Tackle these 11 simple tech to-dos and start your year safer, more organized, and more relaxed

by Liz Gumbinner | Tips and Tricks

For so many of us, the new year is about organization and fresh starts. That’s why we tend to use January as an opportunity to cross off a few tech resolutions off our lists — or at least get a head start on some of those to-do list items we always bump...

The widespread teenage boy sextortion scam: What to do if your child is a victim

by Liz Gumbinner | Internet Safety, Tips and Tricks

This week’s Washington Post article about the teenage boy sextortion scam by Chris Moody is all I’ve been thinking about. In part because I know a kid who was targeted in this way, and it was a terrible situation. But to learn that this is a problem...

5 important tech conversations to have with your kids as they head back to school

by Kristen Chase | Tips and Tricks

With back-to-school here, or just around the corner for some of us, I like to take the time to have reinforce some basic tech rules with my kids and have some important tech conversations before things get super hectic. Whether your kids have their own phones or not,...

Do you qualify for a payout from the $725 million Facebook class action settlement?

by Liz Gumbinner | Social Media, Tips and Tricks

Wow, I sound like a TV law firm ad saying, “you may qualify for a payout from the multi-million dollar Facebook settlement!” But honestly, that’s the fact. I’ve popped my name into a couple of class action settlements recently — generally...

How to download your Twitter data archive…and what you’ll find in there.

by Liz Gumbinner | Tips and Tricks, Internet Safety, Social Media

Thinking about leaving Twitter? (Are we calling it Twexit yet?) With the big changeover in management this week, some Twitter users are leaving, some users are staying, and your choice is up to you. Either way, it’s good idea to download your Twitter data...

Should your kids be using BeReal, the hot new social media app? What parents should know.

by Christina Refford | Social Media, Best Apps, Internet Safety

You may have seen this hilarious sketch on SNL that has a bunch of adults using the app BeReal during a rather tense situation. (if you haven’t seen it yet, go watch now! I’ll wait.) This sketch does a great job explaining what BeReal is, but we’ve...

How to limit weight loss ads (or other types of advertising topics) on Instagram

by Kristen Chase | Tips and Tricks

I’m not sure about you, but I’m getting bombarded with ads on Instagram, whether it’s in the feed or in the middle of my stories. Argh! Most of the stuff I don’t really mind (well, maybe my wallet does), but there are things, like weight loss...

Will Meta’s new parental controls keep teens safer on Instagram and Quest? We have thoughts.

by Christina Refford | Internet Safety, Games + Gaming, Social Media, Tips and Tricks

Recently, Meta announced it would be launching new parental safety controls for teens in the form of tools and resources for both the Instagram social media app and their Meta Quest VR gaming headsets. The goal is to help parents better manage what our teens are...

Please consider these 5 things before deleting your twitter account.

by Liz Gumbinner | Tips and Tricks

With the big breaking news this week about the controversial purchase and privatization of Twitter by Elon Musk, a lot of users are talking about whether they’ll consider deleting their Twitter account, for a variety of reasons. Some users are uncomfortable with...

Helpful apps for your Super Bowl party…or any given Sunday.

by Cool Mom Team | Best Apps

If you’re getting ready for the Super Bow (whoa) this Sunday, and plan on having company to make it more fun, we’ve got 7 apps for your Super Bowl party that you’ll want to download stat, from party planning help to food and drink delivery, to...