# Technology Safety: Ten Tips to Staying Wise in a Digital World

Technology is now part of everyday life.

We use it to communicate, learn, run businesses, manage money, organise events, check our health, connect with family, navigate roads, take photos, book appointments, and even build communities. Used well, technology can be amazing. It can save time, open doors, help us reach people we never could have reached before, and give us tools that previous generations could only dream of.

But like any powerful tool, technology comes with risks.

The danger is not always obvious. It is often quiet, convenient and hidden behind words like “smart,” “free,” “instant,” “recommended,” or “personalised.” Without awareness, the average person can fall into traps that affect their privacy, finances, health, relationships, attention, sleep and peace of mind.

At My Self Reliance, July is Technology Month, and our focus is not fear.

Our focus is wisdom.

Technology is here to stay. Artificial intelligence is here to stay. Digital payments, online groups, apps, scans, trackers, smart homes and connected devices are already part of modern life. So the question is not, “How do we avoid all technology?”

The better question is:

How do we use technology safely, wisely and on our own terms?

1. AI voice cloning and fake emergency calls

One of the newer concerns is AI voice cloning.

Scammers can now use technology to imitate a person’s voice. This means a phone call, voice message or video may sound like someone you love, even when it is not really them.

Imagine receiving a panicked call that sounds like your child, grandchild, spouse or friend saying they are in trouble and urgently need money. These scams are designed to bypass logic and trigger emotion.

Reminder: Create a family “safe word” or verification question. Before sending money or acting on an urgent request, pause and verify through another method. Call the person directly. Contact another family member. Do not let panic make the decision for you.

Remedy: Have a family conversation now, before it is needed. Choose a simple word or question only close family members know. Make it normal to verify urgent requests.

2. Deepfakes and fake images

AI can also create fake images and videos of real people. This can be used for scams, bullying, blackmail, embarrassment, impersonation or reputation damage.

This is especially concerning for teenagers, community leaders, public figures, business owners and anyone with a visible online presence.

Reminder: Do not believe everything you see online. A photo, video or voice recording is no longer automatic proof.

Remedy: Teach children and adults not to share, forward or laugh at fake or humiliating images. If something looks suspicious, pause before reacting. Report harmful content quickly and keep evidence if needed.

3. Smart home devices collecting more than we realise

Many homes now have smart TVs, baby monitors, security cameras, doorbells, speakers, watches, fridges, cars, solar systems and other connected devices.

These tools can be helpful, but they can also collect information about your habits, voice, movements, routines, location and family life.

A “smart” device is often an internet-connected device. If it connects to the internet, it may need updating, securing and monitoring.

Reminder: Convenience can come at the cost of privacy.

Remedy: Change default passwords. Turn off microphones, cameras or location access where they are not needed. Keep software updated. Be cautious with very cheap unknown brands, especially for cameras, baby monitors and home security devices.

4. Remote access scams

Remote access scams are becoming more common.

A scammer may pretend to be from your bank, internet provider, government department, antivirus company, phone company or tech support service. They may tell you there is a problem with your account, internet, computer or payment. Then they ask you to download software so they can “help.”

Once you give remote access, they can potentially see your screen, access accounts, move money, steal information or lock you out.

Reminder: A real organisation should not pressure you into giving remote access because of an unexpected call.

Remedy: Hang up. Do not click the link. Do not download the software. Contact the organisation yourself using a phone number from their official website, your bank card, or previous trusted paperwork.

5. App traps, free trials and quiet money leaks

Many apps are designed to be easy to start and hard to leave.

Free trials, in-app purchases, subscription renewals, game upgrades, cloud storage, editing tools, children’s games, fitness apps and business tools can slowly drain money without people realising.

Sometimes the trap is financial. Sometimes it is behavioural. Apps are often designed to keep us scrolling, clicking, checking, buying or comparing.

Reminder: “Free” often means you may be paying with your attention, your data, or a future subscription.

Remedy: Check your subscriptions once a month. Delete apps you do not use. Turn off in-app purchases for children. Avoid signing up for free trials unless you immediately set a cancellation reminder. Ask: “Is this tool serving me, or am I serving it?”

6. Digital payment dependence

Tap-and-go, phone wallets, online banking, payment apps and digital subscriptions are incredibly convenient. But what happens if the internet goes down? What happens if your phone is lost, the bank app is unavailable, power is out, your account is frozen, or there is a wider outage?

Many people no longer carry cash, know important phone numbers, or have printed records of essential information.

Reminder: Convenience is not the same as resilience.

Remedy: Keep some cash safely stored. Have at least one physical bank card. Print important emergency contacts. Keep a written list of key accounts and essential numbers in a secure place. Have a backup plan for power outages and internet interruptions.

7. Overexposure to fear-based content

Technology does not just inform us. It can also shape our emotions.

Algorithms often reward content that creates fear, anger, outrage, shock or conflict because those emotions keep people watching. This can affect sleep, peace, relationships, trust and decision-making.

There is a difference between being informed and being constantly activated.

Reminder: Not every headline deserves your nervous system.

Remedy: Choose when you check the news. Avoid doomscrolling before bed. Follow people and platforms that help you think clearly and take practical action. Ask yourself: “Is this helping me prepare wisely, or is it just making me anxious?”

8. Wearables and health anxiety

Smart watches, fitness trackers, sleep apps and health monitors can be useful tools. They can help us notice patterns and become more aware of our bodies.

But they can also create unnecessary worry.

Do not panic just because an app says your heart rate is up. Your heart rate can rise because of stress, movement, caffeine, poor sleep, dehydration, heat, exercise, emotion or many other normal reasons.

Technology can give data, but it does not always give wisdom.

Reminder: Your body is more than an app reading.

Remedy: Use health apps as guides, not as your master. Notice how you feel. Breathe. Hydrate. Rest. Step outside. Move gently. Speak to a qualified health professional if you have concerning symptoms. Do not ignore your body, but do not let an app create fear where calm observation is needed.

9. Medical radiation and CT scans

Not all technology concerns are about phones and screens. Medical technology also deserves wise awareness.

Medical imaging can be life-saving. X-rays, CT scans, fluoroscopy, mammograms, dental X-rays, nuclear medicine and radiation therapy all have important uses. However, some of these procedures involve ionising radiation.

This does not mean we should avoid necessary medical scans. It means we should be thoughtful, especially with repeated scans, children, pregnancy, or scans that may not change the treatment plan.

Reminder: Medical imaging can be valuable, but unnecessary exposure should be avoided where possible.

Remedy: Ask good questions: “Is this scan necessary?” “What are we looking for?” “Will the result change the treatment?” “Is there a lower-radiation option, such as ultrasound or MRI?” “Have I had a similar scan recently?” “Can the lowest suitable dose be used?”

The goal is not fear. The goal is informed consent and wise decision-making.

10. Choosing safer platforms and tools

As technology becomes more invasive in everyday life, many people are looking for alternatives that offer better privacy, safety and control.

Some people choose privacy-focused browsers instead of mainstream options. Kylie from Hello Media recommends Brave over Google Chrome for safety. Others prefer privacy-focused email providers such as Proton Mail. Many in our community are already using Telegram for group communication and texting because they appreciate its group features and flexibility.

No platform is perfect. Every tool has strengths and weaknesses. But it is wise to ask whether the tools we are using align with our values.

Reminder: You are allowed to choose tools that give you more privacy, control and peace of mind.

Remedy: Review your browser, email, messaging apps, passwords and privacy settings. Consider using a password manager, multi-factor authentication, privacy-focused email, secure messaging, and browsers that give you more control over tracking.

11. Natural protection, grounding and environmental awareness

Many people in our community are also exploring natural ways to reduce the impact of modern technology on their homes, bodies and energy.

Some use orgonite, nature harmonisers, water harmonisers, water activators, crystals, grounding practices, time in nature, sunlight, fresh air, prayer, quiet spaces, reduced screen time, plant-filled homes, or technology-free bedrooms.

Different people will have different experiences and beliefs around these tools. At MSR, we are interested in hearing what is working for people in real life.

Reminder: Technology safety is not only about devices. It is also about your environment, your nervous system, your habits and your home.

Remedy: Create low-tech zones. Sleep away from your phone. Spend time barefoot outside where safe. Get morning sunlight. Take regular screen breaks. Bring nature into your home. Notice what helps you feel calm, clear and grounded.

A practical technology safety checklist

Here are some simple steps every household can take:

• Move phones away from the bedside at night.

• Use Do Not Disturb while sleeping.

• Create a family safe word for urgent calls or money requests.

• Check subscriptions monthly.

• Use strong, unique passwords.

• Turn on multi-factor authentication.

• Avoid giving remote access to unexpected callers.

• Keep cash and printed contacts as a backup.

• Review app permissions.

• Be careful with smart cameras, baby monitors and connected devices.

• Pause before reacting to shocking videos, images or messages.

• Ask questions before medical imaging.

• Take screen breaks.

• Spend time in nature.

• Choose platforms that better support privacy and safety.

  
  

Technology is a tool, not a master

The answer is not to become fearful of technology.

The answer is to become more aware, more prepared and more intentional.

Technology can help us build communities, share knowledge, run businesses, educate families, prepare for emergencies, access health support, and connect with people across the world.

But without wisdom, it can also distract us, track us, manipulate us, drain our money, disrupt our sleep, increase anxiety, expose our families, and make us dependent on systems we do not control.

At MSR, we believe in practical self-reliance.

That means learning how to use modern tools while keeping our discernment, our freedom, our health, our relationships and our common sense intact.

July is Technology Month at My Self Reliance.

Let’s find solutions. Let’s stay safe. Let’s keep learning. Let’s use technology and AI wisely, without letting them use us.

If you have found a tool, platform, practice, natural support, safety habit or solution that is working well for you, we would love to hear from you.

Reach out to us by email and share what is helping you and your family stay safe, grounded and prepared in this rapidly changing digital world.

Technology is here to stay. So let’s find our way through safely and wisely.