Consumer News: Screen time after a concussion may not be the enemy, study suggests

The easiest way to separate real deals from fake discounts

• Let AI do the research: Ask specific questions to compare products, find cheaper alternatives, and avoid paying for features you don't need.

• Track prices before Prime Day: Build a wish list now and let AI alert you when prices drop so you can spot real bargains.

• Compare deals everywhere: Use Amazon Lens and AI to check prices at Walmart, Target, Costco, and Best Buy before you buy.

Prime Day is almost here (June 23-26), and millions of shoppers are already building wish lists, tracking deals, and trying to figure out the best time to buy. This year, Amazon wants artificial intelligence to do much of that work for you.

Last month, the retail giant rolled out a collection of AI-powered Alexa+ for shopping tools designed to help customers compare products, track prices, answer questions, and even alert shoppers when items hit a target price.

For consumers preparing for Prime Day, these tools could help separate genuine bargains from all the noise.

Let AI do the product research

Thousands of products will go on sale during Prime Day, making it difficult to figure out which deals are actually worth your attention and which are just flashy marketing.

Amazon's AI shopping assistant can help you cut throughthe noise and summarize product features, compare similar products, and answer questions about specific items.

To find it, all you have to do istap the Alexa iconin the bottom navigation bar in the Amazon app, or youll find it in the top left corner of your screen when on a laptop or desktop.

At the prompt window, the key is to NOT ask generic questions like, "Which laptop is best?" Instead, be very specific in your questions.

Try prompts like the following:

• "Compare the top three air fryers under $100."
• "Which cordless drill offers the best value for occasional DIY projects?"
• "What's the biggest difference between these two TVs?"
• "Which baby monitor has the best features for under $75?"

If you remember only one thing from this article, let it be this: the more specific your questions, the better the AI recommendations will be.

Pro tip: Start building your Prime Day wish list now. By watching prices for a couple weeks leading up to the event, you'll have a baseline price so you can quickly determine if a Prime Day deal is truly a bargain or simply the same price the item was last month.

Use AI to track Prime Day prices

One of the most useful features for deal hunters is Amazon's ability to track prices.

In other words, Amazon's AI tools can actually identify price drops and alert you when deals become available.

To make it happen, try these under-the-radar prompts:

• "Notify me if this item drops below $75 during Prime Day."
• "Has this product been discounted recently, or should I wait for Prime Day?"
• "Which items on my wish list are most likely to receive larger Prime Day discounts?"
• "Show me similar products that are already on sale."
• "Alert me when this item reaches its lowest price during Prime Day week."
• "Compare the current price to the price from the past 30 days."

Pro tip: Keep your Prime Day spending in check and create a personal spending ceiling beforehand. Decide how much you're willing to spend then ask AI to show you the best options within that budget. This prevents you from starting out looking for a $100 item and somehow ending up buying a $145 version because it was "only a little more."

Use Amazon Lens while shopping elsewhere

Prime Day isn't the only game in town. Retailers like Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Costco frequently launch competing sales during Prime Day week.

Amazon Lens allows shoppers to scan products with their phone's camera via the Amazon app and quickly find similar items sold on Amazon.

So, if you spot a deal at another retailer during Prime Day week, use Amazon Lens to compare pricing and features before you buy. What youll often discover is that sometimes the best Prime Day deal isn't actually at Amazon.

Let AI find the hidden dupes as well

Big-name brands often dominate the Prime Day headlines, but lesser-known alternatives can offer similar performance at a much lower price.

Its smart to ask Amazon AI about comparable products with similar ratings and features. Sometimes the biggest savings aren't on the most popular brands, but on the product sitting right next to them.

Here are a few smart prompts shoppers can use to uncover dupes:

• "What's the closest lower-priced alternative to this product?"
• "Which lesser-known brand offers similar features and ratings?"
• "Can you recommend a product that performs similarly for at least 25% less?"
• "What are shoppers buying instead of this name-brand item?"

Example: If you're eyeing a Dyson vacuum, AI may point you toward a Shark model with similar suction, attachments, and customer ratings for $100-$200 less. The same strategy works for everything from earbuds and coffee makers to coolers and robot vacuums.

Ask AI what not to buy

Most shoppers ask AI which product is best. Instead, ask which features you can safely skip. You'll often discover that a $79 gadget delivers nearly the same experience as the $149 version.

Prime Day is full of upsells, and knowing which features you don't need can be just as valuable as finding a discount.

Here are five actionable prompts worth using:

• "Which features on this product are mostly marketing gimmicks?"
• "What am I paying extra for with the premium model?"
• "Which version offers the best value for the average shopper?"
• "What features could I skip and still be happy with this purchase?"
• "Is there a cheaper model that delivers 90% of the same performance?"

Pro tip: Use AI to spot those sneaky upgrade traps. Many Prime Day listings encourage shoppers to spend a little more for upgraded models. Ask Amazon's AI assistant which features matter most for typical users and which ones are mostly marketing fluff. You may find that the mid-tier model offers the best value and saves you significant money.

The new feature aims to help users find meals, groceries, and reservations faster

• DoorDash has introduced "Ask DoorDash," a conversational search tool that lets users describe what they want in plain language.

• The feature can help build grocery carts from recipes, cookbook photos, and grocery lists.

• DoorDash says the tool can also provide personalized restaurant recommendations and, soon, help users book restaurant reservations.

Finding exactly what you want on a delivery app can sometimes take longer than expected. Whether you're scrolling through restaurant options, building a grocery order, or trying to decide where to eat out, the process can involve a lot of searching and comparing.

DoorDash is hoping to simplify that experience with a new feature called Ask DoorDash. Announced on June 11, the tool allows users to search the app using natural language rather than relying on traditional keywords. Instead of browsing through menus or categories, users can simply describe what they're looking for and receive personalized results.

According to DoorDash, the feature is designed to help customers move from deciding what they want to placing an order more quickly by allowing the app to interpret requests and provide tailored suggestions.

"We've spent over a decade building an app that puts everything in your city at your fingertips, but more options shouldn't mean more work, Andy Fang, Co-founder of DoorDash, said in a news release.

Now you can search DoorDash in your own words to find exactly what you want. And we know if the vegetarian option you prefer is on the menu before recommending a restaurant, or that you recently ordered flour and sugar before stocking up on groceries. The app works harder so you dont have to.

How Ask DoorDash works

The new tool can be used for both restaurant discovery and grocery shopping.

Users can type requests such as "filling dinner for a family of 4" and then continue refining results with additional preferences, such as dietary restrictions or flavor preferences. DoorDash says the recommendations can incorporate factors such as previous orders, delivery speed, value, and menu options.

For grocery orders, the feature goes beyond simple search. Customers can upload a photo from a cookbook, paste a recipe link, or take a picture of a grocery list. Ask DoorDash then creates a shopping cart with suggested ingredients and quantities. Users can review the selections and make changes before checking out. The company also says customers can use the feature to reorder previous grocery purchases or shop based on their usual buying habits.

DoorDash is also preparing to bring the technology to its reservations platform. In that version, users will be able to describe the type of dining experience they're looking for, and the app will surface available restaurant options that match those preferences.

What this means for consumers

For consumers, Ask DoorDash represents a shift away from traditional search and toward a more conversational experience. Rather than entering specific restaurant names, product categories, or menu items, users can explain what they need in their own words and receive recommendations based on those requests.

The feature is currently available in select areas on iOS for restaurant search and grocery shopping. DoorDash says it plans to expand availability across the United States and add reservation functionality in the coming weeks.

If the rollout goes as planned, customers may soon spend less time scrolling through options and more time deciding among recommendations tailored to their preferences.

How to set healthy boundaries, keep kids safe online, and create a balanced digital routine during summer break

• Set screen-time expectations early: Hold a family discussion at the start of summer to establish clear rules, boundaries, and daily routines around device use.

• Monitor online activity based on your child's needs: Experts say parental oversight is important, but restrictions can be adjusted as children demonstrate responsible behavior.

• Keep communication open: Encourage kids to talk about their online experiences and reassure them they can come to you without fear of judgment if something goes wrong.

For many families, summer brings a welcome break from school schedules and homework. But with more free time comes a new challenge: managing screen time.

Whether kids are scrolling social media, watching videos, gaming with friends, or spending hours on their phones, parents often find themselves wondering how much screen use is too much.

The concern isn't just about keeping kids occupied. A growing body of research has linked excessive screen time to issues such as poor sleep, anxiety, depression, and developmental challenges. At the same time, many parents struggle to balance healthy limits with the reality that technology is a major part of children's social lives and daily routines.

To help families navigate the digital landscape this summer, ConsumerAffairs spoke with Jennifer Kelman, a licensed family therapist, parenting expert, and consultant with JustAnswer. She shared practical advice on setting screen-time boundaries, monitoring online activity, protecting children from digital risks, and encouraging a healthier relationship with technology.

Enforcing screen time boundaries

If youre worried about how much time your kids will spend on screens this summer, Kelman has some advice.

Parents can have a summer schedule meeting with the kids to address screen time boundaries, she said. Prior to the family meeting, the parents should have an idea of the boundaries they desire because inevitably there will be some push back, as limits for kids, especially around screen use, can be tough.

Monitoring privacy

Screen time itself poses a risk for kids and teens on devices. However, their privacy and safety are other priorities.

Screen use is like a drug, and parents wouldn't hand their child a drug, Kelman said. And yet many of us do without monitoring what they are doing. I am not one for free reign or the you are infringing on my privacy, declaration. Others may disagree. The internet and access to all things needs to be watched. As kids grow and show safe use, then monitoring could be less.

When it comes to loosening the reins on privacy restrictions, Kelman says there isnt a one-size-fits-all approach. Every child is different, and its up to parents to determine the right course of action.

For the child that can't put the device down, the boundaries might be tighter, she explained. For the child that doesn't give a hoot, restrictions could be more loose.

One thing should be clear: the devices are not in place of sunshine, outdoor play, and exercise. If kids are doing the wrong thing, then they need parental guidance, as they cannot monitor it themselves.

Encourage open communication

One of the best ways to make sure your childs digital device use is safe and age appropriate, Kelman encourages parents to maintain open communication.

The difficulty with these types of conversations is the sense of omnipotence that kids feel as teenagers, and they think they would never get sucked into things, but sadly that isn't the case, she said.

I counsel parents to let their kids know they are always there for them without judgment and can come to them about anything even if they make a mistake. All people make mistakes no matter the age.

The price increases could hit consumers in the next couple of months

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Wholesale inflation surged in May, with the Producer Price Index (PPI) for final demand rising 1.1% after increasing 1.1% in April and 0.7% in March.

• Producer prices were up 6.5% from a year ago, marking the largest 12-month increase since November 2022.

• Energy prices drove much of the increase, with gasoline prices jumping 23.4% and overall energy costs rising 10.7% during the month.

Hang onto your wallet. Inflation at the wholesale level before it reached the retail marketplace accelerated in May, driven largely by surging energy costs that pushed producer prices to their fastest annual pace in more than two years.

The Producer Price Index for final demand rose 1.1% in May on a seasonally adjusted basis, matching April's increase and following a 0.7% gain in March, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Compared with a year earlier, producer prices climbed 6.5%, the largest 12-month increase since November 2022.

The latest report suggests inflationary pressures remain entrenched in the supply chain despite hopes that price increases would continue moderating in 2026.

Nearly 80% of May's increase in the headline index came from a 2.8% jump in prices for final-demand goods, the largest monthly increase in that category since the government began calculating the data in December 2009. Final-demand serviceprices rose a more modest 0.3%.

Energy was the culprit

Energy costs were the dominant factor behind the increase. Prices for final-demand energy goods surged 10.7%, accounting for most of the rise in goods inflation. Gasoline prices alone jumped 23.4%, contributing more than half of the overall increase in final-demand goods prices.

Other notable increases included diesel fuel, jet fuel, plastic resins and materials, industrial chemicals, and natural gas liquids. Some categories moved in the opposite direction, however, with pork prices falling 10.1% and declines also recorded for residential electric power and sanitary paper products.

Underlying inflation measures also showed renewed strength. The index for final demand excluding food, energy, and trade services increased 0.8% in May, the largest monthly gain since March 2022. Over the past 12 months, that core measure rose 5.1%, the biggest annual increase since October 2022.

Costs for services are also rising

Service-sector inflation remained elevated, though less dramatic than goods inflation. Prices for final-demand services rose 0.3%, led by a 0.7% increase in services excluding trade, transportation, and warehousing. Transportation and warehousing services advanced 2.6%.

Portfolio management prices climbed 4.8%, accounting for more than 40% of the increase in service-sector prices. Higher costs were also reported for freight trucking, securities brokerage and investment advice, chemicalwholesaling, food wholesaling, and airline passenger services.

At the same time, trade margins declined. The index for final-demand trade services fell 1.1%, reflecting narrower margins for wholesalers and retailers. Margins for machinery and equipment wholesalers dropped 1.9%, while fuels and lubricants retailing and residential real estate loan services also posted declines.