Internet of Things-Based Policy Strategies in Child Care

Abstract

With the expansion of urbanization and the difficulties of modern life, ensuring the safety and health of children is a significant challenge for families, care systems, and policymakers. IoT technology, with its capabilities of continuous monitoring, data analysis, and timely alerts, helps to respond to this issue. A review of scientific evidence shows that successful applications of this technology in the world have mainly focused on the use of wearable and environmental sensors in indoor spaces and can have an impact on risk reduction and child health management; however, effective and equitable use of this capacity at the national level requires the development of operational strategies. In this context, this policy brief, by analyzing the existing conditions and citing the findings of the review study and expert opinions, proposed and analyzed three policy options as follows: first, developing and implementing mandatory standards to ensure security, privacy, and device interoperability; Second, the gradual smartization of care and education environments through the implementation of learning education projects; and third, market development and targeted support for the domestic production of safe and cost-effective devices and services. The analysis of these options suggests that simultaneous attention to technical, economic and socio-cultural considerations is necessary for the effectiveness of measures. Challenges such as concerns about privacy and data security, initial investment costs, resistance to change and the need to empower stakeholders are among the main obstacles. As a result, the smartization of care and education environments with a focus on child safety should be a priority action and, at the same time, by implementing single educational projects, while practically evaluating technology and implementation models, create the necessary demand for the development of the domestic market and subsequently increase public trust and technical expertise. In this way, the groundwork will be laid for equitable access to advanced technologies to promote the safety and health of children. © 2026, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.