The future is here and it’s an alarm clock that brews coffee
Forget the hoverboards and watches that talk. The future is here and it is the Barisieur Coffee Brewing Alarm Clock. Yes, it makes pour over coffee (or loose leaf tea) when your alarm goes off. And it even has a refrigerated compartment for your milk. Seriously. If...
A new iOS 12.2 Screen Time app feature parents will want to know about.
If you haven't updated to the new iOS 12.2, it's worth it just to get the new Screen Time app feature that allows you to customize your child's downtime by the day. It's pretty easy to do once you have your phone running on the new iOS. Related: How to set limits for...
5 podcasts I’ve listened to this month
Last month, I shared 8 podcasts I listened to, some of which I loved and a couple that I sort of hate-listened. Ha. Well, this month I added 5 podcasts to my list, most of which I've been really enjoying. If you love podcasts as much as I do, I hope these reviews help...
6 ride sharing safety tips that parents should know
As someone who uses ride sharing apps like Uber and Lyft pretty frequently (and is often distracted by what's happening on my phone), I know how easy it can be to just hop in a car that pulls up in front of me without checking everything out. But as many of us have...
How to set limits for specific apps using the Screen Time app on iPhone
You've probably already figured out how to use the Screen Time app on iPhone to help manage your child's screen time. Screen Time makes it easy to block and set limits on categories of apps, specific apps during Downtime, or just screen time overall, but if you want...
Here’s how to get a free year of Nintendo Switch Online
If you're an Amazon Prime member like me who also happens to have a Nintendo Switch, you'll definitely want to check out this awesome offer from Twitch Prime (which, if you didn't know, is owned by Amazon). All you need to do is connect your accounts. Related: 7 of...
How to save your Google+ content before it shutters on March 31, 2019
If you're like us, it's been awhile since you've spent any time over at Google+, which is why you might want to take a peek at your content before it shutters on March 31, 2019. Keep in mind, Google+ will be deleting all posts, as well as your uploaded photos or...
quip for kids: A grown-up toothbrush that’s made for tiny mouths.
I have been a hard core fan of the quip electric toothbrush, long before you probably heard their ads on podcasts (though not on Spawned just yet!) or could find them at your local Target. I have even bought them for my kids, though that was before they decided to...
Tokimeki Unfollow helps you Konmari your Twitter feed
We know lots of folks have been cleaning up their social media feeds, which is why we had to share Tokimeki Unfollow, a twitter plug-in that allows you to Konmari your Twitter feed. Related: Spring cleaning your tech - the best tips and tricks Once you sync your...
Here’s the quick and dirty on the new iPad Air and iPad Mini
In advance of their big video streaming announcement which is supposed to hit next week, Apple shared a bit of good news, especially if you're an iPad fan. They've got two new iPads, with some exciting features, that are available for order now (and ship next week)....
4 new Amazon Prime benefits, in case you’ve been holding out on a membership.
I've been an Amazon Prime member for many moons now, reaping the benefits of everything from free 2-day shipping to awesome bingeworthy shows, and lots in between. If you've been holding out on an Amazon Prime membership, they've added 4 new benefits that might make...
What is 5G? 5 ways this new wireless technology will make life easier for kids and families
Thank you to Verizon Wireless for sponsoring this post. If there's anything all parents can agree on, it's that we could use a few more minutes (or hours!) in the day, and we do our best to try to find that extra time where we can. It's something tech can certainly...
Tips & Tricks to Make Life (Way!) Easier
Is the FaceApp safe? Read these tips from experts first.
Our social media feeds are blowing up photos from the FaceApp, thanks to the new FaceApp Challenge, but is it safe? If you'e missed the buzz, this hilarious (ish) app lets you upload a photo to the app, then edits it using AI filters so you can see how you'd look...
How to fix your sticky new MacBook butterfly keyboard
I've written a few times here at Cool Mom Tech about my love-hate relationship with the new MacBook, particularly the butterfly keyboard. It makes typing so incredibly fast and easy, but it gets stuck very easily. And it's not just me! It's such a pervasive problem...
15 big new Apple announcements that parents will actually care about: Privacy, organization, photo editing and more
Yesterday, I spent a good two hours live tweeting the bigger Apple announcements at their 2019 developer conference that would be of interest to parents. Like, news about parental controls, photo sharing, and home security? Yes please! News about the 28-core Xeon...
4 awesome YouTube alternatives for kids of all ages
With all the not-so-great news coming out around YouTube recently -- from their pedophilia problem to the horrific content spliced into kids' videos to the infamous Momo challenge -- I've been looking for some YouTube alternatives. From now on, at our house, YouTube...
17 of the riskiest social apps for kids right now that parents should know about | Guide to Digital Parenting
While parents are still freaking out about Snapchat and the Momo challenge, the truth is there are some risky apps for kids that can fly right under our radar. Some of them seem completely innocuous -- while some are clearly bad news waiting to happen. To be clear,...
How do I keep kids safe on social media? | Guide to Digital Parenting
We couldn't create an Ultimate Guide to Digital Parenting without including tips about how to keep your kids safe on social media. After all, for our tweens and teens, the Internet is social media, and they could sooner give up the games, the videos, and even their...
What are the best services and tools to monitor my kids screen time? 5 top picks | Guide to Digital Parenting
As part of our Ultimate Guide to Digital Parenting, answering parents' top questions about family technology, we're sharing the best services and tools to help you monitor your kids on their gadgets. While most routers, phones, tablets and computers have basic...
How do I know when my child is ready for a smartphone: 7 essential questions to ask | Guide to Digital Parenting
We can't tell you how much debate we've seen over the simple question, "when is my kid ready for a smartphone?" It brings out nearly as much stress, passion and well, sanctimony, as questions about breastfeeding or sleep training. Well, after spending so many years...
What are the best screen time management strategies that work for parents? 5 that work. | Guide to Digital Parenting
Next up in our Ultimate Guide to Digital Parenting, we tackle one of the biggest challenges parents face each day: screen time management. We know full well how hard it can be to decide how much is the right amount of time for our kids, especially as they get older....
What’s the best way to set screen time rules at home? 5 simple methods | Guide to Digital Parenting
As part of our Ultimate Guide to Digital Parenting, we know that a top question from parents is the best way to set screen time rules when we're at home. And we've got so many helpful approaches for you! Because bringing gadgets into your family's lives is more than...
Chill out, parents. You’ve got bigger problems than the Momo Challenge.
If you've been on Facebook over the last few days, you've probably been bombarded with no shortage of articles about the Momo Challenge. Admittedly, it looks pretty disconcerting on first glance, and after the 15th, you kind of want to toss your phone out the window....
The new Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood website is magic for kids and adults alike
One of my very favorite movies this year was the Fred Rogers documentary Won't You Be My Neighbor?, which simultaneously shed new light on the TV personality I loved as a child and sparked a passion for me to show my kids every favorite Mister Rogers' ...
Calling all Pokémon fans: The new Pokémon Sword and Shield is coming to Nintendo Switch
If you've got Pokémon fans in the house, you'll impress them with this little bit of news that they might already know: just today they announced the new Pokémon Sword and Shield game coming to Nintendo Switch in the fall of 2019. And if they haven't heard, well you...
Here’s what I learned after letting my tween daughter use TikTok (formerly Musical.ly)
Feeling inspired by Jordan Shapiro's interview on NPR with our former Spawned guest Anya Kamanetz, and reading his book for our upcoming interview with him on Spawned, I decided to let my tween daughter give TikTok (formerly Musical.ly) a try. I've decided that I want...
Is YouTube Kids really safe? These videos will probably make you say “no.”
It's been a rough couple of weeks for YouTube, first with the news about their growing pedophile problem. And now, YouTube Kids is under fire. We know lots of parents, including us, have found a little sigh of relief letting kids watch videos on YouTube Kids,...