What parents can actually control on a school-issued laptop, and the five questions that get you real answers from your district. TL;DR The comment that...
Category - Kids’ First Phone & Devices
What age should a kid get a phone? Comparisons of kid-safe smartphones like Troomi, Gabb, Pinwheel and Bark Phone, smartphone alternatives, first laptops, and how to set your child up for success with their first device.
Last updated: July 2026. Written for US families heading into the 2026 to 2027 school year. Picture the first day of school. Your kid walks in, and their phone...
The short answer: Choose Troomi if you want a phone that grows with your kid, from calls and texts with approved contacts only, all the way up to a filtered...
One of the most common questions I get asked is, “What is the right age to get my kid a phone?” My answer is always something parents really don’t want to hear...
With AI advancement, constant overstimulation, and tech addiction, it often feels like we are hurtling toward an overly tech-based world. We now have devices...
“Kids Safe” Smartphones have now been popping up more and more. As I mentioned previously, I’ve been down this road a couple of times with...
Discussion with Bill Brady about kids smartphone use, and how to help keep them safe. Also a little bit about Troomi, a kids safe smart phone, specifically...
Today I kick off a new series in my podcast called Family Tech Live. These are live interviews with the people making technology happen. The interviews are...
This post is sponsored by TextNow, all thoughts and opinions are my own. I remember when I was a kid, I could just wander the neighborhood and ask people if...
Parents are actively searching for cheap phones for kids right now. Tis the season and all, right? Many kids have only one thing on their Christmas list this...
Many parents are not quite ready to give their teen a smartphone. What if I told you, there are ways to make smartphones dumb?? Find out how!
Not ready to get your child a smartphone? Here are some great alternatives to help you keep in touch with your kids when they are away!
Meet Sarah
Hi, I'm Sarah Kimmel!
Family tech expert, digital parenting coach and host of the Oh My Tech podcast, with 25+ years in IT. I help families go from tech chaos to tech confidence.