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Parents, Rejoice! The Ms. Rachel Tonie Is Finally Here
Parents, Rejoice! The Ms. Rachel Tonie Is Finally Here

Yahoo

time3 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • Yahoo

Parents, Rejoice! The Ms. Rachel Tonie Is Finally Here

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." My fellow parents, the day we've all been waiting for is finally here. After years of us begging for our toddler's leading lady to make a Tonie, she's finally graced us with one. That's right: the official Ms. Rachel Tonie has hit the market!Ms. Rachel Tonie $19.99 at As if she doesn't do enough for us parents (one her books literally taught my toddler to count without me even trying), the toddler icon has once again added to her collection of toys, books, and videos. As a mom to a one and a half year old, I own my fair share of Ms. Rachel toys and books. Frankly, we don't even watch that much Ms. Rachel, but my daughter is still obsessed with her and will pick up Hide and Seek with Herbie or her talking and singing Ms. Rachel doll over just about anything else in her playroom. But out of my growing collection of Ms. Rachel paraphernalia, this new Tonie is probably the most excited I've been about a toy in a long time, which is saying something as a shopping editor. Why? Because as my toddler is getting older it's becoming more and more difficult to limit her screen time. In our household, we opt for no TV on weekdays and sparingly on the weekends, but one rainy weekend or day sick can seem to throw us back down the rabbit hole. This Tonie brings all the fun of Ms. Rachel's show but without the high-stimulation screen, so kids can really focus and engage on what they're hearing. Both Mom and toddler are happy, and that seems to happen less and less often these days. Similar to the format of Ms. Rachel's normal videos and shows, the Tonie will feature a mix of engaging storytelling and songs. Kids will join her and friends Mr. Aron and Herbie for a "sound field trip" to a farm, school, and busy city. The Tonie is being sold individually for $20 as well as part of a set that includes a Toniebox (in case you don't already have one) for $100. The timing of the launch couldn't be better, considering we're getting into the dog days of summer when it's just too hot to do anything but play inside. Once again, Ms. Rachel to save the day! So many of Ms. Rachel's toys have sold out quickly, but I'd expect this one to go especially fast considering so many parents have been asking for a Ms. Rachel Tonie for so long. Seriously, don't wait to buy! You Might Also Like 70 Impressive Tiny Houses That Maximize Function and Style 30+ Paint Colors That Will Instantly Transform Your Kitchen

Netflix Is Doubling Down on Ads and Dabbling in AI
Netflix Is Doubling Down on Ads and Dabbling in AI

Gizmodo

time5 days ago

  • Business
  • Gizmodo

Netflix Is Doubling Down on Ads and Dabbling in AI

When Netflix debuted its video streaming service back in 2011, it seemed like it would usher in the end of the television commercial. Fast-forward 14 years, and Netflix is now working on growing its own ad network and it thinks this is the future of the business. Well, that and AI. Netflix execs told investors on Thursday that it is on track to double its advertising revenue this year. They did not say whether they would follow in the footsteps of other streaming networks and increase the ad load for existing customers, but they did announce that the service will be injecting interactive promotions into its content. The company first introduced its ad-supported plan in late 2022. Since then, the more budget-friendly subscription tier has grown to 94 million users, and Netflix is now eager to cash in on those eyeballs. In the first half of 2025 alone, viewers watched 95 billion hours on Netflix. The platform's most-viewed series was the British drama Adolescence, which garnered 145 million views. Other top-performing shows included Squid Game, Ginny & Georgia, and the children's show Ms. Rachel, hosted by the former YouTuber and advocate for children in Gaza. In a letter to shareholders, Netflix said its goal is to monetize this 'engagement' not only from subscriptions but also from advertising revenue. That means Netflix needs to sell more ads, and it just made that easier by completing the global launch of its own first-party ad tech platform. 'The rollout of our own ad tech stack, which helps deliver a bunch of features, and then our slate, which is generally amazing and includes a growing number of live events that advertisers are excited about,' co-CEO Greg Peters said during Thursday's earnings call. Peters also said that interactive ads, which are already used by rivals like Amazon Prime Video and Hulu, are coming to Netflix later this year. Live programming is another part of the company's ad push. Upcoming events include NFL games on Christmas Day and a high-profile boxing match between Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford. Big live events like these are attractive to advertisers due to their massive, real-time audiences. Netflix didn't say exactly how much of the $45.2 billion in its estimated revenue for the year will come from ads. But some analysts expect that number to surpass $4 billion. Back in October, Peters acknowledged that 'while ads won't be a primary driver of revenue in 2025,' the company sees a real opportunity to 'close that gap.' While Peters focused on ads, Netflix's other co-CEO, Ted Sarandos, sounded pretty excited about another kind of tech — AI. 'We remain convinced that AI represents an incredible opportunity to help creators make films and series better, not just cheaper,' Sarandos said on the call. He pointed to the company's upcoming Argentinian sci-fi series El Eternauta, which features what he described as the 'very first GenAI final footage to appear on screen' in a Netflix show or film. He said the show used AI-powered tools for a sequence showing a building collapsing in Buenos Aires. 'And in fact, that VFX sequence was completed 10 times faster than it could have been completed with visual, traditional VFX tools and workflows,' Sarando said. And, also, the cost of it would just not have been feasible for a show in that budget.'

Netflix says it's streamed 95 billion hours in 2025, and a lot of ads too
Netflix says it's streamed 95 billion hours in 2025, and a lot of ads too

The Verge

time5 days ago

  • Business
  • The Verge

Netflix says it's streamed 95 billion hours in 2025, and a lot of ads too

Netflix says it's on track to 'double' its advertising revenue this year as the company continues ot build out its ad tech platform. The streaming giant shared the news as part of its second-quarter earnings results released on Thursday, which revealed that Netflix raked in $11.08 billion in revenue over the past few months, marking a 16 percent year-over-year increase. In addition to its earnings report, Netflix also released viewership data for the first half of 2025. Netflix says users watched 95 billion hours on Netflix during this time, with Adolescence topping the chart as the most-watched series with 145 million views, followed by Squid Game seasons 2 and 3. Ms. Rachel, the popular show for toddlers that originated on YouTube, has also made the list, coming in at number seven. Meanwhile, Back in Action was the service's most-watched movie in the first half of the year, racking up 165 million views, with Straw and The Life List taking the next spots. The animated hit film K-Pop Demon Hunters also hit 37 million views in the weeks since its June release. The streaming service says nearly half of all the viewing for Netflix originals on the list came from titles that debuted in 2023 or before, like Ozark and Orange is the New Black. In its letter to investors, Netflix says its in-house ad tech platform 'is foundational' to its advertising strategy, and will allow the service to offer better measurement, improved ad targeting, and new formats. The company first started testing its ad tech platform last year, and it has since rolled out to all markets where Netflix's ad-supported plan is available. Netflix doesn't say how it plans to keep its advertising revenue growing, but one way that competitors have chosen is to show people more ads. After forcing ad-supported streaming onto its existing members last year, Amazon Prime Video has since doubled the number of ads it shows during streams, according to a report from Adweek. An HBO Max support page spotted by PCWorld also revealed that it increased ads on the service's Basic tier. In May, Netflix revealed that its ad-supported tier reaches more than 94 million users. It also teased new ad formats, including ones that appear when you pause what you're watching. During an earnings call on Thursday, Netflix co-CEO Greg Peters confirmed that the company will roll out interactive ads in the 'second half' of 2025. Netflix raised its prices in January, with its ad-supported plan going from $6.99 to $7.99 per month, and its cheapest commercial-free plan increasing from $15.49 to $17.99 per month. The service also started rolling out its big homepage redesign on TV in May, which it says has reached around 50 percent of customers. 'Over time, we expect this redesigned experience — along with our new responsive recommendations that update rows of titles in real time — will help our members more easily find shows, movies, live events and games they want to watch and play,' Netflix writes in its letter to investors. As of its April earnings report, Netflix has stopped reporting how many subscribers it adds each quarter. The streamer is instead highlighting other revenue drivers for the business, like advertising.

Is Ms. Rachel Good for Kids? A Neuropsychologist Weighs In
Is Ms. Rachel Good for Kids? A Neuropsychologist Weighs In

Yahoo

time6 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • Yahoo

Is Ms. Rachel Good for Kids? A Neuropsychologist Weighs In

If you're the parent to a child under the age of five, there's a good chance you have heard of the YouTube sensation Ms. Rachel. Her educational videos for little ones are wildly popular, but there's so much content out there that it can be hard to discern what has real value and what's, well, crap. So, is Ms. Rachel good for kids? I got an answer to this question from a neuropsychologist (and mom-of-two). Here's what I learned. Meet the Expert Dr. Sanam Hafeez is a New York City-based neuropsychologist and director of Comprehend the Mind, a psychological practice that treats learning disorders, anxiety, depression and other psychopathological disorders. Dr. Hafeez obtained her Doctor of Psychology at Hofstra University and completed her post-doctoral training in neuropsychology and developmental pediatrics at Coney Island Hospital. Who Is Ms. Rachel? NBC/contributor/Getty Images In case you missed it, Ms. Rachel is a popular children's content creator known for her educational videos on YouTube. But what's her deal, you ask? Her real name is Rachel Griffin Accurso, and she's a preschool teacher and musician who started making videos to help toddlers with speech and language development after her own child experienced a speech delay. In her videos, Ms. Rachel sings songs, teaches simple words, and uses engaging visuals to keep kids interested. Check out her 'Songs for Littles' channel and you'll see why it has become a favorite resource for families worldwide. Why Is Ms. Rachel So Popular? NBC/contributor/Getty Images Everybody seems to love Ms. Rachel and, in case you're still wondering why, Dr. Hafeez broke it down for me: 'Ms. Rachel is so popular because she blends education and entertainment in a way that really resonates with toddlers. Her warm, gentle voice and clear speech help children learn new words and sounds with ease. The repetition in her songs and activities builds confidence in early language skills.' In other words, she's pretty good at doing what she set out to do: help toddlers and preschoolers develop language skills without overstimulating them. Plus, the expert notes that she's popular among parents because they 'trust her background as a preschool teacher and musician, which comes through in the thoughtful structure of each lesson.' Is Ms. Rachel Good for Kids? Dr. Hafeez tells me that Ms. Rachel's content is considered good for kids because it's designed to support early speech and language development with the use of simple words, repetition, and clear enunciation—all of which help toddlers learn how to talk. Perhaps most importantly, 'her songs and activities keep children engaged without being overwhelming or too fast-paced; In a noisy online world, her calm, engaging presence stands out and offers a sense of safety and learning for young kids,' says Dr. Hafeez. Indeed, the bright visuals and friendly tone create a safe, positive space for little ones, and many parents and speech therapists recommend her videos because they blend fun with valuable learning. Still, there are some cons to tuning in. Well, just one, actually: screen time. Although Ms. Rachel's videos are gentler than much of the overstimulating content around, it's still important to keep in mind screen time guidelines. According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, children under the age of 18 months should have no screen time whatsoever, aside from brief video calls with family members; children between the ages of 18 and 24 months should only watch education content (like Ms. Rachel's) in the company of a caregiver, and ideally for no longer than 20 to 30 minutes; finally, kids between the ages of 2 and 5 should have no more than one hour of non-educational screen time on weekdays and three hours maximum on the weekend. Of course, Ms. Rachel's content is educational, so you could make a case for bending the rules a little for kids two and older, but the really young ones definitely don't benefit from binge-watching anything, not even when valuable learning is involved. Bottom line: Ms. Rachel is good for kids, but as with most good things, moderation is key. How to Get the Most Out of Ms. Rachel Videos1. Watch With Your Child As previously mentioned, it is recommended that toddlers under the age of two only enjoy their (limited) screen time in the presence of a caregiver. Dr. Hafeez says that this is true across the board if you want to really get the most out of Ms. Rachel's educational content. 'It's much better for parents to watch with their kids rather than just leaving them to watch alone, because they can sing along and repeat the words to help their child practice,' she explains. 2. Pause and Ask Questions You're watching along, but don't stop there. To really maximize the benefits of the viewing experience for your child Dr. Hafeez recommends occasionally pausing the video to ask your child questions about what's happening. This ensures they are really engaging with the content in a meaningful way and not just, you know, zonked. 3. Use the Songs and Words Throughout the Day Finally, the expert recommends that parents keep the learning going even when screen time is over: 'Parents can also use the songs and words from the videos in daily life, like during meals or playtime. Keeping screen time balanced with other activities is important. Most of all, making it fun together helps kids learn even more.' In other words, try to channel your own inner Ms. Rachel once that day's viewing window has closed. 10 Calming Kids Shows for When the Little Ones Are, Um, Overstimulated Solve the daily Crossword

Raising children the Gen Z way: Young UAE parents reimagine modern motherhood
Raising children the Gen Z way: Young UAE parents reimagine modern motherhood

The National

time07-07-2025

  • General
  • The National

Raising children the Gen Z way: Young UAE parents reimagine modern motherhood

Asma Almenhali, 26, has many thoughts on screentime, which she describes as one of the most 'judged' aspects of parenting. Ultimately, it's inevitable, the Emirati mother of two daughters says. 'We're raising kids in a digital world, screens are everywhere. I think it's unrealistic to say you'll completely avoid screentime altogether.' These beliefs were reinforced when Almenhali saw her daughter, who is now three, learn to consciously clap while watching a video by Ms Rachel, the American YouTuber beloved by children, parents and educational experts alike. Almenhali is a Gen Z mother and part of a generation of parents – born between 1995 and 2012 – who are entering the child-rearing stage with radically different tools, values and expectations than their predecessors. Almenhali believes Gen Z parents are 'more aware and intentional', in that they don't just follow what their parents or grandparents did blindly. 'Instead, we do our own research, question traditions when needed and make decisions with more confidence and a stronger voice.' Gen Z parents are much more aware and intentional - we don't just follow what our parents or grandparents did blindly Asma Almenhali This perspective is echoed across households in the UAE, where a growing number of young adults are raising children amid digital saturation, shifting cultural norms and rising economic pressure. While global Gen Z parenting trends emphasise emotional awareness, informed decision-making and the widespread use of social platforms for advice, these elements are playing out in uniquely local ways in the Emirates. Breaking generational cycles For Pakistani mother Faryal Zehra, 24, parenting is about not falling prey to a pattern. 'As a Gen Z parent, I think I am more intentional about breaking generational cycles,' she says. 'I try to ensure this by prioritising emotional intelligence and gentle parenting. I also rely heavily on research and digital communities to guide decisions – from sleep routines to developmental milestones – rather than just doing things the 'traditional' way.' This intentionality is a defining trait. A 2024 Ipsos report found that Gen Z parents in the US are intent on raising their children differently than previous generations, often placing greater emphasis on emotional awareness and mental health. Many turn to TikTok, Reddit and parenting podcasts for real-time advice and peer-driven support. In the UAE, where there is about 99 per cent internet penetration, this equals a highly networked form of parenting. 'We're constantly learning from each other in real time and adapting based on what we find,' says Zehra. 'Personally, I've used TikTok for everything from meal planning ideas to looking up explanations for medical symptoms before deciding if a doctor's visit is needed.' Parenting in isolation Digital platforms often offer parents a lifeline in terms of connection. Despite this, for some Gen Z parents in the UAE, such as Singaporean communications professional Nikki Fajardo, 26, a single mother of a 10-year-old daughter, the journey can be an isolating one 'One thing I always tell my daughter is this is my first time being a parent as well, so we're learning together as we go through it," says Fajardo. 'It's about giving each other grace. I might lose my cool and she might not be able to express how she feels about a situation, but I know: 'Oh, you're giving me attitude for some reason.'' Rather than echoing their own upbringing, Gen Z parents are often seeking to invert it. 'Coming from an Asian household, physical discipline was a huge thing,' says Fajardo. 'Soft parenting – I think that's a thing with millennials – I don't think that works either. I believe in putting your foot down and being firm. But that doesn't mean a slap, spank or pinch.' Her take reflects a broader growing sentiment among parents of most generations that authority does not equal aggression, and children deserve empathy and explanation. What is often referred to as 'gentle parenting'. For Zehra, that means saying 'I love you' often and apologising when she makes mistakes. 'I think showing humility and owning my mistakes is important, because it teaches my child that respect goes both ways and that it's OK to be human,' she says. Screentime and nutrition are hot topics Screentime is an issue that's front and centre for all the parents we spoke to. And this goes both ways. While Fajardo is very intentional about limiting her daughter's usage, she's also wary of her own, as getting lost down parenting rabbit holes online often just leaves her feeling guilty. 'Mum guilt is so real,' she says. 'We read forums, get lost in threads of Reddit and TikTok and Instagram.' This constant striving can lead to exhaustion and comparison. 'Our coping mechanism is dark in such times. It's like, what's another thing to worry about now?' Fajardo has spent the last year weaning her daughter off digital devices. 'I used to let her have TV time and iPad time willy-nilly. Now everything is on lock, including access to YouTube. I like to filter what she sees and what she learns.' Almenhali is also being very deliberate about her children's device usage. 'I'm the one in charge of the screen, not the other way around,' she says. 'Before introducing any kind of screentime, I do my research. I watch the videos myself to check for overstimulation. If a video feels overwhelming to me as an adult, how can I expect a baby or toddler to respond well?' Zehra has a similar approach, prioritising connection over control. 'I don't see it as something inherently negative, but I do make sure it's age-appropriate and balanced with other types of play, especially outdoors or hands-on activities,' she explains. 'One thing I do is allow screentime specifically on Fridays – not just as a treat, but as a way to help my child associate Friday with joy and blessing, in line with how it's observed in Islam.' For Almenhali, nutrition has also been a learning curve. 'I took a course with a Lebanese Dubai-based nutritionist. I keep notes and regularly search TikTok for healthy recipes.' Specifically, she says Solid Starts – a weaning resource by a team of paediatric feeding experts – has been very useful. Zehra says she tries not to be overly strict when it comes to eating habits, but has made an effort to expose her son to a variety of nutritious foods early on. 'I believe in modelling healthy eating rather than forcing it,' she adds. 'I also try to avoid using food as a reward or punishment – I want my child to develop a healthy relationship with food long-term.' Unique regional differences While economic pressure is another common theme worldwide, this is playing out differently in the UAE. Deloitte's 2024 Global Gen Z and Millennial Survey reports that the cost of living is among the top societal concern for these demographics, one of the reasons younger people are putting off having children until they're older and more financially secure. Yet, locally, many Gen Z-ers are seemingly embracing family life earlier than global averages, says Almenhali. 'As an Emirati national, I've noticed that Gen Z here are more willing to take the leap of faith and start a family,' she says. 'Compared to millennials, who might be further along in their careers and overthink this step, Gen Z seem more courageous and open to the idea of parenting earlier.' But there's a difference in how many children they choose to have. 'Compared to previous generations, we're clearly having fewer children,' adds Almenhali. 'While older generations often focused more on quantity, Gen Z is leaning more towards quality, giving more time, energy and resources to fewer kids.' Ultimately, like any other generation, Gen Z parents are doing things their way, but one theme seems to unite them all: intention. Whether it's delaying screentime, filtering media, meal prepping or leaning into parenting as a shared learning experience, they are writing their own rules – in real-time, together. They really have no other choice, Almenhali concludes. 'We're parenting in the age of social media, TikTok, parenting podcasts, and so on. If you search for one topic related to motherhood, the algorithm suddenly starts throwing tips, advice and expert opinions your way. It's everywhere. 'Because of that, Gen Z parents almost have no other choice but to be active, aware and intentional. We understand the weight of this responsibility, and with all the knowledge at our fingertips, we're doing our best to use it.'

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