Latest news with #Tinybeans
Miami Herald
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
How Tinybeans Saved My Relationship with My In-Laws
My husband and I had our first baby 6 months ago, meaning our transformation into lovestruck zombies is nearly complete. We're obsessed with our little squish — otherwise known as Nathan — and I have officially become that parent who won't stop sniffing her kid. (I'm sorry, but where does that sweet baby smell come from and why has no one found a way to bottle it up?!) Of course, we're not the only ones who can't get enough of N. As first-time grandparents, my mother and father-in-law, who live a few hours away, don't want to miss one minute of the 'action.' That word is in quotes because, at this point, there is minimal movement to report. And yet! What happened today? Where are the pics? Send more videos! The ping! ping! ping! of text messages was relentless. 'Sleep when your baby sleeps,' they say. But these people clearly did not have a Nana who demanded CNN-style breaking news coverage of their grandchild. I love my in-laws — I really do. I'm beyond grateful for their enthusiasm, but also I need. some. space. I don't necessarily have the energy for endless back-and-forth while navigating the eat, play, sleep, repeat loop that is my current existence. The fewer asks of me at this point, the better (for all of us!). Thankfully, Tinybeans offered a brilliant solution: I set up the app to automatically send Nana emails with the latest baby photos her son and I take. She might not be tech-savvy, but she's a pro at checking her inbox. Now every time Nathan flashes a gummy grin or fakes us out like he's gonna crawl but nope — maybe next time, suckers! — Nana gets to witness it all going down. As for my father-in-law, he's a little more tech-savvy, but whatever it is has to be extremely user-friendly. Before Tinybeans, whenever he wanted to ask about N, it meant a loooonng phone call (or voicemail I didn't have time to listen to). Don't get me wrong; I enjoy our conversations. PopPop knows how to tell a good story. But that reminiscing sometimes crosses over into lengthy TED Talk territory. Tinybeans came to the rescue again by allowing him to comment on photos to his heart's content without always picking up the phone. Plus, it's fun for us to collapse on the couch and read his incredible notes. We love that Nathan will be able to look back on the comments left by his grandparents one day. Side note: There's also the fact that the app pulls double duty as a digital memory book. We've used it to document milestones like his weight after doctor's appointments, an Olympics-worthy front-to-back roll, and his first smile that was probably (maybe?) not gas. Not only has it been super easy to log these fun moments, but doing so helps us be more 'in the moment' wherever we are and whoever we're with — including grandparents IRL. It's cool looking back to see how far N has come, appreciating every step of his journey and not missing a beat. Honestly, Tinybeans didn't just save my sanity; it strengthened our family bonds. Our time with Nana and PopPop is spent making new memories instead of frantically providing updates. And my hubs and I can savor (almost) every sleep-deprived moment with our baby while sharing our joy with the people we love most. Want to give it a go yourself? Download the Tinybeans app here and watch all those 'ooohs' and 'ahhhhs' pour in.
Miami Herald
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
My Insta ‘Friends' Are Mostly Strangers Now — and As a Mom, It's Weirding Me Out
Back when my husband and I were dating, one of his good friends was seeing her — a cool girl whose name I can't quite remember. The four of us went on a handful of double dates, and she and I chatted breezily during group hangs. Eventually, she attended our wedding as a plus-one; about a year or so later, they broke up. But during that brief period when our lives overlapped, I friended her on Instagram, as you do. And though I can't imagine a reason our paths would ever cross again, I never removed her from my digital world. She's liked plenty of posts of mine over the years —unforgettable moments like my eldest son's first car ride home from the hospital; the time he rolled himself into a blanket burrito and laughed from inside, like a little maniac; his younger brother's goofy attempts at toddler yoga; and a family trip where the boys are pleasantly passed out in the backseat after hours spent running around the beach. Each moment was so special, but looking back, I'm not sure how I feel that Flowerstars333 has been along for the ride — and she's hardly alone. A quick scroll through my followers, something I almost never do, reveals dozens of acquaintances, friends of friends, co-workers from eons ago, a few more once-significant others, and people I can't quite place but surely friended for a good reason at some point in my life … right? Probably? Let's be honest: At one point or another, who didn't freely 'accept' people they met who seemed fun and nice? It all seemed pretty low risk. But it's not just my life anymore. It's my kids'. Did I do a deep clean to clear the digital party-goers of my past from my current roster? Yep. But there've been years of posts up until now — birthdays, park visits, milestones, family get-togethers — all featuring my sons, who never knew they had an audience (and didn't agree to one). Not too long ago, we didn't think about privacy nearly as much. I had a 'private' social media account, and to be honest, that seemed responsible enough. I wish I would have had the foresight to keep my circle tight, to rely on a private photo-sharing app like Tinybeans (which a number of friends of mine have used from day one). I'm a late — if regretful — convert, and I'm relieved to know exactly who's got eyes on the most important people in my life. As for Flowerstars333, it's not that I suspect she has bad intentions. Leslie (it took me a while, but I got there!) still seems lovely — and she even has a family of her own these days. But when I sit with it, I can't help but think: Who were all those other people, really? For anyone looking to share moments with those who matter most (and no one else), learn about and download the Tinybeans app here.
Miami Herald
31-07-2025
- Miami Herald
Digital Nesting: 10 Tips to Protect Your Baby's Privacy from Day One
When we prepare for a baby so much of it is the physical — the bassinet, swaddles, diapers, bottles, teeny-tiny clothes — but the reality is we're also building their digital footprint. In today's digital age, even a simple birth announcement could unknowingly set your child up for identity theft, so it's vital to set boundaries for your little one's online presence from the start — something we call digital nesting. Digital Nesting (noun): The practice of preparing and establishing digital boundaries and safety measures for a child before or shortly after their arrival. 'We're in a different stage of technology right now where we're all aware of the digital footprints that we create,' explains internet safety expert Katie Greer. 'When we start these footprints for them when they're babies, they have no say in what is put out there; something that may be cute or funny to us at the time may horrify them later.' You've probably read about the backlash to sharenting (parental oversharing) or heard the kids of influencers speak out about their struggles. So how do you protect your baby's safety and their future? We gathered expert tips to help kick off your digital nesting. It's important to speak openly and honestly about what boundaries and rules you want to set around your child's digital identity and exposure. Making these decisions early helps you avoid oversharing or parental friction. If you've decided not to post your kids' photos or personal details online, your extended family and friends should know, so they're aligned too. Skip the personal details: Refrain from sharing your baby's full name, date of birth, or health information online. These details can be used in ways you can't control later. Turn off geotagging: Take a pass on location or venue check-ins, especially at spots your child visits regularly, like daycare, kindergarten, school, local parks, or coffee shops. Cover up any identifiers: Cover up uniforms and blur out logos of any institution on clothing that could track your kiddo to a specific daycare, kindergarten, or school. Choose private platforms: Social media can be a risky place to share your baby's highlights and milestones. Consider a secure app like Tinybeans! We're trusted by millions of parents thanks to our strict privacy settings, so you can share precious moments safely with family and close friends and know that you have complete ownership of your photos. Think before you post: Once a picture is online, you can't control where it goes. 'There's no magic tool that can wipe a photo or video off the internet forever,' says Greer. 'We can delete it in certain places, but that doesn't mean it's not somewhere else.' AI and other technologies may use your baby's image without your consent. Consider your baby's future: They can't consent to you posting that tushie shot or bathtime nudes. 'I think one of the biggest mistakes is putting out pictures of kids without their clothes on,' cautions Greer. They may be cute, but in the wrong hands, they can be devastating, so be selective about how much of your life you put online. Remember: your baby's privacy matters more than likes. Spam responsibly: We completely understand the urge to share every goofy smile and tiptoed toddle with close family — just be sure you're doing it somewhere that feels safe. Plus, you aren't the only one who will want to share baby's adorable face with the world, so communicate your boundaries with all the gushing grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends who might get share-happy, too. Stay updated: Be mindful of the fact that anyone can see your social posts if your account is public. 'Privacy settings are a must,' stresses Greer. 'So many people don't use them and share tremendously personal information.' But even if your account is private, social media platforms often change their privacy settings and policies, so regularly review your account settings to ensure your posts remain private and only visible to your selected audience. App permissions: Check what permissions you've granted to apps, especially photo-sharing and social media platforms. Limit access to things like your camera roll and location unless absolutely necessary. This generation of parents is the first to have had social media accounts since they were at high school or university — that's a lot of acquaintances we've collected along the way! If you do share life updates on social media regularly, audit who you're friends with or who's following you. Even if your account is on private, someone you met once 20 years ago doesn't need to see details of your life now. Watch for suspicious activity: Be cautious of any emails or messages that ask for personal information about your baby or family. Cybercriminals often target new parents with scams, so stay vigilant. 'A good rule of thumb is: if you didn't expect it, don't go clicking around,' says Greer. Use strong, unique passwords for all your social media and photo-sharing accounts. Consider enabling two-factor authentication for an added layer of security. Family accounts: Ensure that any family members you share photos with also use strong passwords and secure their accounts properly. Teach digital safety from day one: As your child grows, talk openly about what's safe to share online. 'From a very young age, we can set good examples and have really great conversations about how, when, and why we use technology,' says Greer. Guide them in spotting dangers and understanding who they can trust online. It's OK to pivot: If you started sharing publicly but now feel uneasy about it, know that it's fine to change your approach. Your child's safety and your peace of mind come first. Set healthy boundaries: Keep adjusting your digital habits as your kiddo grows. You're their role model for how they build a relationship with tech, so be mindful of the example you set. If your toddler or child is on a digital device (let's face it, they will!) make sure your devices, apps, and programs have child locks or settings. For example, you can find safety settings for Alexa, YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, and more. Pro tip: Don't let your kids know the password to your phone as it automatically creates a permission structure to access content, apps, and games. Digital Footprint: Remember, what you post today could impact your child later in life. Be mindful of creating a digital footprint that respects their future privacy and choices. Ask permission: As your child grows, involve them in decisions about what you share online. 'It's a great practice! It gets the kids involved in their digital reputation and also teaches them how we should respect others.' Teaching them about consent as early as possible will help them understand the importance of controlling their digital presence and the fact that others will want to do the same. In the tech age, it's up to parents to protect and educate our kiddos from the very start. 'I think really being involved in our kids' online lives is imperative if we want to help them be safe and productive,' explains Greer. 'Early, frequent conversations around all of these important topics can really set our kids up for success.' So get that viral bassinet and find the perfect wallpaper for the nursery — but also start your digital nesting to plan how you'll protect your little one online. These tips should help get the ball rolling and keep it moving for years to come. Tinybeans is more than a photo-sharing app — it's a secure platform designed for today's parents who want to protect their children's privacy while sharing family milestones. In a recent survey, 90% of users said privacy is the top reason they choose Tinybeans. The app lets you share safely and stay in control of your family's digital presence. Once your baby arrives, it's important to stay connected with loved ones near and far and spread the joy of watching your little one grow. With Tinybeans, you can easily share your baby's sweetest moments with grandparents, family, and close friends, creating memories together in a safe, secure space. Join today to create your family's very own digital time capsule and stay connected with loved ones — without worrying about privacy or security.
