How to avoid tech neck: Tips for a healthier, more ergonomic laptop experience for your teens and tweens

by Kristen Chase | Tips and Tricks, Gear + Hardware

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 day). Here are our...

Best kids’ tablet in terms of security, function, parental controls, and value| Reader Q+A

by Jeana | Uncategorized

Hi 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 with!...

7 of the best photo storage options for families with tons of pics on different devices: Reader Q + A

by Nicole Blades | Photography, Tips and Tricks

Hi 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 scratching our heads,...

First camera recommendations for kids? Reader Q+A

by Jeana | Photography, Tips and Tricks

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 Kitty), but...

Calendar apps for a tech house divided? Reader Q&A

by Nicole Blades | Best Apps

We 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 this a possibility?...

Reader Q+A: Should I secretly spy on my teen using a child tracking app?

by Jeana | Best Apps

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...

Reader Q+A: Good computer recommendations for students going back-to-school?

by Jeana | Gear + Hardware

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 for them (due to cost). Can you...

Can my WiFi baby monitor be hacked by predators? Reader Q+A

by Liz Gumbinner | Babies

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 WiFi baby...

What’s the best emergency cell phone for kids? Reader Q&A

by Kristen Chase | Tips and Tricks

When 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 suggestions? -Laurie   As...

Where can I print my Instagram photos? Reader Q&A

by Cool Mom Team | Photography

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 lots of ways to...