Everyone is Talking
About Pokémon Go‘s data collecting and privacy issues.
Why do I care?
The more we learn, the more we realize you need to know more to make sure it’s the right fit for your family because of the data the game collects, among other concerns, which should make you pause before giving it a go.
Tell me more.
The biggest thing we want to bring to your attention at this point is the data that this game has the potential to get access to. While the game is loads of fun, for those who work in Google Drive regularly, for example, the below, according to Buzzfeed, is really problematic:
According to the Pokémon Go privacy policy, Niantic may collect — among other things — your email address, IP address, the web page you were using before logging into Pokémon Go, your username, and your location. And if you use your Google account for sign-in and use an iOS device, unless you specifically revoke it, Niantic has access to your entire Google account. That means Niantic could have read and write access to your email, Google Drive docs, and more. (It also means that if the Niantic servers are hacked, whoever hacked the servers would potentially have access to your entire Google account. And you can bet the game’s extreme popularity has made it a target for hackers. Given the number of children playing the game, that’s a scary thought.) You can check what kind of access Niantic has to your Google account here.
Tricky, tricky.
And, this isn’t the entirety of the issue. So you’ll want to read more at Buzzfeed for the entire breakdown. At the top of the article, they have updated to say that a patch has been released to assist with how much data is being collected, but proceed with caution, nonetheless. Is it really worth the potential collection of your data and documents? As for us, we’re going to opt out of this craze until they figure out how not to scrape all our stuff. #kthanksbye
In the Trenches
Terrible Two’s, Horrible Threes, Threenagers…we’re sure you’ve heard all of these endearing terms for the toddler years being a challenging time. It’s a time when temper tantrums can hit a high and your child begins to exert more of their independence. But, what happens when their temperament evolves from the occasional meltdown or tantrum to hitting and biting you, their peers or siblings? What is a parent to do to guide them and end the aggressive behavior? The folks at Positive Parenting Solutions have sound advice broken down by ages and stages.
For ages three and under some key tips included:
- DON’T hit or slap the child for hitting and biting, it will only reinforce their behavior.
- DO practice alternative strategies for handling their frustration. You can do this by role-playing with their stuffed animals during a time when they are calm.
- DO think ahead to how you will handle the situation when they do bite or hit. They suggest removing them to a separate (safe) space, and without making eye contact, walk away. It takes away mom’s attention when they act out. Creating a consequence they will not like – ‘when I bite or hit, mom goes away’.
For ages three and above some key tips included:
- The consequences can be similar for older children, but add in very specific statements and conversations regarding expectations – ‘it is not ok to hit or bite. If you hit or bite, the playdate will be over.’ because they are capable of understanding.
- State consequences in advance before a playdate, when all is calm. Make them repeat the consequence to ensure they understand.
- Most important? Follow through, without fail.
Put Your Best Foot Forward
You’ve heard the benefits of Yoga and that you should ‘just do it’. It is one exercise that has stood the test of time while all the trendier exercises seem to quietly go away. Huffington Post recently covered 10 undeniable reasons we should all be doing Yoga, which made us feel like we should get off our duff because as you may have guessed, we’re on our duffs a lot here working on the ol’ computer.
Their reasons included:
- Stress relief. Deep breathing, mindfulness, yep – we dig it.
- Strength building. That ropes course we did last week on vacation last week definitely proved we need this.
- Sharpen the memory? Leaving the kids at parent pick-up will be the thing of the past you say? Sweet.
- Minimize chronic pain. Anyone who works at a desk all day or carries around oversized toddlers (read six year-olds who insist on a piggy-back ride to bed) could use some back pain relief.
- Increases sexual desire. Yes, please. Enough said.
Parting Thoughts
Don’t worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you. – Robert Fulghum
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