Technology

Teens hack school cell phone bans with creative workarounds

Published

1 month ago

October 10, 2025

Teens hack school cell phone bans with creative workarounds

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Across the country, schools are cracking down on cell phone use. At least 18 states have rolled out bell-to-bell bans, with New York calling phones “distraction devices.” Teachers are praising the shift, saying classes feel more focused. But teens? They’re not giving up so easily.

Students are sidestepping bans in the most millennial-inspired way possible, turning Google Docs into digital chat rooms. With laptops open, it looks like they’re working on assignments. In reality, they’re typing messages back and forth in real time, just like an old-school AOL chat room.

SCHOOLS’ SAFETY TOOLS ARE SPYING ON KIDS — EVEN AT HOME

Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CyberGuy.com/Newsletter

Students secretly turn Google Docs into real-time chatrooms. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

A creative workaround for school cell phone bans

Parents and teachers admit the workaround is clever. One teacher said she respects her students’ determination to stay connected and even acknowledged that the phone ban has improved behavior and focus in class. Still, she worries that turning Google Docs into chat rooms could open the door to bullying or cheating. Parents are also weighing in. One parent told CyberGuy that some kids in their district are buying MacBooks just so they can text each other through iMessage. Others, the parent added, are leaning on email threads or even old-school Post-It notes to keep the conversation alive.

Teens share their classroom hacks on TikTok with pride. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Social media reaction

On TikTok, students proudly show off their “secret” Docs conversations. Captions range from playful, “Your cell phone rule was never going to stop me,” to defiant: “Can’t ever silence us, queens.” The creativity is earning laughs from older generations who remember the days before smartphones. But the trend is also stirring debate. Some parents see it as a harmless way for kids to adapt, while others worry it undermines the entire point of the ban. Educators are split too, amused by the ingenuity, yet frustrated that students are still finding ways to drift off task during lessons. The viral clips prove one thing for sure: when it comes to tech, today’s teens will always find a workaround.

Some kids buy MacBooks to keep texting through iMessage. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Parent tips for navigating school cell phone bans

If your child’s school has adopted a phone ban, there are a few ways you can help them adjust while keeping communication open and safe:

Talk about the rules at home: Explain why schools are putting these bans in place and set expectations for how your child should behave with laptops and other devices.
Offer safe communication plans: Work with your child and the school to establish how you’ll contact each other in case of an emergency. Some districts allow phones in lockers or require them to stay powered off in backpacks.
Encourage balance: Remind your child that downtime from screens can actually help them focus better in class and relax during the school day.
Monitor alternatives: Keep an eye on how your child uses tools like Google Docs, email or messaging apps. What starts as chatting with friends can sometimes veer into bullying or cheating.
Be open to feedback: Ask your child how the ban is affecting their school day. Their perspective can help you understand where the real challenges and benefits are showing up.

TEENS AND PHONE USE WHILE DRIVING: WHY THIS DEADLY HABIT PERSISTS

What this means for you

If you’re a parent, this shows just how inventive kids can be when rules are put in place. Cell phone bans may cut down on scrolling, but students are quickly shifting to other tools. They’re chatting through shared Google Docs, buying MacBooks so they can iMessage during class, swapping notes over email, and even sticking to old-school Post-Its to stay in touch. While some of these workarounds seem harmless, they also carry risks, from distractions that take focus away from learning to new opportunities for bullying or even cheating. For teachers, it’s a reminder that managing distractions in the classroom goes beyond phone policies. Laptops, messaging apps, and even simple sticky notes can become back doors for the same behaviors schools are trying to limit.

Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?

Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: CyberGuy.com/Quiz

Kurt’s key takeaways

Phone bans are reshaping the school day, and educators are already seeing benefits. Yet students are proving they’ll always find ways to connect, whether through phones, laptops or even retro workarounds that echo the early internet era.

What do you think? Are these bans helping kids learn better, or are they simply pushing students to get sneakier with tech? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com/Contact

Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Related Topics:Back to school Culture email Featured Google high school Laptops personal tech

Click to comment

Technology

Disney is losing over $4 million a day in revenue on the YouTube TV blackout

Published

16 hours ago

November 11, 2025

Press Room

Disney is losing over million a day in revenue on the YouTube TV blackout

Disney’s spat with Google’s YouTube TV over a new content distribution contract is costing the entertainment giant $4.3 million a day in lost revenue, Morgan Stanley estimates.

That’s $30 million a week as the blackout of channels including ABC and ESPN stretches into its 12th day, Variety reports, though the analysts expect Disney and Google to reach a resolution by the end of the week. The dispute is also costing Google — Variety reports that a Drive Research survey of 1,100 US consumers found 24 percent canceled or planned to cancel their subscriptions.

More than 20 Disney-owned channels went dark on YouTube TV after their contract expired at 11:59 PM ET on October 30th. While Google accuses Disney of pulling its channels from YouTube TV as a “negotiating tactic,” and says its terms would rise prices for YouTube TV customers, Disney says Google is “refusing to pay fair rates” for its content. Google has been giving $20 credits to its subscribers during the blackout, but it remains to be seen which will end first: the Disney-Google blackout or the government shutdown.

Technology

VA issues overpayment scam alert for veterans

Published

17 hours ago

November 11, 2025

Press Room

VA issues overpayment scam alert for veterans

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

As the nation honors veterans for their service, the Department of Veterans Affairs is reminding the community to stay alert to a growing threat, the VA overpayment scam.

Reports show that fraudsters are contacting veterans through text, email and phone calls, pretending to be VA employees. They claim you were overpaid on your benefits and must send money or banking details to correct the issue.

These criminals often make their messages look official with VA logos, formal wording and even fake caller IDs. Once they gain your trust, they push for quick payment, hoping you act before verifying. Staying informed and cautious is the best way to protect your benefits and your identity.

Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – free when you join my CyberGuy.com newsletter.

Scammers are claiming veterans were overpaid on their benefits by impersonating VA employees. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

How to spot a VA overpayment scam

Be on alert for these red flags:

Messages demanding urgent payment, especially by gift card, wire transfer or cryptocurrency.
Requests for your VA login or password.
Emails or texts with links that don’t lead to VA.gov.
Caller ID spoofing showing “VA” or “Debt Center” to look official.
Messages or letters that lack detailed explanations or account numbers.

If you spot any of these, don’t engage; instead, verify the communication directly through VA.gov or by calling the VA’s official number.

HOW TO STOP IMPOSTOR BANK SCAMS BEFORE THEY DRAIN YOUR WALLET

Legitimate VA communications always direct veterans to VA.gov or the official Debt Management Center. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

How real VA overpayments work

When the VA determines an actual overpayment, it sends a formal letter explaining the amount and your options to appeal or set up a payment plan. You’ll never be told to pay through text or third-party apps, and you’ll never be asked to share login credentials or banking info outside VA.gov.

Real VA notices always direct you to official channels like VA.gov or the Debt Management Center (1-800-827-0648). If something feels off, it probably is, so always verify before taking action.

To protect your hard-earned VA benefits stay alert and verify messages through official channels. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Top ways to protect yourself from VA overpayment scams

Stay ahead of scammers by following these simple but powerful steps to protect your VA benefits.

1) Verify through your official VA.gov account

Whenever you receive a notice about an overpayment, log in to your VA.gov account directly instead of clicking any link or responding to a message. The site shows your current balance, payment status and any real debts.

2) Use official VA payment channels

If you discover a legitimate debt, handle it only through VA’s official payment options. Call the Debt Management Center at 1-800-827-0648 or make payments through your secure VA.gov dashboard. Avoid sending funds through apps, wire transfers, or prepaid cards as the VA will never ask for those.

3) Never share your login information

Your VA login and password are like your house keys. The VA will never ask for them, not by phone, email, or text. Anyone who requests them is a scammer. If you think your credentials were compromised, change your password immediately and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) if available.

Consider using a password manager, which securely stores and generates complex passwords, reducing the risk of password reuse.

Next, see if your email has been exposed in past breaches. Our No. 1 password manager pick includes a built-in breach scanner that checks whether your email address or passwords have appeared in known leaks. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials.

Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 at CyberGuy.com.

NATIONAL PROGRAM HELPS SENIORS SPOT SCAMS AS LOSSES SURGE

4) Avoid suspicious links and attachments

Fraudsters often embed fake links in messages that look real at first glance. Hover over a link before clicking to preview the URL; if it doesn’t start with “https://www.va.gov,” it’s fake. Be equally cautious with attachments, as they can install malware designed to steal your personal data.

The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.

Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com.

5) Use a data removal service

Data brokers often publish your name, phone number and even veteran status online, information scammers use to target you. Personal data removal services can automatically request data removals from hundreds of broker sites, reducing your exposure and lowering the odds of being targeted.

While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting CyberGuy.com.

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: CyberGuy.com.

6) Watch out for unusual payment methods

Scammers love untraceable transactions. Any request for payment through gift cards, Bitcoin, prepaid debit cards, or wire transfers is an instant red flag. The VA does not and will not use these methods to collect payments.

7) Limit your social media exposure

Scammers sometimes gather information from social networks to make messages seem more personal. Review your friends and followers, tighten privacy settings and think twice before posting details about your military service or VA benefits.

8) Report suspected fraud immediately

If you think someone tried to scam you, contact the VA directly at 1-800-827-1000. You can also report incidents at VSAFE.gov or call (833) 38V-SAFE (833-388-7233). Reporting quickly helps protect others in the veteran community.

Kurt’s key takeaways

This Veterans Day is a time to reflect on service, sacrifice and strength, and that includes protecting what you have earned. Scammers may be persistent, but staying alert and using official VA resources gives you the upper hand. Your benefits represent more than money; they are recognition of your service. Keep them safe, stay skeptical of sudden messages and verify everything before you act.

How can technology companies and the government do a better job of protecting veterans online? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Technology

Siri Shortcuts now works with Samsung SmartThings routines

Published

1 day ago

November 11, 2025

Press Room

Siri Shortcuts now works with Samsung SmartThings routines

Samsung’s latest SmartThings update adds support for Siri Shortcuts. In a press release, Samsung announced that you can now use Siri to run SmartThings routines, allowing you to use Apple’s voice assistant to control your smart home.

Siri Shortcuts is a feature in iOS that lets you run automations by asking Siri. These can either be created by the user in the Shortcuts app or by the manufacturers in their app.

This update should make it easier to control your SmartThings home using your iPhone, HomePod, or other Apple device. For example, you can now call on Siri to trigger your “Good morning” routine through SmartThings that automatically adjusts the lights, turns on your coffee maker, and opens your blinds when you wake up.

Samsung is also enhancing its SmartThings app for Apple devices. On the Apple Watch, you can now see a full list of your devices, send commands, and carry out routines, while the SmartThings app for iOS gives you the ability to view and control up to five of your most recently used devices from your lock screen with Live Activities.