reader q+a

If your kids are using a laptop or Chromebook for their schoolwork (or gaming), there are a few simple things you can do to help them avoid tech neck . Yes, it's totally a thing (says the person who's on her computer most hours of the da…

H i Cool Mom Picks, I'm looking to purchase the best kids' tablet for a 3-year-old, and maybe one for an 8-year-old. What do you suggest? - Reader, via Facebook. Oh, to be a kid on Christmas morning opening up a brand new tablet to play …

H i Cool Mom Tech, Have you written about a tech solution that gathers photos from all the family computers and phones into one place for backup purposes? - James We've been exactly where you are, James: looking at all the options and sc…

My daughter is turning 6 and I'd like to get her a camera. We gave her an old Canon point-and-shoot for Christmas and she is so responsible with it - she's ready for a new one of her own. I love the Fujifilm Instax Mini (especially Hello…

W e are a house divided. My husband is an Android user (but I love him anyway), and I am an iPhone user. We need a calendar app that works with both, allows for the importing of Google calendar an iCal and automatically refreshes it. Is …

I'm looking for a child tracking app to secretly put on my 17-year-old's iPhone to track his whereabouts. My wife's "spidey senses" are telling her that he's going places and doing things without permission. I know I could Google but I'd…

We need to purchase a computer for our two older children to use for homework. They frequently have assignments that involve the use of Google Docs, as well as PowerPoint and Excel. I’m a Mac user, but we’re thinking we’ll go with a PC f…

For the last year or so, erroneous reports of "hacked" baby monitor systems that are WiFi enabled have been perpetuated by the media--and trickled down to our readers, who understandably email us to ask about the potential of danger with…

W hen my 11-year old son got stranded in the terrible snowstorm we had here in Atlanta a few weeks ago, I decided that he might need an emergency cell phone for kids. While he does have an iPod Touch, I think he needs something else. Any…

I've got so many great Instagram photos in my feed that I want to share with friends and family. What are your favorite ways to print Instagram photos? -Carolyn Some of our own favorite photos are from Instagram, Carolyn, and we've found…

Hi Cool Mom Tech! A few months back you recommended an app where parents could save or store specific videos. This was to ensure kids using iPads wouldn't stumble onto questionable material on YouTube. I feel like "Tube" was the last par…

What's the best search engine for kids, in your experience? -via Twitter Keeping kids safe online should be a huge priority for parents. When it comes to kid-safe search, there are actually a lot of good options out there. Since you didn…

Is there a safe kids' browser that I can put on my iPad or phone for my son? Or do I have to just find a way to block sites on Safari somehow? Thanks! -Ellen K Ellen, we get the need for a safe kids browser for your devices! We also unde…

My pre-teen wants an iPad or Kindle Fire for Christmas. Are there good Internet filters available for these devices? -Karen Hi Karen, great question! Yes, with kids bogarting our tablets and quite a few getting one for the holiday, we th…

What is the best printing app for iPad 2? -Danielle Though my kids look at the iPad as one big play surface, I've found that I can get some real work done on it, especially now that I've added an iPad keyboard/stand which turns my tablet…

As a mom of a child with a learning disability in reading, technology has been a huge help. But most of the reading apps out there are geared toward young children who are learning to read, not 9 year olds. I just stumbled across the Whi…

We're upgrading to the new iPad and thinking about passing along our second-generation iPad to our kids. Do you have any suggestions for kid-friendly cases? -Krissy Hi Krissy, lucky you for getting a new iPad ! Your kids are probably alr…

Q: I am tired of the piles of bills every month that I have to stuff into a file, cram into my filing cabinet, and never look at again. Can you make any recommendations on tech that can help get them organized? - Sarah Hi, Sarah. Good qu…

I am having trouble finding earphones for my 3 1/2 year old to use while traveling. We have a volume limiting set but they don't seem to stay on well and he complains that they hurt. Do you have other children's headphone ideas? -Meg Hi …

I (want) to know what some of the best apps (are) for a 4 year old. She's so interested in learning to read, yet I have no idea where to begin. I think she may have a bit of photographic memory, so it's hard to tell if she is actually re…

I am looking for Kindle Fire cases that have cartoons and such. You know, the cool ones the kids want. - Tamra While we're seeing a lot of iPod touch cases with characters on them, not a lot of parents are buying Kindles for their kids y…

Now that Google is closing down Picnik , any suggestions for what I can use to edit my photos? -Delilah We were definitely surprised to hear that Picnik is shutting down. I've used it many times to quickly and easily edit photos, and whi…

Do you have any recommendations for kids' headphones with a volume-limiting feature? We bought some children's headphones, but they are a bit boring to look at. - Leighann Definitely, Leighann! When it comes to kids' headphones, a volume…

W e have two iPod Touches and two iPhones in our home which results in hanging cords in nearly every outlet in our kitchen. Can you recommend a multiple device docking station that will charge all four devices in one place? - Renee We fe…

I have duplicate photos in my iPhoto libraries. Is there a program that can help me eliminate the dupes? - @SallyHogshead via Twitter Now this is one question that a lot of us have faced ourselves. Duplicate photos are most definitely an…

What would be your pick for a family desktop computer? We have 7 & 5 year old boys and my husband is wanting to look at some of the touch screen desktops. Thanks for any opinions! -Heather We definitely like the idea of a touch screen de…

I can't decide if I should purchase another point and shoot camera or if I'm ready to upgrade to a DSLR. What things should I consider before I make the switch? -Kristin Making the decision to fork out the cash for a DSLR is always a tou…

I'm looking into a camera for my 4-year old. Any recommendations? Thank you! Jeannine When it comes to cameras for a four year-old, the main thing I care about is durability since I know they will drop it at least once a session. But, I …

I was so glad to see your post about Kindle cases, but I am wondering if you have any recommendations for stylish practical ones on Etsy. There are so many on there, but I need to narrow them down! Any that have caught your eye? - Lisa T…

Q: My kids ages 8, 9, and 10 are getting iPods from their grandmom for Christmas. Can you recommend an alarm clock/charging dock that's good for their age and not too expensive? -reader by Twitter What a generous grandma! Your kids will …

I feel a little embarrassed not knowing this, but can you explain the difference between Pandora and Spotify? - Shelley You're not the only one who's asked us this question, Shelley, so you shouldn't feel embarrassed! Now that there are …

H i Cool Mom Tech! Any suggestions for websites that have a good selection of free online games for kids (3rd grade/elementary school level) that are educational, but also FUN for them...so they won't realize that they're actually learni…

Do you know a good iPad app to track nursing, diapers, growth, etc. that would work well for twins? -question via Twitter We've done some searching and found the Total Baby app which has a ton of great features and can handle up to six k…

I recently got an iPad 2, but I am having a hard time justifying paying for ebooks. I have been searching for a website that allows me to rent current bestsellers for free and I found one called My Pad Media that claims for a one-time li…

Do you have any ideas for a nice looking backpack purse? (I'm on crutches for the next month or so--great excuse for another purse, right?) Need something large enough to fit the laptop in, but also versatile enough to throw in a diaper …

I was wondering if Cool Mom Tech has a recommendation for an online calendar system to keep up with everyone's busy schedules in my family? I need something that syncs with my Blackberry, as well as Outlook or Yahoo, and preferably free!…

I love taking pictures and videos of my son and would like to email them with others but I am always concerned about where my shared pictures and videos may end up. I was wondering if you know of any websites that have a "sign-in" featur…