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
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Your Digital Memories Are Tick-Tock-Ticking Away: The Right (and Wrong) Way to Backup Family Photos
3d 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 →The Fine Line Between Responsible Digital Parenting and “Spying”
1w ago00:14:44Tap 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 →The $200 Sneak-Attack: How to Audit Your Family’s Subscriptions (and Save Hundreds!)
3w ago00:12:00Tap 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 Phone?
4w ago00:15:09Tap 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 →Two Viral Cases, Who is Guilty and Who is Innocent?
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 →Why Everyone’s Ditching Their 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 →Why Less is Becoming More in Gift-Giving
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.
Transcribe →The Rise and Fall of Kids’ Virtual Worlds | What Happened to Them?
May 1100:13:30Tap to summarizeOnline spaces for kids like Animal Jam and Club Penguin have disappeared. Has this been a benefit or a hindrance to our kids’ social development? How can we give our kids the same types of experiences while keeping them safe online?
Transcribe →Why Your Search Results are Nothing Like They Were and How to Get Better Results Now
May 400:17:34Tap to summarizeSince the internet’s inception, our search habits and the engines we use have evolved significantly. While early users remember the days of AOL and Yahoo, Google has become the primary tool for most. However, even Google has undergone massive changes in how it delivers information, necessitating a shift in how we approach our queries. The Evolution of Search Queries Originally, we searched for specific keywords because search results were less vast than they are today. Over time, this shifted to phrases (e.g., “best water bottle”) and eventually to full sentences. With the rise of AI search, queries have become even more specific, such as “What is the best water bottle to use while on a hike?” This progression reflects our need for increasingly specific answers as the volume of online content continues to grow. Understanding the New Search Layout The structure of search results has also transformed. Initially, Google provided a list of websites ranked by SEO (Search Engine Optimization), where landing on the first page was the ultimate goal for creators. This was followed by the “pay-to-play” model, where ads were placed at the top of the results. Today, the search engine results page (SERP) is multi-layered. You often encounter AI-generated answers first, followed by social media results, videos, and ads before reaching the traditional list of websites. Because the actual search results are pushed so far down, many users find their answers or click away before ever reaching them. Leveraging Google Lens and Audio Search To bypass the clutter, you can use specialized tools like Google Lens. This is particularly effective for identifying products, plants, or birds simply by snapping a photo. Google Lens also includes tabs for translating foreign menus or solving math problems. Similarly, Google’s audio search allows you to identify songs playing in your environment—or even identify an actor’s face while watching a movie—linking you directly to databases like IMDb. Using Search Tabs for Precision Google’s top-level tabs are often overlooked but offer powerful ways to filter information: Shopping: Provides direct price comparisons and locations to purchase items. News: Helps vet information by showing reports from established outlets, which is useful for verifying breaking news. Videos & Shorts: Filters results to show only long-form or short-form video content. Forums: This tab is invaluable for finding authentic, unpaid reviews and community discussions from real people rather than marketing copy. The Reality of AI Results While AI results appear at the top of most searches, it is vital to remember that AI can “hallucinate” or provide inaccurate information. Always vet AI-generated answers by clicking the included links. You may find that the source material contains nuances or contradictions that the AI missed. If you need accurate, high-stakes information, treat the AI summary as a starting point rather than a definitive answer. Alternative Search Engines: Reddit and YouTube For authentic, human-led information, adding “Reddit” to your Google search or searching directly within Reddit is highly effective. It allows you to see pros and cons discussed by real users. Additionally, YouTube is the second-largest search engine in the world. It is the premier destination for “how-to” content—such as changing a tire or an air filter—and product comparison videos that break down features in a visual format. Warning: SEO Hacking and Scams Be wary of “SEO hacking,” where illegitimate websites manipulate the algorithm to appear at the top of results. This is common in two specific areas: Event Tickets: Resale sites often outrank official venues, charging hundreds of dollars more than face value. Always try to navigate directly to the venue or artist’s official website. Tech Support: Scammers create fake support pages for companies like HP. If you call the number provided in a shady search result, they may attempt to gain remote access to your computer. Similarly, be cautious with sensitive data like banking routing numbers. Rather than trusting the snippet that pops up on a search page, take the extra step to click through to your bank’s official website to ensure the information hasn’t been tampered with or misidentified. By being specific and staying vigilant, you can navigate the modern search landscape more safely and efficiently. https://youtu.be/S4_czXpHS5o
Transcribe →How to Spot Scams That Look Legitimate Now
Apr 2700:22:32Tap to summarizeThe landscape of online scams has drastically changed, with email scam tactics becoming increasingly sophisticated. This video explores how artificial intelligence is now being used to create highly convincing scams, making scam awareness more crucial than ever. We dive into the evolution of these threats and offer cyber security insights to help you identify and avoid a deceptive phishing email, especially those powered by AI.
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