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TikTok at least according to the bevy of civil and federal lawsuits against it is not known for being a safe place for children. In part it has has leaned on parents to do the policing through its Family Pairing tool, which allows guardians to limit teens' screen time and block certain content. Now, TikTok is introducing additional features that allow a paired adult to see their teen's connections and choose when the app is even accessible. The first new feature, Time Away, lets parents set specific times that TikTok is available on their teen's devices. For example, they can turn off access during a weekend trip or during dinner time, rather than just setting a screen time limit. They can also set a recurring schedule if they want to keep it simple each week. Teens, however, can request extra time, but their parent must approve it. Parents can also now see exactly who their teen is following or is followed by, along with accounts they've blocked. TikTok claims this will make parents "better equipped to have ongoing conversations and help their teens develop the digital literacy skills they need." Not a small task by any means. Lastly, TikTok is adding an unusual feature to limit screen time. Anyone under 16 using the platform after 10PM will have their screen taken over and calming music will play (it can be dismissed to continue using the app.) In the coming weeks, TikTok will also test adding meditation exercises to these pop-ups.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/tiktok-will-try-instituting-a-10pm-curfew-on-most-teens-165416916.html?src=rss
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After taking two years off, Blizzard will bring back Blizzcon in 2026. The publisher's fan convention will take place on September 12 and 13 next year at its usual venue, the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. That means Blizzcon is going ahead a little earlier in the year than usual. For over a decade (save for recent canceled events and an online-only edition), Blizzcon has taken place in November. The first several installments were held in August or October. The 2026 edition will include staples such as the opening ceremony (where Blizzard makes the biggest announcements for its games), panels and so on. Blizzard also says that it aims "to meaningfully elevate this iconic celebration," whatever that means. You can sign up for updates at the Blizzcon website. It's been a rocky few years for Blizzcon. The 2023 edition is the only one that's taken place with fans in attendance since 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic took hold. Blizzard canceled last year's edition without fully explaining why. However, it's possible that Microsoft was running the rule over the event's future after completing its purchase of Activision Blizzard in late 2023.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/blizzcon-will-return-but-not-until-2026-163526888.html?src=rss
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I wish I could say that Im the type of person who has tried-and-true routines to carry me through all the things that need to be done in a day, but the reality is far from that. As someone with overlapping chronic illnesses trying to juggle a full-time job and a life outside of that, just getting out of bed often feels like a major feat. Im caught in the tug of war between perpetual exhaustion and lack of motivation, and whether Im able to cross anything off my to-do list is generally a gamble. A few months ago, though, a friend recommended that I try the Finch app to help me establish some gentle structure and get a little more of what I want out of each day. Id already been seeing ads for this self-care pet all over Instagram, and this was the tiny push I needed to actually give it a go. Now here we are, some four months later, and Im still using it consistently as if it were my own adorable life coach. Finch is a habit tracker, motivation app and virtual pet all in one. It gives you a little bird (okay, birb) to raise from an egg and look after as it grows up and learns about the world. But its not the kind of pet you need to worry about keeping alive, unlike my many needy Tamagotchis. Taking care of your bird consists of dressing it up in cute outfits, petting it, changing up the decor in its home and sending it on little adventures. In turn, your bird will check in on you throughout the day, offering words of encouragement and reminders to complete your goals, and celebrating your wins when you get stuff done. I use the free version of the app, which Ive found to be more than enough for my needs, but theres also a subscription-based version that unlocks more items, a full library of guided exercises and more. If you were to look at my goals list, it might at first seem extremely daunting; there are more than 20 tasks on there on any given day. But these vary in importance, and range from the bare minimum things I need to do to start my day like getting out of bed, brushing my teeth and taking my morning meds to those that require more commitment, like exercising or doing laundry. Finch doesnt take the guilt approach to goal-tracking, so you wont be scolded or shamed if you dont finish everything on your list. There arent really any consequences. Its more about highlighting what you did accomplish rather than focusing on what you didnt, and forming healthy habits in the process. Youre awarded rainbow stones for completing each of your goals, and those can be used as currency in the various shops to buy clothes, furniture and new colors for your bird. Over time, you can collect and raise cute micropets as companions for your bird too (kind of like the Petpets in Neopets). Sometimes its more helpful to look at the bigger picture, and you can group tasks together as Journeys to get a better sense of your overall progress in certain areas. Journeys are color-coded and come with tiered rewards, which youll earn as you level up by hitting certain milestones with the related goals. I might not manage to check off my Exercise for 30+ minutes goal every day in a week, but the three days I did exercise will count toward my Get moving, get healthy Journey. There, Ill also be able to see how many times Ive completed the relevant goals since I started tracking them. Just opening the app every day comes with some rewards as well. I like keeping up a streak, and I just recently got my longest one yet: 32 days! While I was a little bummed out when I finally messed it up by forgetting to check in on a really busy day, I still found myself more impressed at how many days in a row Id committed to showing up for myself. It only made me want to do better. Youll also be gifted themed items and rainbow stones as part of seasonal events and for tackling daily quests, like writing a reflection or sending good vibes to a friend. The latter in particular is a big part of what makes Finch so special. Theres a strong were in this together kind of energy to the whole thing, and thats backed up by features that allow you to actively support and receive support from other Finch users. You can add friends on the app using a code, and your birds can visit each others homes, bringing with them a little message or gift for the other user. My friend and I go back and forth randomly sending each other hugs, encouragement and other little tidbits of positivity from the list of options. Some users even exchange their codes with others online to make their support circles larger. And, you can gift the paid version of the app, Finch Plus, to users who may not be able to afford it, if you want to go a step further in doing a kindness for a stranger. The app provides constant reminders that someone is rooting for you, whether its a little bird acting as your personal cheerleader or another real Finch user. There are a bunch of built-in tools to help promote self-care, like guided breathing exercises, movement routines and prompts for written reflections. The app will ask you about your mood multiple times a day, and when you indicate that things arent going so great, itll present you with a little First Aid Kit offering some optional activities to help you work through your feelings or manage your anxiety in the moment (this is accessible in the menu at all times, too). It also links out to a website with helplines for confidential emotional support. Ive tried a few self-care and productivity apps over the years, but Finch is the first one Ive actually stuck with for an extended period of time. I like how it can be tailored to your specific needs, with both pre-set and custom goals, and the low-stakes virtual pet element makes it a joy to use. I love my little birb, Ripper Jr., and all the little micropets weve been accumulating together (even the blobs, for all you haters). Maybe I wont ever be a person who wakes up with the sunrise and accomplishes five things before 10AM, but me and lil Ripper Jr. are still getting stuff done.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/this-self-care-virtual-pet-is-helping-me-get-my-act-together-160027169.html?src=rss
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