Family Tech Blog

Tag: ios

  • Apple’s App Store Changes May Cost You a few Bucks

    Apple’s App Store Changes May Cost You a few Bucks

    One of my favorite things to do on my phone is search the App Store. I enjoy seeing what new releases are out, what apps might be discounted, and what apps I should add to my wish list. I often download an app to try it out just because I can easily see that it’s free. Apple’s new rules will block App developers from putting price information in the titles of their app. 

     

    This change means that apps that produce a free version won’t be able to use the title to illicit more installs. The game of making money through mobile app development has taken many turns over the past several years. You may have noticed that most of the top grossing apps are considered “Freemium” which means downloads are free but they sell content to you within the app. Having FREE in the title has long been a useful strategy for this type of software. Eliminating the price in the title could decrease the number of downloads for these apps and in turn, they’re revenue.

    Please remove any references to your app’s price from your app’s name, including any references to your app being free or discounted. If you would like to advertise changes to your app’s price, it would be appropriate to include this information in the app description. – App Store Submission Rejection Notice 

    These changes will immediately affect new apps being submitted to the App Store. There is no word if changes will be required for apps that are already listed in the store.

    What Parents Should Know

    We have all started to get used to the freemium model of app development and how to educate our kids about it. This update could change a few things. First of all it may not be as easy for younger kids to know if the app they’re looking at is free or costs something. Of course the price is listed right next to the app but this wouldn’t be the first time a kid accidentally spent some of their parent’s money.

    Secondly, if developers aren’t gaining more installs they may be required to raise prices on their in app purchases. This would mean that apps you may pay a little bit for would cost you extra. Alternatively, you could end up with fewer freemium apps and more that just charge you upfront for initial access.

    Whatever the result of these changes by the Apple App Store, the most important thing is, as always, that your children understand what has happened and know how to navigate the store properly. Teach them that money spent in these apps is often real money and usually your money. Set up your parental controls so that they have to ask permission to install anything. This will help you keep your money safe as well as your children.

  • Amazon Prime Video Jumps on the Parental Control Bandwagon

    Amazon Prime Video Jumps on the Parental Control Bandwagon

    Our children get access to media through streaming content more than any other method. Many of the streaming content providers have allowed parents to protect their children using parental controls. Amazon prime video has just added that feature as well.

    We recently cancelled our Netflix subscription and switched over to Amazon prime because many of the shows our children enjoy have moved over there as well. Now you can ensure that your kids are only seeing shows intended for their age group. It’s really simple to set up; the photos below will show you how. (Photos show the iOS app, Android may differ slightly.)

    Go into your settings and tap Parental Controls.

    Set your desired age restriction and what devices should be included in the restrictions. 

    On iPhone you can also set up your Touch ID to bypass the settings when a video above the age restrictions is selected.

    What Parents Should Know

    Parental controls are a great feature but it’s also important to know what your children are watching. Parental Control settings batch all children’s programming together. It may not take into account the fact that some kid’s shows are geared towards older kids while others suitable for your preschooler. Kid shows, while not containing gore or sexual content, may still have violence and even some language at times. You should know what shows your kids like and why, I advise you even sit down and watch the show with them every now and then.

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  • Snapchat isn’t Just a Messenger Anymore

    Snapchat isn’t Just a Messenger Anymore

    It may have all started with “secret” messaging but it hasn’t stopped there. Soon public sharing became the norm on Snapchat, a feature that was copied by many other Social Media networks soon after it’s release. Then, Snapchat’s “Discover” page was released, this was a way for news and media corporations to reach the users of Snapchat with their messages and advertising. Lately, Snap Inc. has been working towards becoming a serious form of entertainment for it’s users, incorporating videos and even original show content into their network. Today, VICELAND has announced they’re producing several new shows exclusively for Snapchat. They’re starting with a “reality” dating show titled “Hungry Hearts with Action Bronson.”

    VICELAND Productions is following several other studios in making original shows for Snapchat. Networks including NBC, CBS, and A&E have already announced that they’re making versions of their existing shows for viewing on Snapchat. These studios are seeing the growing adoption of Snapchat as an opportunity to reach a broader audience with their shows and content. One of the fastest growing demographics on Snapchat is the 18-35 age-group, one of the main target audiences for the late night and primetime television networks. With this trend towards entertainment content on our social media apps, it’s important that parents are aware of what these apps are becoming, we have to make good decisions on whether or not we want our kids consuming the media they’re producing.

    What Parents Should Know

    Snapchat isn’t a trend and it’s not just a messenger anymore. What was once the “Secret Message App” or the “Sexting App,” as some called it, is now a major source of media for those who use the social media platform. This means we have to treat it differently than we do many social media apps. Keeping track of who they are friends with on these networks isn’t enough anymore. We have to keep a few things in mind if we are going to allow our kids to use Snapchat, Instagram, or any of these other apps that give advertisers and media content creators a direct outlet to our kids.

    Same Media as TV, Movies, YouTube, or Games.

    The creators of the content that will be made available through social media (Facebook has been signing agreements with media companies too) aren’t producing special more family appropriate shows. They will be making content that will reflect every other media outlet they produce for. Think YouTube Red, Netflix, or Amazon Prime. In fact, some of the rules that apply to broadcast television don’t apply to shows that are streamed online. This means that you’re more likely to see content like on Game of Thrones or Orange is the New Black than something with more restrictions like Blacklist or CSI. Don’t let the fact that these programs are being produced for free public streaming online fool you. They won’t be family friendly or edited for content.

    No Parental Control

    Snapchat currently has no parental control options. Their app is geared towards teenagers so they most likely won’t feel the need to add parental restrictions any time soon. The terms and agreements on most social media services allow for accounts to be created as long as you’re 13 years old or older. The question you have to ask is whether or not you’re ok with your 14-15 year old watching online reality dating shows or politically fueled sketch comedy. If you aren’t ok with these things then you have to make a choice about whether or not snapchat is welcomed on your kid’s phones or tablets.

    All or Nothing

    Social media apps are basically creating an “all or nothing” atmosphere for content created by these media outlets. Once you have an account on Snapchat, you have access to all that is contained in the app. Every person can be a friend or follower, every feed can be found and viewed, and every original show, no matter the target audience, will be available for viewing. With no parental control options the question isn’t what Snapchat content will be allowed, it’s “all or nothing.” They can see all of it, or none of it, those are your only choices. 

    Whatever you choose, you need to be educated about what these social media apps are producing. Keep checking in to Safe.BecauseFamily.org for up to date tech news that’s relevant for your family. Also, sign up for our Safe Online Newsletter. Just fill in the short form below.

     

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  • Nintendo Switch Launches New Parental Controls App

    Nintendo Switch Launches New Parental Controls App

    Nintendo has always provided good gaming console solutions for families with younger kids. Many of their games are family friendly and they were some of the first to try to provide a more active method of gaming. Nintendo Switch is no exception. The popularity of Nintendo Switch is growing and its versatility is one of the features that is feeding that growth. While the number of games available on release was low, the system is still selling well, breaking records in its first weeks. With it’s newest parental control app release, I think Nintendo Switch remains a good game system for families. 

    The parental control app is free and available for iOS and Android. After installing the app you can sync it with the Nintendo account that is on your Switch and begin setting up age requirements, time limits, and sharing restrictions. This article has a good step by step on how to setup the parental controls on the app.  There are other features as well, such as a time played section and a monthly summary. If you have a Nintendo Switch then get this app as soon as you can. It’s another great way to protect your kids while they use technology.

    Don’t Stop the Conversation

    While this app is a great feature for parents it doesn’t eliminate the need for parents to remain actively involved in their child’s online and gaming experiences. Continue to have conversations with your kids about the games they play and how much time they spend on those games. Discuss healthy habits and time management. They need to learn how to make quality decisions in those areas and it’s up to you to teach them.

  • Do You Really Own Your Phone?

    Do You Really Own Your Phone?

    The ordeal with the exploding Galaxy Note 7 has brought about an interesting topic as of late. In case you’re a bit behind, I’ll remind you that early in 2016 some Samsung Galaxy Note 7s began to explode. The phone was recalled and many people began to return it for a replacement. Many, however, did not. In order to increase the number of returns Samsung started to roll out updates to the operating system that would eventually render the phone ineffective. The idea is that if phones wouldn’t charge all the way, or eventually at all, then users would have no choice but to turn the phone in and get something that wasn’t just screaming POTENTIAL LAWSUIT for Samsung. This is what started the conversation about who owns the phone we paid for and use every single day.

    The Phone is Yours, Sort Of…

    We pay good money for our smartphones. iPhones can cost up to eight hundred dollars when first released and the cost of a good Android phone is comparable to that. Since we pay so much it stands to reason that we should have complete control over what happens to and in our phone. The truth, though, is that we don’t. In fact, we sign away that right when we purchase, or now lease, our smart device. The terms and agreements page that we sign without reading spells out the fact that the physical device we just bought belongs to us but the software that makes it more than just plastic, glass, and metal, still belongs to the company that developed it.

    This is why Samsung can “brick” a phone with software updates in order to get people to bring them back. They can’t require you to physically bring your phone back because they want it back but they can make it so useless that you can’t stand to use the thing anymore. If it has any use anymore at all. Technically you are using software that belongs to someone else because they allow you to. That doesn’t stop with operating systems, it goes for the apps you download too.

    Here Come the App Police

    Twitter has been flexing their “terms and agreements muscles” recently as they try to crack down on bullying and abuse in their popular social media site and app. Some of their most recent changes include adding the ability to explain why you’ve blocked a user or hidden a post on your feed. With an even larger step, Twitter is using algorithm and moderators to recognise users of previously banned accounts and keep them from setting up a new account to continue their abuse. These steps and some more they’re not being as open about may seem controversial to some but they are definitely allowed under the terms you agreed to when you signed up to use their service.

    What Parents Should Know

    There are a couple of major ways that the ownership of our digital devices is an important topic for parents to understand. First of all you must know that the use of any software, be it an operating system, an app, or computer game, is considered a privilege given to you by the developer of that software. Even if you paid for the right to use it. Your kids need to understand that behavior contrary to what is acceptable in those apps or software can cause them to lose the ability to play or use the software anymore. Secondly, it’s important to update your device when an update becomes available. While it may seem like recent updates slow down your phone or cause other apps or software not to work properly, the developer created that update for important reasons. Security is a major reason that updates come as frequently as they do. Hackers or identity thieves are always working to find ways to sneak through security settings set up in your phone or computer. Updates by the developer allow them to keep up with the new ways those hooligans have discovered to breach your digital defenses.

    Be sure your kids and teens understand that the digital lives we live are a privilege. There are right ways to use our smartphone and wrong ways. When their account is banned in an app it happened for a reason. This means you should be having a conversation with them about what led to that action being taken by the developers of the app. Was it because of other users “flagging” him for his posts? Was there something she posted that she admits crossed the line and caused her account to be shut down. This DOES happen and should be taken very seriously. There are some online behaviors that are as illegal as anything you can do offline. One major example is the distribution of child pornography. This is a felony and punishable by years in prison and the remainder of your life labeled as a sex offender. Sexting, or sending a nude picture of yourself or someone else, if you are under eighteen years old is considered distribution of child pornography. The activities we are involved in online have very real consequences. We may own the device we use but we have agreed to use them in a certain way, and if we fail to meet those standards the privilege can, and will, be revoked.

     

  • Who is To Blame for the Dangers of Technology?

    Who is To Blame for the Dangers of Technology?

    Someone is Suing Apple…Again.

    Who’s to blame when the dangers that technology can present become a reality? A series of lawsuits filed in California against Apple claim that we can blame the developers of that tech. California resident Julio Ceja is suing Apple to force them to apply a feature that will lock out an iPhone when you reach a certain speed. He says that they have already filed a patent for the technology to use gps speed to lock a phone. Ceja isn’t suing for any money, except for legal costs and court fees. Apple is claiming that the responsibility for safety lies with the user of the phones to turn off notifications or use “Airplane Mode” while driving.

    Texting and driving are frowned upon everywhere and even illegal in many states but the responsibility has traditionally lied with the driver, not the company who made the phone. Developers of smartphones will say that they can’t ensure that their product will be used as they recommend and therefore they can’t be blamed for any dangers that come from the use of their phone or tablet. These cases are pretty important because they will set a precedent for what safety concerns companies will have to think about as they design, produce, and update their products. We will also learn how much responsibility is considered by law to be personal.

    Parents Should be the First Layer

    …Ceja alleges that Apple willfully did not implement a lock-out mechanism out of a choice to emphasize its business over customer safety, a choice that he believes is an example of “unfair business acts and practices” under California’s Unfair Competition Law. – TechCrunch

    The courts will decide whether or not Apple is guilty of unfair business acts but as parents, we have to look closely at the question of responsibility with tech.  Yes, there is a level of concern that is acceptable for a company to consider when they are producing a product, however, the first layer of responsibility should lie with parents. No, your kids shouldn’t text and drive and they are hearing that from all over. The question is “are they hearing it from you?” Are they seeing something different from you? If you are texting and driving while your kids are hearing the message that it’s wrong and dangerous, then you are removing a layer of education that can be critical to your child or teen’s safety. Our example is very important.

    Texting and driving isn’t the only issue. Frustration with video game addiction or contact with adult content online is understandable but if mom and/or dad aren’t setting any boundaries to help their kids learn healthy behavior, the company who made the video game can’t be blamed. Neither can the pornography industry. The message we send our kids about healthy media and technology practices will set them up for their own behavior in the future. Pay close attention to not only what you say, but even more importantly, what you do.

  • The Only Safe Way to Give Your Child an iPad and Walk Away

    The Only Safe Way to Give Your Child an iPad and Walk Away

    Small Kids Need Internet Safety Too

    Those of us with smaller children are often less concerned with them looking for something inappropriate online but we want to protect them from seeing something unintentionally. Apple’s iOS devices have a feature built in called Guided Access just for that purpose. This setting will lock your iPhone or iPad to one app disabling the home, volume, and lock buttons. This is a great feature if you’re wanting to allow your kids to use an app but don’t want them to look around on other parts of your phone.

    You may have known about Guided Access for a while but if you haven’t looked at the settings recently you may be surprised at some of the new options that are available. You can turn off the sleep button, turn on the volume buttons, lock the motion (whether the screen rotates when you turn it,) turn on and off the keyboard, touch screen, and time limits. All of these settings are really helpful to customize the guided access for each app you allow your kids too use based on their age and ability to use the iPhone/iPad.

    (*Settings look different on iPhone but they work the same.)

    For example, my two year old likes to mess with the screen while he’s watching something. (He even touches our TV screen if he’s allowed to sit close enough.) This would cause the show to pause or skip or back out of the episode entirely. If you turn off the touchscreen it doesn’t matter what he does, it won’t change the show. Now, of course we are trying to teach him to leave the screen alone but this is helpful while he’s still a defiant little two year old “cutie”. For our older kids we will lock into their school apps so they can’t back out and play Lego Star Wars or something. We also use the time limit extensively, they don’t have their own devices so this helps us make them take turns.

    What Parents Should Know

    You should know how to set up Guided Access. (See the slideshow below) Use it for, especially, your younger kids. Keep them away from apps that will link to the internet. Also, you can draw on areas on the screen to keep them from tapping there, this will keep them from tapping ads or the parental control settings button. We are learning that our kids benefit less and less from using screens but if we are going to give them the privilege it’s important to do it safely. You may give them your iPad or iPhone with an app that is safe for them but if they can back out of it and open something else you’re not doing them any favors. Guided Access gives you some peace of mind, knowing that you can protect them while they are on that device and you don’t have to be looking over their shoulder the whole time. Use the slideshow below to help you set up Guided Access and if you’d prefer a video, check it out here.

  • The Past and Future Combine with PBS Kids’ New 24hr Kids Channel

    The Past and Future Combine with PBS Kids’ New 24hr Kids Channel

    Our Young Kids are Learning from Screens

    The number of children who are viewing educational entertainment broadcasted to their home television grew by two percent over the past year. Most of those families are in lower income homes. PBS has always catered to that demographic with their free television content and now they’re extending that privilege to children. Starting today, January 16 2016, PBSKids will have it’s own 24/7 channel.

    Yes, Daniel Tiger, Peg + Cat, and Sesame Street will all be aired on a single PBS channel dedicated to children’s programming. The best part is that it isn’t just a channel, the content will be streaming on the PBSKids app that you probably already have. The online streaming content will also be free.

    PBS has said that they understand the need for educational television for those who can’t afford cable or satellite TV, while they also understand that the majority of children are watching their shows on smaller screens these days. The free broadcast/streaming content is unprecedented in a world where everyone is trying to convince you to pay this or that for their content. PBS is sticking to their model of educational entertainment for all. 

    The plan is to roll out the channel on 73 stations across the United States first and have 107 of the US PBS stations carrying the channel later this year. This will mean that free 24 hour children’s education content will be available to ninety percent of the homes in the united states. The streaming content on their app will increase the audience even further.

    Finally the plans include a Family Movie Night and integrating games into the show content. Characters will prompt the young viewers to further their educational experience by taking part in games and activities on the app that will correlate with what they are viewing. PBS says that research on children’s education has inspired this feature and that the feature will increase the opportunity to learn while consuming their content.

    What Parents Should Know.

    If you don’t already have the PBS App I recommend it for your younger children. The shows on the app are safe and educational and there are no ads or anything that would cause them to click away from the app. The games on the app are clean, safe, and fun. Learning is obviously the first focus of every show and game and short of a few annoying characters, you’ll feel totally glad your kids are getting their entertainment from the PBS App.

  • What Parents Need to Know About Super Mario Run

    What Parents Need to Know About Super Mario Run

    Guest post by John Wilkerson of The Wired Homeschool.

    Super Mario Run, announced earlier this year, is the first highly anticipated mobile game from Nintendo. Initially released for iOS devices, it is expected to be released for Android early next year, parents can expect to hear about the chart-topping app for months to come.

    On its first day, Super Mario Run was downloaded 2.85 million times according to Apptopia which broke the previous record of 900,000 downloads held by PokÈmon Go. That means if your child hasn’t already installed the game, they’ll want to soon.

    About the Game
    Super Mario Run is a single player, side-scrolling, endless running game where players guide the eponymous Mario through several worlds to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser. Along the way players collect coins while trying to avoid Bowser’s minions and falling off the screen. If you’re a fan of Super Mario Brothers this sounds familiar to you.

    Nintendo has done a good job of making this game unique. It’s not just a simplified version of a very popular game from the 80’s. It has unique game-play elements that will entertain you and your kids.

    The game has a mini-games within it which can be unlocked by earning tickets. You earn tickets by collecting all the pink, purple, and black coins on each level. You can also recruit Toads into your kingdom to restore it to its former glory.

    Initial and On-going Costs
    The first 3 levels of Super Mario Run are free. To unlock the remaining episodes you’ll need to spend $9.99. While this seems like a lot for a casual game, keep in mind that there are no in-game micro-transactions. No need to worry about Johnny or Sally running up your bill.

    Additional Features
    In addition to earning bonuses in the game, bonuses are given for connecting your Nintendo account. If you or your child don’t already have an account, you can create one in your device’s browser.

    Players can also connect with friends by sharing their player ID, linking to social media accounts, email, text, or adding someone’s player ID manually. Once you’re friends with another player you can challenge them in Rally Mode.

    Final Thoughts
    Super Mario Run is a fun game that you and your kids will want to play. It’s challenging and the nostalgia factor for adults is certainly what’s driving its popularity.

    As with any game, parents need to be aware of a few things:

    1. If you link to or create a Nintendo account you should be aware of the privacy policy.
    2. Linking to social media accounts brings with an additional set of privacy issues.
    3. While initially free, the $9.99 price might seem high but there are no micro-transactions.
    4. There is the potential that your child will spend too much time playing it.

    About the Author: John Wilkerson is a homeschooling dad of 7 living in upstate New York. Through his podcast and blog, The Wired Homeschool, John has been providing practical advice to parents on using technology in homeschooling for over 6 years. Connect with John on Twitter: @jwilkers.

  • Snapchat Answers the Photo Messaging Challenge with New Features

    Snapchat Answers the Photo Messaging Challenge with New Features

    The battle for the best messenger and photo messenger app continues and this time Snapchat has launched a counter assault. Excuse my military history illustration, I know I’m a nerd. While Facebook has been building up the features list on their popular messenger app, their photo app Instagram, and their texting app, WhatsApp, Snapchat has been working on some updates of their own.

    Let’s take a look at what today’s update has and what it will allow your kids/teens to do while in the app. Then we’ll chat about what parent’s response to this app should be after the latest update is installed. It’s super important to stay in the know, even if some of the updates may not be potentially dangerous. Here’s our breakdown:

    Snapchat’s New Features

    Paintbrush and Scissors

    These artistic new tools will allow you to do more customization than ever before. Paintbrush is a bit novelty and is just a way to make your photos look different but scissors is actually a pretty cool idea. This feature allows you to take “cut out” portions of a post or photo and save them to use later as a “sticker.” This feature gives you be the ability to become your own emoji. I am kind of looking forward to one of the apps I actually use copying the Scissors feature. It’s pretty awesome.

    Shazam

    You, most likely, are familiar with Shazam. It’s an app that allow you to identify whatever song you’re listening to by allowing the app to “listen” to it and then give you the details. This update allows you to use Shazam right in Snapchat. You just open the camera, hold your finger down, and the option to find the song will come up. Once the song is identified you’ll be asked if you’d like to purchase the song. Shazam has been around for a long time, this integration is a pretty unique idea and will keep users from closing one app to use another one.

    Group Chat

    Group Chat is self explanatory. You can chat with up to 16 people at a time and set up your chats in groups. This allows users to keep their most common friends together in one group so they can have quick access to their conversations. Your teenagers are socializing online now so this allows them to do so in a larger group.

    Every feature included in this update is another step towards Snapchat becoming the catch all app for young people. The most common users are ages 18-35 but there are many high schoolers who have already been snapping their friends for years. If they haven’t already, these updates are sure to lure them in.

    What Should Parents Know?

    As I’ve mentioned before. My main concern with Snapchat isn’t the messaging or photos, it’s the advertising. Their curated “discover” page has been and always will be a deal breaker for me. I know you may not agree so regardless of your reasons for being safe here are my tips for parents of Snapchat users.

    Don’t allow Snapchat if you’re uncomfortable.

    It’s important to remember that you have to have a say over what your kids are doing online. If what Snapchat does makes you feel uncomfortable you shouldn’t allow it on your child’s phone. Whether you’re afraid of what people may send them or what they could see on a public story. Maybe you’re just concerned about people they don’t know getting ahold of pictures of them. You also could simply be trying to keep the marketing gurus who are publishing content straight to your child’s phone from turning them into the consumer they want them to be. No matter your reason, be true to that instinct and hold firm to your position. Your teen won’t understand and will argue but you have to trust yourself on these issues.

    Use family sharing to know when apps are installed.

    I walked through family sharing and how to set it up in THIS tutorial. This is a great way to keep track of what apps are being installed on everyone’s devices. You can even set it up to ask you permission before something is installed. If you have decided to take a stand against your teen joining the Snapchat trend Family Sharing is a great way to be sure they’re sticking to those rules.

    Follow your kids’ “Story”.

    If your teen is using or wants to use Snapchat and you’re ok with it I recommend you get an account as well, even if it’s only to keep tabs on their “Story” yourself. This isn’t spying since you will communicate with them that you’re following them. Let them know it’s not that you don’t trust them, it’s that you have a responsibility to protect them from those who won’t use the social media service in the safest way.

    Talk to your kids about how they use Snapchat.

    Now comes the inevitable plea to be transparent with your children. Be open with them and honest about your concerns with Snapchat. Let them know you want to protect them from whatever it is you’re concerned about. Boundaries become stupid rules if there is no relationship. If you’re going to be following the on their account they need to know about it and know why. If you’ve decided not to allow it at all then you’ll have to be honest about why. Let them talk to you about why they want to use it. “Because it’s how my friends talk to each-other is a legitimate concern for a teenager. Social connection is the most important thing during that time of their lives. That shouldn’t cause you to back down from your rules but instead help you show empathy and compassion while you are patient enough to give them time to adjust to the rule.

    These new updates are being discussed in the tech world as another big “shot across the bow” to Facebook and Twitter and other social media giants. You can expect more and more features to roll out on all of these services. Also expect to be asked by your child if they can start an account and be ready ahead of time with your answer.