Over the last 25 years the internet has rapidly transformed all aspects of our lives, making it the norm to now read articles such as these online, whereby 10 or 15 years ago you’d have probably read this opinion piece in a newspaper or magazine, without wasting a thought about tweeting, commenting, sharing or reposting it on one of your several social media networks. 

The internet is perhaps the most elaborate 'toy' ever invented and until recently we (adults) have been so bewitched by it, we've barely considered how exposure to it may be subtly changing our children.

Today (21 May) Barnardo’s has launched a think paper suggesting decision makers could better pre-empt consequences of new technologies. It goes as far as floating a suggestion that the new government should consider introducing a process, similar to the Equality Impact Analysis, to assess the impact on children of new developments in technology. A “Child Impact Analysis" aims to ensure that a policy, project or scheme relating to new technologies is ultimately ‘child proofed’ beforehand and steps are taken to prevent negative outcomes for children and young people - in particular the most vulnerable.