Join the #4IRC Connect Shapers as we explore some of the latest smart toys and gadgets available to children and young people.

We will be discussing if children having access to ‘smart’ toys such as gaming consoles, raspberry pi, Alexa, Fortnite, iPads, interactive toys and more have a positive or negative affect on their development.

Concerns that these IoT devices area easily hacked are causing parents to worry about the privacy of children and young people being breeched.

We will also be discussing the implications for children’s intelligence, cognitive development and social behavior when they use smart devices and toys that blur the line between make believe and reality.

This discussion aims to challenge perceptions and open conversations with students and academics, business and the start-up community. Everyone is welcome to attend, and we encourage young people to come along.

Food and refreshments will be provided on arrival.
There will be demos from both CSIT and Microsoft on the night.

Confirmed contributors include: Keynote from Stephen Howell, Microsoft
Dave Anderson, Director of Technology, Liberty IT
Dr Ciara Rafferty, Lecturer, School of EEECS, CSIT

Connect Shapers: Paul McKernon, Brian Shevlin, Carrie Hanna, Dr Kelly Clark, Michael Crossan and Stuart Greenlees

4IRC Toys: Do smart toys make smart kids? Interested click here