Hey, Thursday! Question I get all the time: “Kim, when is my kiddo ready for a phone?” I say between ages 9 and 13 or during middle school. Fourth grade is a good time to start discussing a phone or smartwatch. The best phone I’ve found for kids is Bark, who I partnered with on today’s newsletter. 

Full disclosure: I get no kickbacks or whatever if you buy a Bark phone. It’s just a great product you can learn more about below!

⌛ Quick tip: Ever had a million-dollar idea while in the shower or walking the dog? Instead of letting it slip away, record it. Voice Memos (a built-in app on Apple and Android) has your back. Bonus: You can say, “Hey Siri, take a voice memo” or “OK Google, take a voice memo.” So sweet! — Kim

Most of us know someone with implanted pacemakers or defibrillators — and I'm willing to bet those people use tech in their daily lives.

Here's the scary news: Magnetic fields from everyday tech can cause life-saving devices to malfunction. Yes, iPhones are on the list, but so are iPads, Apple Watches, AirPods, Macs, HomePods and Beats.

Don't think for a minute this issue is limited to Apple products. Android phones or any brand of earbuds, wireless headphones or smartwatches can cause problems, too.

📏 Remember the 6-inch rule. Keep 6 inches between your pacemaker or defib and your electronics. Make it 8 inches to be on the safe side.

What about your head?

Some studies found a possible link between cellphone use and cancer, especially brain tumors. Others say pressing a phone to your head is fine. Nope.

Your phone emits radiofrequency radiation even when you're not using it because it's always in contact with the nearest cellphone tower.

While the FCC and FDA say there's no consistent scientific proof cellphone radiation causes cancer, they're relying on data collected 20 years ago. I know, right?!

Some steps to take now

• Never put a cellphone to your ear. Use speakerphone.
• Use your phone only when it has good reception. Radiation levels are higher when the phone works harder to get a signal.
• Bluetooth headphones and earbuds are OK because they use a lower power level.
• Women, don't put your phone in your bra. Men, don't carry your phone in your pants pocket. Here’s why.

There are other ways to minimize your exposure to cellphone radiation. I’ve got your back here on my site.

❤️ My brother and two friends have pacemakers. I texted them this life-saving information. If you know anyone with a pacemaker or defibrillator, you should share, too. Use the buttons below to send it along.

Kids are tech-savvy. That’s why it’s so important to be clued into what they’re searching for, who they’re talking to and what they’re doing. The Bark Phone makes that easy.

• Content scanning and search monitoring: The Bark Phone automatically scans your child's texts, social media, apps and searches.
• Location tracking: Keep tabs on your child with real-time location tracking.
• Tamper-proof design: Kids can't delete texts, change parental controls or access VPNs to bypass restrictions.
• Screen-time limits: Set firm, unchangeable screen time limits.

No more messing with different apps or parental control settings kids get past. Get all this for $49 a month.

Update now: Google spotted a major Android bug that lets someone take over your device remotely. The patch dropped today. Go to Settings > System and look for System update. Now, you’re safe.

🎂 Chrome just turned 15: Its present for us? Colors and safety features. Open Chrome and click Customize Chrome at the bottom to pick a new color theme. The white-and-yellow pairing is so happy! On the safety side, Safe Browsing now checks for phishing and malware threats in real time instead of every 30 to 60 minutes.

Artificial intelligence (AI) timesaver: Now, in the eBay iOS app, upload a single pic and AI will write the product listing for you. It will include the product’s title, description, release date, category, pricing info and shipping cost. So sweet. Android users, look for the upgrade in a couple of weeks.

👻 You’re my boo: “Ghosting” is dating speak for disappearing on someone. Dating app Bumble says it’s such bad form that it, along with standing someone up, can get you banned. If this happens to you, report it. Before you do it to someone else, just man (or woman) up and tell the person you’re not the right match.

Sweet tablet at a sweet sale price: Amazon’s Fire tablets are a solid option, especially if you use an Android phone. The new 11-inch Fire Max is powerful enough to get stuff done. Add a keyboard, and it’s a mini computer! It's only $190 right now.

Got a few spare minutes during your drive? Or maybe you're chilling at home? Sounds like the perfect time to tune in to The Kim Komando Show podcast!

I keep it real, breaking down the latest tech trends, cybersecurity tips and gadget reviews into snack-sized, easy-to-understand episodes.

👉 Download an episode today!

Excel shortcut: You need to get data into Excel but only have a screenshot. No prob. Open Excel, and under Data, go to From Picture. Choose Picture from File for anything saved to your PC, or select Picture from Clipboard for a screenshot. Never thought I’d call an Excel tip life-changing, but here we are.

😂 Speaking of … A guy offered to document my life in Microsoft Excel, but I said no. I don’t want him to spreadsheet about me.

Mute tabs in Chrome: Raise your hand if auto-play videos are the bane of your online existence. Here's your hack: When in Chrome, right-click the noisy tab and select Mute site. Not only will it mute that pesky ad, but the website will also remember your preference for next time. It's the digital equivalent of a "Silence, please" sign.

Dark mode on macOS: For late-night work sessions or movie marathons, macOS has a treat for your eyes. Dive into System Preferences > General and pick Dark Mode. It transforms your vibrant screen into a subtle, eye-friendly display, reducing strain and, if you have an OLED screen, saving your battery life. Let the night owl in you rejoice!

One-handed mode on iPhones: Large screen sizes got your thumb stretching? Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch, then turn on Reachability. To lower the top half of the screen, do one of the following: On an iPhone with Face ID, swipe down on the bottom edge of the screen. On older iPhones, lightly double-tap the Home button. To return to full screen, tap the upper half of your screen.

Battery saver schedule on Android: This is automatic battery-saving magic. Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Saver, then select Set a schedule. Your device will shift to conserve juice based on your typical usage or at a certain percentage.

❓ Have a question for me? Drop it right here, or leave me a voicemail at 602‑381‑8200 ext. 290.

Dozens of companies will gladly give you freebies, discounts and coupons — in exchange for signing up for their newsletters. Sign up, get the discount, then unsubscribe. Look at that, a clean inbox and a free coffee, cookies, ice cream cones — you name it. Do this before your next birthday! That’s when most of the deals kick in.

Pro tip: Don’t use your primary email address when you sign up for these freebies. I promise never to sell your email address, but I’m rare in that regard.

See a full list here. →

Ahem, that’s the left path.

Here’s the deal: Kids want a phone. You can’t just hand one over and think, “Oh, golly-gee, everything will be fine, just fine.” You definitely need to check out Bark, a smartphone with smart parental controls and monitoring software. I’ve been recommending it to my friends and fam. I wish this had been around when Ian was a kid. Talk about peace of mind.

Your support of our sponsors makes this free newsletter possible. Thank you for being here! — Kim