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Trouble Sleeping? Your Diet Could Be Preventing Quality Rest
Trouble Sleeping? Your Diet Could Be Preventing Quality Rest
The food you eat impacts almost everything you do, which is one reason why it's so important to be conscious of what you put in your body. Good nutrition has tons of perks: It reduces the risk of diseases such as stroke, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, boosts your mood and makes you feel more energized. It can even improve how you sleep at night, another major aspect to having a healthy body and mind. A full night's sleep offers a lot of the same benefits as conscious eating. In fact, they go hand in hand.
Eating the wrong foods at the wrong time can be harmful to your sleep quality, which plays an important role in maintaining your physical and mental health. On the flip side of the same token, you have a higher chance of making poor food choices after a night of bad sleep. Below, learn how you can improve your food choices to get higher-quality rest, including the best foods for better sleep and what you need to avoid.
Read also:How to Stay Cool at Night Even When It's Hot Outside
How poor sleep affects your health
The recommended amount of sleep for adults is seven to nine hours each night. During that time, your brain cycles through the four stages of sleep: three stages of NREM (non-rapid eye movement) and one stage of REM (rapid eye movement).
NREM sleep: The quiet sleep stages where your brain is working to retain memories and knowledge, in addition to repair, refresh, and restore your body.
REM sleep: The active sleep stage where your body is working to repair cells and muscle tissue, promote bone and muscle growth and helps strengthen the immune system.
If you're waking up often in the middle of the night or have trouble getting a full night's sleep, you prevent your body from running through its necessary processes that keep you healthy and productive. Continuous poor sleep puts you at risk for:
Heart disease
Stroke
Weight gain
High blood pressure
Bad memory
Weakened immune system
Unbalanced nutrition tends to be a common culprit for poor sleep, especially if you're eating certain foods too close to bedtime.
There's several foods you shouldn't eat too close to bedtime.
Natalia Lavrenkova/EyeEm/Getty Images
Nutrition for quality sleep
There seems to be a clear link between nutrition and your quality of sleep. To find out more, I spoke to Stephanie Nelson, a registered dietitian who works as a nutrition expert at the tracking app MyFitnessPal. Nelson explained, "The relationship between sleep and nutrition is very complex and we don't know everything about all the associations between sleep and food. However, a good general summary is that any biological process, including sleep, is influenced by getting the right amount of nutrients. "
"For example, having high blood sugar impacts your energy in the moment, which can prevent you from sleep," Nelson continued. "Other nutrients impact neurotransmitters that make it easier to relax and turn your brain off for sleep."
While food affects sleep, the amount of quality sleep you get can also impact your eating habits. Nelson said, "Interestingly, the relationship goes both ways. There's research showing that poor sleep can negatively impact hormone balances that affect your hunger, and people who sleep less tend to eat more overall."
Making more conscious choices about food and when you're eating it can make a big difference in your sleep quality.
The do's and don'ts on eating for better sleep
Here are Nelson's tips on how to eat for better sleep.
Do's
1. Eat a balanced dinner
"The building blocks of a balanced dinner are a protein source, high-fiber carbohydrate source, and a vegetable. This might look like a grilled marinated chicken breast, some quinoa, and roasted veggies," said Nelson. "You could also get more creative with it, like a coconut curry made with tofu and sauteed veggies, served over brown rice, or tacos made with the protein of your choice, some beans, and cabbage and onions (and all your other favorite toppings)."
A balanced diet is critical to good sleep.
Getty Images/Burcu Atalay Tankut
2. Eat foods that promote serotonin production
Serotonin is required for your body to make melatonin, the hormone responsible for regulating sleep. But Nelson also warns that toomuch serotonin is associated with poor sleep.
"In order for your body to produce the right amount of serotonin, you need to consume tryptophan, an amino acid you can find in most animal-based foods, oats, nuts, and seeds," Nelson explained. "You also need to have a carbohydrate source, which allows for tryptophan to be used for serotonin rather than other processes. Other nutrients like vitamin B6, present in sweet potatoes among other foods, are also needed for the right amount of serotonin production."
3. Eat around three hours before bedtime
You might have heard that you shouldn't eat right before bedtime if you want a good night's rest. But how soon, exactly, should you stop eating? "It's different for everyone," said Nelson. "Most experts recommend to eat three hours before bedtime for best sleep results, so start there, but definitely play with it. Some people can eat closer to bedtime and still have a good night's sleep," she said.
Don'ts
1. Avoid caffeine, sugary drinks and alcohol before bed
You probably know that caffeine isn't the best nighttime beverage, but what about alcohol or juices? Nelson says you should try to avoid those in the hours right before bed too.
"Being hydrated is key to a good night's sleep," she said. "Alcohol dehydrates you, so for the first step, reduce alcohol consumption near bedtime. High sugar drinks also can interfere with sleep, and anything with caffeine."
"If you're having trouble sleeping, definitely check when your most recent caffeinated beverages are consumed before bed," she noted.
2. Don't eat dessert close to bedtime
For individuals with a sweet tooth, don't eat foods like ice cream, cookies or chocolate before bedtime. Nelson explains that "low-fiber, high-sugar snacks before bed can cause a spike and then a drop in blood sugar." These irregular blood sugar levels can disrupt your sleep in multiple ways, making it hard for you get deep rest.
Try not to eat high-sugar snacks before bed.
LordHenriVoton/Getty Images
3. Don't overdo late-night indulgences
"Eating large amounts of any type of food too close to bedtime will probably affect your sleep, especially if it's high in sugar or fat. On the flip side, if you go to bed hungry that might also negatively impact your sleep," Nelson said
Life happens, and sometimes you need a midnight snack to avoid falling asleep with your stomach growling. Nelson advises eating something that's small, high in fiber and pairing it with protein "to keep your blood sugar from spiking and to keep you full until morning." She adds, "Try a banana with peanut butter or a handful of berries with yogurt."
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
Buying a Home or Refinancing? Here's How to Find the Right Home Loan
Buying a Home or Refinancing? Here's How to Find the Right Home Loan
Navigating the world of home-buying could be an Olympic sport. There are so many different regulations, guidelines and fees to keep track of -- and by the time you master one part, there are new rules to learn. And, with mortgage rates predicted to continue rising, particularly as the Fed looks to increase rates as early as March, locking in a rate sooner rather than later may save you tens of thousands in interest.
When searching for the right home loan, you're bound to come across many options. But not every mortgage is right for every person -- you'll want to learn more about the different types of home loans to decide which one is right for you. This guide will help break down several of the most common home loan types, while explaining what's required for approval and who each type is best for.
Read more: Mortgages, Credit Scores and Down Payments: 5 Things to Know Before Buying a Home
1. Conventional loan
What it is: A conventional loan is a loan that isn't backed by a government agency. These are the most common type of loan. Conventional loan terms come in 10-, 15-, 20- and 30-year terms, with 30-year terms being the most popular option.
What you need: You can get a conventional loan with as little as 3% down payment and a 620 credit score. But the lower your credit score, the more money you might need for a down payment.
Who it's good for: The majority of home loans -- around 75% -- are conventional loans, so it's good for most people. You can use it for your first home, second home and even investment properties.
Who should skip it: Borrowers who don't have the minimum credit score requirements or need payment assistance.
2. FHA loan
What it is: An FHA loan is backed by the Federal Housing Administration, which provides mortgage insurance to lenders who provide FHA loans. It's the largest mortgage insurer in the world. Loans are administered by FHA-approved lenders. This can be local banks, credit unions and online lenders. Loans come in 15- and 30-year terms.
What you need: To secure a 3.5% down payment rate, your credit score will need to be 580 or above. If it's below 580, you can still qualify, but you'll need at least a 10% down payment. For down payments of less than 20%, your loan will require private mortgage insurance. PMI protects the lender just in case you default on your loan. PMI will get removed from your mortgage payments once you have at least 20% equity in your home.
Who it's good for: Borrowers who don't have strong enough credit to qualify for a conventional loan. FHA loans also offer down payment loans and grants through federal, state and local programs whereas conventional loans don't.
Who should skip it: If you have good or excellent credit that would qualify you for a conventional loan.
Check out our full guide to FHA loans.
3. VA loan
What it is: VA loans are offered through the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Military veterans, those in active duty or in the reserves qualify for VA loans.
What you need: There's no down payment or minimum credit score requirement to get a VA loan.
Who it's good for: Those who serve or have served in the military.
Who should skip it: Borrowers who aren't in the military, obviously. VA loans are only good on primary residences so if you need funding for a second home or investment property, you'll need to look at other options.
Check out our full guide to VA loans.
4. USDA loans
What it is: USDA loans are funded by the US Department of Agriculture. They're available in specific regions across the country. They're made for borrowers in mostly rural areas who might not otherwise qualify for a traditional loan. Loans are backed by USDA-approved lenders (similar to FHA-backed loans). You can check to see if you'd qualify by checking the eligibility site.
What you need: There's no down payment required for a USDA loan. Most lenders require at least a fair credit score.
Who it's good for: Families in rural areas as long as you meet income and location limits.
Who should skip it: Those who don't meet the location and income requirements. If you qualify for one and not the other, you also might want to look into alternative loan options.
Check out our full guide to USDA loans.
Other loan types to know about
As well as being based on a government (or nongovernment) program, mortgages can be categorized by interest rates and how much the home price is. Those are:
Fixed-rate loans: These are the most common type of loan within a conventional mortgage. Fixed-rate loans means you'll pay the same interest rate every month for the life of the loan. The only time your interest rate will change is if you refinance your mortgage.
Adjustable-rate mortgages: ARMs have a fixed interest rate for a set amount of time and then the interest rate fluctuates periodically. They usually start out lower than standard fixed-rate mortgages but can change over time based on a benchmark. A 5/1 ARM means the first five years have a fixed rate and then a variable interest rate that changes every year after that.
Jumbo loans: This is a mortgage that finances a property that's too expensive for a traditional loan. The qualifications for jumbo loans tend to be more strict. For most lenders, you'll need a credit score of at least 700 and usually a 20% down payment. Jumbo loans start where conforming loans end, which is different depending on where you are. Jumbo loans can have fixed or adjustable rates.
Are You Using Netflix's Secret Menu? Here's Where to Find It
Are You Using Netflix's Secret Menu? Here's Where to Find It
If you find yourself spending more time scrolling through Netflix than watching movies and TV, there's a better way. You don't have to be stuck at the mercy of the algorithm or the newish two-thumbs-up like option. If you're sick of seeing the same list of TV shows and movies you may like based on your profile and what you've watched before, you know it's not the best way to find something new to watch quickly, or any other niche genres you might be interested in.
But there's a secret trick for filtering Netflix's library by genre to find exactly what you're browsing for: Netflix codes. These codes each correspond to a different genre, which the algorithm uses to categorize and serve up recommendations. Instead of passively accepting the algorithm's picks, learn how to use Netflix codes to find your own next binge-watch.
Read more:How to Turn Off Netflix's Pesky Autoplay Trailers
What are Netflix codes?
Netflix codes, though not a new discovery, are based on a number system the service uses to categorize films and shows by genre and subgenre. Netflix said in August that it has about 30,000 codes. Note that codes can only be used on Netflix's website and not in its apps.
This is what you'll see when you visit the Netflix codes website.
Screenshot by Shelby Brown/CNET
Where to find Netflix codes
Check out netflix-codes.com for a full list. There are about 20 categories like anime, foreign movies and classic movies. Those categories are broken down into more specific subgenres. For example, horror movies -- coded 8711 -- houses 12 more codes like deep-sea horror movies, zombie horror movies, teen screams and more.
How to use Netflix codes
The easiest way is by installing the Better Browse for Netflix extension for Chrome. Here's how:
1. Go to the Chrome Web Store and search "Better Browse for Netflix." 2. Click Add to Chrome. 3. Click Add Extension. 4. Log into your Netflix account in a new tab.
At the top of the Netflix home screen, you should see a new option -- Browse All -- next to My List. Click that to search manually or scroll through the subgenres available.
Use the code 5475 and you'll unlock a trove of romantic comedies on Netflix.
Screenshot by Shelby Brown/CNET
Another way is through the Netflix codes website. Here's how:
1. Visit netflix-codes.com in your PC or mobile browser. 2. Find the genre or subgenre you want to explore. 3. Tap the code next to the genre or subgenre you want. 4. If you're on a device that has the Netflix app installed, the app should open and take you directly to the genre or subgenre you chose. If you don't have the app installed, it'll open Netflix through the browser and you can view the specific movies and shows available. 5. Tap the title you want to watch.
You can also use the Netflix codes manually in your browser. Here's how:
1. Visit netflix-codes.com in your PC or mobile browser. 2. Find the genre or subgenre you want to explore. 3. In another tab, type in , but replace INSERTNUMBER with the specific genre or subgenre code. 4. You'll be taken to Netflix to peruse the titles available in that section.
From there, you can either make a mental note of the movie you want to watch and go back to the app on your preferred device, or log in to watch in your browser.
TikTok Parents Are Taking Advantage of Their Kids. It Needs to Stop
TikTok Parents Are Taking Advantage of Their Kids. It Needs to Stop
Rachel Barkman's son started accurately identifying different species of mushroom at the age of 2. Together they'd go out into the mossy woods near her home in Vancouver and forage. When it came to occasionally sharing in her TikTok videos her son's enthusiasm and skill for picking mushrooms, she didn't think twice about it -- they captured a few cute moments, and many of her 350,000-plus followers seemed to like it.
That was until last winter, when a female stranger approached them in the forest, bent down and addressed her son, then 3, by name and asked if he could show her some mushrooms.
"I immediately went cold at the realization that I had equipped complete strangers with knowledge of my son that puts him at risk," Barkman said in an interview this past June.
This incident, combined with research into the dangers of sharing too much, made her reevaluate her son's presence online. Starting at the beginning of this year, she vowed not to feature his face in future content.
"My decision was fueled by a desire to protect my son, but also to protect and respect his identity and privacy, because he has a right to choose the way he is shown to the world," she said.
These kinds of dangers have cropped up alongside the rise in child influencers, such as 10-year-old Ryan Kaji of Ryan's World, who has almost 33 million subscribers, with various estimates putting his net worth in the multiple tens of millions of dollars. Increasingly, brands are looking to use smaller, more niche, micro- and nano-influencers, developing popular accounts on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube to reach their audiences. And amid this influencer gold rush there's a strong incentive for parents, many of whom are sharing photos and videos of their kids online anyway, to get in on the action.
The increase in the number of parents who manage accounts for their kids -- child influencers' parents are often referred to as "sharents" -- opens the door to exploitation or other dangers. With almost no industry guardrails in place, these parents find themselves in an unregulated wild west. They're the only arbiters of how much exposure their children get, how much work their kids do, and what happens to money earned through any content they feature in.
Instagram didn't respond to multiple requests for comment about whether it takes any steps to safeguard child influencers. A representative for TikTok said the company has a zero-tolerance approach to sexual exploitation and pointed to policies to protect accounts of users under the age of 16. But these policies don't apply to parents posting with or on behalf of their children. YouTube didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
"When parents share about their children online, they act as both the gatekeeper -- the one tasked with protecting a child's personal information -- and as the gate opener," said Stacey Steinberg, a professor of law at the University of Florida and author of the book Growing Up Shared. As the gate opener, "they benefit, gaining both social and possibly financial capital by their online disclosures."
The reality is that some parents neglect the gatekeeping and leave the gate wide open for any internet stranger to walk through unchecked. And walk through they do.
Meet the sharents
Mollie is an aspiring dancer and model with an Instagram following of 122,000 people. Her age is ambiguous but she could be anywhere from 11-13, meaning it's unlikely she's old enough to meet the social media platform's minimum age requirement. Her account is managed by her father, Chris, whose own account is linked in her bio, bringing things in line with Instagram's policy. (Chris didn't respond to a request for comment.)
You don't have to travel far on Instagram to discover accounts such as Mollie's, where grown men openly leer at preteen girls. Public-facing, parent-run accounts dedicated to dancers and gymnasts -- who are under the age of 13 and too young to have accounts of their own -- number in the thousands. (To protect privacy, we've chosen not to identify Mollie, which isn't her real name, or any other minors who haven't already appeared in the media.)
Parents use these accounts, which can have tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of followers, to raise their daughters' profiles by posting photos of them posing and demonstrating their flexibility in bikinis and leotards. The comment sections are often flooded with sexualized remarks. A single, ugly word appeared under one group shot of several young girls in bikinis: "orgy."
Some parents try to contain the damage by limiting comments on posts that attract too much attention. The parent running one dancer account took a break from regular scheduling to post a pastel-hued graphic reminding other parents to review their followers regularly. "After seeing multiple stories and posts from dance photographers we admire about cleaning up followers, I decided to spend time cleaning," read the caption. "I was shocked at how many creeps got through as followers."
But "cleaning up" means engaging in a never-ending game of whack-a-mole to keep unwanted followers at bay, and it ignores the fact that you don't need to be following a public account to view the posts. Photos of children are regularly reposted on fan or aggregator accounts, over which parents have no control, and they can also be served up through hashtags or through Instagram's discovery algorithms.
The simple truth is that publicly posted content is anyone's for the taking. "Once public engagement happens, it is very hard, if not impossible, to really put meaningful boundaries around it," said Leah Plunkett, author of the book Sharenthood and a member of the faculty at Harvard Law School.
This concern is at the heart of the current drama concerning the TikTok account @wren.eleanor. Wren is an adorable blonde 3-year-old girl, and the account, which has 17.3 million followers, is managed by her mother, Jacquelyn, who posts videos almost exclusively of her child.
Concerned onlookers have pointed Jacquelyn toward comments that appear to be predatory, and have warned her that videos in which Wren is in a bathing suit, pretending to insert a tampon, or eating various foodstuffs have more watches, likes and saves than other content. They claim her reluctance to stop posting in spite of their warnings demonstrates she's prioritizing the income from her account over Wren's safety. Jacquelyn didn't respond to several requests for comment.
Last year, the FBI ran a campaign in which it estimated that there were 500,000 predators online every day -- and that's just in the US. Right now, across social platforms, we're seeing the growth of digital marketplaces that hinge on child exploitation, said Plunkett. She doesn't want to tell other parents what to do, she added, but she wants them to be aware that there's "a very real, very pressing threat that even innocent content that they put up about their children is very likely to be repurposed and find its way into those marketplaces."
Naivete vs. exploitation
When parent influencers started out in the world of blogging over a decade ago, the industry wasn't exploitative in the same way it is today, said Crystal Abidin, an academic from Curtin University who specializes in internet cultures. When you trace the child influencer industry back to its roots, what you find is parents, usually mothers, reaching out to one another to connect. "It first came from a place of care among these parent influencers," she said.
Over time, the industry shifted, centering on children more and more as advertising dollars flowed in and new marketplaces formed.
Education about the risks hasn't caught up, which is why people like Sarah Adams, a Vancouver mom who runs the TikTok account @mom.uncharted, have taken it upon themselves to raise the flag on those risks. "My ultimate goal is just have parents pause and reflect on the state of sharenting right now," she said.
But as Mom Uncharted, Adams is also part of a wider unofficial and informal watchdog group of internet moms and child safety experts shedding light on the often disturbing way in which some parents are, sometimes knowingly, exploiting their children online.
The troubling behavior uncovered by Adams and others suggests there's more than naivete at play -- specifically when parents sign up for and advertise services that let people buy "exclusive" or "VIP" access to content featuring their children.
Some parent-run social media accounts that Adams has found linked out to a site called SelectSets, which lets the parents sell photo sets of their children. One account offered sets with titles such as "2 little princesses." SelectSets has described the service as "a classy and professional" option for influencers to monetize content, allowing them to "avoid the stigma often associated with other platforms."
Over the last few weeks, SelectSets has gone offline and no owner could be traced for comment.
In addition to selling photos, many parent-run dancer accounts, Mollie's included, allow strangers to send the dancers swimwear and underwear from the dancers' Amazon wish lists, or money to "sponsor" them to "realize their dream" or support them on their "journeys."
While there's nothing technically illegal about anything these parents are doing, they're placing their children in a gray area that's not explicitly sexual but that many people would consider to be sexualized. The business model of using an Amazon wish list is one commonly embraced by online sugar babies who accept money and gifts from older men.
"Our Conditions of Use and Sale make clear that users of Amazon Services must be 18 or older or accompanied by a parent or guardian," said an Amazon spokesperson in a statement. "In rare cases where we are made aware that an account has been opened by a minor without permission, we close the account."
Adams says it's unlikely to be other 11-year-olds sending their pocket money to these girls so they attend their next bikini modeling shoot. "Who the fuck do you think is tipping these kids?" she said. "It's predators who are liking the way you exploit your child and giving them all the content they need."
Turning points
Plunkett distinguishes between parents who are casually sharing content that features their kids and parents who are sharing for profit, an activity she describes as "commercial sharenting."
"You are taking your child, or in some cases, your broader family's private or intimate moments, and sharing them digitally, in the hope of having some kind of current or future financial benefit," she said.
No matter the parent's hopes or intentions, any time children appear in public-facing social media content, that content has the potential to go viral, and when it does, parents have a choice to either lean in and monetize it or try to rein it in.
During Abidin's research -- in which she follows the changing activities of the same influencers over time -- she's found that many influencer parents reach a turning point. It can be triggered by something as simple as other children at school being aware of their child's celebrity or their child not enjoying it anymore, or as serious as being involved in a car chase while trying to escape fans (an occurrence recounted to Abidin by one of her research subjects).
One influencer, Katy Rose Pritchard, who has almost 92,000 Instagram followers, decided to stop showing her children's faces on social media this year after she discovered they were being used to create role-playing accounts. People had taken photos of her children that she'd posted and used them to create fictional profiles of children for personal gratification, which she said in a post made her feel "violated."
All these examples highlight the different kinds of threats sharents are exposing their children to. Plunkett describes three "buckets" of risk tied to publicly sharing content online. The first and perhaps most obvious are risks involving criminal and/or dangerous behavior, posing a direct threat to the child.
The second are indirect risks, where content posted featuring children can be taken, reused, analyzed or repurposed by people with nefarious motives. Consequences include anything from bullying to harming future job prospects to millions of people having access to children's medical information -- a common trope on YouTube is a video with a melodramatic title and thumbnail involving a child's trip to the hospital, in which influencer parents with sick kids will document their health journeys in blow-by-blow detail.
The third set of risks are probably the least talked about, but they involve potential harm to a child's sense of self. If you're a child influencer, how you see yourself as a person and your ability to develop into an adult is "going to be shaped and in some instances impeded by the fact that your parents are creating this public performance persona for you," said Plunkett.
Often children won't be aware of what this public persona looks like to the audience and how it's being interpreted. They may not even be aware it exists. But at some point, as happened with Barkman, the private world in which content is created and the public world in which it's consumed will inevitably collide. At that point, the child will be thrust into the position of confronting the persona that's been created for them.
"As kids get older, they naturally want to define themselves on their own terms, and if parents have overshared about them in public spaces, that can be difficult, as many will already have notions about who that child is or what that child may like," said Steinberg. "These notions, of course, may be incorrect. And some children may value privacy and wish their life stories were theirs -- not their parents -- to tell."
Savannah and Cole LaBrant have documented nearly everything about their children's lives.
Jim Spellman/WireImage
This aspect of having their real-life stories made public is a key factor distinguishing children working in social media from children working in the professional entertainment industry, who usually play fictional roles. Many children who will become teens and adults in the next couple of decades will have to reckon with the fact that their parents put their most vulnerable moments on the internet for the world to see -- their meltdowns, their humiliation, their most personal moments.
One influencer family, the LaBrants, were forced to issue a public apology in 2019 after they played an April Fools' Day Joke on their 6-year-old daughter Everleigh. The family pretended they were giving her dog away, eliciting tears throughout the video. As a result, many viewers felt that her parents, Sav and Cole, had inflicted unnecessary distress on her.
In the past few months, parents who film their children during meltdowns to demonstrate how to calm them down have found themselves the subject of ire on parenting Subreddits. Their critics argue that it's unfair to post content of children when they're at their most vulnerable, as it shows a lack of respect for a child's right to privacy.
Privacy-centric parenting
Even the staunchest advocates of child privacy know and understand the parental instinct of wanting to share their children's cuteness and talent with the world. "Our kids are the things usually we're the most proud of, the most excited about," said Adams. "It is normal to want to show them off and be proud of them."
When Adams started her account two years ago, she said her views were seen as more polarizing. But increasingly people seem to relate and share her concerns. Most of these are "average parents," naive to the risks they're exposing their kids to, but some are "commercial sharents" too.
Even though they don't always see eye to eye, the private conversations she's had with parents of children (she doesn't publicly call out anyone) with massive social media presences have been civil and productive. "I hope it opens more parents' eyes to the reality of the situation, because frankly this is all just a large social experiment," she said. "And it's being done on our kids. And that just doesn't seem like a good idea."
For Barkman, it's been "surprisingly easy, and hugely beneficial" to stop sharing content about her son. She's more present, and focuses only on capturing memories she wants to keep for herself.
"When motherhood is all consuming, it sometimes feels like that's all you have to offer, so I completely understand how we have slid into oversharing our children," she said. "It's a huge chunk of our identity and our hearts."
But Barkman recognizes the reality of the situation, which is that she doesn't know who's viewing her content and that she can't rely on tech platforms to protect her son. "We are raising a generation of children who have their entire lives broadcast online, and the newness of social media means we don't have much data on the impacts of that reality on children," she said. "I feel better acting with caution and letting my son have his privacy so that he can decide how he wants to be perceived by the world when he's ready and able."
It was a long time coming -- like, forever and a day -- but the new Ford Bronco is here, giving off-road enthusiasts another excellent way to get a little more dirt in their diets. But the folks at Jeep were not about to sit on the sidelines and watch their frenemies in Dearborn one-up them with a more capable rig, which is why they developed the Xtreme Recon Package for the popular Wrangler Unlimited.
Like Broncos fitted with the available Sasquatch Package, Jeep's $3,995 options group gets you several off-road-focused enhancements, most importantly, 35-inch BF Goodrich KO2 all-terrain tires mounted to 17-inch beadlock-capable wheels. To support the mammoth spare, Wranglers fitted with this package also gain reinforced swing gates. I mean, the last thing you want is the back door falling off while you're out on the trail. Aside from all that, you get a 4.56:1 axle ratio and a 1.5-inch suspension lift complete with unique shock absorbers.
These meaty 35-inch all-terrain tires will get you just about anywhere.
Craig Cole/Roadshow
The Xtreme Recon Package is only available on the four-door Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited models, including the fire-breathing Rubicon 392. In comparison, the Sasquatch upgrade is available across the Bronco model range including on both two- and four-door variants.
Despite its somewhat limited accessibility, the Xtreme Recon Package one-ups competitors in certain metrics. It promises best-in-class approach and departure angles, ground clearance and water-fording capability. In these areas, the Wrangler beats a Sasquatch-ified four-door Bronco and even the fancy Land Rover Defender 110.
Off-Road Specs
Wrangler Unlimited w/ Xtreme Recon
Bronco 4-Door w/ Sasquatch
Defender 110
Approach angle
47.4 deg
43.2 deg
38.0 deg
Breakover angle
26.7 deg
26.3 deg
28.0 deg
Departure angle
40.4 deg
37.0 deg
40.0 deg
Ground clearance
12.9 in
11.5 in
11.5 in
Water fording
33.6 in
33.5 in
35.4 in
The Xtreme Recon Package is available with two powertrains, either a 3.6-liter V6 bolstered by a mild-hybrid system or a 6.4-liter Hemi in the Wrangler Rubicon 392. The smaller offering is much less dramatic than that thundering V8, but it's still incredibly effective, delivering 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of twist. This example's eTorque-enhanced Pentastar engine is dynamite, super smooth and plenty potent, with a linear powerband and good thrust. The eight-speed automatic transmission is a jewel as well, shifting just about perfectly, making for a powertrain dream team.
Inside, it's standard Wrangler fare.
Craig Cole/Roadshow
The EPA says you can expect 19 mpg in the city with this Wrangler and an optimistic 24 mpg on highway drives. Combined, it should average 21 mpg, though I'm barely getting 8 mpg in mixed use, which is a little disappointing, though not surprising.
The Xtreme Recon Package makes the already beastly Wrangler Rubicon even more of a dirt demon, but how livable is this setup on pavement, when driving between trailheads or to after-school activities? The elevated ride height and massive tires produce a ride that's bouncy and jiggly, though it is nicely compliant. This is also a vehicle that needs constant attention to stay in the center of its lane because the steering is, at best, a rough approximation. Stiff crosswinds will make this Jeep veer for oncoming traffic or the ditch if you're not careful.
Still, it's not all bad. Like standard Wranglers, the Xtreme Recon is remarkably comfortable for the off-road capability it provides. Despite the elevated stance, there's only a whiff of roll in corners. Engineers have done an extraordinary job civilizing this vehicle's horse-and-buggy-inspired chassis, making those live axles livable in everyday use. Sure, the boxy body and $4,095 Sky One-Touch power-folding roof conspire to produce a fair amount of wind noise at speed, but it's nowhere near unbearable, plus those knobby BF Goodrich tires barely make a peep on pavement, which is a huge surprise.
The whole package looks pretty good.
Craig Cole/Roadshow
Inside, you get the same great Wrangler cabin that's been offered since the JL generation launched in 2018. Soft materials abound, the various switches and knobs are not only chunky and easy to use without taking your eyes off the road, they feel like quality, too. The optional, $1,995 8.4-inch dashboard screen with the Uconnect 4C Nav infotainment system looks great and the software is as responsive and easy to use. Downsides to the Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon with the Xtreme Recon Package are few. It's a steep climb getting onboard, so bring a step stool if you're vertically challenged. The front seats aren't particularly comfortable and the rear bench is tough to get into and out of because of the annoyingly narrow door openings.
The Jeep Wrangler is a huge moneymaker for its parent company, Stellantis. One look at the window sticker and it's easy to see why this is such a lucrative product. The Rubicon model already starts in the mid-$40,000s, but this example checks out for $67,645 including $1,495 in destination fees. That MSRP is inflated by a range of options, from the $4,095 folding roof to the $3,995 Xtreme Recon Package to the $1,745 steel bumper to $1,695 for leather-trimmed seats, to name a handful of extras. Of course, if you have your eye on the V8-powered model, you'll have no trouble eclipsing the 80-grand threshold, which is, well, ludicrous.
But as they say, you've got to pay if you want to play. Hardcore off-roaders that lust after a turn-key mudslinger backed by a factory warranty will be well-served by a Wrangler Unlimited with the Xtreme Recon Package. Aside from being one of the most capable vehicles available today, its delightful powertrains, upscale interior and passable on-road dynamics make it an easy recommendation, even as competitors, like Ford's Bronco, turn up the heat.
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Buying a Home or Refinancing? Here's How to Find the Right Home Loan
Buying a Home or Refinancing? Here's How to Find the Right Home Loan
Navigating the world of home-buying could be an Olympic sport. There are so many different regulations, guidelines and fees to keep track of -- and by the time you master one part, there are new rules to learn. And, with mortgage rates predicted to continue rising, particularly as the Fed looks to increase rates as early as March, locking in a rate sooner rather than later may save you tens of thousands in interest.
When searching for the right home loan, you're bound to come across many options. But not every mortgage is right for every person -- you'll want to learn more about the different types of home loans to decide which one is right for you. This guide will help break down several of the most common home loan types, while explaining what's required for approval and who each type is best for.
Read more: Mortgages, Credit Scores and Down Payments: 5 Things to Know Before Buying a Home
1. Conventional loan
What it is: A conventional loan is a loan that isn't backed by a government agency. These are the most common type of loan. Conventional loan terms come in 10-, 15-, 20- and 30-year terms, with 30-year terms being the most popular option.
What you need: You can get a conventional loan with as little as 3% down payment and a 620 credit score. But the lower your credit score, the more money you might need for a down payment.
Who it's good for: The majority of home loans -- around 75% -- are conventional loans, so it's good for most people. You can use it for your first home, second home and even investment properties.
Who should skip it: Borrowers who don't have the minimum credit score requirements or need payment assistance.
2. FHA loan
What it is: An FHA loan is backed by the Federal Housing Administration, which provides mortgage insurance to lenders who provide FHA loans. It's the largest mortgage insurer in the world. Loans are administered by FHA-approved lenders. This can be local banks, credit unions and online lenders. Loans come in 15- and 30-year terms.
What you need: To secure a 3.5% down payment rate, your credit score will need to be 580 or above. If it's below 580, you can still qualify, but you'll need at least a 10% down payment. For down payments of less than 20%, your loan will require private mortgage insurance. PMI protects the lender just in case you default on your loan. PMI will get removed from your mortgage payments once you have at least 20% equity in your home.
Who it's good for: Borrowers who don't have strong enough credit to qualify for a conventional loan. FHA loans also offer down payment loans and grants through federal, state and local programs whereas conventional loans don't.
Who should skip it: If you have good or excellent credit that would qualify you for a conventional loan.
Check out our full guide to FHA loans.
3. VA loan
What it is: VA loans are offered through the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Military veterans, those in active duty or in the reserves qualify for VA loans.
What you need: There's no down payment or minimum credit score requirement to get a VA loan.
Who it's good for: Those who serve or have served in the military.
Who should skip it: Borrowers who aren't in the military, obviously. VA loans are only good on primary residences so if you need funding for a second home or investment property, you'll need to look at other options.
Check out our full guide to VA loans.
4. USDA loans
What it is: USDA loans are funded by the US Department of Agriculture. They're available in specific regions across the country. They're made for borrowers in mostly rural areas who might not otherwise qualify for a traditional loan. Loans are backed by USDA-approved lenders (similar to FHA-backed loans). You can check to see if you'd qualify by checking the eligibility site.
What you need: There's no down payment required for a USDA loan. Most lenders require at least a fair credit score.
Who it's good for: Families in rural areas as long as you meet income and location limits.
Who should skip it: Those who don't meet the location and income requirements. If you qualify for one and not the other, you also might want to look into alternative loan options.
Check out our full guide to USDA loans.
Other loan types to know about
As well as being based on a government (or nongovernment) program, mortgages can be categorized by interest rates and how much the home price is. Those are:
Fixed-rate loans: These are the most common type of loan within a conventional mortgage. Fixed-rate loans means you'll pay the same interest rate every month for the life of the loan. The only time your interest rate will change is if you refinance your mortgage.
Adjustable-rate mortgages: ARMs have a fixed interest rate for a set amount of time and then the interest rate fluctuates periodically. They usually start out lower than standard fixed-rate mortgages but can change over time based on a benchmark. A 5/1 ARM means the first five years have a fixed rate and then a variable interest rate that changes every year after that.
Jumbo loans: This is a mortgage that finances a property that's too expensive for a traditional loan. The qualifications for jumbo loans tend to be more strict. For most lenders, you'll need a credit score of at least 700 and usually a 20% down payment. Jumbo loans start where conforming loans end, which is different depending on where you are. Jumbo loans can have fixed or adjustable rates.
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Android malware tries to trick you. Here's how to spot it
Android malware tries to trick you. Here's how to spot it
Android malware is often deceptive. A mobile app called Ads Blocker, for example, promised to remove pesky ads from your phone, which sometimes pop up to cover your screen just when you're about to access something important. But people quickly found the app was nothing less than malware that served up more ads, according to security researchers.
It's just one example of malware that can frustrate Android phone users, plaguing them with ads that the creators get paid to display, even when they're looking at unrelated apps. Malware often also harvests fake clicks on the ads, doubling up on the value for the makers.
"They're making money," said Nathan Collier, a researcher at internet security company Malwarebytes who helped identify the bogus ad blocker in November, "And that's the name of the game."
Researchers say adware like Ads Blocker is the most common type of malware on Android devices. An adware infection can make your phone so frustrating to use that you want to Hulk out and crush it, but Android malware can do worse things -- like stealing personal information from your phone.
Malware can be disorienting, getting in the way of how you normally use your phone and making you feel uneasy even if you aren't sure what's causing the problem. It's also common. Malwarebytes says it found close to 200,000 total instances of malware on its customers' devices in May and then again in June.
So how do you know if you have malware on your phone, and how can you stop it? Here are some takeaways from mobile malware experts on what you can do.
How malware on your phone works
Mobile malware typically takes one of two approaches, said Adam Bauer, a security researcher for mobile security company Lookout. The first type of malware tricks you into granting permissions that let it access sensitive information.
Keep your Android phone safe from hackers with regular software updates.
Juan Garzon/CNET
That's where the Ads Blocker app fits in, and many of the permissions it requested sound like something a real ad blocker would have needed. But they also let the app run constantly in the background and show users ads even when they were using unrelated apps.
The second type of malware exploits vulnerabilities in phones, gaining access to sensitive information by giving itself administrator privileges. That reduces the need to get users to click "OK" on permissions requests, making it easier for malware to run without users noticing its presence on the device.
Signs of malware on your Android phone
If you notice these things happening, your phone might be infected:
You're seeing ads constantly, regardless of which app you're using.
You install an app, and then the icon immediately disappears.
Your battery is draining much faster than usual.
You see apps you don't recognize on your phone.
These are all worrying signs that mean you should investigate further.
Ransomware on Android phones
Another type of malware is ransomware. Victims typically see their files locked away where you can't use them. Typically, a pop-up demands payment in Bitcoin to get them back. Most Android ransomware can only lock up files on external storage, such as photos, Bauer said.
What mobile malware can do to your phone
Besides making you miserable with constant ads, mobile malware can access private information. Common targets include:
Your banking credentials
Your device information
Your phone number or email address
Your contact lists
Android phones infected with the Anubis banking trojan can invisibly log passwords entered by users.
Courtesy of Lookout
Hackers can use this information for a variety of malevolent tasks. They can commit identity theft with your banking credentials. The Anubis banking Trojan, for example, accomplishes this by tricking users into granting it the access to an Android phone's accessibility features. This, in turn, allows the malware to log every app that you launch and the text you enter, including passwords. After you grant the permission one time, the malware's activity is completely invisible on screen, with no sign anything malevolent is happening as you log into your accounts.
Hackers can also use malware to collect and sell your device and contact information, until you're flooded with robocalls, texts and, oh yeah, more ads; and they can send links for more malware to everyone on your contacts list.
If you suspect your information has already been caught up in the robocall machine, you can see what your phone carrier offers to help keep the annoying phone calls to a minimum. For example, customers of T-Mobile, Sprint and MetroPCS will have access to Scam Shield, a free app announced in July.
How to stop malware on your Android phone
Whether you think you already have malware on your Android device or you just want to protect yourself, there are clear steps you can take.
First, keep your phone's software updated. Security experts consistently rank a current OS and updated apps as one of the most important steps users can take to protect their devices and accounts. If you already have malware running on your phone, software updates from your phone-maker -- say Android 10 or the upcoming Android 11 -- can patch vulnerabilities and cut off the access the malicious software enjoyed. Updates can also keep malware from working in the first place.
Next, review what permissions your apps have. Does a game have the ability to send SMS messages? That's probably unnecessary and could be a red flag, Bauer said. Keep this in mind when installing apps in the future, too.
Removing apps you think are malicious can be tricky. At times you can just remove the app's permissions, delete the app and be done with it. Other malicious apps will give themselves administrator privileges, so they can't just be deleted without extra steps. If you have trouble removing a specific app, you can try looking it up online to find what has worked for other people.
You can also consider installing antivirus apps. These services can sometimes slow your phone, and they do have heightened access to your phone in order to spot malicious behavior, so you have to choose one you trust. And you're likely to want to choose the paid option if you can, both to unlock all the best features and to avoid seeing even more ads.
Still, the apps can warn you about malware on your phone and offer you customer service when you need to deal with something nasty. At the very least, you can use a well-known program like Malwarebytes, Norton, Lookout or Bitdefender to scan your device if you think you already have malware installed.
Finally, you can get rid of or avoid Android apps downloaded from third-party app stores. These apps don't go through review by Google and can more easily sneak malicious software onto your phone. Google doesn't catch everything before it gets on your phone, as reports about malicious Android apps being removed show, but sticking to the official Google Play Store -- and having a direct outlet to report problems you encounter -- is a further line of defense.
