Author: Brittanie Pyper

The iOS 16.3.1 software update just rolled out and I am LOVING IT so far.

I’ve already customized my home screen, changed my app icons and now, I just learned there is a new feature that you should be aware of that involves tiny orange and green dots.

The other day I thought I was seeing things when I noticed a tiny green dot in the upper right corner of my screen when I was using certain apps but turns out, I am not crazy after all.

Since the iOS 14 software update, iPhone has enhanced privacy features which is actually what the little dots that appear in the top right corner of your screen are for.

These tiny lights are activated when specific activities are going on, to help you be more aware of what’s going on with your devices.

If you see that small orange dot in the upper right corner, your iPhone’s microphone is being used by an app.

To see what application is using your microphone, or was using it most recently, swipe down from the top right corner. In the Control Center, you’ll see a yellow icon with the app name at the top of your screen. 

If you see that small green dot in the upper right corner, your iPhone’s camera is being used by an app.

You can see which application is using your camera by doing the same step as above.

How to Disable Access to Camera or Microphone on iPhone

If the app presented in Control Center shouldn’t have camera access, you can disable camera access by going to (Settings > Privacy > Camera). 

If the app presented in Control Center shouldn’t have microphone access, you can disable microphone access by going to (Settings > Privacy > Microphone). 

I hope that helps you understand what those weird little colored dots were for.

I actually like this feature and love that we can have a bit more control over our privacy now!

Halloween is about a month away and it’s been on my mind a lot. I’ve truly been wondering what this year will look like.

Aside from nearly half of Americans saying they won’t pass out candy, now we have some additional information from the pros…

The CDC JUST released guidelines For Halloween and here is what they are…

The CDC Guidelines for Halloween

According to the CDC, “Many traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading viruses.” which I mean, seems to be a no-brainer.

So, what is a better alternative to traditional Halloween parties and events?

The CDC says these are low-risk activities for Halloween:

• Carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household and displaying them
• Carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends
• Decorating your house, apartment, or living space
• Doing a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance
• Having a virtual Halloween costume contest
• Having a Halloween movie night with people you live with
• Having a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with your household members in or around your home rather than going house to house

The CDC says these are high-risk activities for Halloween and should be avoided to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• Participating in traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed to children who go door to door
• Having trunk-or-treat where treats are handed out from trunks of cars lined up in large parking lots
• Attending crowded costume parties held indoors
• Going to an indoor haunted house where people may be crowded together and screaming
• Going on hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household
• Using alcohol or drugs, which can cloud judgement and increase risky behaviors
• Traveling to a rural fall festival that is not in your community if you live in an area with community spread of COVID-19

In addition, the CDC has moderate-risk Halloween activities which include:

• Participating in one-way trick-or-treating where individually wrapped goodie bags are lined up for families to grab and go while continuing to social distance (such as at the end of a driveway or at the edge of a yard)
  • If you are preparing goodie bags, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 second before and after preparing the bags.
• Having a small group, outdoor, open-air costume parade where people are distanced more than 6 feet apart
• Attending a costume party held outdoors where protective masks are used and people can remain more than 6 feet apart
  • A costume mask (such as for Halloween) is not a substitute for a cloth mask. A costume mask should not be used unless it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers the mouth and nose and doesn’t leave gaps around the face.
  • Do not wear a costume mask over a protective cloth mask because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe. Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask.
• Going to an open-air, one-way, walk-through haunted forest where appropriate mask use is enforced, and people can remain more than 6 feet apart
  • If screaming will likely occur, greater distancing is advised. The greater the distance, the lower the risk of spreading a respiratory virus.
• Visiting pumpkin patches or orchards where people use hand sanitizer before touching pumpkins or picking apples, wearing masks is encouraged or enforced, and people are able to maintain social distancing
• Having an outdoor Halloween movie night with local family friends with people spaced at least 6 feet apart
  • If screaming will likely occur, greater distancing is advised. The greater the distance, the lower the risk of spreading a respiratory virus.
  • Lower your risk by following CDC’s recommendations on hosting gatherings or cook-outs.

UGH I know that is a LOT to take in. Basically, if you want to be extra safe (like we are) stay home, do fun Halloween activities as a family and avoid trick-or-treating this year.

I totally get this decision isn’t an easy one and in the end, you have to do what you feel is right for your family this Halloween.

Stay safe out there!

Halloween is about a month away and it’s been on my mind a lot. I’ve truly been wondering what this year will look like.

Aside from nearly half of Americans saying they won’t pass out candy, now we have some additional information from the pros…

The CDC JUST released guidelines For Halloween and here is what they are…

The CDC Guidelines for Halloween

According to the CDC, “Many traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading viruses.” which I mean, seems to be a no-brainer.

So, what is a better alternative to traditional Halloween parties and events?

The CDC says these are low-risk activities for Halloween:

• Carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household and displaying them
• Carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends
• Decorating your house, apartment, or living space
• Doing a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance
• Having a virtual Halloween costume contest
• Having a Halloween movie night with people you live with
• Having a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with your household members in or around your home rather than going house to house

The CDC says these are high-risk activities for Halloween and should be avoided to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• Participating in traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed to children who go door to door
• Having trunk-or-treat where treats are handed out from trunks of cars lined up in large parking lots
• Attending crowded costume parties held indoors
• Going to an indoor haunted house where people may be crowded together and screaming
• Going on hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household
• Using alcohol or drugs, which can cloud judgement and increase risky behaviors
• Traveling to a rural fall festival that is not in your community if you live in an area with community spread of COVID-19

In addition, the CDC has moderate-risk Halloween activities which include:

• Participating in one-way trick-or-treating where individually wrapped goodie bags are lined up for families to grab and go while continuing to social distance (such as at the end of a driveway or at the edge of a yard)
  • If you are preparing goodie bags, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 second before and after preparing the bags.
• Having a small group, outdoor, open-air costume parade where people are distanced more than 6 feet apart
• Attending a costume party held outdoors where protective masks are used and people can remain more than 6 feet apart
  • A costume mask (such as for Halloween) is not a substitute for a cloth mask. A costume mask should not be used unless it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers the mouth and nose and doesn’t leave gaps around the face.
  • Do not wear a costume mask over a protective cloth mask because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe. Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask.
• Going to an open-air, one-way, walk-through haunted forest where appropriate mask use is enforced, and people can remain more than 6 feet apart
  • If screaming will likely occur, greater distancing is advised. The greater the distance, the lower the risk of spreading a respiratory virus.
• Visiting pumpkin patches or orchards where people use hand sanitizer before touching pumpkins or picking apples, wearing masks is encouraged or enforced, and people are able to maintain social distancing
• Having an outdoor Halloween movie night with local family friends with people spaced at least 6 feet apart
  • If screaming will likely occur, greater distancing is advised. The greater the distance, the lower the risk of spreading a respiratory virus.
  • Lower your risk by following CDC’s recommendations on hosting gatherings or cook-outs.

UGH I know that is a LOT to take in. Basically, if you want to be extra safe (like we are) stay home, do fun Halloween activities as a family and avoid trick-or-treating this year.

I totally get this decision isn’t an easy one and in the end, you have to do what you feel is right for your family this Halloween.

Stay safe out there!