10 of the coolest tech gifts for teens that are all teen-approved | Holiday Tech Gift Guide 2019
We know first hand that finding cool gifts for teens is no easy task. But in our experience, tech is always a safe choice, especially in 2019 when teens are so in tune with what's hot on the tech scene. We're so pleased to present this holiday tech gift guide on...
Holiday tech gifts: A new and improved kids tablet that parents will love too | Sponsored Message
This is a sponsored message for Samsung Kids Tablets are still at the top of holiday wish lists this year, so if you're shopping for a kid-friendly option that's got grown-up power, you'll want to take a look at the new Samsung Kids tablet. The new and improved...
Digital parenting question: Should I let my child on Snapchat because all of her friends are?
This past week, my 11-year old daughter and I had a long conversation about Snapchat. She's been begging me for awhile now, but lately, it's amped up because pretty much all her friends use it exclusively to communicate. I've been very resistant to Snapchat for all of...
Disney+ streaming service: Here’s how our first 24 hours went.
My husband already had the new Disney+ streaming service locked and loaded on our Roku TV yesterday morning. And even though there were a few glitches with it on mobile, we had no problems perusing the many offerings and watching a couple of shows. Let's just say I'm...
Digital parenting tips: 5 ways you can be a tech-positive parent
We know that "digital parenting" is quite the buzz phrase these days. Our approach to it has been similar to how we parent our kids around similar difficult topics (think non-alarmist, non-judgmental), except unlike the sex talk or the drug talk, there's really no...
The Seriously STEM Award winners: 4 of the best educational STEM toys of the year
I was so honored to return as a judge for the second annual Seriously STEM awards, honoring the best educational STEM toys. In collaboration with STEM.org, and with judges including educators, journalists, science museum directors, and independent STEM toy experts --...
Reschedule Halloween? Just move the party inside with this fun Spotify playlist.
With all this rain here in the northeast, our social media feeds have been all a-buzz about rescheduling Halloween. Isn't that why there are umbrellas? But seriously, it's been so contentious that I've seen numerous threads on local city Facebook Groups with comments...
Outschool: Real-time, teacher-led courses for kids…from home.
As a homeschool mom, there's something I've realized about myself over the past couple years: I'm not great at everything. There are some subjects I definitely teach better than others (hello, writing!), and some that I have no business attempting to teach my kids...
Here’s what you need to know about the new Apple AirPods Pro
Breaking news! Apple just announced the new AirPods Pro bluetooth earbuds, and well, let's just say if you're already an AirPods fan, you're going to be pretty excited. And if you've been waiting for them to add a few new features before taking the plunge, you'll be...
Here’s how to score a free Google Home Mini
If you're a Spotify Premium subscriber or you have been thinking of becoming one, now's the time to do it, because for a limited time, you'll get a free Google Home Mini. Yes, we're serious. Related: Here's why we're loving Spotify Premium subscriber Related: Your...
These beautiful wooden stands give your gadgets a different kind of upgrade
Jealous of everyone around you upgrading to the new iPhone 11? Or the Apple Watch Series 5? Well, you can treat yourself to an upgrade of your very own, at least when it comes to a stand or charging stand that is. These gorgeous handmade stands from Yohann will make...
You won’t believe how easily this CNN reporter was hacked. Here’s how to prevent it.
Our team watched this CNN Business video with our jaw dropped when we saw how easily hacker Rachel Tobac was able to get information about journalist Donie O' Sullivan. Just from looking at his social media, she was able to do everything from get his home address,...
Tech Tips & Tricks to Make Life (Way) Easier
Here’s how to make that Facebook Avatar that looks nothing like you.
If you're like me, then your Facebook feed has been filled with everyone's new Facebook avatar. It's also been filled with people saying how they look nothing like them. And I have to be honest, I totally agree. So of course, I had to give it a try myself. But it's...
How to practice safe socializing using tech during the Coronavirus outbreak
It's ironic that I chose the word "connect" as my 2020 word, just to find myself practicing "social distancing" three months into the year. Suddenly, instead of looking forward to coffee shop meetups, long chummy walks, and dinners with friends, my calendar is wide...
How to hide your Instagram Story from users. Psst: If you can do it, your kids can do it too.
A few months ago, we shared how to set up the Close Friends feature on Instagram, just in case you’ve got your kids (and their friends) following you and wanted to share something that they couldn’t see. Of course, whenever you do that, then you can pretty much assume...
Even More Coolness. Enjoy!
3 affordable Apple Watch alternatives for kids
My sixth-grader has been asking me to splurge on an Apple Watch for her lately, but I don't see that in her future at the moment. The thing is: she doesn't have a phone yet. So I see little value in spending that kind of money on a watch, when she won't get the...
Cases with a cause: Student-designed smartphone cases celebrate women empowerment, sisterhood, and the LGBTQ+ community
The original designs by the two awesome winners of the first annual Make My Case design competition have been released by Speck, BUILT BY GIRLS, and Verizon, and they're all about supporting empowerment, sisterhood, and the LGBTQ+ community. Yeah! Related: 17 awesome...
Does Gmail have parental controls? Well, here’s the deal.
In our Out Tech Your Kids group on Facebook, we've had several questions about parental controls for Gmail, with so many kids needing and using email accounts. We did some research to see what parents can and can't do when it comes to monitoring their kid's Gmail...
Why are kids watching other people play video games? A tech expert weighs in.
So your kids are obsessed with watching other people play video games and you can't quite wrap your mind around it. We decided to ask video gaming expert Dr. Rachel Kowert to weigh in on this phenomenon and tell us what we need to know. We've spoken about video games...
This might make you think twice about getting AirPods
We're pretty much Team AirPods here at Cool Mom Tech. I was the first person to try them and sing their praises (though I don't use them anymore since my dog chewed one up). Then Liz jumped on the AirPods train. Well, after reading this recent article in the...
Instagram launches Restrict to help combat bullying. Here’s how it works.
With someone who's got two teens on Instagram, I was pleased to hear that they recently added Restrict, an anti-bullying feature that, as Instagram describes, "allows users to quietly protect their account while still keeping an eye on their bully." It reminds me a...
The most gorgeous, modern lighting is sustainably made from…corn.
Sometimes I discover a new company at a tech press event that I'm so excited about, I run right over here to tell you about it. And sometimes, that product is so perfect that I first make a quick stop at the company website to buy one for myself. That's just the story...
Our review of the new Nintendo Switch Lite
Over the weekend, my family and I played with the Nintendo Switch Lite, which is Nintendo's newest handheld gaming device. Considering how much we love the Nintendo Switch, we figured this would going to be a pretty popular holiday gift for lots of people. Plus, we...
25 things kids should know before they get a smartphone
Whether your kids have had a smartphone for awhile now, or you're considering getting them started with one, it's important that they understand how to use it. And as we all know, when it comes to a smartphone, it's not as simple as dialing a number or sending a text...
How to raise responsible digital kids
Over the last few weeks in particularly, we've seen our Out Tech Your Kids Facebook community filled with parents who seem panicked — or at least very concerned — about kids and texting and social media. And if you follow us (or are a member of that group), then you...
5 ways to encourage screen-life balance in your kids (and you)
Raising kids in a digital age presents all sorts of parenting challenges. That’s one of the many reasons we started Cool Mom Tech, along with our new Out Tech Your Kids Facebook Group (OTYK). And we talk about it a lot on our Spawned Parenting Podcast. While it can be...
Instagram Stories trick: Turn your Live Photos into Boomerangs!
I often like adding Boomerangs to an Instagram Story to help change things up from still photos. But then, I either have to go shoot a Boomerang in Instagram (and figure out what to shoot) or open the Boomerang app itself. Not one of life's greatest problems, but...