Products and Technologies
Evolving Technologies and Derivative Products
This section from the menu provides a list of products and technologies that many consider a risk to children in various ways. There can be increased risks of physical injury ranging from obesity or lung cancer to accidental injury or death. Psychological harms can result in serious mental health conditions such as addiction, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts and actions. Even non-clinical harm can be identified as impairment in the domains of academics, career, social/relational, life skills and transition into adulthood. At a societal level these harms can result in increased public and private health care costs, lower quality of life and a less safe and productive nation.
The listing of products does not call out specific brands and does not intend to track product safety of the thousands of products and services market to or for children. In the United States, The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) protects the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under its jurisdiction, including products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure children (https://www.usa.gov/agencies/consumer-product-safety-commission).
This section lists new evolving technology and product categories, some of which may not yet even be marketed to children. It is hoped that the risks of products or potential products can be considered by important stakeholders before these products are sold and that the design of these products anticipate the risks and employ safeguards so that the risk to children are minimized. Since not all risks can be anticipated, it is also important that when these risks are identified that this is quickly and effectively communicated to the public. We hope this site can help provide a forum for discussion..
The fact that many consider aspects of these listed products and technologies unsafe does not suggest that all of them should be banned. Many of the products and technologies can serve to enhance our children's lives and future. It is critical that designers consider these factors when engineering products for children. If you as a visitor, member or a resource provider believe there are additional technologies or products in need of consideration and listing on this site please contact us though the link Suggest New Product/Technology.