New Atlas

Science Audio available

Oxford study finds digital screen time has little effect on teen mental health

Rich Haridy January 14, 2019

A study has tracked data from 350,000 subjects finding digital technology use accounts for less than half a percent of a young person’s mental health. The research suggests everything from wearing glasses to not getting enough sleep, have bigger negative effects on adolescent well-being.

A new study found that wearing glasses has a greater negative impact on a teenager's well-being ...

Architecture

Kindergarten makes more space for play with rooftop terrace

Adam Williams January 3, 2019

Polish firm Biuro Toprojekt's aptly-named Kindergarten makes good use of an awkward plot. Bringing to mind Vo Trong Nghia's Farming Kindergarten, the building offers additional space for the kids to run around outside with a play area on its roof.

Kindergarten was recently nominated, alongside 382 other projects, for the EU Mies van der Rohe Award ...

Science Audio available

Soft, safe sensor made to measure toddlers' grasp

Ben Coxworth December 27, 2018

When a baby is born premature, it's not uncommon for them to subsequently develop neuromotor and cognitive disabilities. A new Harvard-designed sensor, however, could help doctors catch such problems earlier than ever.

The new sensor incorporates a highly-conductive non-toxic liquid silicone

Good Thinking Audio available

International "Santa survey" uncovers the average age children stop believing

Rich Haridy December 23, 2018

A large international study, dubbed the “Santa survey,” is investigating how, and at what age, children begin to change their minds about the existence of Santa Claus. The research also examines whether a child’s trust in adults is threatened by the discovery that Santa isn’t real.

Eight is the average age a child stops believing in Santa Claus, according to a new ...

Children

Robots, drones and AR: The best tech toys of 2018

Michael Irving December 13, 2018

Toys today include robots, drones and AR, and if you’re lucky you can trick the kids into learning some useful skills along the way. New Atlas rounds up the best tech toys of 2018, which could make for some great last-minute gift ideas for the young’un in your life.

New Atlas rounds up the best tech toys of 2018

Biology Audio available

Later high school start times offer teens more sleep and improved grades

Rich Haridy December 12, 2018

In one of the most comprehensive studies to date examining teenage sleep patterns and high school start times, it's been revealed that later starts increased sleep duration and improved overall attendance and grades.

Pushing high school start time back from 7.50am to 8.45am dramatically improved teenagers' average sleep duration

Health & Wellbeing Audio available

Dual studies reveal probiotics offer no help to children with stomach virus

Rich Haridy November 21, 2018

Two new placebo-controlled studies have been published concluding probiotic supplements do not confer any beneficial effects in easing symptoms of gastroenteritis in children. The trials found children’s symptoms and recovery times were nearly identical whether they took probiotics or a placebo.

Two trials comprising nearly 1000 children each found probiotics were no better than placebo in helping ...

Bicycles

8-in-1 Monkeycycle grows from stroller, to bike, to tilting quad

Rich Haridy November 14, 2018

Grow bikes are nothing new in the children’s bicycle scene, however Monkeycycle is an extraordinarily modular new innovation designed to offer your child eight different configurations, morphing from a stroller for the nine-month-old, to a pedal-powered quad bike for a six-year-old.

Two different configurations of the Monkeycycle

Science Audio available

Oxford study finds screen time doesn't disrupt children's sleep

Rich Haridy November 7, 2018

Perhaps one of the biggest dilemmas faced by parents in the 21st century is how much screen time their child should be allowed. A new study from the University of Oxford may set some parent’s minds at ease, finding screen time has little to no effect on the duration of a child’s sleep.

The University of Oxford study found almost no difference in overall sleep duration between children who ...

Mobile Technology

TechDen helps parents limit kids' screen-time

Ben Coxworth August 30, 2018

While most parents don't want their kids spending too much time on their smartphones or tablets, it can be difficult to monitor how long they've been using such a device, and to keep it out of temptation's way when it's not in use. Well, that's why the TechDen was created.