Technology Tips: May 2023 Edition

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Three ways to be mindful of your tech usage

It’s Mental Health Awareness Month, which is a perfect time to reflect on our tech usage. While it’s not practical to eliminate all tech from our lives, there are steps to take to help reclaim our time and peace. Here are three particularly helpful ones about a main tech stressor: social media. 

1. Monitor your emotions. How do you feel when you spend time on your tech? Are you anxious, happy, angry, or stressed? Unfollow accounts that make you upset or simply “mute” them to take a break. Social media should be used for fun and connection. 

2. Does social media distract you? Think about a typical workday; are you checking your phone multiple times per hour? Have you ever found yourself checking your device while someone is having a conversation with you? These are signs that tech may have a stronger grip on your life than you thought. Set time restrictions, give passwords to a trusted friend, or turn off notifications to give yourself a reset. 

3. The Golden Rule applies in cyberspace, too. Speak to others the way you’d like to be spoken to. When it comes to the comment sections are you finding yourself quicker to uplift others or to cast judgment? Does social media cause you to be upset with your family members or friends? If it is negatively affecting your interpersonal relationships and the way you interact with and perceive those in your circle, then it is time to put down the device. Don't hesitate to seek professional help. 
 

How tech can help your mental health

Gratitude apps
Swap your addictive apps for something more mindful with a gratitude app. Here are eleven recommended apps.

Relaxing music
Calming music can help you take deep breaths and relax, lower blood pressure, and create a calm atmosphere wherever you are. Check out free playlists on Spotify or YouTube—from LoFi Girl to lush forests of Hyrule, there's a background playlist for everyone. 

Sleep and relaxation
With over 1.5 million 5-star reviews and rated the #1 app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation, Calm is a premiere choice to improve your wellness. The app has over 120 million downloads, has won multiple awards and recognitions, and uses minimal data tracking compared to alternatives.
 
Built-in features
Some of the best features are right in your phone already: airplane mode, Do Not Disturb, and putting your phone on silent. Use these as tools to help you concentrate when you are at work or spending quality time with others. 
 

How to have the talk with your children 

No, not that talk. It’s important to frequently teach and remind your children and/or students that while apps are fun, it is incredibly important to keep up with data security best practices. Here are four specifics to teach them, including the “why” (when they ask). 

1. Use secure passwords
Why: When we reuse passwords, or have weak ones, it makes it infinitely easier for hackers to access banking, credit card, and health information. So yes, having a complex TikTok password really is important. 

2. Keep your profiles private
Why: We know your kid wants to become the next big social media influencer, but they need to know that there is a lot of danger out there on the web. It is a huge safety concern if their ‘stories’ are public and they are posting where they are (school, a restaurant, sports practice, etc.). Bad guys will unfortunately take advantage of every detail or location they share. 

3. Lock down privacy settings on apps
Why: Again, while we hope good people outweigh the bad, we can never be too cautious. Here are three specific tips for TikTok:  
 

 

Malware of the month 

FBI warns about fake job ads
There has been a huge increase in online job scams since the pandemic, but in recent months there has been a massive issue of labor and cyber trafficking in Southeast Asia. These schemes have been developed by Chinese crime groups to scam labor and tech workers into fake online job positions. There are many other countries trafficking workers, including places in Brazil, India, Japan, Russia, and the United States.