Family Tech Blog

Tag: social media

  • Is FaceApp Sending all of Your Private Data to Russia?

    Is FaceApp Sending all of Your Private Data to Russia?

    Last week everyone was posting pictures of themselves looking older or younger. They were all using FaceApp, an Android and iPhone app that uses AI to change your face to make you look older or younger, change your gender, and all kinds of different things. Then, suddenly everyone who had been posting pictures of themselves began sharing articles about the privacy dangers of FaceApp. What is true? What does FaceApp do with your pictures? Should we use apps like this? Here are the answers I found.

    Your Pictures Aren’t in Russia

    One of the major concerns due to political news lately is that all of these pictures have been stored by the Russians since the company that makes FaceApp is in Russia. The truth is that these pictures are stored on servers owned by Google and Amazon. Many of the photo apps you use including some of the social media apps you frequent use the same server companies to store your pictures and posts. There is no evidence to suggest that your images are being collected by the Russian government or even companies in Russia.

    Your Photos are Deleted after 48 Hours

    The face app privacy policies state that photos uploaded to their servers are usually deleted after 48 hours. They do state that some photos may be kept for analytical purposes but that they are not sent to the FaceApp companies. These photos are used by the artificial intelligence to make it smarter and help it do a better job of editing photos for people.

    FaceApp Terms Mention Affiliate Companies and Governments

    The policies of FaceApp do allow for them to give your photos to other companies “in their network.” Again, they say that this is for analysis purposes and not data tracking. They also say that they’ll give your photos to law enforcement if requested through legal means. 

    You Can Use FaceApp Without Giving Personal Information

    The company that makes FaceApp says that 99% of their users don’t login to the app. That means there are no ways for them to have your personal or identifying information. The only thing that they collect in those cases are your photos. If you have location settings turned off for your camera then there isn’t much personal data that can be gained from the images. All they actually have is a picture of a non-identified person’s face. Also, FaceApp only uses the photos you tell it to upload. Not your whole camera roll. 

    “…please note that we may transfer information, including personal information, to a country and jurisdiction that does not have the same data protection laws as your jurisdiction.” FaceApp Privacy Terms

    FaceApp Doesn’t Handle Data Differently than any Other Social Media Service

    The only major difference between FaceApp’s privacy policies and those of Facebook and Instagram are how much terminology they use to describe them. Personal data and photos are basically handled the same way by all these companies. You may consider it more of a fair trade off for Facebook and Instagram to collect your data in exchange for the services they provide. You also may be less inclined to be worried because of Facebook and Instagram being from the United States. Either way, your data is being used in the same way by all of these companies.

    Musical.ly is now Tik Tok

     

    Just Share Smart

    These instances of public outcry about the privacy policies of an app or a company are a great time to be reminded of the importance of thinking before you share. The truth is that everything, once shared on the internet, is public domain. It belongs to every citizen of the web and not to you any more. This should govern every choice you make on every site you visit and every app you use. If you wouldn’t want the whole world seeing that photo of you, your child, or your spouse, then you shouldn’t share it. If what you are about to post as a status would put your security in jeopardy then you shouldn’t post it. If you aren’t sure about a company or an app that is asking for your personal information then you shouldn’t give them your personal info. It is very simple. Just think before you fill out an online form. Think before you share a photo. Think before you past your thoughts about anything and everything.

    The issue isn’t where your information is stored. It is the fact that you share photos, phone numbers, credit card numbers, and even your social security number like it is no big deal. You don’t have to be an internet security expert, you just have to pause and think.

     

    Podcast: Play in new window

    Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS

  • Research Finds Another Link Between Social Media and Depression

    Research Finds Another Link Between Social Media and Depression

    Researchers in Montreal have spent the last four years studying nearly 4,000 students and their screen time. The study was looking for links between self reported depression symptoms and uses of different kinds of screen time. The types of screen time studied were social media, television, video games, and computer use. The study used annual surveys to sample students  in the Greater Montreal area in 2013-2018 and the results were analyzed in December of 2018.

    The study found a substantial depressive symptom increased for every hour spent on social media, computer use, and even for television. Adolescents reported more cases of comparison to others because of their use of social media, leading to depressive symptoms. The study concluded that “Both screen time modes (social media and television) should be taken into account when developing preventative measures (for depression) and when advising parents.”

    Why Your Teen Posts Her Feelings On Social Media

    What Parents Should Know

    There has been a lot of research concerning screen time and the health of our children. This study is interesting because they chose to separate the types of screen time in order to try and identify if one type or another has a greater impact on the mental health of the children studied. There are a few things that stood out to me as I read this study. First, video games didn’t seem to be a determining factor for depression. While video games can cause other issues, it seems that the direct comparison or contact with others available through social media and even some of the stories on television create the atmosphere for decreased self satisfaction and can lead to depressive symptoms. While many kids between 7th and 11th grade can falsely report feeling “depressed” just because of their stage of life, this study found a pretty significant correlation between the subjects’ symptoms and their screen time activity.

    Secondly, their approach of separating types of screen time should become a new standard for this type of research. Researchers are finding that the amount of time your kids spend on a screen can have varying affects based on what it is that they are doing. This study supports that approach by proving that some categories of screen time affect depressive symptoms in different ways. Finally, the final sentence of the conclusion supports the idea that screen time should be taken into account when developing preventative measures and when advising parents. Psychologists, doctors, and counselors should be considering, not just the amount of time kids spend on their devices, but exactly what they are doing. Parents should be considering those same things.

    Your son may play a ton of video games and you’re worried about anger or lack of social skills, those worries could be valid and more research is needed to identify if video gaming is, indeed, a factor. Social Media use is proving to be a determining factor in the mental health of young teens as they age. Our kids are exposed to so many ideas and so many different environments at such an early age that we, as parents have to be the gatekeeper for what enters their minds. We have to help them guard their hearts and properly interpret their emotions. If kids are seeking help from other kids, they aren’t getting the mental health advice that they need. We parents should provide a safe space for our kids’ to express how they feel. We should then be willing to make arrangements to get the professional help they need if necessary. Parents can’t ignore our children’s feelings, we have to take them seriously and make every effort to support them in exploring their own mental health.

    Podcast: Play in new window

    Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS

     

  • Family Tech News From Apple’s Developer Conference

    Family Tech News From Apple’s Developer Conference

    WWDC was held last week at Apple’s Headquarters in Cupertino, California. Every year, the tech giant hosts a conference for developers and media from all over the world. The company’s Project Managers and Chief Officers all take their turns on stage to discuss what they’ve been working on over the past year in order to increase the hype around Apple’s products and software. Much of what is announced at WWDC targets developers and “tech-heads” who can’t wait to find out how to make apps for Apple products or what the next big thing is going to be. Some of Apple’s new feature’s however could bring some peace of mind to parents. Here is a break down:

    Apple TV+

    Apple’s streaming video device has been great for viewing other services but Apple’s streaming service itself has been lackluster. One thing that has been missing for a while is the ability to make separate accounts or profiles for viewers, including children. Apple announced at WWDC that this is changing. They are making it possible to create profiles for every member of your family. Your viewing history and suggestions will be sorted according to your accounts and best of all, your recommendations won’t be overloaded with shows that your children love to watch.

    Apple Music/iTunes

    iTunes is officially no more as Apple will be separating iTunes offerings into multiple apps. Books, Podcasts, and Music will all be separate now on the MacOS. When you plug in your iPhone to sync with your Mac, nothing will happen. Your phone will sync in the background. It has become pretty apparent that most folks don’t need software to manage their music collection. Streaming music has taken over and iTunes wasn’t very good at that job. Apple Music is taking over the music service and Podcasts is mainly accessed through the mobile app, not on desktop.

    iTunes has been around since 2001 and while there are those who have become used to the software, most have been aggravated by frequent updates and overuse of computer resources. Apple is likely accurate in thinking the software won’t be missed by very many people.

    Apple Arcade

    Apple is also working their way into the video game streaming world with Apple Arcade, due to release this fall. Apple Arcade will consist of a series of exclusive games made just for their system and will be playable through your phone, tablet, Mac Computer, or Apple T+. They have a controller that you can use with AppleTV but are adding support for Playstation 4 and Xbox One controllers as well. The 100 or so available games are a bit weak looking but they are sure to find some developers who are willing to put out some quality content for Apple before too long. They’re going to have to in order to compete with Google’s Sadia and the new service coming soon from Sony and Microsoft.

    iOS 13

    Probably the most relevant of updates from WWDC has to do the Apple’s latest smartphone operating system, iOS13. The software boasts a new dark mode, faster app launches and downloads, faster Face ID unlock, and a new (to Apple at least) “swipe” style typing system.

    Dark Mode is cool and faster downloads and unlocking features are great but the iOS update doesn’t really have anything going on that is relevant to parents besides their focus on data security. More on that below.

    Photos and Video

    Photos in iOS13 is getting an overhaul as well. With the ability to pinch to zoom in your galleries and a new sorting method that groups photos together based on the date they were taken. Photos will also include a new smart gallery that will remove images like screen shots from your view, only showing the photos you’ve taken with your camera.

    Privacy is a Key Theme

    Every update at this year’s WWDC had privacy as a key theme. Directors and Developers mentioned over and over again what Apple does and doesn’t do with your data. Apple Maps uses encrypted data to help you find your way, the photos app does its date and location tracking locally, and they even mentioned a new “Sign in with Apple” that allows you to sign in with your Face ID and create accounts with individual dummy email addresses.

    Data security and privacy has been in the news a lot lately and Apple has been very vocal about their desire to keep their user’s information secure. Whether it is a direct attack against other tech companies who have made most of their money by collecting and selling data or just an honest desire to maintain their user’s trust, the result should be a bit more confidence that your information is safe if you are using their products. I always advise, however, that you continue to make efforts to protect your own privacy. Be careful what you share online. Turn off location access to apps that don’t require that information to work properly and most importantly, teach this approach to privacy to your children.

    You can listen to this article as a podcast on Family Tech Update.
    You can subscribe on Stitcher, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts using the links below the player.

    Podcast: Play in new window

    Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS

  • Old Town Road Proves How Much Memes are Shaping Our Culture

    Old Town Road Proves How Much Memes are Shaping Our Culture

    Montero Lamar Hill spent days and days in his closet recording music. He would take samples from YouTube and lay his own lyrics over them. Then he would post his songs to the popular music site Soundcloud and start sharing on social media. At 20 years old, Montero didn’t have a job, he was focused solely on his music and hoped that some day his hustle would pay off. In March 2019 one of his songs, a trap beat with some country banjo and silly lyrics, went viral as a Tik Tok meme and less than a month later Old Town Road by Lil NasX was on the Country Music Charts. 

    The song was pulled from the Country charts because it “wasn’t country enough,” but it had garnered some attention from producers in LA and Nashville. Soon, Billy Ray Cyrus got involved and the Old Town Road Remix was born. The duet is now the most popular song in the world and NasX’s life is completely different. Some of the latest stories about NasX include his purchase of a luxury sports car for Billy Ray, and the fact that he’s moving into an extravagant new apartment. You can’t go anywhere without hearing Old Towne Road and everyone from kids to adults, urban to suburban, city to country folk all know the song and most of us like it at least a little bit. All of this was made possible because of social media influencers and the viral nature of short music videos on apps like Tik Tok.

    What Parents Should Know

    This story is interesting from an internet safety standpoint because it highlights the capability of social media and viral media to shape the offline culture. When Tik Tok was Musical.ly, the app allowed you to make short lip sync videos to popular songs. While much of Tik Tok still centers around that model, there are so many influencers making original content and using music or soundtracks from other places that the content on Tik Tok is now becoming a pop chart in itself. Old Town Road  is a great example of how content on social media can get so popular that it becomes main stream based solely on the sheer force of its popularity. The lines between internet fame and mainstream fame are blurring more and more.

    There has always been a gap between the culture kids are living in and the culture that their parents remember and understand. We try to keep our fingers on the pulse of society but often have a hard time keeping up. In some cases this is no big deal. We don’t always need to know what their latest slang phrase means or where that dance move came from. It is, however, important to understand the big picture of how our kids’ culture is shaped and how their influences shape the mainstream society as a whole. Many parents see Tik Tok and other social media apps as little programs that our children use to have fun with their friends or express themselves but we have to curb that attitude and remember that these services are now some of the most influential driving forces in our culture. Old Town Road is a trendy, catchy song that won’t last super long and is fairly family friendly but the next “big thing” could be a politically driven stance against something your family stands for or for something your family stands firmly against.

    The days of social media being mere expression on an island of youth sub culture is over. These viral videos and memes are shaping the culture that we all live in, not just that of our children.

    Listen to this article on the Family Tech Update podcast below:

    Podcast: Play in new window

    Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS

     

  • Is Apple Blocking Parental Control Apps Because they are Competitors to Screen Time?

    Is Apple Blocking Parental Control Apps Because they are Competitors to Screen Time?

    The Story So Far

    It is a long and arduous story, the tale of Apple shutting down parental control apps. Some say it was done to protect Apple’s investment in their own Screen Time app while others believe Apple truly has the wellbeing of their customers at heart. It is hard to look at this story from any one angle alone without making a blanket statement about the opposing side. This is why I have taken a look at all sides and wish to help you, parents, understand what is happening in this strange new war.

    Last fall, after announcing the release of iOS 12 which feature their new controls app “Screen Time,” Apple began to deny certain parental control apps access to the app store. Apparently, citing the fact that Apple doesn’t allow apps to use any method to block other apps (a pretty important feature in a parental control software.) Eleven of the top seventeen parental control app developers such as Mobicip, OurPact (the top Parental Control app in the app store,) and Quistudo were all in communications with Apple for months about their apps being removed and what it would take to get reinstated. Apple’s comments seem to have been centered mostly around the removal of apps and the use of something called MDM or Mobile Device Management. They stand on the fact that MDM allows access to information that should remain private. Developers of the Parental Control apps are saying that Apple said nothing about privacy in any of their communication about getting their apps reinstated. This is causing a bit of concern for developers, media, and parents alike.

    Even more information about MDM in the video and podcast.

    Recently, the New York Times released an article about Apple’s removal of the parental control apps from the app store alluding to the possibility that the move was to eliminate competition for Apple’s Screen Time or even to keep people from using apps that cause them to use the iPhones less often. We are obviously getting a lot of they said/they said back and forth with this story and there is more to come (law suits and such) but here is what I think it all means for parents. 

    What Parents Should Know

    Above all it is important for parents to understand that there is no such thing as the perfect parental control app. The free ones are likely selling your data and the paid apps are usually using some sort of loophole to even work properly. Apple uses a pretty closed approach to their app store, only allowing a very small “sandbox” for developers to work in. This causes many of the parental apps in question to fall short of complete and total control. The MDM allowed for a bit more of that control but without that access, many of these apps are simply useless. I do believe that parental control apps should be held responsible for what they do with the data that they collect. Apple takes data security and privacy very seriously. This is what they have said is at the core of their stance against some of these apps. Apple must protect the privacy of their users, it is a major part of their platform and what sets them apart from their competitors.

    Time Management Dashboard Coming to Instagram and Facebook

    What does this mean for us as parents who want to protect our kids? First of all we have to remain vigilant to keep our kids safe online. Use some sort of network level parental controls. Whether you use Circle or something else that is built in to your router, it is a lot easier to set up filters that block your entire network than to set it up on each device. Also, you can just learn and use the built in parental controls that Apple and Android have created. Screen Time isn’t perfect (as I said, none are) but it is pretty good. Use the resources you have as well as a good, healthy environment of conversation and security to keep your kids using tech properly and discussing it with you regularly.

    Until Apple makes it easier for software developers to access user behavior, any built in parental control options will be bettor for iPhone and iPad users. Screen Time is currently a bit limited but is is a lot better than nothing and will work for most families. The best part is that the stance Apple has taken for privacy will also apply to users who have set up Screen Time. Any account that you have set up for your child will be treated as a child’s account and Apple’s terms state that their data will be treated as such also. Maybe your favorite Parental Control app is a part of this whole drama. If so, hang in there and set up something you can use because this whole story isn’t over. I’ll keep you updated as more happens.

    For even more, listen to the podcast episode below:

    Podcast: Play in new window

    Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS

  • Facebook is Making a Dating Feature while Instagram Works to Curb Bullying

    Facebook is Making a Dating Feature while Instagram Works to Curb Bullying

    Social Media News from Facebook’s F8 Conference

    The F8 Developers Conference is Facebook’s annual event to showcase what they are working on in their numerous social media and messaging platforms. Tuesday’s announcements featured Facebook’s new features to connect people for romance and new friendships. Instagram is looking to stop bullying before it happens.

    Facebook Dating

    The dating feature for Facebook has been tested in several countries including Mexico, Thailand, and Canada. It will be rolled out soon to more countries and finally released in the United States “by the end of this year.” The latest update to Facebook Dating allows you to build a secret crush list. This list of eight people will be saved and compared to the lists of your friends who also use Facebook Dating. If any of your crushes add you to their crush list you will both be notified so you can make a connection.

    I guess, if you’re going to try to make romantic connections on social media it is better to start with people you’re already friends with. Facebook says it will help you with connections based on your groups, likes, and comments on their app. Their goal is to help connect you to people with whom you share interested, thus, increasing the chance of you having a match. They actually said they are not trying to make connections for a one time hook up but to actually help you find someone you’d be interested in having a real relationship with.

    Facebook is also testing features that will recommend new friends based on your interests, location, work, and even what college you went to. Again, being tested in just a few countries, the Meet New Friends feature will allow users to opt-in and then customize their profile to tell the system what interests to prioritize while connecting them with new friends. You can even list what activities you’d like to do with new friends and then be prompted to send a private message to someone and make plans to do that activity.

    What Parents Should Know

    Fewer of our kids use Facebook now but there are those that still spend time on there. Dating and Friend Finding features can be problematic for parents who are concerned about their kids making unwanted connections on social media. My advice is to not allow your child on social media until around the age of 16 (based on their maturity) and even then keep open conversation with them about the kind of people they make friends with online. My rule will be to only allow my friends to communicate online with people they already know really well in real life.

    Instagram Fights Bullying

    While Facebook is trying to connect you with more people, Instagram is working to protect you from the people you’re already connected to. Developers have announced a tool that will nudge users to think twice before posting a negative comment on an Instagram photo. They can choose to ignore the advice and post it anyway, but Instagram is hoping that causing them to give pause will curb some of the negativity that Instagram is becoming known for. There are also tools in development that will allow users to block comments from certain users without blocking their accounts altogether.

    Just in case blocking comments isn’t enough of a break from the negativity, another Instagram feature will let you take a break by going into “away mode.” This is a way to sign off of Instagram for a while, no longer get messages, comments, and notifications or be prompted to post, but still not have to delete your account. Also, in an attempt to make Instagram “less pressurized” they are testing the ability to hide like counts.

    What Parents Should Know

    We have all heard stories of young people deleting or archiving photos because they didn’t get enough likes. We’ve read the horrible news stories about kids who harmed themselves, or worse, as a result of being bullied on Instagram or Snapchat. These efforts by Instagram to curb some of the negativity are a great idea. In my opinion, however, there is no better line of defense that parents. Our job is to create that safe space for our kids to come to when they have a question or concern about social media. We should be the ones determining how old they should be before they sign up for that Instagram profile. We should be who they come to when some stranger reaches out to them on Snapchat. That can’t happen if we aren’t aware or if we are too timid about the time they spend on social media. If we will take our role seriously we can raise kids who are healthy and whole.

    Listen to this post as a podcast below:

    Podcast: Play in new window

    Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS

  • Ten Screen Free Things to Do This Week!

    Ten Screen Free Things to Do This Week!

    Today marks the first day of Screen Free Week 2019. We have become so used to doing everything on our phones, TVs, tablets, and computers that it can be difficult to think of things to do when we unplug. It can especially be difficult for our kids who spend so much time on screens every day. Here are some ideas to help you start thinking of how you’ll spend your time this Screen Free Week. I’m sure that whichever activity you chose to do you’ll be blown away at how good it was for you to be screen free, even if only for a little while.

    1. Read Books

    No, I mean a physical book. With paper and glue and pages and everything. Many of us are spoiled to our audio books and ebooks. We carry around a library of hundreds of volumes and read whichever we want, whenever we want. This Screen Free Week, why not forget about the books in your digital library and take a look at some of the adventures you have on your actual bookshelf. You’ll be amazed at how cathartic it can be to just turn a real page instead of swiping to the next set of pixels that make up the story.

    2. Share a Screen Free Meal

    Having a meal with friends and family can be a great way to reconnect and charge up that need for social interaction. Food brings people together. Unfortunately, our phones can often get in the way of this beneficial time. Celebrate Screen Free Week by choosing to keep your phones away from the table during meals together. Look each other in the eye, have conversations, and share the time with your friends and family.

    3. Play Board Games

    You can pull out the old classics like Monopoly and Life or maybe sit down to a newer hit like Settlers of Cataan, Forbidden Island, or Dice Forge. Whatever board games you choose, you and your family and friends can enjoy screen free entertainment. Personally, I look forward to Dungeons and Dragons every week when I sit down with some guy friends, eat snacks, roll dice, and tell a story together. A story filled with imagination, humor, and adventure. Don’t underestimate the power of time around a table playing a game.

    4. Play Outside

    Trade in Screen Time for some Green Time! Get outside and get moving. Play a sport, run a race, skip, hop, jump, run, anything you can think of outside will be so good for you. Your body will thank you for the exercise and your brain will thank you for the release.

    5. Go for a Hike

    Screen Free Week is a wonderful time to get out and experience the beauty nature has to offer. You’re bound to have a hiking trail just a short drive from your home. Maybe it is just through a park in the city but it will be great to slow down, walk through nature, and stop and look at what the beauty all around you. Bend down and look at those leaves or that insect working away. Feed some ducks or squirrels. You’ll be amazed at how wonderful life is beyond the six inch space in front of your eyes that your phone often tends to occupy.

    6. Act Out Your Own Play

    We love to be entertained. Netflix, Youtube, Hulu, and Amazon Prime make their money off of our desire to escape reality by enjoying a movie or series. Take this week without screens to create your own entertainment. Play an improve game or charades to get your imagination moving. Get some friends together and act out some of your favorite scenes from the movies and shows that you love. How fun will it be to play the characters you love and laugh with your friends as you channel that inner child.

    7. Play a Musical Instrument

    How long has it been since you’ve picked up that guitar in the corner of your room? How long has that violin been sitting in its case, untouched? Without the distractions of y0ur screens this week you can take some time to play that instrument you’ve been neglecting. Maybe you aren’t a musician. Why not try something new? Borrow an instrument from a friend or just bang out a beat on your knees with some pencils. Make some music this Screen Free Week!

    8. Write in a Journal

    Social Media is often the place where we share our deepest feelings. Many of us look for validation by posting what we think about this thing or that. Since you’re avoiding screens more this week, start practicing a new train of thought. When you have an opinion you think would make a good Tweet or status update, write it down in a journal instead. Write down your deepest thoughts on all of the topics you usually post about publicly. You may find that journaling gives you the same cathartic feeling without the drama of other people’s comments and debate.

    9. Do an Art Project

    Our screens train us to consume consume consume. Why not take this break from consuming so much media as a chance to do some creating. I have a weekly goal to create more than I consume. I ask myself every day what I’ve created that I can be proud of. Often my creations are videos, blog posts, and podcasts but I can look back and say I created something instead of just consuming all day long. Give yourself a chance this week to be more creative. Make something awesome. Do some art. Maybe sidewalk chalk, or a craft project, perhaps you can knit or crochet. Do something creative that you can look back on at the end of the week and actually see the product of your time. It is so very rewarding.

    10. Plant a Garden

    Again, Screen Free Week is a great time to get outside. The spring weather is just waiting to be enjoyed. This early in the spring, it is also a great time to plant a garden. Go get some flowers and plants and set yourself up a nice patch of nature. Your kids will love helping and digging around in the dirt and your whole family will love seeing the plants come to life as the spring and summer progress.

    Beyond Screen Free Week

    There are lots of things you can do without your screen. If you are like me, Screen Free Week is a great reminder to adjust my priorities. Hopefully this Screen Free Week, you can remember the importance of time in which you intentionally unplug and spend time with those you love. Use tools like Screen Time to monitor that amount of time you spend using your devices. It is amazing what good just being aware of your screen time can do for you. Have a happy happy Screen Free Week.

    For 101 more Screen Free Week ideas visit ScreenFree.org!

    Listen to this post as a podcast below:

    Podcast: Play in new window

    Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS

  • Memes: A Parent’s Guide

    Memes: A Parent’s Guide

    The term Meme was coined by Richard Dawkins in his book “The Selfish Gene.” It was simply defined as any form of media that was passed from person to person until it reached a massive level of popularity. Nowadays we would call that going viral. It is difficult to put your finger on a single meme as the first one or even to identify how some of today’s most popular memes got their start. In this article we’ll look at the history of memes, how we got to where we are, and what it parents need to know about Memes. Keep in mind that you can see some Meme examples in the video above.

    History of the Meme

    It didn’t take long once the internet was available to most people for Memes to become a major part of how people spent their time online. In 1991 we saw such memes as the dancing baby, motivational posters, and the hamster dance being passed along in emails and forums. These images, videos and gifs were passed from person to person and inbox to inbox, shooting this silly content to Meme stardom.

    Then came the 2000s, some would say this was the golden age for memes due to the rise of YouTube, Social Media, and Viral Videos. This took us from sharing content within a limited access forum or the contact list in our email to sharing them on our public social media page to be re-shared over and over again to thousands or millions of people. This period is where we were blessed with the rick roll, Chuck Norris jokes, turn down for what, cat videos, and Vine videos.

    We are currently living in the age of the modern Meme. Most originating on Reddit before they become popular on other social media sites, Memes are going mainstream in television, radio, politics, and marketing. Memes are used to promote idealogical ideals. Memes like the Harambee meme are an outlet for those who are bothered by certain things in society to express their belief or concern. Politicians even capitalize on the popularity of their own Memes, sharing them on their social media accounts to gain recognition and strengthen support.

    The Dank Meme

    Dank usually means dark, damp, and gross. When it comes to Memes, dank is a positive term. A dank Meme is usually one that can be used and reused with different other Memes added. Sometimes popular sound clips or songs from a Meme will make its way through a whole bunch of different videos. Something like the “oof” of a dying Roblox character being dubbed over videos of people falling or otherwise hurting themselves. This is what a dank meme usually is.

    The Memes you see gain popularity on your social media account. That Condescending Willy Wonka image with someone’s sarcastic comment typed onto it is a dank meme, having been reimagined several times, thus gaining more popularity.

    What Parents Should Know

    Memes are an easy way to express yourself. It can be a fun way for kids to have a laugh or share what they think about certain issues. My problem with some Memes is that they tend to simplify complex concepts. Something as complicated as political beliefs are packaged as Memes and expressed in a shallow, unhelpful way. The Meme is a limited genre, only allowing so much space for sharing what you think. This can cause confusion and can ultimately be polarizing.

    Memes also have a tendency to take us in a circle of reasoning. We share more Memes that we think are funny because of the statement they are making and this tells the algorithm of the social media account we use that we want to see more Memes like this. We then are simply only fed a steady diet of the same thoughts, repackaged as dank Memes and our view is never questioned or challenged in a way that can be healthy and help shape who we are.

    Finally, we have to be careful because Memes can often be very adult oriented. Memes are an expression that has been limited to those who understand them. When we start into the Meme rabbit hole, whether it’s on Reddit or Youtube, we can tend to find ourselves getting to some strange and even dark places. I am not squeamish and there are a lot of Memes that I’m a fan of and I share regularly when I see them repackaged in a way I find humorous. I did, however, get into some content while researching this article that just made me feel stupider for seeing it. See what I go through to help you out?

    Thanks for reading. Share this article with a friend who needs to know what a Dank Meme is.

    You can listen to this post as a Podcast below:

    Podcast: Play in new window

    Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS

  • Roblox Has Hit 90 Million Users

    Roblox Has Hit 90 Million Users

    That little game your kids like to play, Roblox, has hit 90 million users as of this week. The company is worth more than 2 billion dollars and has expanded globally to add more than twenty million users over the past six months. Roblox is a gaming “platform” more than a game, giving users the ability to create their own levels and share them with others who play the game. When you log in to Roblox you see a list of user-generated levels that you can play. You join with other users and try out the different games which include combat, stealth, mazes, puzzles, and sometimes just overall silliness. Some of the user built levels are just places to hang out and meet new people.

    Roblox has been considered social gaming from the beginning. The entire platform is designed around allowing users to share their content within the game. This requires you to meet new people and possibly even chat with them in order to fully enjoy the game. When you first log in you see multiple games listed that you can choose from. Most of the starting games are curated by the developers but once you start meeting new people you can be invited to their creations and who knows where you’ll end up at that point. This is the concern for many parents when it comes to Roblox.

    Musical.ly is now Tik Tok

    What Parents Should Know

    I played a bit of Roblox recently and could definitely see the appeal. The user made levels are pretty neat and very elaborate. I played a silly banana game, tried a “Wipeout” style obstacle course, and played around in a world of puzzles. Really there is no limit to the amount of fun you can have in the app, the only guideline is imagination. This is a great thing for kids as long as the community rules are followed in the way they are supposed to be.

    There are parental controls available and their password protected but they could hinder some of the options in the game. It is intended to be played in a public and sharable social setting. There have been instances when people have abused some of the settings in the app to perform inappropriate behavior in the game. This will always be a possibility when a game is meant to be so extensively social. There is also no age verification which means you can claim to be whatever age you want when you create your account. I created a 13-year-old girl, just to prove the point.

    Roblox is on my uninstall list because of the social nature of the game. There aren’t really any alternatives that work exactly like Roblox but there are games that will let you craft and build and get creative while staying offline. Games like Toca Builders (Android/iOS)can give you the building features while Toca Life World (Android/iOS) is a game made for older kids that gives a safer environment to explore and play in a world they create on their own. With 90 million users, Roblox has a lot of people creating games and communicating with the kids that are playing. Being careful that your kids can’t just talk to random strangers online is one of the most important things we can do to protect them.

    Listen to this article as a podcast below:

    Podcast: Play in new window

    Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS

  • Snapchat’s Social Gaming = More Time on Social Media

    Snapchat’s Social Gaming = More Time on Social Media

    It has barely been a year since Snapchat joined Facebook in a movement to help people better manage the amount of time they spend in the social networking apps they develop. Snapchat added the ability to silence notifications from certain conversation and redesigned their app to be more about time with your friends and less about time in the app. Yesterday, however, CED Evan Spiegel announced their new focus on Social Gaming and several new original video series citing a new way to keep young people in their app even longer. 

    The games featured you and your friends’ Bitmojis. In them you play silly games that include pool toy fights, field goal kicking, and keeping your Bitmoji atop a spinning record as your friend DJs for you. In the announcement Spiegel says “On Snapchat, you’re free to be you, with your real friends. As we use the internet more and more in our daily lives, we need a way to make it a bit more human.” Apparently the idea is that as social beings, we need to hang out and since we are all spending so much time on our smartphones, Snapchat wants to be the place your kids hang out in.

    Facebook and Snapchat Join the “Time Well Spent” Movement

     

    What Parents Should Know

    I have said it several times before, we can’t blame tech companies for wanting people to spend time on their software, that’s how they make their money. Quotes from this announcement boast of a place that people can be themselves, obviously what they truly are creating is a place where we can spend more time, see more ads, and make Snapchat and its shareholders more money. No matter what social media companies say about time well spent, privacy, or security they are protecting their bottom line. They have shareholders that they must impress with the numbers so that’s what shapes their decisions. Knowing this helps us remember that the responsibility for healthy tech use falls to users, and our kids’ tech health is the responsibility of parents.

    Talk to your kids about the amount of time they spend on social media. Don’t allow them on social media that is rated higher than their age. Teach them not to expose sensitive information like their phone number or the name of their school on these apps. Finally, use some sort of filter or time management software to help you enforce your standards. Parents are the first line of defense against the dangers of unlimited and unmonitored internet use. We have to take on that responsibility because nobody else truly will.

    You can listen to this post as a podcast episode below.

    Podcast: Play in new window

    Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS