parenting Archives

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.

AppWizard

March 2, 2025

Trailer Round-Up: The Surfer, Havoc, The Assessment, A Minecraft Movie, Eden, Andor: Season 2 and More

- The Surfer: Directed by Lorcan Finnegan, starring Nicolas Cage, in theaters May 2. Cage plays a father trying to reconnect with his son through surfing, facing a local surfer gang. Critics praise Cage's performance. - Havoc: Directed by Gareth Evans, starring Tom Hardy, on Netflix April 25. Hardy plays a detective trying to rescue a politician’s son from a drug deal. - The Assessment: Starring Elizabeth Olsen and Himesh Patel, in theaters March 21 and on VOD April 8. Set in a dystopian future where procreation is a privilege, it features a cold assessor played by Alicia Vikander. - A Minecraft Movie: Directed by Jared Hess, in theaters April 4. Features Jack Black and Jason Momoa, following characters in the Minecraft universe. - Eden: Directed by Ron Howard, follows German settlers in the 1930s attempting to create a self-sufficient community in the Galápagos Islands. U.S. release date pending, premieres in Germany this April. - Holland: Starring Nicole Kidman, on Prime Video March 27. A psychological thriller exploring hidden secrets in suburban life. - A Working Man: Jason Statham stars in a revenge thriller, in theaters March 28. - Sacramento: A buddy comedy featuring Michael Cera and Kristen Stewart, in theaters April 11. - Another Simple Favor: Blake Lively stars in a sequel, streaming May 1 on Prime Video. - The Rule of Jenny Pen: A horror thriller starring John Lithgow and Geoffrey Rush, in theaters March 7. - Death of a Unicorn: A whimsical adventure with Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega, in theaters March 28. - The Parenting: A horror comedy featuring Brian Cox and Lisa Kudrow, streaming on MAX March 13. - Darkest Miriam: An indie drama starring Britt Lower, in select theaters March 28.

AppWizard

February 16, 2025

How did your parents limit your game time?

Engaging in conversations about childhood gaming experiences highlights the trend of regulating gaming time for children. Today's parents tend to adopt a cautious approach, imposing restrictions while also participating in gaming with their children. The author reflects on their own lenient upbringing regarding gaming time, noting that their parents allowed gaming after homework was completed. They maintained a disciplined routine, limiting themselves to an hour of play each night, and later negotiated for more gaming time as a secondary school student. The author has since pursued a career in game development, influenced by their father's work in the field.

AppWizard

October 20, 2024

When His Young Daughter Began Getting Bullied Online, This Dad Refused To Let It Go Until He Uncovered The Culprit

A father discovered that his daughter was being bullied by a player named "Little head" (LS) while playing Minecraft. Concerned about her distress, he monitored her activities and found that LS was harassing her and other children. The daughter had recorded the incident, which provided crucial evidence. The father investigated LS's online presence, uncovering personal details, including his claimed age and Skype contact information. He identified LS's real identity through Facebook, confirming it with LS's father. After sharing the evidence, LS faced consequences, including revoked computer privileges for the summer, and it was revealed that he was only 11 years old. This incident led to discussions on Reddit about the implications of young children engaging in online content creation and the ethics of doxing a minor.