31Jul 2026 by nrcmmc
Top apps of 2026

Top apps of 2026

Apps, Cell Phones, Guidelines
Wonder what your teen has been looking at on their phone lately? He/she could be checking out one of these top apps that are getting attention so far this year. Top trending apps in 2026 are no surprise and not unknown to any parent no matter what generation you hail from, we’ve all heard them mentioned even if we don’t use them ourselves. YouTube: not surprisingly, topping the list as the most used app among teens yet. From videos for entertainment to education, a wide array of topics are covered in the long and ‘shorts’ form. TikTok: while YouTube may be the most used app, TikTok is the app stealing the most time from teens today. The endless scroll and constant entertaining video stream is tough to break away from,…
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15Jan 2026 by Martin Van't Foort
Roblox

Roblox

Apps, Cell Phones, Devices, Gaming, Hazards
”Allowing your child to have screen time is the norm in today’s age. Letting them play an online game that appears to be geared toward children may seem safe. Allowing a game where players interact with each other while sharing unique experiences seems innocent enough, right? But what if some of the other players they were chatting with were Satanic cult members?Roblox was specifically mentioned in the “grooming handbook” of the Satanic cult, called 764, as a place to find underage victims. The 20,000-30,000 members of this cult use sextortion to get what they want from their victims. They gain the children’s trust by “innocently” chatting while playing Roblox, eventually getting them to share explicit photos, and then threaten to share those photos if the children don’t do what the…
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16Sep 2025 by nrcmmc
Distracted Parenting

Distracted Parenting

Cell Phones, Devices
The Impact of Distracted Parenting: How Cell Phones Affect Our Relationship with Children In today’s fast-paced world, it’s hard to imagine a time when cell phones didn’t dominate our daily lives. While these devices have brought about countless conveniences, they’ve also introduced significant challenges, particularly for parents. The phenomenon of “distracted parenting”  where caregivers prioritize digital interactions over face-to-face engagement has become a growing concern. The Rise of Distraction: Cell Phones and Parenting The arrival of smartphones brought a new wave of connectivity and entertainment. While they offer many benefits; their widespread use has led to an increasing phenomenon: distracted parenting. Whether scrolling through social media, responding to work emails, or playing games; many parents today find themselves regularly distracted by their phones, often during critical moments of family time.…
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07Apr 2025 by Martin Van't Foort
Topic: Accountability – what and why?  Different ways to hold oneself accountable with modern media usage

Topic: Accountability – what and why?  Different ways to hold oneself accountable with modern media usage

Cell Phones, Devices, Filters, Guidelines, Resources
For the five years since they had been married, T & R both worked full time jobs. Each enjoyed their job; their work ethic helped them both to excel in their company. They normally spent their evenings doing things together or with friends. They stayed busy enough with their house, jobs, and social life that each one’s use of their phones stayed limited. Even when they were on their phones, they were together, and one would tease the other to ‘be present’ or ‘tell your boy/girlfriend you’re with your wife/husband right now’. There was an understanding between them that they weren’t perfect with it, but together they could hold each other accountable on their devices. It was a system that worked well - openness and honesty with their phone usage…
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14Oct 2024 by nrcmmc
Hidden Dangers of Spotify: A Caution for Parents

Hidden Dangers of Spotify: A Caution for Parents

Apps, Cell Phones, Devices, Hazards
Music streaming platforms like Spotify have millions of tracks at your fingertip, offering a convenience that’s hard to resist, especially to teens. We know many teens and families use these music platforms, but we would suggest with the little 'profitable' material to be obtained that we stay away from them as much as possible.  However, as parents, it's important to recognize the potential dangers Spotify might pose to teens and adults. Here are several to consider: 1. Explicit Content One of the most significant dangers on Spotify is the sheer volume of explicit content. Spotify does offer a “clean” version for younger listeners. Many songs feature explicit language, themes of violence, drug use, and sexual content. Spotify does label songs as “explicit,” but it is easy to bypass this.   Here…
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06Sep 2023 by Martin Van't Foort
The Great Smartphone Debate

The Great Smartphone Debate

Cell Phones
When is it a good time to let your child have a smartphone? When do you know if your child is ready? What are good rules to enforce? Is it a want or a need? https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/the-great-smartphone-debate/ 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.
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05Dec 2022 by nrcmmc
Technology Addiction

Technology Addiction

Cell Phones, Devices, Hazards
Click here--> Technology Addiction | First NRC Modern Media Committee *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.
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12Sep 2022 by Martin Van't Foort
Bark App Review 

Bark App Review 

Apps, Cell Phones, Devices, Filters, Hazards
Get details about your child’s digital activities. Bark is able to monitor content 24/7, limit access to inappropriate and distracting material, set healthy boundaries with custom screen time limits and location updates.  Learn more about this filter by clicking on this link:   https://www.safewise.com/blog/bark-parental-control-app-review/ *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.
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