5 things I learned about Musical.ly now TikTok, from parents who’ve been there (and said no to that)
My daughter came home from a sleepover this past weekend asking if she could download Musical.ly (now known as TikTok). I've been hesitant about this app after hearing friends' kids with various issues, not to mention the stories we've shared here on Cool Mom Tech. So...
Detective Agency: The new Carmen Sandiego-style game from Osmo
We're huge fans of Osmo around my house. The kids love to play their innovative games, and I love that they seamlessly marry tangible, hands-on play with screen time. So when I saw their new game just announced today, Detective Agency, is a Carmen Sandiego-style...
5 fun, not-too-scary Halloween apps for kids
Halloween is right around the corner, so we decided to round-up fun Halloween apps for kids that aren't too scary, all of which happen to be free (yay!). What a fun way to get them excited about Halloween, though if your kids are anything like ours, they've been...
This might just be the best way to organize your iPhone apps
I've tried many different approaches to organizing my iPhone apps, but the same thing always happens: I can't find the ones I need when I need them. Logic says you leave your most-used apps on the main page, then put the others in files, but it turns out, logic might...
My love-hate relationship with the new MacBook Pro: A cautionary tale
When I decided to upgrade to the new MacBook Pro at the end of last year (hello, tax write-off), I thought I had a good sense of what I was getting into. Heck, I wrote the article about it here on Cool Mom Tech when Apple first announced it a couple of years ago. But...
Here’s what you need to know about the Google Home Hub
If you were on Twitter yesterday, you couldn't miss the buzz about the new Google Home Hub, which is Google's new be-all gadget that everyone can't stop talking about. And for good reason. This new device could be a game changer, particularly for families. But, do we...
The Tile Bluetooth trackers just got a whole lot more awesome.
We've been longtime fans of the Tile Bluetooth trackers since we first discovered them years ago. They're pretty much a staple tech gadget in our home, allowing us to keep track of our keys, our phone, and pretty much every important thing we want to be able to find...
Our favorite electric toothbrush is now at Target. Be still our clean-teeth loving hearts.
I've been in love with my quip electric toothbrush ever since I tried it out a couple of years ago. Not only is it sleek and stylish, which okay, I get it, not the highest things on your list for a toothbrush, but it's got built-in timers, and they send you a new...
These glasses have us asking ourselves if this is real life or is this just fantasy?
Sorry for the earworm, but the second I saw these IRL Glasses on Kickstarter, I couldn't stop singing Bohemian Rhapsody, because they seem pulled right out of a sci-fi movie or Black Mirror. If you think I'm exaggerating, you need to see what they can do. These...
Thinking Parent: Tackling screen time in your home begins with looking in the mirror.
A few weeks ago, my youngest was angry with me about losing her iPad privileges, and in her fit of rage yelled "I bet you couldn't be without your phone for 12 hours." We all know that the truth hurts, but to hear it out of the mouth of your child cuts deeper. It's...
Kill News Feed: In case you need a little break from your Facebook feed
If you're needing a little break from your Facebook feed, but still would like to be able to post, check your messages, and see your groups, then you should get Kill News Feed, a Chrome extension that will block out just your feed. Related: 8 ways to crush your...
The best new iOS 12 features for parents – parental controls, time trackers, new apps and more
We always get kind of excited for each new iOS update (yeah, we're geeky that way) and the new iOS 12 update is no exception. We've been looking forward to it since we heard about all the new iOS parental controls in particular that Apple was promising and, well, now...
Tech Tips & Tricks to Make Life (Way) Easier
So why are we all still on Facebook again?
If we're all perfectly honest with ourselves, then we know that Facebook has presented many privacy issues for a long time now. We've been writing about Facebook privacy issues since we started Cool Mom Tech in 2010. That's nine years. NINE. A quick search of Facebook...
What you need to know about the crazy Facetime glitch. Who can see you?
If you're a frequent Facetime user, you might want to turn it off until Apple fixes a recent glitch that actually allows callers to listen and see the people they're calling, even if they don't answer. Creepy much? Related: Watch out for this Apple email phishing...
5 simple strategies for making your phone less distracting
We've been talking a lot about screen addiction and overuse here over the last few weeks (and well, years), including our Curb Your Screen Addiction series. Well, we recently chatted with author Jake Knapp on our Spawned podcast, who has a well of fantastic strategies...
Even More Coolness. Enjoy!
What’s the best way to manage your kid’s screen time? This expert’s answer might surprise you!
We often get asked the best way for parents to manage their kid's screen time, and while we have our own opinions about screen time management, we never miss an opportunity to get another expert's opinion. That's exactly what Kristen did on this week's episode of...
iPhone trick: How to mute text threads (but still get notifications for your other texts)
Lately I discovered how to mute text threads on my iPhone, and let me tell you, it's been a productivity game changer. Because as much as I love a raucous group chat once in a while, I don't accomplish much when I have notifications popping up on my phone and computer...
Relay: The screen-free smartphone alternative for kids who aren’t ready for the real thing | Sponsored Message
This is a sponsored message from Relay So many parents want their kids to have the safety and security of a phone, and yet those kids aren't necessarily ready for all the responsibility and liability that comes with owning one. It's a major issue among parents, and...
Tonal is a home fitness system that’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen.
This mama still has it going on in many ways, but let's face it: the 40s are here to stay. A brisk walk with the toddler in the stroller isn't cutting it as my daily workout anymore. So, when I heard about Tonal, a sleek, super-convenient, high-tech home fitness...
A Facebook feature you can use instead of adding “Following!” in the comments
You've probably seen the letter "F" in the comments of a Facebook post. Or perhaps you've typed the word "Following" yourself, because when you comment, you'll get notifications of other comments and get to follow along. However, there's a Facebook feature that makes...
The breast pump gets a thoroughly modern makeover in the discreet new Elvie pump
As a mom who's recently breastfed a child, I was pumped (heh) to hear about some new innovations arriving in the form of the Elvie breast pump. It comes from the makers of the revolutionary Elvie Kegel trainer (from all of us who've had babies, thank you for that!)...
Ears warm, music on. Take that, winter!
I realize it's not quite earmuff weather, but there's nothing wrong with being prepared, especially when it comes to winter. That's why I'm sharing these adorable earmuff headphones from UGG now, so you can be ready when that first cold snap hits. Related: Listen to...
What you need to know about the new YouTube Kids parental controls
We've been fans of the YouTube Kids app, but admittedly when so many questionable videos were making it onto their little eyeballs, we were waiting for them to make some updates to give parents more control over what their kids were seeing. And well, they did....
A new study says teens feel social media has an positive impact on their lives
Our friends over at Common Sense Media recently conducted a survey study of teens 13-17 years old, and we have to admit that the results are fascinating, and well, reassuring. If you have a tween or teen, it's worth taking the few minutes to read their summary, but if...
Beautiful hand-embroidered iPhone cases, just in time for fall
If you're looking to upgrade your iPhone's look for fall (yes, that's a thing I hear), may I suggest these beautiful Maria Maria hand-embroidered iPhone cases I spotted at Nordstrom? Related: These gorgeous iPhone cases are rock solid. Each case is made by a Mexican...
3 Apple accessories I can’t live without.
As an Apple family, we've seen various iterations of devices in our home over the years. And that means, different chargers, different ports, you get the idea. But that doesn't necessarily mean you need to buy a bunch of other cables and gadgets to accommodate the...
Xbox launches their Adaptive Controller. Hooray for more inclusive gaming!
We were so pleased to hear that the Xbox Adaptive Controller that has been making the news over the last few months has finally launched. That means kids and adults with disabilities who aren't able to use current Xbox controller now have one that will hopefully work...