Screen time ‘drug addiction’ – children, teens, and everyone else at risk

Screen time can be a controversial discussion. How much is too much for kids, teens, or adults? Can too much screen time cause harm? Should children be supervised when online? 

Well, it appears that the world is yet again several steps ahead of our painfully slow federal government in trying to curb screen time addiction. Especially in K12 (Kindergarten to Grade 12), before it becomes the next humongous mental health issue affecting our very social fabric.

French President Emmanuel Macron commissioned a report, Children and Screens: In Search of Lost Time. Sorry, it is in French, but a 142-page machine-translated version is at the end of this article. It clearly states that children should be banned from owning/using a smartphone until they are 13 and banned from social media until they are 18. We have summarised the key elements here aswell.

The Commission insisted on 29 proposals taken as a whole to solve the issues confronting Gen Alpha (2010+), Gen Z (1997-2012), and Millennials (1981-1996).

READ MORE…

NEW CYBERSHACK TV EPISODE!

This week, there’s a new way to bring your favourite streaming services onto one searchable platform.

We chat to an Aussie company that’s aiming for the stars.

We’ll see why two screens are better than one on this new laptop.

Asus Zenbook Duo

And why the future’s looking clear with this clingy, yet helpful, little robot.

We also have motorola’s newest g series. 

Also on the show is LG TV 2024 range. 

GUESTS AND TOPICS ON THE SHOW

Thinking of gifting earbuds? We invited  Amrit Lall, Product Manager, Consumer Audio ANZ from Harman International who shared what to look for in your next earbuds purchase. 

Amrit talked through the new JBLFit Checker that makes it easier to find the right ear buds for your personal ear canal size. 

Check out some JBL options here. 

Last week we tried out a clingy robot – a window cleaner. We invited Glenn Yee
Managing Director from Robot My Life who discussed Hobot S6 Pro. 
 

The Hobot S6 Pro scrubs glass 600 times a minute with its dual reciprocating pads to dislodge dust and grime from glass. Combined with its powerful water jets, build up on your glass is eliminated with a streak free finish.

And, as we discovered on the show today, it works on SHOWER SCREENS!

Life and Technology – Saturday May 4 2024

Can you trust Google? Yes, but it depends on your definition (Trust series)

Many readers ask if they can trust anything in a digital world. By that, we mean any person or company that interacts with us via the Internet. We are preparing a series of Trust articles, and as this is the first, we need to set a few ground rules.

Can you trust Google? Well, 80% of the world’s smart phone users and 92% of the search engine market indicate it’s a pretty safe bet. Of course, that depends on your definition of trust in a digital world.

As our first article in the Trust Series, Can you trust anything in a digital world? No! found, the first definition of trust in the digital world is that there is no trust. At least you cannot be disappointed!

So, it’s crucial to consider what you expect from Google and whether it meets those expectations.

READ MORE…

Guests and Topics on the Show

LG has recently launched their LG 2024 TV line up. The new range is led by innovative new OLED models with brighter display technology, while the company’s QNED models have all received upgraded image processors with increased performance.  We invited Tony Brown Head of Home Entertainment Marketing and Content Business LG Electronics who walked us through the latest models.   You can read more about LG’s TV releases this year.    Are you renovating soon or maybe building your homes? You might want to consider environment friendly bricks.  Team leader Associate Professor Dilan Robert from RMIT University discussed about this great innovation.  Engineers have invented energy-efficient bricks with scrap materials, including glass, that are normally destined for landfill. RMIT University engineers collaborated with Visy – Australia’s largest recycling company – to make bricks with a minimum of 15% waste glass and 20% combusted solid waste (ash), as substitutes for clay. Test results indicate that using these bricks in the construction of a single-storey building could reduce household energy bills by up to 5% compared to regular bricks, due to improved insulation.

Here’s a copy of our weekly newsletter.

Life and Technology – Saturday April 27 2024

Planes and power banks – FAA/TSA rules enforced

After being asked about what Power Banks may be on my person while checking in to a Qantas flight, I thought it was prudent to remind everyone the rules of carriage for batteries on planes. Planes and power banks – the rules are now enforced and I dont want to see anyone lose their Powerbank at Check In. 

Following a number of fires no planes will allow batteries outside these rules (Check all these incidents! – more than 60 Lithium-ion fires on US airlines alone in 2022, over 80 in 2023 and over 30 so far in 2024) from phones, laptops, power banks, and now Vapes. Some incidents were extremely serious as passengers put these in the cargo as luggage!

So, you have been warned, Read more..

You can bring these instead. 

Belkin BoostCharge

Anker Powerbank

More Robots For The Home – Robot Window Cleaner

Have you ever wished cleaning the windows was easier? There are lots of new robots arriving on the market to help, one new example is from Robot My Life. They have a newly designed window robot that uses powerful technology to make glass care a breeze. 

You might have heard i installed a new pool last year, and the glass fence is going to get the window cleaning treatment. Robot My Life are sending one to me to test and I’ll report back on results!

The S6 Pro scrubs glass 600 times a minute with its dual reciprocating pads to dislodge dust and grime from glass. Combined with its powerful water jets, build up on your glass is eliminated with a streak free finish. Check the details beloiw and we will 

Check out the Hobot S6 Pro here and the offer they are doing for listeners.  

Guests and Topics on the Show

Mother’s day is just around the corner and we wanted to give you some ideas on what gifts you can get ahead of time. Mitchell Whitaker, Director from Harvey Norman Newcastle joins us this week to share some great finds.  Mitch’s number one suggestion for Mothers Day this year is a digital photo frame from Jackson Frameo. Check out their range here.    Some of you noted i am clearly not a Caravan owner, but I know many of you are. So for Caravanners, you can now elevate your towing experiences with the debut of the world’s inaugural CarPlay and Android Auto Integration for electric brake controllers. Elecbrakes, an Australian-owned electronic brake controller, has unveiled a groundbreaking software update that ensures its brakes are fully synchronized with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto platforms. This pioneering innovation fosters flawless integration between the Elecbrakes controller and a vehicle’s infotainment system, empowering users to effortlessly manage and oversee their trailer’s braking system directly from their car’s dashboard. We invited Craig de Leon, Founder and CEO from Elecbrakes to discuss this innovation.

Here’s a copy of our weekly newsletter.

Life and Technology – Saturday April 20 2024