What’s New? – Page 4 – Siouxland Modern Media Committee

07Sep 2021 by Sandra Post

Gabb Watch

Devices

"Gabb Wireless now has a smartwatch that is safe for kids! No Internet or app store."Looking for a safe "phone" for your kids to use that allows for communication with parents, a GPS tracker, step counter, and more? This interactive stand-alone watch acts like a cell phone and GPS device. Learn more about the new Gabb watch here.*Please note, that although we have found valuable information from an external web page for our blog post, we do not endorse all information, religious views and opinions posted on these third-party websites.

02Aug 2021 by Martin Van't Foort

RobinHood

Apps, Cell Phones

Robinhood is an app designed for the average person to invest money in stocks, funds, options, and cryptocurrency. They attract users by giving them one free stock when they join and by allowing them to trade commission-free. The app requires users to be at least 18 years old, however, kids younger than 18 could set up an account if they know certain information about their parents, such as their social security number and ID number. It is a choice to invest in the stock market, either personally or through an advisor or broker; however, by doing it personally, it can become addicting and consume a lot of family time. Buying and selling stocks is simple on Robinhood. You can buy stocks for any publicly traded company, such as Apple and…

14Jul 2021 by Sandra Post

Premier Communications Filtering Option

Filters, Guidelines

Did you know that Premier Communications now offers filtered internet? You can control your WiFi from the palm of your hand using the new PremierHQ App! Take a tour of the new PremierHQ App here.Click here to visit Premier Communications and learn more.* The PremierHQ app is only available for customers who lease a GigaCenter or GigaSpire router from Premier Communications.** Enhanced Parental Control subscription only available with lease of a GigaSpire model router.*Please note, that although we have found valuable information from an external web page for our blog post, we do not endorse all information, religious views and opinions posted on these third-party websites.

13Jul 2021 by Martin Van't Foort

The Evolution of Gaming

Gaming, Guidelines, Hazards

It all started out as kids playing with stones → board/card games → then to video/computer games → consoles/mobile games. Some of the benefits of gaming are: strengthens relationships, reduces stress, encourages laughterincreases brain function and sharpens our mindsteaches patience and how to set goalsenhances creativity and self confidence One of the most amazing benefits of playing board games is that it pulls people out of the digital world. Board games engage us in activities that do not involve staring at a screen. What does “gaming” mean today? It refers to playing electronic games on a screen as regular gameplay or possibly a hobby. A person who is into gaming is often called a gamer. 65% of American adults play video games with 60% playing at least once a day. …

07Jun 2021 by Sandra Post

Modern Media Guidelines

Cell Phones, Filters, Guidelines, Resources

Modern Media Guidelines: Technology isn’t inherently evil; it’s more about how we choose to use it. We need to teach our adults & children how to safely use technology. With technology, we are required to give Biblical guidelines and safe boundaries that create long-term values. Filter & Accountability Utilize parental controls/restrictions/monitoring on each device (computer, phone, tablet). Add a filter on the internet signal coming into your house (router). In your home, keep the computers in a public place. For portable devices, set boundaries about where in the home they may be used. Simple & frequent checks on your own & your families’ devices, email accounts, and social media accounts could keep us from inappropriate interactions. Time & Age limits We recommend not giving smart phones or other portable devices with…

03May 2021 by Sandra Post

Gryphon the Great?

Resources, Reviews

Are you looking for a new router? Are you wondering about better internet security options? Are the needs of your family’s device usage increasing or not currently being met? If any of those describe where you are currently, take a look at the Gryphon Router to see if it meets your needs. What is the Gryphon Secure Mesh System Router? A highly innovative system with a focus on parental controls, advanced security features and the ability to control a generous area of your home for an arguably affordable price tag. What does ‘MESH SYSTEM’ mean? A mesh router WiFi system consists of a main router that connects directly to your modem, and a series of satellite modules, or nodes, placed around your house for full WiFi coverage. (Source) Here’s what…

07Apr 2021 by Sandra Post

Hope after Porn in our Marriage

Pornography, Resources

A personal testimony submitted by an NRC memberShortly after we were married, I discovered porn on the computer that shattered my world. The adrenaline kicked in, I started shaking in disbelief and anger; then I was left feeling alone and trapped in a relationship that I had not signed up for. Maybe we should use an internet filter, but, I reasoned, he didn’t really need a filter, he said he was sorry and wouldn’t do it again. But, as addictions do, it kept resurfacing, and there was an unspoken tension about how to approach this issue in our marriage. He certainly wasn’t taking initiative to install a filter on his phone and I didn’t know how far to push. We were also overwhelmed by the different options out there and how…

05Apr 2021 by Sandra Post

Open DNS

Filters, Guidelines

Inside your home, your internet network is accessed via a device called a “router”. The router connects to your internet service provider and, either wirelessly or by ethernet cables, connects all the devices in your home to the internet.Most home networks rarely have one single type of device connecting to it. Usually, there’s a blend of Windows, Android, iOS, and maybe even Macs. How do you keep all these devices connected while keeping younger users out of trouble? The easiest and most fool-proof way to filter the internet content coming into your home is by modifying your router settings. There’s no technological substitute for proper adult supervision, but a free service called OpenDNS Family Shield makes it easy for parents to block adult content with one simple tweak.Following are two…

04Mar 2021 by Sandra Post

Sensual Addictions

Events, Hazards, Pornography, Resources

On Parent's Day, Rev. Witvoet spoke about Sensual Addictions: Smoother than Oil, Bitter as Wormwood. This is an informative topic for older children and adults to help us understand how addiction works and the dangers of pornography. You can listen to the topic here. If you are looking for help regarding addiction, resources can be found here.

01Mar 2021 by nrcmmc

Reeling in Reels

Apps, Filters, Hazards

Has the app TikTok appeared on your kids’ phone? Have you heard of TikTok on the news? Did you happen to read our previous article on TikTok? (click to read) Are you aware of the controversy over the app and it’s creators? Even if you were aware of all this, the piece of information you may not have connected yet is that Instagram’s feature ‘REELS’ is a spin-off of the popular video platform. When TikTok was going through its legal battles, Instagram saw it as an opportunity to create another feature to give its users something ‘to do’ on their app, which in turn promotes Instagram’s virtual popularity. The following article from The Verge provides more information. https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/5/21354117/instagram-reels-tiktok-vine-short-videos-stories-explore-music-effects-filters Not all Reels are created equal, and that is the problem. Many…