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News from 2015

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Britain leads Europe in tech, with 18 of 47 $1bn companies – report. How Gaming Impacts Childrens' Academic Achievements. A new report published by the National Children's Bureau (NCB), a UK educational charity, has received extensive coverage in the media as clear evidence that video games are "bad" for children.

How Gaming Impacts Childrens' Academic Achievements

The findings are less apocalyptic than what you might have read so far. The study's aim was to examine how young people’s use of computers and access to the Internet might impact final grades achieved in their GCSEs, a qualification that British students obtain at 16. The study was conducted in Northern Ireland on 611 students, as well as 41 parents and 18 teachers of the pupils. Possible confounding factors such as socio-economic background of the students and their educational needs were also taken into account. Students benefit from having a computer and being familiar with the software, the study confirms. Mputers 'do not improve' pupil results, says OECD - BBC News.

Investing heavily in school computers and classroom technology does not improve pupils' performance, says a global study from the OECD.

mputers 'do not improve' pupil results, says OECD - BBC News

Listen: The story of Izzy Dix in five podcasts - BBC Newsbeat. Will a robot take your job? - BBC News. Type your job title into the search box below to find out the likelihood that it could be automated within the next two decades.

Will a robot take your job? - BBC News

About 35% of current jobs in the UK are at high risk of computerisation over the following 20 years, according to a study by researchers at Oxford University and Deloitte. 10 Reasons Why Handheld Devices Should Be Banned for Children Under the Age of 12  The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Canadian Society of Pediatrics state infants aged 0-2 years should not have any exposure to technology, 3-5 years be restricted to one hour per day, and 6-18 years restricted to 2 hours per day (AAP 2001/13, CPS 2010).

10 Reasons Why Handheld Devices Should Be Banned for Children Under the Age of 12 

Children and youth use 4-5 times the recommended amount of technology, with serious and often life threatening consequences (Kaiser Foundation 2010, Active Healthy Kids Canada 2012). Handheld devices (cell phones, tablets, electronic games) have dramatically increased the accessibility and usage of technology, especially by very young children (Common Sense Media, 2013). 10 Points Where the Research Behind Banning Handheld Devices for Children Is Flawed  Making digital butterflies from old phones. Is This Good?

Making digital butterflies from old phones

Is a collective of digital creative artists, who devote their time to building weird and wonderful electronic contraptions. They have an abundance of technical and coding skills between them and work with circuit boards, Raspberry Pi computers, capacitors and soldering kits. But they also like to use the digital litter that people leave behind, like smart phones, Bluetooth sets and SIM cards. What can the Micro Bit do? - BBC News. Study Finds Gamers Have Greater Cognitive Function And More Grey Matter. Gamers everywhere rejoice!

Study Finds Gamers Have Greater Cognitive Function And More Grey Matter

It turns out that gaming prowess is an indication of a better connected brain. This latest conclusion was drawn from research which looked at the cognitive function of Action Video Gamers (AVGs) of different levels of proficiency. For the ‘noobs’ out there, action video games subject the gamer to physical challenges, including hand–eye coordination and reaction-time games. Google Maps now lets you turn any location into a game of Pac-Man. BBC to publish 'right to be forgotten' removals list. 17 October 2014Last updated at 09:25 ET By Dave Lee Technology reporter, BBC News The meeting was hosted by Google chairman Eric Schmidt.

BBC to publish 'right to be forgotten' removals list

Obama makes push for stronger cyber security laws. 13 January 2015Last updated at 19:00 ET <div class="warning"><img class="holding" src=" alt="Barack Obama" /><p><strong>Please turn on JavaScript.

Obama makes push for stronger cyber security laws

</strong> Media requires JavaScript to play. </p></div> President Obama: "Cyber threats are an urgent and growing danger" US President Barack Obama has unveiled proposals to strengthen cyber security laws following a spate of attacks against high-profile US targets. Recent hacks of Sony Pictures and a Pentagon Twitter feed reflect the need for tighter legislation, the president said. Google's YouTube to launch kids' app. 20 February 2015Last updated at 07:21 ET The NSPCC has welcomed the news of the app's launch.

Google's YouTube to launch kids' app

Fitness trackers put through their paces. Facebook launches new suicide prevention tool in the US - BBC Newsbeat. Facebook has launched a new tool in the US to help users who are worried about a friend's risk of suicide.

Facebook launches new suicide prevention tool in the US - BBC Newsbeat

It will help people report posts which will trigger a message from the site. "Often, friends and family who are the observers in this situation don't know what to do," said Holly Hetherington, a Facebook strategist. In the past users have posted about taking their own lives, but no action was taken in time. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, BBC Advice has links to organisations that can help. This is how the new system will work. "The person who flags the post will see a screen with links that allow them to message the potentially suicidal person, contact another Facebook friend for support or connect with a trained professional at a suicide helpline for guidance," University of Washington researchers explain.

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