COVID-19

By John Vomhof Jr. Technology

09 Jun: 3 Steps To Manage Online Safety For Kids

With schools across the country closed because of COVID-19, children of all ages spent the spring learning at home. That resulted in more time online — a trend that is likely to continue as summer begins without many of the usual camps and activities.

From computers and tablets to phones and video games, kids and parents alike are leaning on technology to entertain themselves and alleviate social isolation. Technology has become an essential part of everyday life, and there are ways for parents to make sure it stays safe, fun and productive.

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By John Vomhof Jr. Technology

09 Jun: Discover Fun STEM Activities For Kids Of All Ages

Many parents worry about their kids experiencing “brain drain” during the summer months, and that’s sure to be an even bigger concern this year as students transition from a spring of distance learning to a summer without many of the usual camps and other activities.

Just because schools aren’t in session doesn’t mean kids have to take a three-month break from learning. There are lots of activities that can provide summer fun while also unlocking their imaginations.

To learn more, we talked to Hafsa Aden, the coordinator at the Best Buy Teen Tech Center in Portland, Oregon.

By Best Buy Lifestyle

09 Jun: Preschoolers Reunite With Best Buy Dad After Graduating 'Grandparent School'

For almost nine weeks, Tonette Grace took care of her grandkids from out of state so their dad could continue working.

Her son, Devon Mouton, lives in Louisiana and was able to work during the COVID-19 crisis because Best Buy was deemed an essential business. But there was one problem: He lost his usual child care because of the pandemic.

Devon and his mom agreed that the best option was to send 3-year-old Nori and 4-year-old Brody to stay with their “Gigi” and “Paw Paw” in Texas.

By Best Buy Lifestyle

09 Jun: Preschoolers Reunite With Best Buy Dad After Graduating ‘Grandparent School’

For almost nine weeks, Tonette Grace took care of her grandkids from out of state so their dad could continue working.

Devon and his mom agreed that the best option was to send 3-year-old Nori and 4-year-old Brody to stay with their “Gigi” and “Paw Paw” in Texas.

By Best Buy Lifestyle

08 Jun: Store Fulfills Boy’s Dream Of A (Curbside) Shopping Spree

When Best Buy leaders in Pittsburgh learned that a 13-year-old boy with cancer wanted to do a shopping spree at a local store, they were determined to make it happen — even if he couldn’t step inside.

Tony was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis at just 9 months old. He has since been on multiple experimental treatments, and he recently learned that he has a large cancerous tumor in his abdomen that requires chemotherapy and radiation.

Jamie’s Dream Team, a local nonprofit that helps fulfill dreams of individuals facing severe life difficulties, was hoping to fulfill Tony’s wish to go to an amusement park and a pro basketball game.

By Best Buy Lifestyle

08 Jun: Sew Good: Best Buy Employees Make Face Coverings

COVID-19 has changed the way we think about social interactions at work, and many companies, including Best Buy, are requiring employees to wear face coverings.

While the company is providing face coverings for employees, some have chosen to add a little personal flare by making their own. Others have chipped in to make them for their colleagues around the country, especially early in the pandemic when face coverings were in short supply.

So far, close to 6,000 homemade face coverings have been distributed to employees across the country.

By Ale Valeriano Technology

21 May: A Tech Gift Guide For The Class Of 2020

Graduation is more than a ceremony. It’s a rite of passage that honors years of hard work and dedication.

This year, the class of 2020 is having to find creative ways to celebrate as we learn to navigate life — and its big milestones — in a pandemic.

You may not be able to attend a ceremony or graduation party in person, but you can still congratulate the grads in your life with a thoughtful gift as they prepare for college or move on to their next adventure.

By Best Buy Lifestyle

21 May: Best Buy Surprises Michigan Teen In Birthday Parade

Josh and Jennifer Wesolek wanted to outdo all the drive-by birthday celebrations they’d seen during the COVID-19 crisis. After all, their son Matt wasn’t just turning 18, he was graduating high school, too.

They thought he deserved something big. And that’s why Josh reached out to his local Best Buy store in Saginaw, Michigan.

“I called you guys to add a little extra spark to it,” Josh said.

And it worked. No one expected to see a Geek Squad van in the lineup of firetrucks and friends’ sedans.

By Jessica Moes Company News

15 May: Best Buy Provides Free Tech Classes For Kids At Home

As students face a summer of being homebound because of COVID-19, they (and their parents) are actively looking for new opportunities to learn, explore and grow.

Best Buy is here to help.

Our Geek Squad Agents have created a suite of free online courses that are designed to ignite kids’ creativity and teach them new tech skills. Inspired by our popular Geek Squad Academy summer camps, the curriculum includes topics such as smartphone photography, binary code and how to build video games and websites.

By Best Buy Lifestyle

11 May: Clear Face Coverings Make Big Impact For Hard-Of-Hearing Manager

When Dennis Parry learned that Best Buy would require face coverings for employees as a safety measure during COVID-19, he grew concerned.

Dennis is hard of hearing, and as a general manager, he relies on reading lips to communicate with employees and customers at his store in Easton, Pennsylvania. Face coverings would make that impossible.

“When I first heard about the change, I felt like I was going to be a hindrance to the team,” he said. “I wanted to make sure I’d be able to communicate with my staff.”

By Best Buy Lifestyle

11 May: Face Painting On Hold, She Uses Windows To Draw Smiles

It’s not every day you meet a tech analyst who moonlights as a face painter but then again, you probably haven’t met Lynda Tysver.

She paints faces, in part, to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Her favorite part is what she calls the big reveal, when she holds the mirror up for a child she’s transformed into a butterfly or a dinosaur.

“It’s like Christmas morning,” said Lynda, who has been a contract worker for Best Buy in Minnesota for the past three years.

By Ale Valeriano Lifestyle

06 May: How To Stay Connected For Life’s Big Moments

From drive-by birthday parties to Zoom weddings, many celebrations are looking different as we adapt to life in a pandemic. And with Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and graduations right around the corner, we’ll soon be commemorating more holidays and life events apart from our loved ones.

Thankfully, there are plenty of innovative ways to spend the day together — separately. Technology plays an important role in keeping us connected for life’s big moments.

Here are a few tips from our experts at Best Buy on how to use tech to stay engaged with the special people in our lives on their special days.

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