Tablets and smartphones may affect social and emotional development, scientists speculate

Tablets and smartphones may affect social and emotional development, scientists speculate

Using a smartphone or iPad to pacify a toddler may impede their ability to learn self-regulation, according to researchers.

In a commentary for the journal Pediatrics, researchers at Boston University School of Medicine reviewed available types of interactive media and raised "important questions regarding their use as educational tools", according to a news release.

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The researchers said that though the adverse effects of television and video on very small children was well understood, society's understanding of the impact of mobile devices on the pre-school brain has been outpaced by how much children are already using them.

The researchers warned that using a tablet or smartphone to divert a child's attention could be detrimental to "their social-emotional development".

"If these devices become the predominant method to calm and distract young children, will they be able to develop their own internal mechanisms of self-regulation?" the scientists asked.

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Connected spaces: the next step for the internet of things

Connected spaces: the next step for the internet of things

Throughout 2014, the internet of things (IoT) was undeniably one of the most popular and widely discussed topics in our industry. Manufacturers, companies, brands and agencies have been exploring its merits and pitfalls, trying to decipher what it means for the digital industry and for society as a whole. CES 2015 fuelled the trend even further. Everyone wants to know where the next big disruption is going to happen, and how to capitalise on it.

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The basic principle behind IoT is to connect every possible electronic device to the existing internet infrastructure. The goal is to allow “things” to tap into the unlimited resources of the world wide web, making them smarter and more useful. Beyond that, it means creating a huge amount of new data gathering points – data coming in from virtually everywhere.

According to Gartner and ABI research, there will be around 26 to 30 billion devices wirelessly connected to the internet by 2020 (some sources putting the number closer to 50 billion). That’s a lot of data being harvested from devices spread across the world.

In theory, IoT makes a lot of sense. It is easy to imagine how bringing a myriad of sensors and appliances online can produce many benefits: in our homes, workplaces and cities, resulting in new functionality at our fingertips. Nest’s Thermostat and Smoke Detector, or wearable smart wristbands like Nike’s FuelBand or Jawbone’s Fitness Trackers are good examples of IoT devices that already exist.

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