Podcast
Oh My Tech!
Hosted by Sarah Kimmel · EN
The tech podcast for parents who love technology, but don’t have time to keep up! From parents who are just starting out, to those with kids who are grown and flown, and even those kids who happen to be our parents. This is the technology podcast that focuses on using the technology in your life to make it better! Oh My Tech will bring you interviews with folks using tech in unique ways, the latest news or trending topics, and maybe even help you find something to watch. Join Sarah Kimmel as she breaks down tech in ways that anyone can understand! Learn more at https://familytech.biz
14episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Moving Beyond Parental Controls: The Graduation Plan
5d ago00:16:00Tap to summarizeSo, your kid is officially a teenager now. You know exactly what that means: the parental controls that used to work flawlessly are suddenly useless. Your teen is fighting you on every single restriction; they’ve probably discovered at least three workarounds you didn’t know existed, and phone time has turned into a daily household battle. If you are exhausted from playing the role of the “screen time police,” I have some great news for you. We aren’t going to talk about how to lock down your teen’s phone today. Instead, we are talking about how to responsibly unlock it. Welcome to The Graduation Plan—a three-stage framework designed to transition you from a tech warden to the person your teenager actually comes to for tech advice. Why Strict Parental Controls Backfire Before we look at the plan, let’s talk about why staying in “hard lockdown mode” forever completely backfires. Think of parental controls like training wheels. They are incredibly useful when your kid is first learning to ride, but if those training wheels are still attached when they are 17 and heading off to college, we have a problem. The goal was never to master the training wheels; the goal was teaching them how to ride the bike independently. 💡 The Reality Check: When a teenager finds a workaround to a parental control app, it is almost never a tech problem—it is a communication gap. If you win every single argument using the “my house, my rules” approach, you might still lose the bigger battle. If they leave your house at 18 having only behaved because they were digitally blocked, they will head to college with zero practice managing their own digital lives. It’s just like handing a freshman a credit card when they’ve never been taught how to budget. They will run up debt. We need to let them practice managing their screen time while we are still nearby to guide them. Stage 1: The Audit & The Digital Peace Treaty The first stage is all about opening a real conversation instead of a negotiation where both sides already know how it’s going to end. The Opening Move Words matter here. Do not say, “We need to talk about your screen time.” That lands about as well as announcing a surprise dentist appointment. Instead, try this exact framing: “I’ve noticed that you’ve been really responsible with [pick something specific: e.g., texting me back, driving safely, turning off your game when asked]. I want to start moving away from being the screen time police and try a more collaborative approach. What is one setting on your phone that drives you the absolute craziest?” By opening with a specific positive and handing them the floor, they will start talking instead of defending. The Data Audit Once they tell you what bothers them, have them pull up their Screen Time (iOS) or Digital Wellbeing (Android). Look at it together. Rule #1: No judgment, just data. Rule #2: Let them speak first. Ask, “What does this report tell you about your phone usage?” You’ll be surprised at what they notice when they aren’t being lectured. Set Your Red Lines Negotiate on the time limits, but establish your Red Lines—the non-negotiables that keep them safe. Instead of saying… Say this instead… “I require administrative access to all your social media credentials so I can spy on you.” “I’m totally open to relaxing time limits, but I need your phone password. Not to spy, but so I can help you instantly if you ever get hacked or if someone starts bothering you online.” The Goal: Privacy can start opening up, but Safety stays. Once you agree on the changes, put them in writing. Think of this as a Digital Peace Treaty—an amendment to your family’s original technology contract. Stage 2: The Beta Test Now that you’ve identified the pain points and established the rules, it’s time for The Beta Test. Because we’re tech nerds here, everything gets a software spin! Pick the one restriction your teen cares about the most and temporarily remove it. How to Frame It: “This isn’t a permanent change. This is a 14-day beta test.” “If your grades stay up, you aren’t a zombie in the morning, and you’re still present at dinner, the change stays.” “If things slide, we hit reset for two weeks to fix the bugs, and then we try the beta test again. Deal?” What if the Beta Test Fails? It might fail the first time, and that is completely okay. Do not treat a failed beta test as a punishment. Avoid the “I told you so” moment. Instead, view it as a system bug. Sit down, look at what went wrong (e.g., staying up until 1 AM), recalibrate the parameters, and agree to try the beta test again in two weeks or a month. Going back to a restriction isn’t a failure—it’s just recalibration. Stage 3: Becoming the Consultant When the beta tests succeed, your job description officially changes. You are no longer the Gatekeeper; you are now the Tech Consultant. This means moving away from hard app blocks and moving toward collaborative check-ins. You stay informed without staying locked down. Tools for the Consultant Phase: Bark: Instead of blocking everything, Bark monitors for severe issues like cyberbullying, predatory behavior, or self-harm language. It’s not a warden; it’s a smoke alarm that only alerts you when there’s actual smoke. Ecosystem Activity Reports: Use Apple Screen Time or Google Family Link only for the weekly activity view, not the locking features. Set up a 10-minute weekly tech check-in. Sit down, look at the reports together, ask how their schedule is going, and keep the conversation casual and lecture-free. By 16 or 17 years old, the goal is for your teenager to be setting their own limits while you simply review them together. When they turn 18, they will have had a year or two of solid practice managing their digital well-being with a built-in safety net. Letting go is incredibly scary—trust me, I have a 17 and a 20-year-old—but the risk of holding on too long is far greater than the risk of letting go with a structured plan. Download the peace treaty template by clicking here
Transcribe →How to Secure Your Family Home Network: Cyber Safety Guide
2w ago00:20:24Tap to summarizeYour digital home has grown far beyond a single computer and password—every smart TV, kids' tablet, and connected device represents a potential "window" left cracked open for modern, automated cybercriminals to exploit. This guide breaks down the four biggest digital vulnerabilities families face today: password reuse, phishing/smishing scams, unchanged factory settings on smart gadgets, and delayed software updates. By taking just ten minutes tonight to implement baseline defenses—like setting up a password manager, enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) on your primary email, automating software patches, and avoiding public Wi-Fi—you can lock down your family's network, protect your parents' devices, and ensure your kids explore technology safely without needing a degree in computer science.
Transcribe →Tech Safety for Aging Parents: Protection Without Micromanaging
3w ago00:18:20Tap to summarizeThis episode addresses the challenging "role reversal" of the sandwich generation, exploring how parents can protect their aging seniors from sophisticated digital scams and tech fatigue without stripping away their dignity. By breaking down the subtle red flags of cognitive decline—such as financial anomalies, secretive device behavior, and an uptick in support requests—the post offers actionable, collaborative strategies to co-manage their digital footprint. Through the deployment of practical tools like password managers, simplified hardware, and a clever AI-proofing "family password" system, it empowers tech-loving adults to build a protective digital firewall around their parents out of love, not control. Download the companion guide to help you secure a Senior's Device - http://familytechzone.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/resource_guide_secure_senior_device.pdf
Transcribe →How to Backup Family Photos Safely: Step-by-Step Guide
4w ago00:17:45Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we break down why relying solely on a single external hard drive or standard cloud syncing puts your family’s precious photos and videos at serious risk of "digital decay" or sudden deletion. Key Takeaways: The Hard Drive Trap: Hard drives have mechanical parts that will seize up and die if left in a closet without power for too long—just like an unused car. The Cloud Illusion: Cloud storage isn't a magical sky; it's a rented digital apartment. If you stop paying, or if automated algorithms mistakenly flag your account, your data can vanish instantly. Syncing vs. Saving: Syncing is a mirror (delete on your phone, it deletes in the cloud). Saving is a photocopy (a permanent, separate backup). The Family Tech Solution: We introduce the 2-2 Rule (2 copies, 2 different platforms) and explain why a NAS (Network-Attached Storage) device like a Synology is the ultimate, subscription-free way to protect your memories and even stream your home videos to any TV in the house.
Transcribe →Digital Parenting vs. Spying: How to Respect Kids’ Privacy
Jun 2300:14:44Tap to summarizeManaging child digital privacy is becoming a daily challenge. Learn how to balance parental oversight with your child's need for personal space. Finding the right approach to child digital privacy requires understanding that while total anonymity online is rare, children still need a sense of autonomy. This discussion focuses on the tension between protecting your kids and respecting their boundaries. If you struggle with knowing how much monitoring is too much, this breakdown helps clarify where to draw the line. We cover practical strategies for effective parental oversight without crossing into invasive territory. You will walk away with a clearer perspective on how to maintain safety while building trust. Implementing these digital parenting tips allows families to navigate the complexities of online life more confidently. Whether your kids are just starting to use devices or are already active online, establishing these internet privacy boundaries early can prevent future conflicts. By adjusting your strategy regarding online safety for kids, you can create a healthier environment at home. These insights are designed to help you protect your family while preserving the parent-child relationship. Subscribe for weekly digital parenting breakdowns, and let us know in the comments: what is the hardest part about setting online rules for your children?
Transcribe →How to Audit Family Subscriptions & Cut Unwanted Monthly Costs
Jun 1500:12:00Tap to summarizeMost people think they spend $80 a month on subscriptions, but the actual cost is over $200. Learn how to audit your bills. Many of us lose track of recurring charges, leading to subscription spending that silently drains our bank accounts. This episode breaks down why we underestimate our monthly costs and provides a clear strategy to identify wasted money in your budget. If you feel like your finances are slipping away through small, automated payments, this guide is for you. We examine the psychological habits that lead to subscription bloat and offer practical steps to cancel unused services effectively. By tracking your recurring expenses, you can take control of your cash flow and keep more of your paycheck. Stop letting auto-renewals dictate your savings goals and start managing your subscription spending today. Subscribe for weekly tech breakdowns, and comment below with the one subscription you find hardest to cancel.
Transcribe →What Is the Right Age for a Kid to Get a Smartphone?
Jun 800:15:09Tap to summarizeWe tackle a common question for parents: when is a child truly ready for a phone? It's not about age, but rather a child's and family's readiness level, addressing concerns like phone addiction. This episode offers parenting advice to help families navigate screentime and promote healthy child behavior. We discuss signs of readiness and when a digital detox might be beneficial. Resources available at https://familytech.biz/tools
Transcribe →Analyzing Viral True Crime Cases: Tech Evidence & Legal Insights
Jun 100:12:52Tap to summarizeOn today's episode of Oh My Tech, we're diving into what's been making waves online. We'll explore a couple of stories that have been trending and filling up social media feeds, giving you the TLDR on each. Get ready to understand the latest social media trends and all the trending news everyone's talking about!
Transcribe →Dumbphone Trend Explained: Why People Are Ditching Smartphones
May 2500:11:50Tap to summarizeWith AI advancement, constant overstimulation, and tech addiction, it often feels like we are hurtling toward an overly tech-based world. We now have devices to track our sleep, smart home security, and cars that resemble KITT from Knight Rider. Many of us are longing for the days when technology didn’t seep into every single aspect of our lives. This overwhelming connectivity explains why people are gravitating toward a lower-tech lifestyle. But what does this movement actually entail, and is this trend going to stick around or fade away like crimped hair and pegged jeans? Don’t get me wrong—I adore technology. I’m not about to give up the comforts I’ve become accustomed to, like GPS navigation. How did we even find anything back in the ‘90s? We had paper maps, but I honestly can’t remember how I managed to navigate to a friend’s house. Yet, for all the great things technology helps us accomplish, there are definite downsides. Too often, technology uses us instead of us using it. How People Are Unplugging: Dumbphones and E-Ink To combat this, there is a massive uptick in the “dumbphone” transition. People are gravitating toward minimal devices like the Wisephone, or even buying classic Nokia bricks from the early 2000s. There are even home phone devices like Tin Can and Pinwheel that use VoIP (Voice over IP). These phones plug directly into your internet; they are super limited, don’t allow texting, and force you to actually talk to people from a fixed location. We are also seeing a rise in specialized E-Ink devices. Notetaking tablets like the Kindle Scribe, Kindle Colorsoft, Remarkable, and Supernote have grown incredibly popular. While they can be expensive, they offer a distraction-free, analog-like experience that is much easier on the eyes than an iPad. This shift is even hitting the toy aisle. It used to be that the more buttons, bells, and whistles a toy had, the better. Now, parents are stepping away from that, opting for old-school wooden blocks and screen-free toys that encourage imagination without the digital noise. The Driving Forces: Mental Health and “Sensory Grounding” Why is this happening? A lot of it comes down to mental health. Countless reports highlight the negative psychological impacts of technology and social media, especially on kids and teenagers. There are also physical concerns, like the effects of blue light on our vision. Furthermore, people are experiencing AI fatigue. We are getting tired of looking at photos and having to guess what is real and what is fake. People want a simpler time when a photo was just a definitive snapshot of reality. Interestingly, being offline has shifted from being viewed as “outdated” to becoming a status symbol for mental wellness. Instead of bragging about having the latest and greatest gadget, people now boast about how little they use their phones or watch TV. Ultimately, we are craving tactile experiences. In a world of pixels, we want texture. It’s a concept called sensory grounding. You’ve probably heard the phrase “go touch grass.” It resonates because people want to get outside and experience the physical world rather than staring at the smooth, passive glass of a smartphone screen. Algorithms feed us what they want us to see, whereas low-tech options force us to be active participants in our own entertainment. Practical Ways to Find a Middle Ground How do we achieve a healthier balance without fully living off the grid? The key is intentionality and embracing single-use devices. Back in the day, we had a phone, a pager, an iPod, and a camera. Now, everything is consolidated into one device, making it incredibly easy to overuse. Separating your utilities can break that cycle: Move entertainment to the TV: If you watch a lot of YouTube on your phone, commit to only watching it on your smart TV so you have to sit down intentionally to consume it. Use a dedicated E-reader: Reading on a device without apps prevents you from constantly switching tabs and getting distracted. Get an old-school alarm clock: Keep your phone in the kitchen overnight so it isn’t the first thing you grab when you wake up. Another great strategy is practicing an analog morning and evening routine. For the first 30 minutes after you wake up and the last 30 minutes before bed, turn off all screens. Read a physical book or meditate to give your day a gentler wind-up and wind-down period. Will the Trend Last? Do I think these low-tech products will still be around in two to five years? Honestly, devices like the Tin Can home phone probably won’t last. There is a reason we got rid of landlines—they aren’t convenient. If a child goes to soccer practice, they can’t take a home phone with them. While the nostalgia factor is fun and kitschy right now, it will likely wear off. It’s similar to MapQuest; I am never going to go back to printing out paper directions. The technology we have now is objectively better, which is why we abandoned the old ways. However, the desire for digital boundaries isn’t going anywhere. While everything from our stoves to our water bottles is becoming part of the “Internet of Things,” the urge to disconnect will only grow. Sometimes, we just need to leave our phones at home, step outside, and touch some grass. Over to You Are you participating in the low-tech movement in any way? What do you think the longevity of these “dumbphones” will be? Do you embrace the internet of everything, or are you looking for an exit strategy? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below! As always, I’m here to translate the tech so you can go live the life you want. Powering down until next time on Family Tech! https://youtu.be/EWzTkvAMLao
Transcribe →Minimalist Tech Gift Guide: Meaningful Ideas Over Clutter
May 1800:10:10Tap to summarizeIn 2026, our approach to gift-giving has significantly shifted, embracing a philosophy of minimalism. We're moving away from accumulating 'stuff' and using technology to focus on intentional living, questioning what truly brings joy. This trend towards a simple life emphasizes that sometimes, less is more, encouraging us to rethink our habits around possessions.
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