WHAT’S THE BEST way to keep adults from questioning the use of a deeply problematic product? Get them started when they’re too young to question anything. Amazon has a new addition to its line of voice-commanded artificial intelligence Alexa assistants, marketed for use by children as young as 5 years old, who can barely grasp a box of juice, let alone digital privacy. Now, a coalition of children’s privacy and psychology advocates are warning parents away from Amazon’s latest, cutest device, saying it could normalize surveillance and harm children’s mental development.
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George Loewenstein, a professor of economics and psychology at Carnegie Mellon University and director of its Center for Behavioral Decision Research, who is not affiliated with the anti-Echo campaign, told The Intercept that he’s worried about the effects the device could have on not just children, but the parents who buy Dot for kids:
“For the children, if Alexa is very interactive, it may serve as a substitute for real friendships with other children, which are so important for socialization. And Alexa is never going to argue with a child, or want to play a different game, so it risks raising a generation of poorly socialized, bossy, children used to ordering their playmates around. And, Alexa will just instantly answer any question they have, so they won’t ever incubate their curiosity or learn how to navigate the world to obtain answers to their questions. For adults, it will be a temptation to not arrange playdates or spend time reading to their children or listening to music with them. Why read a book to a child when Alexa can do it for you? It may also pose new temptations to parents to monitor their children in ways that aren’t good for parent or child.”
this is deeply disturbing and what’s really horrifying is how many parents are actually going to go out and purchase these goddamn machines
(Source: anthonybourdainpartsunknown, via anarchistblack-deactivated20190)
