China and our children. AIBU to be deeply concerned?

[Concerningalgorithms]

I read this article and am so concerned. So many of our kids are on TT.

https://nypost.com/2023/02/25/china-is-hurting-us-kids-with-tiktok-but-protecting-its-own/amp/

Basically, TT and other SM have the same effect on our brain as addictive substances such as heroine. Developers know this and create highly addictive (make use of our knowledge of the reward centre in our brain), apps/platforms/games that leave us with dopamine crashes when we can’t have it. So that tantrum or meltdown when we say ‘turn screens off now’ is partly, if not mostly, to do with that, is one example.

The article above says that China use different algorithms there for TT so it is helpful for children’s development. They are peddling addictive, concentration lowering crap to children around the world, but protecting their own children.

Why are we allowing this? Why are we not protecting our children too? The science is there.

And AIBU to think that we are at risk, as a country, of raising a generation that will be less well adapted and more vulnerable in the future to a hostile take over?

So ban sweets? Crisps? McDonald’s? Airing of films on tv etc? When does being a parent kick on.

They do. They just don’t have the same concerns.

Not a conspiracy theory. See the link to the NYPost. It’s in lots of other reputable news sources too. The fact is that China is doing a better job of protecting its children than we are.

You’re aware that China can do this because they don’t have freedom of speech? Religion? Siginciant human right issues etc. they limit what children and adults can access.

That’s exactly my concern. Our ship is at risk and we are asleep at the wheel. Russia too. Evidence of actively creating division and election interference. But mostly I’m concerned by the vacant eyed, hobby/interest free kids that I work with, who haven’t got a cat in hells chance of a decent life without a serious turnaround.

Some parents allow their kids to smoke, take drugs, vape. Do we judge that? I think we should judge it. It’s also normalised to allow lots of screen time etc. So unless you educate yourself as a parent, how do you know? Lots of parents won’t know or can’t understand. It’s much more subtle than drug use but lots of the same issues.

Yes. Exactly.

Agree that it’s not an evil plan to harm other children, but they are protecting their kids and setting themselves up well for the plan. As a Sociologist, you’ll understand about collectivist cultures. Not my area of expertise but I believe the Chinese government will be doing this not out of compassion or care for their children, but because they know it will creat a population who are capable of more.

Exactly. Those in the know protect their children. So why aren’t we?

And it’s not via legislation is it. It’s parenting.

To be honest, I think the UPF industry does need legislating as that’s another significant risk to children. We are now seeing Type 2 diabetes in children which is outrageous.

Young children shouldn’t be on social media. Teens should have their time limited. It’s easy to do - just need to parent.

Because too many parents either don't know, don't care or otherwise don't enforce boundaries and regulations on their own children.

At the very heart of this issue - the onus is and should be on parents to protect their own children rather than the government or another governing body stepping in to do a job that isn't in their remit.

Well, I don’t know that for sure, but I think you are probably right. That’s certainly how it looks.

No I don’t. I totally agree with you. What made me post was the added concern that our children are not as protected from it compared to there. I don’t believe that’s out of concern for the children but more likely to be strategic. Which puts us in a weakening position.

But mostly I worry about the well-being and development of our kids. I see it every day at work.

For somebody who doesn’t like China, you are certainly a fan of authoritarianism.

historically similar things have been said about listening to the radio, reading books and watching tv.

Nope. No algorithms for me. Just reputable news sources.

Me? I’m very strict in my house. It’s our society and children in general I’m concerned about. And our weakening global and economic position. But I sleep well. It’s an intellectual worry rather than a physical worry.

Perhaps the government could raise all children according to an agreed set of standards and hand them back to parents once they hit 18?

Or alternatively we could perhaps expect the people who’ve chosen to bring life into today’s world to, I don’t know, inform themselves and parent?

Thanks. And yes. Having heard what the tobacco industry did to protect its profits is horrific! Similar to tech, oil, UPF and sugar industries now. Lots of things that are clearly damaging our health and longevity, normalised and promoted using extremely clever marketing, to chase profit.

Yes. It is. And games. Smart phones generally. My link to the article is about how China don’t allow their children’s development to be compromised in the same way. Which then made me ask why, because I doubt it’s out of care and compassion.

Why are we not protecting our kids from screens? Some of us are trying, others don’t have to because they aren’t hooked. This isn’t a China thing, it’s a screen thing.

I work in education and support a zero tolerance approach to phones in schools. I will be bringing my own (currently young) DC up a similar way. They won’t have a smart phone until much older than average, just what they’ll describe as a ‘brick’ when teenagers and out with friends. My husband works in tech and he feels more strongly than me about this. I know it gets trotted out all the time (and probably many times on this thread) but there is a reason Silicon Valley CEOs don’t allow their older children to have one.

Good. Me too and lots of my friends but I’m in a bubble of educated and well resourced families. At work I see a different picture. Kids raised on a diet of toxic screen use and UPF who are falling behind and clocking up long term health issues. It has always made me sad. The article made me worried on a different level too.

If you are concerned about the Chinese government mining our data, let me introduce you to the all American, Big Five of Apple, Alphabet (Google), Amazon, Meta (Facebook) and Microsoft. What do you think of our government possibly selling our NHS medical data to American drug companies in future?

"I didn’t say they were evil. But they are out to dominate the world."
If you don't think China is evil why does it matter if they want to dominate the world? What exactly does world domination look like today? World's largest economy/GDP/population?

At various times in world history different countries have dominated the world, so nothing new there. I'm more concerned about how China is buying up natural resources in less developed countries in Africa and South America than the TT consumption habits of young people.