digital screens

A large global study has examined how screen time affects children's wellbeing, according to reporting carried by Yahoo News New Zealand. The findings address an ongoing debate among parents, educators and health researchers over how digital device use shapes children's mental and physical health. Details of the study's size, methodology and conclusions were not included in the available report.

A newly published book argues that digital screens are driving growing social disconnection, examining how constant device use reshapes relationships, attention and everyday face-to-face interaction. The work adds to ongoing public debate about the psychological and social costs of screen time, joining a wider wave of recent writing on technology's effects on community and mental health.

A commentary argues that people may need to step back from digital technology, making the case for a 'techlash' — a backlash against the dominance of digital tools in everyday life. The piece questions whether it is possible to survive the digital age without reverting to analogue habits, reflecting a growing debate about screen dependence, privacy and the effects of constant connectivity on wellbeing.

McDonald's is exploring how to build an in-store retail media business, turning its restaurants and digital screens into an advertising channel for brands. Industry analysts note the fast-food chain faces the same questions as other retailers: how to prove in-store ads drive sales, measure their effectiveness, and scale the offering without disrupting the customer experience.

Retail trade commentary argues that simply installing digital screens in stores is not enough to build a successful in-store retail media network. The piece suggests retailers need more than hardware — including relevant content, audience measurement and advertiser demand — to turn screens into a genuine revenue channel. It reflects a broader debate about how physical retail can compete with e-commerce platforms in the fast-growing retail media advertising market.

A new study concludes that screen time affects children's development to a similar degree as major risk factors such as poverty and premature birth. Researchers reportedly found heavy device use linked with slower developmental outcomes in young children, placing digital habits alongside well-established social and medical risks. The comparison is prompting renewed debate among parents and experts about how much screen use is acceptable for young children.

The Thomas B. Fordham Institute has launched Wonkathon 2026, posing a central question about education policy: what rules should govern the use of digital technology in schools, and which authorities—federal, state, or local—should set them. The education think tank is inviting policy thinkers to weigh in on how devices, apps, and digital learning tools should be regulated in classrooms.

PetaPixel reports on a new camera designed for people experiencing digital fatigue, drawing inspiration from film photography. The device, called Await, leans into analog aesthetics and slower, more deliberate shooting habits as a counterpoint to always-connected digital devices. The piece is being shared among photography enthusiasts interested in the ongoing analog revival and simplified tech.

A newly formed parent group in the Park Hill school district is advocating for reduced use of technology in classrooms. The effort, reported by the Kansas City Star, adds to a wider national debate among parents and educators over how much screen time and digital learning belongs in schools.