Group texts are the new cliques for teens and tweens

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Welcome to Small Humans, an ongoing series at Mashable that looks at how to take care of – and deal with – the kids in your life. Because Dr. Spock is nice and all, but it’s 2018 and we have the entire internet to contend with.


Your kids aren’t allowed to use Snapchat, you monitor their Insta DMs (and their finsta), and they’ve held off on a Facebook account for now. But there’s another option that has many of the same problematic dynamics as the services above and no barrier to entry. In fact, you probably make your kids use it all the time: the group text.

Group texts are the 21st century version of congregating in front of a middle school locker. Kids carry this communication in their pocket and into their homes. At their best, group texts offer a sense of community and acceptance, enhancing social connections and forging friendships. At their worst, they provide one more avenue for drama, exclusion and some downright nasty comments.  Read more…

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10 podcasts for budding audiophiles and their parents

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Welcome to Small Humans, an ongoing series at Mashable that looks at how to take care of – and deal with – the kids in your life. Because Dr. Spock is nice and all, but it’s 2018 and we have the entire internet to contend with.


Podcasts have been ascendant lately, but you may not want to stream Serial or Dear John during family dinner prep. For Friends of the Pod who are also parents, we’ve got some good news: Your kids haven’t been left out.

Whether you’re looking to reduce the insatiable desire for screen time, get a quiet car on long journeys, or simply want to introduce a different kind of media, podcasts are a great tool to have in your parenting bag of tricks.  Read more…

More about Family And Parenting, Podcasts, Small Humans, Tech, and Kids

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Apple’s new ‘Families’ website helps parents curb their kids’ tech addictions

Apple’s iPhone, iPad, Mac, and various other devices all come with limited parental controls that can be used to restrict usage and features for kids. But honestly, who really knows how to use them when they’re buried within the ever-confusing Settin…

View More Apple’s new ‘Families’ website helps parents curb their kids’ tech addictions

Apple’s new ‘Families’ website helps parents curb their kids’ tech addictions

Apple’s iPhone, iPad, Mac, and various other devices all come with limited parental controls that can be used to restrict usage and features for kids. But honestly, who really knows how to use them when they’re buried within the ever-confusing Settin…

View More Apple’s new ‘Families’ website helps parents curb their kids’ tech addictions