Category: Tech Support - Kletke Tech Resources

Allconnect: What is TikTok and is it Safe for You or Your Kids to Use?

3/24/2020

Allconnect: What is TikTok and is it Safe for You or Your Kids to Use?

TikTok may seem new on the scene, but an older version of the media app called Musical.ly was actually launched in 2014 in the U.S. After an acquisition by the Beijing-based media and tech company, ByteDance, Musical.ly merged with a similar Chinese app called TikTok in 2017.

At first glance, TikTok looks a lot like the late app Vine, with more emphasis on amateur music videos. But ByteDance says the platform “extends beyond music to comedy, performance art and more.”

TikTok is free to download and allows users to view videos from others as well as create their own to share. Like YouTube, the app has spawned a large library of content for users to interact with (via likes and comments) and has even produced a few of its own internet celebrities.

Note: The above comes directly from their website. Click here to read more.

Connect Safely: TikTok to Give Parents More Control Over Teen’s Account

3/12/2020

Connect Safely: TikTok to Give Parents More Control Over Teen’s Account

TikTok, which is available to users over 13, is enormously popular among teens around the world, including in the United States. On Wednesday, Cormac Keenan, head of Trust and Safety for Europe, Middle East and Africa, announced some new parental controls which will also roll out to U.S. users.
The new feature is called Family Safety Mode and it includes: ...

Note: The above comes directly from their website. Click here to read more!

Review Geek: 5 Cheap Ways to Back up Your Precious Data

3/10/2020

Review Geek: 5 Cheap Ways to Back up Your Precious Data

Computers like to break down when it’s least convenient. And, when that happens, you may lose all of your precious family photos, personal documents, or legally downloaded movies. That is, unless you back up your files first.
In the past, backing up your files meant buying an an expensive hard drive or a mess of overpriced USB sticks. But now, there are a ton of cheap and easy ways to keep your files safe, even if you’ve built up terabytes worth of data. Here are five of our favorite affordable backup methods.

Note: The above comes directly from their website. Click here to read more.

Allconnect: Keep Your Kids Safe Online: All You Need to Know About Internet Safety at School and Home

3/10/2020

Allconnect: Keep Your Kids Safe Online: All You Need to Know About Internet Safety at School and Home

As part of the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), many states have laws in place for filtering internet content in public schools and libraries.

Most internet service providers include parental controls with their plans to help keep kids safe online, but they don’t offer the same settings. Have conversations about internet safety with your kids, and make a list of the parental controls you need. This will give you an idea of what to look for when researching internet service providers.

Note: The above comes directly from their website. Click here to read more.

Connect Safely: Tips for Dealing with Teen Sexting

3/11/2019

Connect Safely:
Tips for Dealing with Teen Sexting

“Sexting” usually refers to the sharing of nude or semi-nude and sexually provocative photos via mobile phones, but it can happen on other devices and the Web too. First of all, research shows most teens don’t “sext.” And most of those who do experience no negative consequences. But for teens who do sext, there are both psychological and legal risks, especially if coercion is involved and the images wind up being distributed beyond their intended audience. Sexting is certainly not just a teen issue, but these tips are specifically for teens and parents of teens.

Note: The above comes directly from their website. Click here to read more.

How to Geek: Common Smart Home Myths

2/4/2019

Common Smart Home Myths

Smarthome technology has come a long way. It still isn’t for everyone, but some of the common myths people use to avoid smarthome tech aren’t true. Smarthomes don’t have to be expensive, and they aren’t always listening to you, for example.

Note: The above comes directly from their website. Click here to read more!

5 Creative Uses for Smart Plugs

2/1/2019

5 Creative Uses for Smart Plugs

One of the best values in all of the smart home technology available is the handy smart plug. They’re cheap, but they can do a lot. Here are a handful of creative uses if you find yourself pondering the implications.

First off, if you just bought a smart plug and aren’t quite sure how to set it up and get going, we have some guides on a few different models—like Eufy, ConnectSense, and Belkin—but for the most part, the process is similar on many other models. And if you haven’t bought one yet and are still deciding, maybe this will help.

With all that said, here are some cool and fun uses for smart plugs that might prove useful to you.

Note: The above comes directly from their website. Click here to read the full article.

Parental Guides to Cell Phones

1/24/2019

Parental Guides to Cell Phones

There has been much written and distributed regarding "If," "When," and "Should" children be given Cell/Smart phones. AND all agree, there are no hard and fast rules.

“Wireless empowers kids to be able to learn, engage and communicate with their teachers, classmates and friends. At the same time, it’s important for parents to talk with their kids about responsible use, as well as the family rules and consequences if those rules are broken. By setting these expectations, parents will help their kids enjoy the benefits of wireless technology.” said Jamie Hastings, Vice President, External and State Affairs for CTIA."

I have a small collection of very good resources regarding this topic. It is time to begin your family's technology plan regarding Mobile devices. Click on the links below to begin your process!

Good Shepherd Church - Charlotte, NC
Parent's Guide to Giving the First Cell Phone

AT&T
A Parents' Guide to Mobile Phones

Today's Parent
An Age by Age Guide to Kids and Smart Phones

Today's Parent
The Technology Trap: Should You Give Your Kid a Smart Phone?

Will Credit Monitoring PROTECT You?

12/20/2018

Will Credit Monitoring PROTECT You?

After a major data breach, it’s hard to know whether your information has been compromised and how to protect yourself afterward. Businesses have cropped up that offer credit monitoring services—peace of mind for a price. But should you pay for them, or even sign up for a free trial?

Credit monitoring services, like LifeLock or Identity Guard, offer a range of monitoring “plans” that run from $10 to $30 a month. While these different plans come with different perks, they all do one basic thing—routinely check your credit reports and alert you when there’s suspicious activity. That’s right; credit monitoring services don’t prevent your identity from being stolen, they just let you know when it’s been stolen.

The above comes directly from their website. Click here to read more!

FOSI: Seven Steps to Good Digital Parenting

12/19/2018

FOSI: Seven Steps to Good Digital Parenting

Download our handy tool to access the links included in the Seven Steps. These additional resources provide more in-depth advice to support you as you manage tech use in your home.

The above information comes directly from their website. Click here to read more!