Our brains are being 'continuously reshaped' by smartphone use

Study claims that use of smartphones is changing sensory relationship between our brains and our thumbs, even on a daily basis

http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2014-12/24/touchscreen-brain-thumbs

Facebook and the desire for more

An interesting study that examines how metrics on Facebook, such as number of likes, lead to a desire for more. Have only read it quickly, but it seems to compare what happens when users don't see such metrics. An interesting quote from the conclusions:

"Facebook draws on our deeply ingrained “desire for more,” compelling us to reimagine friendship as a quantitative space, and pushing us to watch the metric as our guide"

http://computationalculture.net/article/what-do-metrics-want

Interview with Tumblr CEO

BBC interview with Tumblr CEO as to how he sees Tumblr distinguishing itself from other social media platforms:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-30455719

Children and screen time

Some interesting articles on how much screen time children should have. In particular:

A summary article, with good links
http://www.npr.org/blogs/ed/2014/12/26/370322663/an-update-on-screen-time?utm_campaign=storyshare&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social

Kids who spend time away from devices are better at reading emotions of people's faces
http://www.npr.org/blogs/ed/2014/08/28/343735856/kids-and-screen-time-what-does-the-research-say

Are devices limiting students' ability to listen
http://www.npr.org/blogs/ed/2014/11/07/361921500/pythagoras-iphone-is-listening-a-lost-classroom-art

Curiosity

On a data-visualization blog that I like, I came across this review of a book called "Curious: The Desire to Know and Why Your Future Depends on It", with some provocative quotes:
But creativity doesn’t happen in a void. Successful innovators and artists effortfully amass vast stores of knowledge, which they can then draw on effortlessly. [...]
A major concern of this book is that digital technologies are severing the link between effort and mental exploration. By making it easier for us to find answers, the Web threatens habits of deeper inquiry—habits that require patience and focused application.


Might be an avenue to pursue?

Where to in the future?

Government review on the "Internet of things" looks at likely impact on society over the coming years:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/internet-of-things-blackett-review

iRights - Protecting children's rights in a digital world

There is a new move to protect children's rights online, called iRights. It campaigns for the following rights for children:

1. The right to remove – every child under 18 should be able to easily edit or delete all content they have created themselves.
2. The right to know – every child should know who is holding and profiting from their information.
3.  The right to safety and support – children should be protected from illegal practices, and supported if confronted by upsetting or troubling scenario online.
4. The right to make informed and conscious choices – children should be free to participate with the online world, and to disengage with it at will.
5. The right to digital literacy – children need to be taught the skills to really benefit from the opportunity the digital world offers them.

The above is taken form an introductory blog post at
http://www.crae.org.uk/news/blog-childrens-rights-for-an-internet-age

The iRights site is at
 http://irights.uk/