Facebook’s Instagram for Kids is Controversial

Facebook is planning to build a version of Instagram for children who are under the age of 13, according to BuzzFeed News, who obtained an internal company post from Facebook in March of 2021. This has led to controversy among lawmakers and a large group of U.S. Attorneys Generals. A group of four Democratic lawmakers signed a letter in April of 2021, to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The lawmakers were Senator Ed Markey, Senator Richard Blumenthal, Representative Kathy Castor and Representative Lori Trahan. In the letter, the lawmakers question Mark Zuckerberg about Instagram for Kids. “Facebook has an obligation to … Continue reading →

Microsoft Introduced Microsoft Edge Kids Mode

Microsoft introduced Microsoft Edge Kids Mode. It is described as: “a safer space for your child to discover the web”. There is an easy tutorial provided for parents who want to use Kids Mode. Microsoft provided an explanation about why they created a Kids Mode: Our research tells us that about 50% of U.S. parents are impacted by what we call the “hand-off scenario.” This is that all too familiar situation of letting your child access the web from a shared device when you’re working, making dinner, picking up scattered toys, or doing any of the million things parents do … Continue reading →

New York Updated their Car Seat Law

The State of New York wants parents to protect their infants and children from motor vehicle accidents, which is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 through 13. Car seats provide that protection. New York enacted an updated car seat law that went into effect on November 1, 2019. New York’s first car seat law went into effect on April 1, 1982. It required all children to be restrained in an appropriate child restraint system while riding in a motor vehicle, until they reach their 8th birthday. The law described “an appropriate child restraint system” as “one that … Continue reading →

Congress Could Require Car Alarm for Kids Left Inside

Every year, children who are left inside hot cars die. These are preventable deaths. The HOT CARS Act, which would require vehicles to have an alarm that reminds parents to check the back seat for kids. The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation introduced the HOT CARS Act. The full name is “Helping Overcome Trauma for Children Alone in the Rear Seat (HOT CARS) Act of 2019.” The purpose of the legislation is to prevent heat stroke-related deaths due to children being left alone in a vehicle. HOT CARS would lead to lifesaving technology and increased public awareness of … Continue reading →

Selfies Can Be Dangerous

Selfies are generally seen as harmless fun. In general, the worst thing that happens while a selfie is taken is that someone in the photo blinks at the wrong time. Parents need to be aware that sometimes selfies can be dangerous. Unfortunately, selfies have become a way that head lice is spread. All it takes is for one person in the selfie to be unaware that they have head lice. Head-to-head contact, even for a small amount of time, is enough for head lice to spread from one person to another. The CDC estimates that 6 million to 12 million … Continue reading →

Instagram Created a Guide for Parents

Are your teens using Instagram? Do you understand what it is and how it functions? Instagram has created a new resource for parents with teens who use Instagram. It is called the Parent Guide. Part of the Parent Guide teaches parents about the options in Instagram that are designed to help keep teens safe. Instagram suggests that parents have a talk with their teen about whether their account is going to be public or private. Make sure the teen understands that they can have control over who can see and interact with what they post on Instagram. Users with private … Continue reading →

How to Childproof Your Toddler’s Room

Toddlers are really good at getting into things that parents wish they would leave alone. A viral video that showed a dresser falling over onto twin toddler boys made many parents want to learn how to childproof their toddler’s room. You may have seen the viral video that showed two twin toddlers climbing up their dresser when they were supposed to be sleeping. The two-year-old boys, Bowdy and Brock, figured out how to open up the bottom drawers of the dresser and use them like a step so they could climb up to the top of the dresser. Unfortunately, the … Continue reading →

Some Ads in Parenting Magazines Show Unsafe Practices

Flip through a parenting magazine while you are in line at the grocery store, or while waiting for your child to see the doctor. The photos and images your eyes skim over might actually be showing children who are doing unsafe things. These pretty photos in the advertisements may give parents the wrong idea when it comes to child safety. Parenting magazines, of course, are intended to be read by parents. These magazines offer advice on everything from nutrition and health issues, to how to cope when your child is having a public “meltdown”. One would reasonably assume that the … Continue reading →

Your Tween May be Posting Personal Information on Instagram

Instagram is a popular social media website that is primarily about photos. People post selfies, photos of what they had for dinner, vacation photos, and whatever else they want to share online. What many parents don’t realize is that teens and tweens are sharing a lot more than photos on Instagram! The terms of service at Instagram state: “You must be at least 13 years old to use the Service”. It is possible for a teenager to simply make their own Instagram account without asking their parent for permission to do so first. Some parents will make an Instagram account … Continue reading →

Can’t Win for Losing

Summertime and the living is easy… No pencils, no books, no teacher’s dirty looks… and no set bedtime. What time do your children hit the hay during the summer months? In many families, summer sleepy time is dictated by Mother Nature. Sunset bedtimes are the norm for many clans, much to the delight of young children, who gain at least a couple hours of extra playtime during the months of June, July and August. My 8-year-old is one of millions who has enjoyed bonus awake time this summer. She’s spent it capturing fireflies, biking, making s’mores and attending all-night un-slumber … Continue reading →