Current Research Projects

The Digital Divide: AI Toys and Early Development 

In partnership with the University of Cambridge Faculty of Education. Our new research explores the positive and negative impacts Generative AI (GenAI) has on the development, mental health and wellbeing of preschool children, particularly families facing socio-economic barriers.

While GenAI toys have the ability to support aspects of children’s development around language and communication skills, the report warns GenAI toys are not always developed with children’s psychological safety in mind, with GenAI toys not suited in social and behavioural situations.

The report provides recommendations for parents and educators to use GenAI toys with caution, and calls on policymakers to provide clearer regulations to help families.

Read the full report here

Housed but Not homed: Addressing the Critical Impact of Furniture Poverty and Inadequate Housing Conditions 

Redesigned bedroomIn partnership with eight other charities, our new research highlights the issues and challenges families face around inadequate housing conditions and furniture poverty, and the incredible impact transforming a child’s space can have on their wellbeing and development, and the critical need for policy reform to support families in need.

The report calls on policymakers to immediately recognise furniture poverty as an essential housing and child-welfare issue within current policy frameworks, ensuring families basic needs and wellbeing are met.

Read the full report here