Babies & Tech
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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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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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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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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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Facetime for Babies?
Grandparents want to have more Facetime. Mom says it’s enough screen time.
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iPad and Kid’s Travel
Dear Ms. Smartphone: Over the holidays my mother, my son, and I plan to fly to Texas and then take the train back home. We have a difference of opinion about things to keep a four-year old busy with during the trip. My mother wants to pack a bag of toys and games, but I…
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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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Did Tech Founders Not Allow Phones?
Maybe it’s B.S.? Before Smartphones?
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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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Cell Phone in the Car?
Dad and husband are hung up on my car phone. Cannot hang it up!
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Toy Phones for Kids? (Bluetooth enabled)
Is the newest Chatter Phone for Adults Only?
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Financial Apps for Kids?
Newly minted… fintech accounts for young people?
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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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Checking Phones for Work?
Watching the baby at home. Watching my phone too?
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QR Codes and Kids’ Safety
Dear Ms. Smartphone: Is it wrong to wonder why there is a QR code on the back of a kid’s cereal box? My four year old and six year old insist on using my phone when they eat breakfast now because they want to follow the code, play a game, and reveal some treasure. I…
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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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Birth Announcements… Print or Internet?
Hello World! Do new families share this on the Internet or in print?
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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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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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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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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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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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Is Move To Suburb Good for Kids?
An urban Grandma asks when kids move out do they use the Internet less?
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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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Digital Grandparents Stay Connected
Digital Grandparents: “Move Grandma so she can see me at the State Fair…”
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Memes: Why So Popular?
What is it about Memes? Am I missing out?
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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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Flashlight, App & Halloween
Should we carry a flashlight when the smartphone can light things up for us? Sometimes a redundant ‘Yes.’
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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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Posting Kids Pics?
Are parents naive when they post kids pictures on social media like Instagram and Facebook?
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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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Kids Calling 911?
When should young kids be taught how to dial ‘911’ for an emergency?
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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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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…
