHONES COMING OUT THIS FALL AND I REALLY WANT TO GET ONE. BUT MY FAMILY SAYS THAT I DON”T NEED ONE AND I AM JUST SHOWING OFF. WHAT DO YOU THINK? Jeff, San Jose Dear Jeff: I concur-This season brings a lot of phone upgrades. In marketing…
