Tech on their list? Read this first.

In the midst of Black Friday chaos, (which feels like it's been going on for a month now) we wanted to share a reminder that your kids won't care how many gifts they have if their parent is stressed out. The holidays are only fun if you’re having fun alongside them. They want a present parent, not one that’s been stretched too thin. These kids grow up and they don’t remember much, they just remember how you made them feel. So, we’re officially giving you permission to do less, laugh more, and skip the perfect for being present. If that means paper plates for Christmas dinner or saying no to one more party, we co-sign it.

And if a phone (or any device) is on that holiday list of theirs, then the Screen Sense Guide should be on yours. It’s our no-guilt, step-by-step way to set up tech with boundaries you’ll actually keep. From first phone scripts to family tech plans and safety settings that don’t take all weekend. You’ll be happy you’re prepared. 

—Cat & Nat

TikTok’s new in-app Time & Well-Being space

TikTok just replaced the old Screen Time page with a Time & Well-Being hub designed to make taking a break actually doable for teens (and, hi, us too). It’s in your account settings and layers calm-down tools on top of the usual limits. It’s includes a new affirmation journal, calming sound generator, guided breathing exercises, missions & badges for sticking to reduced usage goals, and wind down reminders for teens. To find it go to TikTok > Profile > ☰ (top right) > Settings & privacy > Time & Well-Being. From there, you can explore all the new features and choose which work best for you or your child.

We love this and it’s a great update from the platform responsible for the term doomscrolling… But here’s a reminder: features aren’t the fix, you are. Use the tools, but keep the conversations flowing. There’s no better defense against irresponsible tech use than consistent, honest, and real conversations between you and your kid. 

Roblox and Facial Recognition

Roblox is moving to age-based chats that sorts users into tighter bands and limits who can message whom unless both sides become Trusted Connections. To unlock chat, kids will be asked to complete an age check which is either a selfie-style facial age estimation or ID verification. This can be found under Settings > Account Info if you’re interested in checking it out. On paper, this shrinks the open inbox problem that’s plagued big platforms and gives families more age-appropriate spaces. But let’s name the elephant: many parents aren’t comfortable handing over a video selfie of their child so a platform can scan their face and decide which bucket they belong in. And on top of that, we live in a world of exploding AI technology. What stops a predator from using an AI image or a stolen image for that matter to get into a younger age group? Roblox says images for facial age estimation are deleted after processing and that third-party providers handle verification; even so, if that makes your stomach flip, you’re not alone. 

While these platforms are starting to make steps in the right direction to better protect our kids, it’s up to us to be the most powerful line of defence. If you’re looking for help with making sure you and your kid have the right tools and boundaries in place to stay safe, our Screen Sense Guide was built exactly for that. Visit our website to learn more.

Get our FREE Holiday Screen Sanity Checklist:

School’s going to be out for the holidays soon… and we all know how fast all that free time becomes a whole lot of screen time. If you’re not ready to jump into the full Screen Sense guide yet, we made a simple, sanity-saving holiday checklist to set expectations, dock devices, and keep the peace over the break. It’s quick, it works, and it’s totally free. Here’s the link to grab it.

This time of year is magic because of the giving, not the getting. If you’re able, pick a way to give back as a family. Let the kids help choose the cause, pack the donation box, write the card, or deliver the goods. It’s the fastest way we know to grow gratitude (and it makes the cozy stuff feel even cozier).

If you’re not sure where to give, Nankind is close to our hearts. They work to lessen the social and emotional impact of cancer on families by providing practical, human support for parents and kids who need it most. We’ll be donating there this season, and if you want to join us (or just learn more), here’s the link.

—Cat & Nat