No-tech zone: A friend did this with her kids and it’s so smart. She made a couple of special areas around their house “tech-free spots.” The family room couches and kitchen table are both no-tech zones. Beware: It only works if adults follow the rules, too.
Google is banning this popular type of app from the Play Store
Tons of apps are available for Android devices, spanning various categories from games and daily planners to smart home apps. You might even run into some spoofed apps created by hackers.
Most app categories have specific purposes in mind. For example, did you know there is a category dedicated to comics? There is also a section for casino games, and there are nearly 5,000 apps in the parenting category.
For the most part, those categories seem harmless. But read on to find out why Google is taking steps to remove all the apps from one category altogether.
Here’s the backstory
There are plenty of apps in the Google Play Store that are questionable. Where possible, Google works quickly to rid the app store of malicious apps before doing any serious damage.
But it gets tricky when app developers bend the legalities and functions of internal Android processes. While it was never meant for developers to use it in such a way, Google’s Accessibility API can be tweaked to allow apps to record audio calls.
The prevalence of these apps spawned a sub-category called Call-Recording apps. An update to how Google’s Accessibility API works will eradicate the Play Store of all these secret recording applications.
According to a Developer Program Policy from earlier this month, Google listed several policy changes taking effect later this year. For example, for the Accessibility API, Google outlines that it “is not designed and cannot be requested for remote call audio recording.”
There is a caveat, as call recording can only be offered through the Android phone dialer. Essentially, that means only Google and Android phone makers can enable the recording function, and any third-party app that does so violates Google’s developer policy.
What you can do about it
There might be legitimate scenarios where you want to record a phone call. For example, dialing into a work meeting or the call contains important information if you talk to a lawyer. But in some states, it is illegal to record someone (whether it is voice or video) without their knowledge.
Your state could have a two-party consent system depending on where you live. That means both parties on the call must be aware that it is being recorded and consent to it. If not, like in Florida, the person recording the call could be criminally charged for unlawfully recording.
Check your kid's phone for these apps and remove them NOW
Most parents have to answer this frightening question, eventually. “When is it time to get my kids their own smartphone?”
Their fears are justified because so many things can go wrong when technology and the internet are involved. One example is how tech affects a child’s development. Tap or click here to see how too much screen time changes the way kids’ brains develop.
Out of control: A family is suing Character AI after its chatbot encouraged their autistic teen to hurt himself and told him murdering his parents was a “reasonable response” to their limiting his online activity. It’s the same app that led a 14-year-old to suicide. Parents, keep tabs on your kids’ AI usage. You have to be ahead of what they’re doing.
Set up parental controls on all your kid's devices: Windows, Apple, Android
Put simply, parenting isn’t easy. And it can be tough to keep up with the long list of responsibilities, like keeping your kids safe, promoting safe hygiene practices and as an added bonus during the coronavirus pandemic, being their teacher at home.
How to set up parental controls on your Windows computer
Parenting in the 21st century is more difficult than in the past. We used to just worry about what our kids were up to when they left the house to hang out with friends.
These days we also need to worry about what they are up to in the digital world. There are tons of threats facing kids online that you need to protect them from. Tap or click here for 5 ways to protect your kids online, from remote monitoring to limiting messaging apps.
Heartbreaking: The parents of Ashley Scott, a 14-year-old cheerleader who died by suicide, believe Ashley and other girls were cyberbullied and tormented during school hours. Such a sad story. Parents, talk to your kids about this. You never know what pain they’re hiding. Remind them they’re never alone.
“People are not ready”: We have a whole generation of iPad kids, and now, an ex-Google CEO is warning about AI kids. Eric Schmidt says your child’s future bestie could be a bot. He also said “normal people” don’t get AI. Good point, but that’s why you have me! If you’re wondering about AI, I can help.
Stupid celebrity stuff: Sofia Richie, model and daughter of music legend Lionel Richie, spilled on a podcast her five-month-old daughter, Eloise, has her own smartphone and is a sassy texter. Mom and caregivers obviously do the texting for Eloise. One question: Why don’t they put the phone down, talk to the baby and enjoy the moment?
Parenting hack: Ever tried calming a baby in the car? A California dad took a close-up photo of Mom’s face, turned it into a large cutout and slapped it on the back seat. Now, the little one giggles at her favorite person from the backseat. Adorable video here.