Tag: cell phone

Obamas condemn federal immigration agents’ conduct: ‘This has to stop’

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Former President Obama and Michelle Obama called on Americans to recognize the dangers of the increasingly violent Immigration and Customs Enforcement crack-downs in the wake of the deadly shooting of an ICU nurse in Minneapolis.

“The killing of Alex Pretti is a heartbreaking tragedy,” the Obamas wrote in a lengthy statement posted on social media. “It should also be a wake up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault.”

Pretti, a 37-year-old Department of Veterans Affairs nurse, was seen using his cellphone to record ICE members deploying Saturday morning in a snowy Minneapolis neighborhood. Witness videos show federal immigration agents shoving a woman and Pretti coming to her assistance. He was then pushed and doused with a chemical spray, then tackled to the ground. He was shot 10 times.

On Sunday, demonstrations occurred across the country to protest the tactics of federal immigration agents and comments by President Trump and others in his administration. Several administration officials seemed to blame Pretti for his death because he was carrying a weapon during a protest.

Minneapolis police said Pretti had a license to carry a concealed weapon; gun rights groups have decried some administration rhetoric and called for a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding Pretti’s death.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara on Sunday almost begged for calm for his city that has witnessed hundreds of ICE agents moving in. O’Hara told CBS News “this is not sustainable,” and that his officers were stretched thin trying to contain “all of this chaos.”

“This has to stop,” the Obamas wrote.

“Federal law enforcement and immigration agents have a tough job,” the Obamas wrote. “But Americans expect them to carry out their duties in a lawful, accountable way, and to work with, rather than against, state and local officials to ensure public safety.

“That’s not what we’re seeing in Minnesota. In fact, we’re seeing the opposite,” the former first couple wrote.

On Sunday, protests grew as people watched cellphone video captured by bystanders of Pretti’s shooting.

Pretti’s parents, Susan and Michael Pretti, in a statement reported by the Associated Press, described their son as “a kindhearted soul who cared deeply for his family and friends and also the American veterans whom he cared for as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA hospital.”

His shooting comes less than three weeks after an ICE agent shot an unarmed mother, Renee Nicole Good, in another Minneapolis neighborhood. The agency said she was attempting to harm an ICE agent although video of the incident appears to show her turning the wheel of her SUV away from the agent when he shot her in the face.

“For weeks now, people across the country have been rightly outraged by the spectacle of masked ICE recruits and other federal agents acting with impunity and engaging in tactics that seem designed to intimidate, harass, provoke and endanger the residents of a major American city,” the Obamas wrote, describing such methods as “unprecedented tactics.”

“The President and current administration officials seem eager to escalate the situation, while offering public explanations for the shootings of Mr. Pretti and Renee Good that aren’t informed by any serious investigation — and that appear to be directly contradicted by video evidence,” the Obamas wrote.

They called on Trump administration officials to “reconsider their approach” and work constructively with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and other state and local authorities “to avert more chaos and achieve legitimate law enforcement goals.”

“In the meantime, every American should support and draw inspiration from the wave of peaceful protests in Minneapolis and other parts of the country,” the Obamas wrote. “They are a timely reminder that ultimately it’s up to each of us as citizens to speak out against injustice, protect our basic freedoms, and hold our government accountable.”

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Meg James

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January 25, 2026
Uber Eats delivery driver robbed, carjacked at gunpoint in South Carolina, police say

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An Uber Eats delivery driver was robbed at gunpoint and carjacked while trying to drop off someone’s food at an apartment complex in South Carolina, according to police.Officers with the Spartanburg Police Department were dispatched to an apartment complex in Spartanburg after receiving a report of an armed carjacking. The victim told officers that he was making an Uber Eats delivery when he was approached by a man who offered to help him find the apartment he was looking for. As the victim exited his vehicle, the suspect pulled out a handgun, placed it against the back of the victim’s head, and ordered him to get against the car. The suspect, identified as Ryan Maquese Bennett, went through the victim’s pockets and stole his wallet and its contents, according to the police report. Bennett is also accused of taking the victim’s cell phone and attempting to access a financial application, but returned the phone when he was unsuccessful. The suspect then entered the victim’s vehicle and fled the scene, according to the report. Police said the victim was not physically injured. The stolen vehicle was described as a burgundy four-door Nissan Altima with damage to the passenger-side door.Bennett has been charged with carjacking, armed robbery and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Bennett was booked into the Spartanburg County Detention Center, where he is awaiting a bond hearing. Major Art Littlejohn said, “We encourage delivery drivers to trust their instincts, stay alert, and immediately contact 911 if they sense anything suspicious or unsafe.”

SPARTANBURG, S.C. —

An Uber Eats delivery driver was robbed at gunpoint and carjacked while trying to drop off someone’s food at an apartment complex in South Carolina, according to police.

Officers with the Spartanburg Police Department were dispatched to an apartment complex in Spartanburg after receiving a report of an armed carjacking.

The victim told officers that he was making an Uber Eats delivery when he was approached by a man who offered to help him find the apartment he was looking for. As the victim exited his vehicle, the suspect pulled out a handgun, placed it against the back of the victim’s head, and ordered him to get against the car.

Spartanburg Police Department
Ryan Maquese Bennett

The suspect, identified as Ryan Maquese Bennett, went through the victim’s pockets and stole his wallet and its contents, according to the police report. Bennett is also accused of taking the victim’s cell phone and attempting to access a financial application, but returned the phone when he was unsuccessful. The suspect then entered the victim’s vehicle and fled the scene, according to the report.

Police said the victim was not physically injured. The stolen vehicle was described as a burgundy four-door Nissan Altima with damage to the passenger-side door.

Bennett has been charged with carjacking, armed robbery and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

Bennett was booked into the Spartanburg County Detention Center, where he is awaiting a bond hearing.

Major Art Littlejohn said, “We encourage delivery drivers to trust their instincts, stay alert, and immediately contact 911 if they sense anything suspicious or unsafe.”

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January 16, 2026
NC law doesn’t ban cellphone use in cars

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A social media account that positions itself as an authority on the North Carolina General Assembly posted false information about the state’s driving laws — triggering a wave of inaccurate news online, and leading to an incorrect artificial intelligence-generated summary on a popular search engine.

The Facebook page — called “North Carolina Legislature” — posted that “Effective today, December 1, 2025, North Carolina has a new ‘Hands-Free NC Act’ that prohibits the use of wireless communication devices while driving.”

(Screengrab from Facebook)

The post, shared more than 3,000 times before being deleted, went on to claim: “Drivers cannot hold or use a device for tasks like texting or watching videos, though voice-activated technology and factory-installed navigation systems are allowed for most drivers.”

Similar claims were subsequently reported by a conservative pundit, a Charlotte-based television station and western North Carolina radio station. On Dec. 2, the day after the post, people who searched “Hands Free NC” on Google were shown an “AI Overview” saying: “‘Hands Free NC’ is the new law that went into effect on December 1, 2025, prohibiting drivers from holding or physically using a wireless device while driving, even at a red light.”

(Screengrab from Google)

The problem with these reports? There is no new law banning people from holding their cell phones while driving. And state lawmakers say despite the “North Carolina Legislature” Facebook page’s name, the account isn’t affiliated with the North Carolina legislature.

North Carolina law already bans motorists from sending text or email messages while driving. The “Hands Free NC Act,” a bipartisan bill filed in March, would allow motorists to be on the phone while driving — as long as they aren’t holding a phone in their hand.

However, the bill has not become law, nor has it come up for a vote in the state Senate or state House of Representatives.

Sometimes, legislators take a bill’s contents and put its provisions in a more popular bill that’s on its way to becoming law. That didn’t happen with the “Hands Free” bill’s contents, lawmakers say.

PolitiFact contacted the offices of Senate Leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, and House Speaker Destin Hall, R-Caldwell. We also contacted representatives for Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey, whose office oversees auto insurance regulations, and Attorney General Jeff Jackson. Their spokespeople said they were unaware of any new law banning people from holding their phone while driving.

“The ‘Hands-Free NC Act’ was never enacted by the General Assembly and is not in effect,” said Demi Dowdy, a spokesperson for Hall.

State Sen. Jim Burgin, R-Harnett, introduced the bill and told PolitiFact that he has received several phone calls about the Facebook post. Burgin said he regrets having to inform voters that his proposal never actually became law.

“Every day that I go back and forth to Raleigh, I see distracted driving,” Burgin said in a phone interview. “At a red light, [when the light turns green] the traffic starts moving and they don’t move and their heads are down — you know what they’re doing. They’re looking at their phone.”

The North Carolina Alliance for Safe Transportation, a nonprofit organization that advocates policies that make traveling safer, issued a statement about the Facebook post, saying that it was inaccurate.

“The lesson with this social media post is mistakes happen, which is also the reason motorists should avoid distractions and focus on driving when behind the wheel,” Joe Stewart, the alliance’s board chairman said in a statement.

A PolitiFact reporter messaged the “North Carolina Legislature” Facebook page, which says it is “managed by unpaid volunteers.” We asked for the source of the page’s claim about the “Hands Free NC Act,” but page administrators didn’t provide an answer.

Our ruling

A Facebook post said the “Hands-Free NC Act” went into effect Dec. 1 and “prohibits the use of wireless communication devices while driving.”

The bill never got a vote in the General Assembly and its contents weren’t enacted into law as part of any other bill. We rate this claim False.

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December 4, 2025
Virginia Governor Reportedly Issues Executive Order To Restrict Cell Phone Use In Public Schools

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Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has issued an executive order to restrict the use of cell phones in public schools.

RELATED: White West Virginia Couple In Jail Amid Charges For Human Trafficking Of Black Adopted Children

More Details On The Executive Order Passed By The Virginia Governor

According to CNN, Gov Youngkin issued the executive order on Tuesday, July 9. The outlet reports that the legislation intends to “limit or ban cell phone use in public schools.” Additionally, the order reportedly requires the Virginia Department of Education to “establish guidelines for a cell phone-free education.”

The outlet reports that Gov. Youngkin believes the decision is an “essential action” to “promote a healthier and more focused educational environment.”

“Creating cell phone and social media-free educational environments in Virginia’s K-12 education system will benefit students, parents, and educators,” Youngkin reportedly explained. “Today’s Executive Order both establishes the clear goal to protect the health and safety of our students by limiting the amount of time they are exposed to addictive cell phones and social media and eliminates clear distractions in the classroom.”

According to the outlet, Virginia isn’t the only place where schools have vowed to place limits on cell phone use. CNN reports that last month, the New York City Public Schools and the Los Angeles Unified School District announced that “they would similarly move to limit cell phones in their schools.”

When Will The Order Go Into Effect & What’s The Reaction So Far?

According to the outlet, a draft of Virginia’s new cell phone policy in public schools is reportedly expected to be submitted by August 15. Final adjustments should be made by September, and the policy should go into full effect by January 1, 2025.

WAVY adds that school districts within the state have already begun discussing the new policy. Furthermore, the outlet reports that Virginia Beach City Public Schools have already implemented a cell phone ban. However, it still poses challenges and requires equal support from school officials and parents.

“Our teachers work hard to address it,” Virginia Beach City Public Schools Chief School Officer Matthew Delaney told the outlet. “They work with our families to address it collectively. We believe the adults have to come together to support our teachers in creating the best learning environment for our kids.”

Donald Robertson, the superintendent of VBCPS, says their policy does not require cell phones to be confiscated from students. Instead, it expects “students to be off of them during instructional time.”

According to WSLS, schools in Roanoke, Virginia, which have also implemented a similar policy, are now determining whether they should up the ante and restrict cell phones from classrooms “entirely.” The outlet adds that Roanoke County Schools has sent a survey to parents for their input on the matter.

Cell Phone Use Recently Came Between THIS Rapper & A Crowd At Essence Fest

It appears that the issue of heavy cell phone use is not only a problem in classrooms. As The Shade Room previously reported, earlier this month, Busta Rhymes went off on a crowd at Essence Fest for being too distracted by their phones during his performance.

“Ayo, f**k those camera phones too, let’s get back to interacting as humans,” the rapper emphatically told the crowd. “Put those weird a** devices down! I ain’t from that era… F**k your phone!”

Watch the viral moment below.

RELATED: WHEW! Busta Rhymes Goes OFF On Crowd For Being On Their Cellphones During His Essence Fest Performance (WATCH)

What Do You Think Roomies?

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Jadriena Solomon

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July 12, 2024
Boater dies just feet from land when he dives in to find cell phone, Florida cops say

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A 69-year-old West Virginia man is believed to have drowned, the Hernando County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. His identity has not been released.

Street View image from Feb. 2023. © 2024 Google

A man boating along Florida’s Gulf Coast died just feet from land, when he chased after a phone that fell overboard at the dock, according to investigators.

The 69-year-old West Virginia resident is believed to have suffered “a medical episode” in the water, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office said in a May 9 news release. His identity has not been released.

It happened Wednesday, May 8, after the man and two companions returned to the Hernando Beach Boat Ramp after a day on the water, the sheriff’s office said.

“While at the dock and in the process of removing the boat from the water, one of the men’s cell phone fell into the water,” officials said.

“After removing the boat from the water, the victim told his friends he was going in the water to retrieve his friend’s cell phone. Taking only a pair of goggles, the victim … returned to the dock and jumped into the water, feet first.”

A witness reported the man never resurfaced, resulting in “several people” jumping in the water to search for him, officials said.

His body was recovered around 8:30 p.m., with the help of the Hernando County marine unit and underwater operations team, officials said.

“Preliminary investigation indicates no signs of foul play. The incident appears to be accidental or related to a medical episode,” the sheriff’s office said. “The victim suffered from heart disease and had a pacemaker.”

The man was a resident of West Virginia with a vacation home in adjacent Pasco County, officials said. The Hernando Beach Boat Ramp is about 50 miles northwest of downtown Tampa.

Mark Price is a National Reporter for McClatchy News. He joined the network of newspapers in 1991 at The Charlotte Observer, covering beats including schools, crime, immigration, LGBTQ issues, homelessness and nonprofits. He graduated from the University of Memphis with majors in journalism and art history, and a minor in geology.

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Mark Price

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May 9, 2024
Thieves climbing cell towers to steal copper wire in Houston
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HOUSTON – Stealing copper wire is not a new revelation in crime that can lead to lucrative returns for quick work.

However, crooks are now climbing to new heights to make a quick buck – literally.

All across SE Texas, specifically the Houston area, there’s been an uptick in criminals climbing cell towers to steal the copper that helps keep you connected with the world.

“Most of them are climbing,” said Carey McGrew of South Texas Cellular Services, which builds and maintains cell phone towers. “It’s super dangerous. They’re free climbing. So, it’s like you’re putting your life at risk, climbing this to get not much at all. You know, you’d be better off going to get a job than you would putting your life at risk.”
You might be wondering. Why climb the tower? That sounds like it’s really dangerous and difficult.

Well, the answer isn’t all that hard to find.

Criminals have their eyes set on thick telecommunication cables, called trunk, that carries the signal from the ground, up the tower and to the transmitters. This is a gold (or copper) mine for thieves. But to get it down, they need to cut it from the top.

In one stop, they can get away with hundreds of feet of copper wire.

It’s worth thousands in scrap value, but often thieves are paid pennies on the dollar.

“I know that we had one, and he only got 180 bucks at the scrap yard,” McGrew said. “But, I mean, just depending on what they steal, they could get a couple thousand [or a] couple hundred. Just depends on what they’re stealing.”

Some scrap yards know where all this wire is coming from and take advantage of knowing the criminals want cash now.

“It is against the law for scrap yards to buy this wire without proper documentation detailing the ownership of the wire,” said Sgt. Bob Carson with the Houston Police Department’s Metal Theft Unit. “HPD will investigate any scrap yard suspected of breaking this law.”

How Often Is This Happening?

That’s a great question. And the answer is a lot.

The Houston Police Department is investigating at least 20 cases of copper theft from cell phone towers in the last six months.

“Probably 7 or 8 in the last month. Just in the last month,” McGrew said.

Major telecommunications companies say they’re working with authorities in Harris County on a monthly basis to combat the spike in targets on their infrastructure.
But thieves aren’t biased on geographic location.

They’ve hit cell phone towers in several other counties, including Galveston County, where a man was just caught by sheriff’s deputies on Tuesday.

The Galveston County Sheriff’s Office arrested and charged Jimmy Solis, 43, with criminal trespass and stealing copper in connection to the crime. He’s one of several suspects, the sheriff’s office said.

It’s Dangerous Work

That most recent case in Galveston County ended with a crook being caught in the act while roughly 40 feet up in the tower.

According to a local company that services the towers, the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office responded and caught him in the act. While the man was climbing down, he somehow fell about 30 feet to the ground. It’s unclear if Solis was the individual who fell.

“They said that they just told us that he fell and that he hurt his hand,” McGrew explained. “They had to call him and an ambulance. Could have been a whole lot worse.”

Many of these crooks are free climbing the towers, meaning they’re scaling the several hundred-foot metal structures without the proper safety gear.

“If they are climbing or getting hurt on the tower. I mean, all of this is energized,” she said.

This Impacts All Of Us

Not only will could these crimes impact your family’s safety, but also your bottom line.

Each time a thief hits a cell tower, the cell phone carriers, like T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T and others, have to pay to have the damaged or removed cables replaced.

“It just depends,” McGrew said. “I know that some carriers that I’ve talked to, they’ve spent $10,000. Some of them have spent $20,000. Some of them have spent $25,000.”

At the end of the day, all of that comes back to the customers who see increases in their bills.

KPRC 2 asked some of the nation’s top cell phone carriers for comment on the thefts impacting their operations. Here are their responses:

AT&T:

“We’re actively working with local law enforcement, who is investigating to find those responsible. The public should be aware and report to the police any unmarked (non-AT&T) vehicles or individuals cutting and removing cable.”

Verizon:

“The theft of copper communications cables is illegal and dangerous because it puts our customers and others in jeopardy. If somebody needs to make an emergency phone call, including calls to 911, if their phone line was stolen, they may not be able to do so. These criminal acts have caused significant service delays and public safety concerns for Verizon customers and thousands of dollars in damage to local communities. The company urges anyone with info about these crimes to contact the Verizon Security Control Center at 800-997-3287 and select option 3.”

T-Mobile:

“This isn’t an issue that is significantly impacting how our network operates, however, it is important to note that theft at towers can lead to extremely dangerous conditions for our teams who manage them, so we do have tools in place to help us make sure our sites remain safe.”

Dish Wireless:

“DISH Network, a subsidiary of EchoStar, has experienced an increase in copper thefts in the Houston area at our local cell sites. We have collaborated with other wireless operators in meetings with the Harris County Sheriff’s Department and other law enforcement agencies. Additionally, we have enhanced our security, including advanced monitoring.”

When cell phone towers are damaged, it can leave you and your family in real danger if there were to be an emergency.

“It impacts to people’s ability to call 911,” said Sgt. Carson.

Cell phone towers work like those old pesky Christmas tree lights. When one goes out, they all go out, or a hub of towers goes out.

“Sometimes the towers work as a hub,” McGrew explained. “If they take out one, it takes out like a ring of towers. It would take out seven, eight, maybe even more at a time.”

Cell phone carriers and tower managers are now using high tech surveillance systems and even security cameras to get notifications and video evidence in real time if crooks decide to hit their towers.

While it’s helping catch some crooks, awareness will help curb the problem and keep you connected.

KPRC 2′s Gage Goulding will have a full report on this new crime theft Friday night at 10 p.m.
Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.

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Gage Goulding

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March 22, 2024
8 Essential Habits For Healthier Cell Phone Use
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Cell phones can be bad for your health, if you let them be. Don’t worry – I am definitely not telling you to ditch that lifeline. Instead, I have outlined eight essential habits to ensure your healthier use of everyone’s favourite toy: the cell phone.

Cell phones (also known as mobile phones by those of us who like to be a little more Euro-chic, and smartphones for those of us mostly residing in Bangladesh, apparently) get a bad rap for the damage they’re causing to our health. The screens are bright, we know about the nervous system effects of the wifi signal and we let them bleep and buzz all night long, disturbing our sleep.

Drake can sing about how we used to call him on his cell phone, late at night when we need his love. But let’s be real about this. There will be only love lost if we’re up in the middle of the night staring at that bright blue screen – even if Drake is on the other end of it.

Now, I am not hating on the beloved mobile phone here. I love mine. I really do. And if used properly, it can actually be a boost to our health.

My favourite healthy uses of my iPhone include:
- Browsing my favourite craft and gardening accounts on Instagram.
- The HeartMath app for meditation when I’m feeling overly anxious.
- Email – mostly receiving the TreeHugger newsletter every morning while sipping on my Elixir.
- Taking photos with it because that camera is way easier to use than my SLR.
- Recording jingles. Josh and I often make up songs and then record them. We’re working on our first album. No one will want it.
- Facetiming with my family and most of all, my nieces and nephews (until they invariably just use it to look at themselves, make faces and fart noises).
I am not here to tell you that your iPhone is evil and you must ditch it. No, not at all. These phones are rather amazing and allow us to do, be, create, and share amazingness. That being said, they also have the potential to contribute to the degeneration of our health.

The radiation of phones are often considered the biggest hazard. This is how it works according to Dr. Devra Lee Davis:

“A cell phone is a two-way microwave radio. In order for it to receive information, it must send signals to the tower for the tower to send signals back to it. Whenever you are moving (e.g. in cars or on bikes) while you are on your phone, the phone operates at full power to maintain connection with one cell tower after another. That means continuous, maximum microwave radiation. On top of that, you have constant microwave radiation plumes generated by Wi-Fi and Bluetooth two-way transmissions as well as notifications and updates of numerous smartphone apps. The mobile industry euphemizes this radiation as “radiofrequency energy,” because marketing cellphones as two-way microwave radios used next to the brain would not make them very popular.”

Because phones aren’t going away anytime soon, I kindly ask that you take on these healthy cell phone user habits to reduce any potential harm they could be doing to your health.

8 Healthy iPhone & SmartPhone Habits

1. Avoid Wearing Your Phone

I cringe when I see women wearing their phone in their bra, or men keeping it in their front shirt pocket. Front pants pockets for men aren’t any better. Woman aren’t usually as guilty of this as men as often when we’re out, our phones are in our purses. Though I always love a man who can rock a good purse, few do, and even fewer are sporting a fanny pack.

The goal here is to have your phone on your body as infrequently as possible. Cell phones work by constantly sending and receiving signals. This erratic radiation is what is causing concern. The World Health Organization has classified cell phones as a Class B carcinogen. References continue to circulate about young women getting breast cancer in the top quadrant, closer to the surface of the skin, indicating a link to where they store their phones. Other studies have indicated a link between cell phone radiation and impaired fertility in men.

The Solution

Aim to carry your phone as far from your body as much possible, especially while travelling where your phone has to continually send and receive to maintain the signal. If you’re not expecting a call and aren’t actively using your phone, switch it into airplane mode. This will switch off the send and receive signal. It can easily be switched back on when you need to use it.

2. Avoid Pressing Your Phone To The Side Of Your Face

A phone, though once intended to make and receive phone calls, isn’t used for this as often as it once was. If you actually read the legal terms that are present on your iPhone (Settings -> General -> About -> Legal -> RF Exposure) you’ll find the following statement, or variation depending on the date/phone you’re using. I was going to highlight the important parts, but it’s all important.

“SAR measurement may exceed the FCC exposure guidelines for body-worn operation if positioned less than 15 mm (5/8 inch) from the body (e.g. when carrying iPhone in your pocket). For optimal mobile device performance and to be sure that human exposure to RF energy does not exceed the FCC, IC, and European Union guidelines, always follow these instructions and precautions: When on a call using the built-in audio receiver in iPhone, hold iPhone with the dock connector pointed down toward your shoulder to increase separation from the antenna. When using iPhone near your body for voice calls or for wireless data transmission over a cellular network, keep iPhone at least 15 mm (5/8 inch) away from the body, and only use carrying cases, belt clips, or holders that do not have metal parts and that maintain at least 15 mm (5/8 inch) separation between iPhone and the body.”

Studies have shown the connection between cell phone radiation exposure has been linked to brain tumors, salivary gland tumors, mouth cancers and more. There have also been increases in brain cancer in children and adolescents.

The Solution

When you are using your smartphone to make or receive calls, aim to use the speaker phone functionality or a headset as often as possible (even better, an EMF blocking headset). If the call is of a more private nature and you don’t have a headset, hold the phone at least 15mm from your head, as outlined on Apple’s legal disclaimer. And the same applies for children, but in all caps: THE SAME APPLIES TO CHILDREN.

3. Get Radiation Protection

Not all cases are created equal. At all. I am not sure why a phone case seems to be such an important personal branding thing, but the case matters for more than how it will look in your mirror selfies. If you start to search around on the topic of metal cases, you’ll see commentary about how it reduces the cell phone signal, making your phone weaker. That’s an inconvenience sure, but it’s more than that. In addition to weakening the signal, it also increases the levels of radiation according to the Environmental Working Group.

* Total Radiating Power values estimated by EWG from tests conducted in spring 2012 and submitted to the FCC by Pong Research Corp, on May 31, 2012. Available in ET Docket No. 13-84 (http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/proceeding/view?name=13-84) and WT Docket 11-186 (http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/view?id=7021921006).
** Percent TRP decrease rounded to the nearest decile.

And it’s not just metal cases that can be problematic. From this study done by Pong Research, all cases will affect radiation levels to some degree.

*SAR values are from tests conducted by Pong Research Corp on March 29, 2012 and submitted to the FCC on May 31, 2012. Because the SAR values were submitted to the FCC in graph form, EWG estimated numerical SAR values based on the chart available in WT Docket 11-186 (http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/view?id=7021921006). Pong’s filing to the FCC did not indicate whether SAR measurements were done at the head or in a body-worn configuration. In a personal communication, Pong informed EWG that the SAR measurements were done in a body-worn configuration, with the same distance from the test mannequin used by the phone manufacturer. Tests in the body-worn configuration were done at a 10 millimeter separation distance.
** Percent SAR increase rounded to the nearest decile.

The moral of the story with the first three points on my list of eight is that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) isn’t looking out for our optimal health and safety, the makers of these phones aren’t doing it out of their own free will, and so it’s our responsibility to be smart about it.

I know your selfie photos in the mirror that show off your phone case, or your perfectly curated “Look at me! I’m at work” Instagram posts may suffer, but your brain, breasts, heart, uterus/ovaries or testicles and general nervous system will thank you. So will your healthy-brained children.

The Solution

There are loads of products on the market that claim to protect you from the radiation from your phone including wearable stones and crystals*. If you have other recommendations, please post in the comments and I’ll add them in.

4. Avoid Streaming Content – Especially For Your Kids

Some might go so far as to say your children should never be on your phone or tablet, that you shouldn’t be on it near your children, that you should definitely not be on it while nursing, but it’s possible all of these options may seem impossible. Previously I mentioned switching your phone to “Airplane” mode when it’s not in active use. Children are the most vulnerable users. Children face the most serious health risks. According to a study published in the Journal of Microscopy and Ultrastructure, “The rate of MWR [microwave radiation] absorption is higher in children than adults because their brain tissues are more absorbent, their skulls are thinner, and their relative size is smaller. Fetuses are particularly vulnerable, because MWR exposure can lead to degeneration of the protective sheath that surrounds brain neurons.”

Once upon a time, kids survived without having technology in their face during every gap between activities.

The Solution

Your kids are going to reach your phones, likely with the same frequency you do (or would like to). Again, we don’t need to eliminate but we do need to reduce the harm. In addition to limiting overall time, whenever your child is using your phone, switch it to airplane mode. This means letting videos fully buffer or download, then switching it to airplane mode and handing it over to let them watch. This keeps the phone from sending and receiving the signal. If you don’t have room on your phone to save videos, you can get a simple app like Dropbox and store everything there.

5. Use The “Night Shift” Functionality In The Evening

Photo Credit

All screens project primarily blue light. Perhaps you’ve heard about how late-night screen time can impair your sleep? Well, a big contributor to that is the blue light. This light is much like daylight. Because we are humans, and not owls or bats or monk seals, we are meant to be asleep during the darker, nighttime hours and awake in the daylight hours. Our hormones know this. A recent Harvard study has also connected this late-night blue light exposure to an increased risk of diabetes and obesity.

“Harvard researchers and their colleagues conducted an experiment comparing the effects of 6.5 hours of exposure to blue light vs exposure to green light of comparable brightness. The blue light suppressed melatonin for about twice as long as the green light and shifted circadian rhythms by twice as much (3 hours vs. 1.5 hours).” Melatonin is the hormone that lets us sleep at night.

Further, decreased levels of melatonin have also been associated with increased risk in some cancers.

Of course, there are simple and essential benefits to getting a good night’s rest. If you or your children are having trouble winding down at the end of the day, getting to sleep and/or staying asleep, could it be that “one more video” before bed that is part of the problem? It’s definitely not part of the solution.

The Solution

The new IOS on the iPhone has what is called “Night Shift”. You’ll find it under your settings and what it does is shift your phone’s usual display to block out the blue light making your screen appear more orange/red in tone. You get used to it. Android phones have their own version, too.

There is also an app you can download for your computer or tablet called Flux. Get it. You can adjust your settings to have your screen shift around the time it begins to get dark. Of course, an even better solution might be to have your shutdown time a good hour before your appropriate pre-midnight bedtime.

6. Cut Yourself Off

Oh now, this is hard. I know. Start slow and steady, you can do it. There is some joy to missing out, just a little. The world will continue, all will be okay. Research on kids has shown that more than three hours a day on social media increases rates of anxiety and depression. Is it possible the same can be said for adults. It’s okay to shut it off. There is no FOMO if you are blissfully unaware.

Of course, as I mentioned at the top of this article, smartphones can be super fun. And so is human interaction. I’ve recently taken measures to fill my time with more tech-free activities like macrame wall hanging and tapestry weaving. I am not joking. There are also ways to taper off and reduce the tendency to grab at your phone just because the person you’re out with went to the bathroom.

The Solution

It’s all good to have time that you spend on your phone catching up on things, reading articles on your favourite blog, following your favourite Instagram stars and such. But perhaps try also not doing this during those quiet moments. Put a book in the bathroom like the olden days. Sit quietly at the bus stop and look around. Make eye contact and maybe have a conversation. Breathe for 30 seconds. Make room for a few intentional distractions, a few moments everyday. You’ll be okay.

7. Switch To Airplane Mode For Overnight Use

This is a big one. A big, big one. If you have to use your phone for your alarm, ensure you have the “Night Shift” mode activated and turn off the wifi signal by switching your phone to airplane mode. There is absolutely no reason to sleep with your phone under your pillow, in your hand or on your night table and let it buzz and ping, and ding and ring when your main purpose is to be sleeping. These subtle sounds pull you out of your deepest sleep and have long-term consequences for your health.

I’ll get texts from people that say things like “I hope it’s not too early to text”. Send me a text at all hours, it won’t bother me. My phone is off. But it will be disruptive to you and your rhythms.

The Solution

Turn your phone off at night and take it a step further and ban them from the bedroom. If you use it for an alarm, switch it to airplane mode. And if you have other people (ahem, teens and spouses) who don’t want to play along, then unplug the router at night. Have a time when it gets unplugged and that signals that it’s time for everyone to shut down.

8. Set A Turn On Time

Just as it’s ideal to have a shut-off time, set yourself a turn-on time too. It can be very easy to turn your phone on first thing when you wake up in the morning. Give yourself a breather: some time to welcome in the day, take some deep breaths, maybe some exercise, or perhaps just a little meditation time. Maybe you can focus on the people in your home rather than all the ones on the other side of those walls. Reading all those work emails before you get to work does not make you more productive.

There is huge benefit to starting your day with positive messages, positive intentions and calmness. The morning news very rarely welcomes that in.

The Solution

Give yourself a set amount of time in the morning that is yours and yours alone. Time to wake up to the day before you turn it on. Chances are usually quite good that you won’t miss anything.

Though I am rarely a proponent of the “All Things In Moderation” mantra, I also believe that a little of something is a good thing and too much becomes bad. Kind of like wine, right? With these tips for healthier cell phone use in mind, stay consistent. What feels awkward or cumbersome or a nuisance at first will very soon become your normal, a new habit, kind of like checking email when we first got email. Or Facebook when that happened.

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Photo Credit: iStock/Toa55

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Meghan Telpner

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March 19, 2024
OMG! Does Travis Kelce Have A Picture Of Taylor Swift On His Phone’s Lock Screen?! – Perez Hilton

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Prepare to swoon, Swifties!

For those who haven’t heard yet, Travis Kelce made headlines after he was caught dancing at the first game of the World Series at Globe Life Field stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Friday to his girlfriend Taylor Swift’s song Shake It Off. It was such a sweet moment. But after he finished jamming out in the stands, fans quickly noticed something else from Trav.

Related: Travis & Taylor’s Relationship Is Getting ‘More Serious’!

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end held his cell phone in his hands while watching the game at one point, so eagle-eyed Swifties got a peek at his lock screen. And guess what? Fans believe they spotted a picture of Taylor as the background!!! Although the image is blurry, several social media users swear they could see the 33-year-old singer’s head and signature blonde bangs in the photo. See the reactions (below):

“travis has got taylor as his lockscreen i’d recognise those bangs anywhere LFG.”

“Ah, Travis has an impeccable choice in lockscreen! Taylor’s iconic bangs are unmistakable. Let’s go! #LFG”

“Yeah, that’s definitely her bangs right there”

“Travis is so me because I also have Taylor as my lockscreen.”

“Travis having a pic of Taylor as his wallpaper, OH WE WON.”

Wow! Ch-ch-check it out for yourselves (below):

travis has got taylor as his lockscreen i’d recognise those bangs anywhere LFG pic.twitter.com/lOrsPl9B2Y

— ???????????????????? ♡ (@tayvisnation) October 28, 2023

Keep your fingers crossed that the 34-year-old’s brother, Jason Kelce, brings this up on their next podcast episode and gives us some answers! LOLz.

But what do YOU think, Perezcious readers? Do you believe that is a picture of Taylor as Travis’ lock screen? Let us know in the comments below.

[Image via MEGA/WENN]

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Perez Hilton

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October 28, 2023
4 Exciting Mobile App Trends to Watch in 2023

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Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Some fifteen years in the making, the mobile app economy has become an essential contributor to global GDP and a true force to be reckoned with for both technologists and advertisers alike. More than $320,000 flowed through app stores every minute of 2021, an increase of nearly 20% from the year earlier. In addition, consumers are downloading more than 435,000 apps per minute — a truly astonishing figure — according to Data.ai, and things don’t seem to be slowing down.

Given all the buzz, what should you be watching if you’re set on capturing the hearts and minds of consumers, who are already spending a third of their waking hours consuming app content in an increasingly mobile-first world? Here is my list of top emerging mobile app trends as I take stock of 2022 and look ahead to the new year:

1. Augmented Reality looks set to continue its meteoric rise

Maybe it’s because the reality of the state of the world is so grim, or because seeing a dystopian world we live in through colored lenses has always held a certain appeal, but for whatever reason, augmented reality (AR) is becoming more and more popular. An increasing number of apps are launching new AR-based features. Even IKEA has started leveraging AR technology to allow shoppers to virtually “try on” furniture, using 3D models of their homes within the IKEA Place app, before making a purchase.

Back in September, an iOS 16 release saw the cutout feature being added to iPhone photos, where people can take the subject of a photo out of an image and place that subject — be it a person or a particularly scenic tree or whatever else — in different backgrounds.

Video background editing and even face-swapping tech are also growing in dominance, with these technologies becoming more advanced and easier to use as we’re quickly moving away from the days of blurry backgrounds and superimposed people in TikToks. Popular meme communities are taking full advantage of AR-enabled face-swapping tools to facilitate quick, easy and fun meme editing. Various video editing apps have also hit the market, allowing people to use AR to place animated 3D models on their surroundings — something businesses can use to create fun and appealing videos of their products.

Thanks to the winning combination of accessibility for fast-improving AR technology and users’ creative potential, we will likely see almost studio-quality content coming from lesser-known sources shortly. The democratization of content creation is well underway, and new developments on the AR front are likely to further this trend.

Related: 6 Emerging Niche Applications to Boost Productivity and Efficiency

2. Consumers are finding new ways to monetize their app-based activities

The idea of making extra cash is not new, but the cost-of-living crisis keenly felt across geographic and generational divides, and the rise of social networking is providing additional incentives for gamers, content creators and app users of all stripes to find new ways to monetize their activities.

Meta’s Instagram rolled out its ‘subscription’ features in August 2022 for creators to monetize exclusive content, and we’re likely to see more mobile apps attempt this to help users make money as compensation for their creative efforts. In the memes niche, Yepp launched earlier this year and began offering to share its advertising revenues with its users for consuming and creating memes content within the app. Given the current economic situation, I would not be surprised if this revenue-share model gains popularity in the coming months.

We will also likely see more ecommerce or peer-to-peer sales being rolled into social media apps as digital marketing evolves – so people may buy more clothing, artwork and other goods and services outside of established ecommerce platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Etsy or Depop, which were specifically set up with buying and selling (and not content creation) in mind.

3. Users are becoming an integral part of the mobile development process

With beta testing, app developers and companies are becoming increasingly focused on growing communities as there is a growing realization that a more diverse range of voices is essential for feedback and product tweaking.

User-driven innovation has long been the holy grail for tech companies trying to guess the next big thing on the horizon. Increasingly, management and marketing gurus have been trying to map out what firms can purposefully do to generate consumer innovation efforts.

I am betting that we will start to see more users and customers being brought in at the early stages of the app development process, resulting in products that are increasingly made by the people and for the people.

Related: 4 Creative Side Hustles That Fight Inflation and Earn Extra Cash

4. Mobile wallets and rewards are set to get bigger and better, both for customers and for the planet

The 2021 Mobile Wallet report claims that usage will increase by 74% from 2021 to 2025, reaching 4.8 billion mobile wallets by the end of 2025 — as comfort, security and responsiveness grow in importance for users while faith in traditional banks and financial systems erodes amid worrying and uncertainty-inducing financial headlines.

We are already seeing consumers growing more careful with their finances, so 2023 might bring a renewed surge in wallets and apps that offer greater benefits and rewards to win over customers (just not crypto exchanges!).

In this environment of budget consciousness, we are also likely to see more social and ESG-focused apps. These apps will likely inspire consumers to save or spend less while also benefiting their communities by promoting the greater social and environmental good. This trend of socially conscious, waste-reducing, economically and environmentally sound initiatives within app models will likely continue its upward trajectory in 2023 and beyond.

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Max Kraynov

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December 15, 2022
Schools find solution to cell phone distraction in classes

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WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, Ohio — For so many of us, our devices can be a huge distraction.

And for students who are supposed to be focused on learning in class — well, the appeal is often overwhelming, like at T-Squared Honors Academy in Warrensville Heights.

Coming back from the COVID-19 pandemic last year proved to be challenging, forcing school leaders to drill down and analyze their discipline data.

“It was really high and we had to come up with some type of solutions. We said, let’s look for the causes — what’s causing these problems and what are things we can actually change,” explained Jason Petz, Dean of Students.

Turns out the bulk of problems — 44% to be exact — were linked either directly or indirectly to cell phones.

Students were scrolling social media, playing games and late to class because they were making TikToks in the halls.

So the solution they came up with is to use pouches called Yondr to lock up students’ cell phones from the moment they walk into school to the time they are dismissed at the end of the day.

Bridgette Pacholka

You may have seen the Yondr pouches used at concerts and comedy shows for years now.

Teachers have loved the pouches, and it’s no surprise there was pushback from students there, at first.

“I come, put my phone in the pouch every day and understand how it helps because it has helped the whole school. Less altercations, less distractions,” said Shahid Wheeler, a senior at T-Squared.

Bridgette Pacholka

Sophomore Jaydah Anderson agreed, adding, “I see helping me, my grades are better, gets me more work done.”

Students can personalize their pouches and keep them with them at all times.

T-Squared was initially worried about enrollment dropping with the new policy since they’re a charter school, but have actually found more parents sending their kids because of it.

Bridgette Pacholka

“They’re collaboratively working in groups, whereas last year, maybe one kid would do the work and the rest would play on their phone,” Petz said.

Over at Mary Church Terrell, a Pre-K through 8th grade Cleveland public school, this is year two with Yondr pouches.

“It’s taken a layer of distraction and stress for some kids away so it’s great to see,” said principal Angie Boie.

Boie said transitioning to the pouches was surprisingly smooth for students, and most of all, it’s been refreshing to see kids just being kids again — at lunch, in the halls, at recess.

“Interacting, having fun, talking,” she said. “At recess, they’re playing football, basketball and just being kids.”

Yondr is used in 25 schools across Ohio — six of those in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, and 1,200 schools across the country.

In a survey of 900 schools nationwide, 74% reported an improvement in student behavior, with a 65% improvement in academic performance.

In case of emergency, educators we spoke with said teachers have phones readily accessible in their classrooms and students are able to go to the front office to contact their parents whenever they need.

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November 18, 2022