Issue Overview: The Internet of things

TOP: Smart Home at the 2015 Mobile World Congress Conference on July 15, 2015 in Shanghai, China. Courtesy of

Getty Images.

Some people are excited about new technology. Others are worried. They are afraid that

hackers will steal private information from their phones and other devices. But there is no

way to avoid this technology. Sensors connected to the Internet are appearing everywhere.

They are linked by wireless technology. These connected sensors make up the Internet of

Things.

The number of connected things is growing fast. Many different things could soon be

connected. Coffeemakers could pause when someone hits their alarm’s snooze button.

Pipes could report their own leaks. This technology could help people and companies. It

could save money and make life easier.

The Situation

Internet-connected objects are becoming common. In 2015, Amazon introduced Dash

Buttons. These buttons can be placed around the house. Pressing them reorders things

like soap and food. This year, GE put out a new washer. It can reorder detergent when it is

running out. Lots of companies are making things like these.

By Bloomberg, adapted by Newsela staff on 09.08.16

Word Count 374

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 1

It is hard to get objects to talk to each other. For example, someone may need one

smartphone app to turn up the heat and another to turn on a light. If these objects worked

together, they would only need one app. Safety is an even bigger question. Anything

connected to the Internet can be hacked. That means someone could break in through the

Internet. They could steal information.

The Background

In 1982, some students put sensors in a Coca-Cola machine. They connected it to an early

form of the Internet. Then they could tell if it was empty without walking to it.

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 2

People started talking about the "Internet of Things" in 1999. At first, sensors were too

expensive. The rise of smartphones led to lower prices. Sensors can now be used to track

many things.

The Argument

Internet-connected objects can tell a lot about people. Hackers can use that to hurt them.

The Internet of Things could make it easier for hackers to do that. The U.S. government is

slowly making rules for safety.

Companies are also learning what people will pay for different things. People will buy

things that make life easier. For example, they might pay a lot for something that helps

lower their bills. It could save them money over time.

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 3

Quiz

1 Why do people think the Internet of Things is exciting?

(A) because it keeps hackers from stealing private information

(B) because it is growing very slowly

(C) because it could save people money and time

(D) because it would be very expensive to use

2 According to the section, "The Argument," what is the MAIN reason why the government is

making rules for safety with internet-connected objects?

(A) to help people lower their bills and save money

(B) to connect sensors to track many things

(C) to make sure smartphone apps work

(D) to protect people from hackers

3 Which of the following questions is answered by the graphic "Smart Things Automate the

Home"?

(A) Where can someone buy internet-connected objects?

(B) What are some things internet-connected objects can do?

(C) How much does it cost to use internet-connected objects?

(D) When will new internet-connected objects be created?

4 Which of the following sentences from the article tells information included in the graphic

"Smart Things Automate the Home"?

(A) Some people are excited about new technology.

(B) Pipes could report their own leaks.

(C) At first, sensors were too expensive.

(D) Companies are also learning what people will pay for different things.

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 4

Answer Key

1 Why do people think the Internet of Things is exciting?

(A) because it keeps hackers from stealing private information

(B) because it is growing very slowly

(C) because it could save people money and time

(D) because it would be very expensive to use

2 According to the section, "The Argument," what is the MAIN reason why the government is

making rules for safety with internet-connected objects?

(A) to help people lower their bills and save money

(B) to connect sensors to track many things

(C) to make sure smartphone apps work

(D) to protect people from hackers

3 Which of the following questions is answered by the graphic "Smart Things Automate the

Home"?

(A) Where can someone buy internet-connected objects?

(B) What are some things internet-connected objects can do?

(C) How much does it cost to use internet-connected objects?

(D) When will new internet-connected objects be created?

4 Which of the following sentences from the article tells information included in the graphic

"Smart Things Automate the Home"?

(A) Some people are excited about new technology.

(B) Pipes could report their own leaks.

(C) At first, sensors were too expensive.

(D) Companies are also learning what people will pay for different things.

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 5