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A consumer tech guide argues that shoppers don't need top-tier routers with long spec sheets, and instead should prioritize four features: gigabit Ethernet ports, parental controls, Wi-Fi 6 or newer, and adequate whole-home coverage. It notes that budget routers often include most of these already, and that placement or mesh systems can matter more than raw speed.
OpenAI announced new restrictions limiting weapons-related information ChatGPT provides to teen users, including blocking practical details about weapons and security systems even when questions seem harmless or show no violent intent. The company is also tightening policy for all users around content like detailed reconstructions of past mass attacks, and said it will issue its first Community Safety Report in early 2027.
Samsung announced a new parental control feature for Galaxy devices that will gray out certain apps on a child's phone until a parent or guardian explicitly approves them. This applies to both preinstalled apps and ones the child has already downloaded, and is set to launch in 2027 as part of a future One UI update, though Samsung hasn't specified which apps will be affected or the exact criteria used.
Deposition records cited by NPR show TikTok employees repeatedly warned executives about child safety failures, including minors appearing in Live streams where viewers could pay for 'gifts,' and said the company was aware of and profiting from such content. Staff also flagged a signup loophole letting minors bypass age checks via Facebook, Instagram or Google accounts, and a hidden link allowing teens to disable parental 'family pairing' controls. The documents emerged from ongoing lawsuits against TikTok over its handling of child safety; TikTok did not provide NPR an on-the-record response.
TextNow is releasing Yello, a modified Motorola Moto G Play priced at $150 with a $20 monthly plan and no contract requirements. The phone blocks the Google Play Store and app installs, limiting kids to calls and texts with contacts parents approve through a web portal that also shows GPS location, plus a camera, calculator, weather app and seven preloaded games.
Apple's iOS 27 update, released in September, includes a redesigned set of parental controls developed with the American Academy of Pediatrics. New tools include Time Allowances, Ask to Browse, Ask to Add Contacts, a Pause Device feature, expanded Communication Safety, and simplified setup with age-appropriate app suggestions for child accounts. Apple also published a companion guide on building healthy digital habits.
A report from Common Sense Media’s Youth AI Safety Institute revealed that ChatGPT for Teens often fails to notify parents during discussions about suicide, self-harm, or eating disorders. Tests showed that out of 450 prompts, parental notifications only triggered twice, and conversations could extend for hours without alerts. OpenAI acknowledged that notifications might take several hours to activate on new accounts.
WhatsApp has extended its parental control system, previously limited to pre-teen accounts, to teen accounts as well. The update lets parents receive alerts about group activity, set rules for Channels and Status visibility, and choose between a standard or 'Limited Content' version of Meta AI for their teen's account.
WhatsApp announced new parental controls that let parents restrict who can see a teen's profile photo, invite them to groups, or message them, along with limits on channels and status updates. The controls also extend to Meta AI's chatbot, offering a restricted mode for younger users, and require a single parent-set PIN to activate. WhatsApp says personal messages and calls remain private even from parents who enable the controls.
WhatsApp is rolling out parental controls letting guardians manage who teens interact with, including channel usage, Status visibility, group additions, and profile picture access. Parents can also receive notifications about teens' group activity and set Meta AI content restrictions, choosing between a default 13+ setting or a stricter 'Limited Content' mode that disables features like incognito chat. All settings require a parent-set PIN to change, and WhatsApp says messages and calls remain end-to-end encrypted.
WhatsApp is rolling out new parental control tools letting parents monitor when their teen joins or leaves groups and adjust privacy settings, such as who can see a profile photo or add them to groups. Parents will not be able to read messages or hear calls, which remain end-to-end encrypted, and the controls can be turned on or off using a parent-set PIN.
Apple has partnered with the American Academy of Pediatrics to release a guide aimed at helping families manage children's screen time. The guide outlines six steps, including setting up Child Accounts, configuring app and website safety settings, scheduling device use, and managing who kids can communicate with. It follows Apple's recent rollout of new child safety features in iOS 27.