parenting Archives

AppWizard

November 22, 2025

Skyrim’s hardest quest is raising my Fat Idiot Son

Rufus is a mod for Skyrim that introduces a character known as the "Fat Idiot Son," where players engage in the challenge of parenting. The player must rescue Rufus after he is abducted by witches, but he remains unhelpful during the rescue. The player attempts to teach Rufus combat skills, leading to chaotic encounters, including a misguided attempt to fight a gargoyle. The player also tries to teach Rufus thievery, which results in a chaotic scene with guards and corpses. Rufus's first accidental kill marks a turning point in their journey, showcasing the unpredictable nature of both parenting and gaming. The player's experiences highlight the challenges and absurdities of raising a virtual son.

Winsage

November 20, 2025

2025 Windows 11 PC holiday buying guide: Best devices and deals

The holiday season is an ideal time to gift a Windows 11 PC, which can enhance gaming setups, assist with creative projects, and simplify daily tasks. Windows 11 PCs now feature Copilot, an AI-powered assistant that streamlines tasks through voice commands. A survey shows that over half of Gen Z and Millennials use generative AI weekly. Various Windows 11 PCs are available for different users, including: - Lenovo Legion 5 15": A gaming laptop with AMD Ryzen 7 260 processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 graphics, starting at ,249.99 MSRP, currently ,169.99 at Walmart. - ROG Xbox Ally: A portable gaming device starting at 9.99, available at Microsoft.com and Best Buy. - Dell 16 Plus Laptop: Designed for students, starting at ,149.99 MSRP. - Samsung Galaxy Book5 360: A versatile 2-in-1 PC starting at ,349.99 MSRP. - Acer Aspire 14 AI: A portable laptop starting at 9.99 MSRP at Costco.com. - ASUS Zenbook 14: Lightweight with multi-day battery life, starting at 9 MSRP at Walmart. - Lenovo Yoga 7 2-in-1 Copilot+ PC: Starting at ,199.99 at Best Buy. - Surface Pro 12-inch: A portable 2-in-1 device starting at 9.99 MSRP at Best Buy. - HP OmniBook 5 14-inch: Offers long battery life, starting at 9.99 MSRP. - Surface Laptop 13-inch: Lightweight with AI features, starting at 9.99 MSRP at Best Buy. Retailers like Microsoft, Best Buy, and Costco offer significant holiday deals on these PCs, with discounts and promotions available. Microsoft.com features exclusive deals, price protection, and free shipping until January 31, 2026. Xbox deals include discounts on games and accessories, with Xbox Game Pass Premium subscriptions and Microsoft gift cards available as gift options.

AppWizard

October 23, 2025

Man’s Daughter Was Crying After Being Harassed By Boy On A Minecraft Server, So He Found The Boy’s Dad And Told Him When His Son Had Done

A father took action after discovering his eight-year-old daughter was being harassed by a player named "Little Clown" on a Minecraft server. The daughter had been targeted with threats and inappropriate language after sharing her age. The father and his fiancée found recorded evidence of the harassment and identified the boy's real identity through an online search. They contacted the boy's father, who then imposed consequences on his son, revoking his computer privileges for the summer. The incident garnered positive reactions on social media, highlighting the importance of parental involvement in online gaming.

AppWizard

October 5, 2025

Raising kids in the age of AI: When your baby’s first words are ‘Hey Google’

A one-year-old child said "Hey Google" during playtime, reflecting the integration of technology in daily life. Many parents rely on digital assistants like Google for various tasks, with a 2019 study indicating that over 44% of parents with children aged 2 to 8 used smart speakers daily. The impact of AI on parent-child bonding is a concern, as tech companies work to humanize AI voices for better relatability. Parents are encouraged to teach children the difference between genuine interactions and those with technology. AI-powered devices are becoming integral to homes, prompting parents to foster tech-savvy children who can also seek human connections.

Winsage

September 3, 2025

Solve shortcut chaos with PowerToys

PowerToys has introduced a hotkey conflict detection system in its latest update, which helps users identify and resolve overlapping keyboard shortcuts. The update also includes a search function in PowerToys Settings, a new "Gliding cursor" feature in Mouse Utilities, and enhancements to the installer for improved security and reliability. Additional improvements include bug fixes and updates across various utilities, such as Command Palette, Hosts File Editor, and Quick Accent, with a focus on usability and accessibility.

AppWizard

July 14, 2025

Google stocks ‘featured notebooks’ on NotebookLM shelves for curated topics

Google is introducing "featured notebooks" in NotebookLM for desktop users, in partnership with publications like the Atlantic and the Economist. These notebooks provide in-depth advice and analysis, including contributions from Eric Topol and Yellowstone National Park. They are publicly accessible, allowing users to read or generate Audio Overviews. The update, announced on July 14, enhances the app's ability to curate high-quality sources for complex topics. Notable collaborations include public notebooks such as "How to Build a Life" and "The World Ahead 2025." Users can engage with AI for clarification and access AI-generated summaries. The rollout also includes various publicly available notebooks, such as longevity advice from Eric Topol and a science enthusiast’s guide to Yellowstone National Park. The feature builds on the "Public Notebooks" introduced in June, allowing users to compile and share notebooks for collaborative interaction. Discover Sources helps users find credible references by autonomously gathering pertinent information based on user-described topics.

AppWizard

June 19, 2025

Are Roblox and Minecraft Safe? A Parent’s Guide to Online Gaming

Kids worldwide are increasingly engaged in online games like Roblox and Minecraft, which can enhance creativity and social interaction but may also negatively impact health, emotional well-being, and academic performance if not managed properly. Roblox is a platform for user-generated games, while Minecraft allows players to build and explore in a pixelated world. Factors contributing to children's addiction to these games include vivid graphics, a sense of achievement, social connections, and emotional comfort. Excessive gaming can lead to a lack of interest in other activities, poor sleep, concentration difficulties, and emotional dependency. Both games pose risks such as interaction with strangers, exposure to inappropriate content, and potential financial implications from in-game purchases. Parents can mitigate these risks by enabling privacy controls, setting spending limits, monitoring game content, and discussing online safety with their children. Warning signs of excessive gaming include mood swings when screen time is limited, loss of interest in other hobbies, and excessive focus on gaming. Parents are encouraged to engage in conversations about gaming, seek offline activities, establish screen time limits, and create screen-free family traditions.

AppWizard

April 29, 2025

A Minecraft Movie gets special “Block Party” screenings that’ll encourage you to “sing (and meme) along” as Jack Black burns a defenceless animal alive in front of some kids

The creators of A Minecraft Movie are hosting special sing-along screenings called "The Block Party" at AMC Theaters starting May 2. These events encourage audience participation, allowing attendees to sing along to memorable moments from the film, including the "lava chicken" song. The initiative aims to engage younger viewers and teens, creating a lively atmosphere for families to bond over shared experiences. The promotional material invites fans to prepare for a fun and interactive movie night.

AppWizard

April 8, 2025

Meta brings Teen accounts to Facebook and Messenger

Meta is expanding its “Teen Accounts” initiative to include Facebook and Messenger, which were initially introduced on Instagram. This feature automatically implements privacy settings, content restrictions, and parental controls for users under 18. The initial rollout targets users in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, with plans for global availability. Teen Accounts aim to reduce exposure to harmful content and enhance parental oversight by limiting interactions to friends or previously contacted users. Meta reports that 54 million teens worldwide have adopted Teen Accounts on Instagram, with 97% of teens aged 13-15 opting to retain their built-in protections. A study showed that 94% of parents found Teen Accounts helpful, and 85% believed they fostered a positive online experience. Additional protections for teens under 16 on Instagram include requiring parental approval for live broadcasts and disabling nudity protection. Meta has also introduced features to encourage breaks from device usage, such as daily reminders and the activation of “Quiet Mode” at night.

AppWizard

March 29, 2025

This LEGO Set Is the Perfect Screen-Free Gift for a ‘Minecraft’ Lover

Angel Madison is a commerce editor at Hearst Magazines, contributing to brands such as Country Living, Good Housekeeping, Cosmopolitan, House Beautiful, Oprah Daily, Men’s Health, and Women's Health. She has experience in product testing and specializes in plus-size fashion, Lego, trending products, toys, parenting, fitness, home, and tech. Her previous roles in parenting and entertainment have provided her with knowledge in teen culture, pop culture, and younger audiences' interests.