Tech News and Commentary

Dave and the team discuss Facebook and fake news, a Microsoft Update and a small tablet, checking into a hotel with your face, the Samsung S-Pen and Bluetooth, iOS lightning port privacy protections, smart appliances are slow to catch on, Apple audio rumors, Uber to the sky, self-driving taxies, and more.

George in Tyler, Texas listens on KTBB and asked: "Calling to get some information about parental controls for cell phones and what the best apps to use for a teenager's device."

 

George, if you have to ask, you probably already lost this arms war.

If you’re interested in tracking them, iOS, Android, and most carriers will all do that for you, but when it comes to blocking apps, you’re in trouble.

Teenagers will know how to get around any blocks you put in as soon as there’s a solution, and these are blacklists not whitelists, so any time whatever service you use to block the apps can be tricked into thinking this is absolutely any other one, even one it’s never heard of, the app is allowed to do what it will do.

Android has more option for blocking apps, but they’re also more toothless, since Android phones allow sideloading, meaning that anything that can be made to look different can be loaded and ran without issue. There’s a big market of premium apps made free and put up for download on Android, the same process can be used to make them look like they’re not the app they really are.

You can try something like Family Time for iOS or Android or OurPact for iOS, and AppBlock for Android, but keep your expectations low. The only real solution is trying to get them to understand the risk, because they probably have more knowledge, time, and tech contacts than you and it’s likely that they’re figure out a way around any blocks you try to put up.

When you participate on the show – anytime 24/7 – and we HEAR you with any consumer tech question, comment, help for another listener, tech rage or just share your favorite App these days … you could win prizes.

All CALLERS -- using the AUDIO option on our Free App or 1-800-899-INTO(4686)  - automatically qualify to win prizes.

Audio archived for at least 6 months