Teens & Phones
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Phone & Protest: A New Trojan Horse
We are not completely sure what social media sites know about us, but it is more than we know about them.
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A Framework for Digital Training: Provisional Licenses
What’s the path for teens and preteens once the Congressional hearings on social media wrap up? Ideas are likely to come from the transportation field. There will be talk about using guardrails to keep social media in its place and slow down users. And then there will be a push towards civic education and instruction. …
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Teens, Bikes, Social Bad
Dear Ms. Smartphone: Wondering what to do about these kids. There are a few boys in my neighborhood who ride in the middle of the road on little electric scooters. They also do jumps and wheelies on these bikes. All the street traffic has to slow down around them. At least they do wear helmets.…
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Too Many Phone Apps?
Dear Ms. Smartphone: My question is about trying out new apps and if you can have too many phone apps. My girlfriend has an idea to download one new app each day, starting in January. She said she wants to do this to stay curious, discover new things, plus learn to code with me. My…
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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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Clickbait for Kids?
Dear Ms. Smartphone: We have been eating a lot of Cheez-Its in our household because my nine -year- old wants to participate in an offer on the back of the box. It requires that we upload a picture of our purchase receipts or a QR code. For each box we buy, they send him a…
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Do TikTok and Teens Mix Well?
Should TikTok and Teens mix since the US and the EU ban the app for many federal employees. How do you tell your teen to take small sips or none at all? Where does this fit into digital civics and digital literacy?
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Apple Pay Later: Build Credit Record Now?
Dear Ms. Smartphone: My parents got an offer this month to try out a service called Apple Pay Later. It’s like a credit card on the phone that lets you pay in installments without interest charges or fees. I begged my parents to let me try it but they refused. Since I’ll be in college…
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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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Phones and Online Gambling
On the way to grandma’s house, with a phone app and assignment?
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Cheating Online for Cash
Dear Ms. Smartphone: My son told us he was doing tutoring online after school and getting paid for it. But it turned out he was actually cheating online for cash. He was playing video games with other kids in an arranged game. The arrangement was that he would lose when they played together, so that…
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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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Snapchat? Should I Subscribe?
Dear Ms. Smartphone: My tween asked to use my credit card so she could get a Snapchat subscription. It’s only $3.99 a month but I don’t understand the need and she did not explain it to me very clearly. When I went on their web site I was even more confused since it seems like…
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Did Tech Founders Not Allow Phones?
Maybe it’s B.S.? Before Smartphones?
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Financial Apps for Kids?
Newly minted… fintech accounts for young people?
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Is Instagram Toxic for Boys?
A Mom wonders whether the flawless images seen on Instagram make boys feel bad too.
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Parental Advice for Instagram
On Instagram should your teen ‘Show Up’ or ‘Show Out’ ?
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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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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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Home Schooling and Provisional Phones
All parents need to home-school when it comes to smartphones and tweens!
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Venmo and Bitcoin for Teen?
A teen loses money on Bitcoin Cash. His parents set up the account…
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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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Hidden Social Media Account
Teen wants to reconcile his private social media and his public persona…
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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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Cheating Online Exam by Teen
Teen using phone to cheat on test..Mom wonders what to do next.
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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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Should Teen Remove TikTok?
A Mom is wondering where she and her teen stand on this issue….
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Is Video Better than a Call?
Why does graduate student resist a voice call?
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Need Bluelight Glasses?
Do I need blue light glasses? How do I separate fatigue from facts?
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Post A Snapchat Birthday?
Mom wants to be a good sport and post Happy Birthday on Snapchat.
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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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Memes: Why So Popular?
What is it about Memes? Am I missing out?
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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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Privacy & Teen Drivers
Data logger could expose teen’s bad driving behavior…or coach her to driver safer. What about her data privacy?
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Telematics and Teens
Surprise! Having a smartphone in the car could make you a safer & better driver.
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Safe Walk to School or Phone?
Mom worries about using phones and earbuds when kids walk to school.
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School Ban Phones?
A mom asks whether schools should ban smartphones during the school day….
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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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Should I Track Teen’s Driving?
Should I secretly install a device that can track my teen’s distracted driving?
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Teens, Phones, Carpools
Dear Ms. Smartphone: I am a stay-at-home Mom and drive a carpool for my son and two girls, grades 8 and 9. They all take out their phones as soon as they get in my car. I try to ask them questions about school or find songs on the radio they might like. That doesn’t…
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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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Teens and Cell Phones
Dear Ms Smartphone: Is this normal? My daughter is 15 and a junior in high school. She is always taking pictures of herself…more than 20 a day…. Then she shares some of them with her friends. When I ask her about it she says all teenage girls do this now. Dana, Petaluma Dear Dana: As…
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Dear Smartphone: Family Holiday or Digital Holiday?
Dear Ms. Smartphone: I am stumped by holiday shopping for my nieces and nephews. They usually like to get a gift card so that they can download games and apps. They are all in middle school now and own phones or tablets. My problem is that I remember when my family used to get new…
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Dear Smartphone: Phones + School + Bus?
DEAR MS. SMARTPHONE: MY TWO CHILDREN TAKE THE SCHOOL BUS EVERY MORNING AND AFTERNOON. I HAVE HEARD FROM ANOTHER PARENT THAT THE KIDS ARE USING THEIR PHONES ON THE BUS TO WATCH VIDEOS OR GOSSIP. DO YOU THINK THAT THIS SHOULD BE ALLOWED? Kira, Cambridge Dear Kira: School bus travel has always seemed like the…
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Dear Smartphone: Teen Phone Costs Mom
DEAR MS. SMARTPHONE: MY EX IN-LAWS DECIDED TO GET MY 13 YEARS OLD DAUGHTER THE NEWEST PHONE FOR HER BIRTHDAY. MY IN-LAWS ARE WELL OFF AND DID NOT CONSULT ME. MY PROBLEM IS THE COST OF THE MONTHLY PLAN. I AM A DIVORCED MOM AND I STRUGGLE TO MAKE ENDS MEET. I DON’T WANT TO…
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Dear Smartphone: Teen in Car
DEAR MS. SMARTPHONE: I AM THE MOTHER OF A TEEN AGE BOY. HE GOT HIS DRIVER’S LICENSE LAST YEAR. I LET HIM USE MY CAR ON WEEKENDS AND WHEN HE GOES ON A DATE. I JUST RECEIVED A TEXT MESSAGE THAT HE PROBABLY MEANT TO SEND TO HIS FRIENDS. I AM FAIRLY SURE HE WAS…
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Dear Smartphone: Ear Buds for Buds?
DEAR MS. SMARTPHONE: MY FRIENDS AND I LIKE TO SHARE OUR PLAYLISTS. WE USUALLY DO THIS ON THE BUS TO AND FROM SCHOOL. SOMETIMES MY FRIENDS ASK ME TO SHARE THEIR EARBUDS BUT I AM RELUCTANT TO DO THIS. IT GROSSES ME OUT. AM I WRONG? Helen, Goleta Dear Helen: It sounds like you are…
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Dear Smartphone: Sneaky Backpack
DEAR MS. SMARTPHONE: MY BOYFRIEND AND I ARE BOTH IN TENTH GRADE. HE HAS A SECRET PHONE SEWN INTO HIS BACKPACK AND DURING CLASS HE WILL OPEN UP A FLAP AND BROWSE IT. IF THE TEACHER COMES BY HE CLOSES THE FLAP UP. SHOULD I REPORT HIM TO THE TEACHER? From Gabby, Stockton. Dear Gabby:…
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Dear Smartphone: Streaking Freaking
DEAR MS.SMARTPHONE: I AM 15 YEARS OLD. I AM A GOOD STUDENT AND ONLY USE MY PHONE WHEN I FINISH MY HOMEWORK. MY BOYFRIEND AND I HAD A STREAK THAT LASTED FOR 69 DAYS. BUT THEN HE STOPPED AND DID NOT TELL ME. I AM SICK OVER THIS AND WHEN I SEE HIM AT SCHOOL…
