MORE than two thirds of respondents living in Yorkshire and the Humber believe there should be more regulation of internet-connected devices in relation to issues such as data protection, age restrictions and online security.

The release of the survey comes on the day the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford opens a new exhibition exploring such devices.

A total of 73 per cent of respondents in the region (compared to 72 per cent nationally) agreed there should be greater regulation, one in ten (11 per cent nationally) said they did not think greater regulation was required and 17 per cent (compared to 17 per cent nationally) said they did not know if there should be more.

The new exhibition Never Alone: What Happens when Everything is Connected? examines the recent proliferation of smart objects and connected devices.

From the humble webcam to children’s toys, there is a growing list of connected items found in the home. It is estimated that more than 8 billion devices can now be found in households across the globe – more than the number of people on earth.

The questionnaire, conducted by Censuswide on behalf of the museum revealed that from those surveyed nationally it is households with teenagers aged 13-17 years old that are the most likely to have more than ten internet connected devices, including computers, phones, smart speakers, smart watches, home controls and toys. 16 per cent of UK respondents’ households with teenagers had more than ten devices, compared to seven per cent of all those questioned. In Yorkshire and the Humber seven per cent of respondents also had more than ten devices in their homes.

Other questions asked included whether manufacturers are doing enough to make their devices as secure as possible. In Yorkshire and the Humber 37 per cent of respondents believe they are (40 per cent nationally), 31 per cent said ‘no’ (compared to 29 per cent nationally) and 32 per cent said ‘I don’t know’ (31 per cent nationally).

Asked ‘If it were proved to be medically safe, would you have an implant that directly connects your brain to the internet?’, 21 per cent of respondents in Yorkshire and the Humber said ‘yes’, compared to 20 per cent nationally who said they would.

Dr Sarah Rawlins, content developer for the Never Alone exhibition, said: “People seem to be aware of issues around internet connected devices, particularly on the question of regulation, however whatever the concerns, they do not seem to be stopping connected devices being increasingly used.

“In Never Alone we look at some of these issues, exploring the benefits and also potential consequences, as this technology becomes more and more prevalent in everyday life.”

For further information on Never Alone, visit: www.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/neveralone