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California state senator Scott Wiener wants to stop the creation of dangerous A.I. But critics say he is jumping the gun.

It always starts with good intentions. Your toddler is fussy or irritable, and you've seen how the tablet calms them down. Why not hand it over for a few minutes to prevent a tantrum while you get dinner ready?

It's a scene that plays out successfully in many households everyday, but the short-term victory may lead to a major parenting challenge in the future, according to new research.

The study, which appeared in JAMA Pediatrics, found that more tablet use at age three-and-a-half was associated with increased anger a year later. A child's inclination to become angry or frustrated at four-and-a-half was then linked to more tablet time at five-and-a-half.

The findings suggest that providing a toddler with a tablet, especially when they're expressing negative emotions, can eventually backfire, the study's lead author, Dr. Caroline Fitzpatrick, told Mashable.

SEE ALSO: Stop scrolling so much. Try these rituals instead.

"The ability to regulate emotions doesn't happen automatically," said Fitzpatrick, who is a child development researcher at the Université de Sherbrooke in Canada.

Instead, young children commonly develop this skill through supportive interactions with their parents or caregivers, and through play. But when they have a tablet in their hands, those opportunities typically disappear.

Dr. Kathryn Keough, a psychologist with the Child Mind Institute's Anxiety Disorders Center, said the study's results, in addition to similar research on tablet use among young children, make a compelling case for parents to reconsider when and how they provide the device to their kids.

"The big thing is to transition away from tablets as much as possible for preschool-age children and younger, given the research that's come out," Keough said. She noted that even educational apps are unlikely to have as positive an impact on a young child as playing with a parent or sibling, or exploring their surroundings, like a backyard.

The transition away from tablet time may be tough, but Keough offered a step-by-step guide for helping a toddler adjust:

1. Practice self-compassion.

As a psychologist who treats young children for mental health conditions, Keough has seen this scenario plenty of times. She knows why parents rely on tablets and other devices with kids: because it works. In the moment, a screen provides enough stimulation and distraction to help a child quickly move past difficult feelings. "I hope they can give themselves grace," Keough said of parents who've been using tablets in this situation.

Once parents realize the risks of relying on a tablet when their child is frustrated, angry, or sad, they can commit to changing that habit.

2. Set expectations.

If parents don't yet have specific time for tablet use, like after dinnertime, Keough recommends designating one. Ideally, this window would align with the guidelines for two- to five-year-olds created by the American Academy of Pediatrics, which is no more than one hour per day of high-quality programming, viewed with a parent.

Importantly, Fitzpatrick's study found no negative effects on anger for children who followed the recommended one hour or less of tablet time. But every 73 minutes in daily tablet use above that threshold led to significant increases in angry outbursts.

Once children understand they can only use the tablet at a specific time during the day, they'll be better prepared to handle not receiving it on demand, or when they're struggling. For parents of younger children, who may not yet be verbal, Keough said it's possible to keep the tablet out of sight without them remembering that it's an option.

3. Coach your child through difficult feelings.

In general, parents trying to reduce tablet use should focus on emotion regulation strategies with their child, like naming feelings and practicing deep breaths.

For example, saying aloud that the child seems frustrated helps them better understand the emotions they're experiencing. Inviting them to then take a break and breathe deeply or count to 10 demonstrates how they can cope with hard feelings.

Keough said that parents should try to model similar behavior. If they spill a cup of coffee, for example, it's a good opportunity for the parent to say aloud that they were rushing, and that mistakes happen. Keough noted that adults tend to cope internally, sometimes because they're embarrassed to acknowledge their own feelings. But doing so out loud can set a powerful example for a young child.

4. Weather the storm.

Parents should fully expect that a toddler or preschooler will have a tantrum when they're accustomed to getting a tablet and don't. Keough said parents who can stay firm with this boundary, even amid an ear-splitting outburst, will eventually see progress. During the tantrum, Keough said parents can calmly remind their child of the times when tablet use is appropriate, and explain that it's now time to calm down.

As soon as the child starts to relax, it's important to affirm them by saying they did a good job calming down. If a parent had their own emotional blowup during the tantrum, Keough said they can acknowledge to their child what happened, and say they're sorry for reacting negatively.

5. Be mindful of your own device use.

When a parent is trying to curb their toddler's tablet use, it's important that they also reflect on their own habits. The goal is to model behavior for their child, which certainly means avoiding picking up a smartphone during stressful moments. But it can also mean restricting device use at meal times so your child experiences family conversation and connection without devices present. To help set these boundaries, Fitzpatrick recommends adopting a family media use plan.

6. Encourage play.

Shifting away from tablet use can give children more time to spend on imaginative or pretend play, which helps them develop key social, emotional, and cognitive skills, Keough said. She suggests that parents also set aside time every day to play with them, even if it's for five minutes. They can encourage pretend play by modeling how to use objects creatively and by acting out characters.

Of course, parents should remember to leave their phone out of reach in order to be fully immersed in playtime.

TL;DR: Prepare for your next job with beginner to advanced courses on Excel, Word, Access, Outlook, and PowerPoint with the Ultimate Microsoft Office 2021/265 Training Bundle on sale for just $40. 

Opens in a new window Credit: StreamSkill The Ultimate Microsoft Office 2021/365 Training Bundle $39.99 at The Mashable Shop
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Don't let that "proficient in Microsoft Office" on your resume be a lie. Knowing how to format a spreadsheet or compose a document in Word is just the beginning. The more advanced functions take a little more effort to learn, but you might be able to save time on tasks like data organization, formatting, and more when you study the Ultimate Microsoft Office 2021/365 Training Bundle. This pack of seven courses goes from beginner to intermediate lessons for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Access, and it's on sale for just $39.99 (down from $449). 

Excel beginners welcome

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Don't know if a video course is the right fit for you? Preview some of the videos to get an idea of what's in store. Each course is video-led and packed with practice exercises to help you retain what you learn. You'll even get a certificate of completion when you finish the course. These certificates are different from an official certification, but they could still be useful if you want to show an employer you mean business.

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TL;DR: Only through September 3, get the Red Dot Award-Winning Luminar Neo with an instructional video and six add-ons for just $149.97 (reg. $752).

This digital age we live in demands the use of visuals for a variety of professionals and even hobbyists. From professional photographers to influences and content creators to marketing professionals and website owners, you catch more flies with something to catch the eye. But what if you're not great at creating the visuals you want or knowing where to start?

Having the right tools can make all the difference. Luminar Neo is versatile photo editing software designed to cater to a wide range of users, from newbies to more advanced editors. It's also currently on sale for just $149.97 through September 3. 

This unique bundle gets you lifetime access to Luminar Neo, an instructional video, and six add-ons to really elevate your photos. The software was a Red Dot Award Winner in 2022 for Interface Design, so you can expect a user-friendly product. 

One of the newer features of Luminar Neo is its AI-powered enhancements. These tools automatically adjust lighting, color, and other elements to improve your photos, saving you time while delivering professional-quality results. The AI technology also offers advanced retouching capabilities, allowing you to remove imperfections and enhance details with just a few clicks.

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Opens in a new window Credit: Luminar Neo The Award-Winning Luminar Neo Lifetime Bundle $149.97 at The Mashable Shop
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TL;DR: Bring professional precision to your kitchen with this Damascus 5-piece knife set and included gift box for $74.97 (reg. $249) through September 3.

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TL;DR: Save 49% on a 2020 MacBook Air in grade “A” refurbished condition. It has an Intel Core i3 and 256GB of storage.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple 13-inch 2020 Apple MacBook Air (8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $449.99 at The Mashable Shop
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Imagine walking into Apple, except this time, they guide you into a secret back room. Inside, they have MacBooks for less than half of what they usually cost, and the salesperson tells you the only catch is that they’re pre-owned. Are you interested?

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A pioneering NASA robot detected over a thousand quakes on Mars. It also may have revealed a huge reservoir of water.

Planetary scientists used unprecedented data collected by the space agency's InSight lander, which recorded geologic activity on Mars for four years, to reveal that water may exist many miles down in the Martian crust. The research, which invites further investigation, may explain where bounties of the Red Planet's water went as the world dried up, and suggests that Mars may host hospitable environs for life.

On our rocky planet, bounties of water exist in the subsurface. Why not on Mars, too?

"Exactly! We identified the Martian equivalent of deep groundwater on Earth," Michael Manga, a planetary scientist at UC Berkeley who coauthored the new research, told Mashable.

The study recently published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills.

The detected water is nowhere near the Martian surface — which is today 1,000 times drier than the driest desert on Earth. It exists some seven to 13 miles underground (11.5 to 20 kilometers) in cracks and ruptures in the deep Mars crust, as shown in the graphic below.

NASA designed the InSight lander to observe Mars' inner workings, so the craft carried a seismometer, similar to those that measure quakes on Earth. It picked up different types of seismic waves, caused by marsquakes, geologic activity, and meteorites bombarding the surface. Crucially, these waves, which are generated by an impulse like an impact or temblor, provide lots of information about the world below. The speed of a seismic wave depends on what the rock is made of, whether this rock has cracks, and what the cracks are filled with, Manga explained. The researchers then plug these seismic Martian readings (along with subsurface gravity measurements) into programs that simulate what lies below — they're the same computer models geologists use to map water aquifers on Earth or gas resources deep underground.

"A mid-crust whose rocks are cracked and filled with liquid water best explains both seismic and gravity data," Manga said.

A graphic showing pockets of water deep inside the Martian crust. Credit: James Tuttle Keane / Aaron Rodriquez A view of the InSight lander's dust-covered seismometer on the Martian surface. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech

A temperate Red Planet once hosted great Martian lakes and rivers. Some 3 billion years ago, scientists suspect much of this water was lost to space after Mars gradually lost its insulating atmosphere. Yet colossal amounts of water might have drained into the subsurface, too. It's unclear how much, though this latest water detection suggests a considerable amount of water could lie in the deep Martian crust.

"We knew that the liquid water being buried deep in the subsurface was one possible solution to the question of where Mars' ancient liquid surface water went," Manga said.

"On Earth we find microbial life deep underground where rocks are saturated with water and there is an energy source."

The possible existence of water raises an enticing question. Could something live down there? Our planet provides a clue.

"On Earth we find microbial life deep underground where rocks are saturated with water and there is an energy source," Manga said.

Future Martian explorers won't be able to drill many miles into Martian rock to access or analyze this water. But they might find other places, such as geologically active regions like Cerberus Fossae on Mars, where liquid water could potentially be expelled to the desert floor.

The Martian surface may indeed be a harsh, irradiated place, but it's plausible hardy life could thrive in the deep, watery underworld.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for August 14 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for August 14

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Wednesday, August 14, 2024:

AcrossGet some shut-eye

• The answer is sleep.

Like some difficult running paths

• The answer is hilly.

Kind of chain you might wish to be off

• The answer is email.

"Same here!"

• The answer is ditto.

Late riser, stereotypically

• The answer is teen.

DownRemove, as a layer of snakeskin

• The answer is shed.

Value that a function approaches, in math

• The answer is limit.

Make extremely happy

• The answer is elate.

In the top 1%

• The answer is elite.

End zone marker

• The answer is pylon.

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for August 14 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for August 14

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Honey I'm Home

These words could be where you rest your head.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

The answers are related to types of homes.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Houses.

NYT Strands word list for August 14

• Cabin

• Cottage

• Colonial

• Houses

• Ranch

• Bungalow

• Craftsman

Looking for other daily online games? Find one you might like – or hints for another game you're already playing – on Mashable's Games page.

"The Daily Show" host Desi Lydic has weighed in on Monday night's glitchy X Spaces interview between Donald Trump and Elon Musk.