Digital Discourse Database

Number of Posts: 16
Posts 11 - 16

Los ‘smartphones’ no van a volver idiotas a tus hijos

(Smartphones are not going to make your kids dumb)

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Newspaper | El País
Date | 8.6.2016
Language | Spanish
Country | Spain
Topic Tags | (mental) health, addiction, childhood, research/study, smartphone, threat
Summary | Although it is hard to measure the impact of new media use on the brain, recent studies show that an appropriate use of screens can encourage learning skills. However, some studies show that a frequent use of screens for children under 5 may harm their developing brain. New technologies are always received with some apprehension; for instance, Socrates warned people that writing would be harmful for cognitive abilities such as memory. Although we don't know exactly what the consequences of an extended use of screens are, children under 2 should not be using any screen. A Professor at Harvard claims that although it might not be good for young children to use screens, they are not going to be dumb if they use them. Also, many experts agree with the fact that a passive use of screens (TV, tablets, etc.) is negative for a child's development. Children under 3 need a good balance of activities.
Image Description | Video of different children using tablets, and photograph of an adult and a child in front of a TV screen.
Image Tags | game, school, tablet, TV

How good is your grammar? Take the quiz

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Newspaper | The Independent
Date | 16.2.2016
Language | English
Country | UK
Topic Tags | childhood, grammar, language threat, research/study, school, texting, threat, youth
Summary | According to a study, texting can have a bad impact on young people's use of grammar. The results show that the more people text, the lower their score on the test was. There is also a correlation between the use of adaptations (e.g. gr8 for great) and a lower score. If parents text their kids with a lot of adaptations, the kids will probably imitate their parents.
Image Description | Photograph of a page of a dictionary where the word "grammar" is in sharp focus.
Image Tags | dictionary

Texting and talking is ok for adults, but don't tweet from the table: Study reveals mealtime phone etiquette

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Newspaper | Mail Online
Date | 10.5.2016
Language | English
Country | UK
Topic Tags | childhood, research/study, youth
Summary | A new study revealed some interesting results regarding the proper use of smartphones at the dinner table. Not all phone activities are perceived the same way; for instance, it is okay for parents to make a quick phone call or text during mealtime, but they should not tweet or post anything online. Also, an adult's use of smartphone at the dinner table is viewed as more appropriate as a child's. As a result, what is considered appropriate depends on who is present at the dinner table and what phone activity they're engaged in. The strongest predictor of appropriate use is actually people's own use of digital devices.
Image Description | Series of two photographs: the first one represents a family at the dinner table, with the mother on the phone, the father using the remote control, and both children texting. The second one represents a father and his son at the table; they are both using their phones. Series of two charts showing the details of the study.
Image Tags | chart, smartphone, text

CALLING ALL PARENTS Being glued to your smartphone is putting your children’s lives in danger

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Newspaper | The Sun
Date | 6.6.2016
Language | English
Country | UK
Topic Tags | addiction, childhood, research/study, smartphone, threat
Summary | A new study showed that parents who are addicted to their phones are putting their children's life in danger. Parents are distracted by their phone while they should be looking after their child. Adults should turn off their phones when they are with their children; it can save their kids' lives in certain situations.
Image Description | Series of two photograph: young mom with 2 toddlers on a swing; she is talking on the phone while looking at her tablet, and another young mom on her phone while looking at her tablet; she is pushing a stroller. Video of a mother who does not like the negative effects of social media on her kids; she uses a gun to shoot her kids' smartphones.
Image Tags | female(s), smartphone, tablet

Don't overshare and put your phone down when you are talking to me: Children reveal how they expect their PARENTS to use technology

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Newspaper | Mail Online
Date | 8.3.2016
Language | English
Country | UK
Topic Tags | addiction, childhood, research/study, smartphone, technology-free
Summary | When parents create rules to limit their children's smartphone use at home, they also want their parents to respect those rules themselves. A survey shows that children consider two rules particularly important: they want their parents to be present, and they don't want their parents to share personal information about them (the children) online without their consent. Children want to be able to talk to their parents and have their full attention. It's also easier to follow certain rules if the whole family respects them.
Image Description | Two photographs: two kids are eating breakfast while their mom is on the phone, and two other kids and their mom are on their phones, laughing. One video of kids being interviewed about their parents' smartphone use; they feel ignored.
Image Tags | female(s), male(s), smartphone

Sugata Mitra – the professor with his head in the cloud

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Newspaper | The Guardian
Date | 7.6.2016
Language | English
Country | UK
Topic Tags | childhood, digitized education, research/study, school
Summary | Professor Sugata Mitra's educational methods have not always been well received because they are not "traditional". Mitra predicts that the internet will be everywhere and in our heads, and that traditional examinations will disappear. It will be difficult to ban the use of internet in exams, for instance. People will be even more dependent on their phones; they will need it for skills such as reading. Mitra's method is called Sole (self-organised learning environment). Children need to collaborate in small groups and do research on computers. The method proved successful, but more research is needed.
Image Description | Series of three photograph; Mitra holding a book, Mitra interacting with four pupils on a computer, and portrait of Ivan Illich.
Image Tags | computer/laptop, male(s)

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