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?

Not in the way China does.

I never said I was an expert. But I have expertise through education (doctorate level) and application, in child development and teach on brain development.

I understand the different phases of brain development, the critical periods, the processes of over proliferation and pruning. How the different parts of the brain develop at different rates and how they link up over time and how this is largely influenced by experience.

It’s a massively complex area and is moving at a very rapid rate now we have MRI technology so I’m not an ‘expert’ per se, and can’t possibly know it all, but I do have a lot more expertise that your average Joe.

We legislate around health. Things where there is a direct link between toxin and health. Where’s the line? Forced exercise? Limits on all screen time? Etc.

there is a line and China crosses it.

Yes. That’s true. There’s lots of great content but the concern is the addictive nature of it and similar and the unregulated exposure to potentially harmful material (to them and society in the long run). There is emerging evidence of a negative impact on concentration.

Gambling?

I don’t think we can legislate against it. I mean what would that legislation even look like? How would it be enforced? What are the consequences?

No but we do. I’m just suggesting it is on a par with gambling and we don’t allow teens unfettered gambling opportunities.

And the state over-ruling parents to dictate what their children can eat, drink, and spend their spare time doing. That is more authoritarian than Stalin.

Legislate for the companies to take more responsibility for the well-being of the consumer. So a different app for kids that turns off at night and has better firewalls for potentially harmful material for one.

Involves contract and exchange of money.

Legislate businesses to keep health and well-being in mind. Not just profit. We now have legislation that means cigarettes can’t be marketed in a visible and colourful way. So stripping tobacco companies if their ability to market to us for example.

So?

When I talk about legislation I mean of companies. Legislation that forced them to put user health and well-being first and profit second. And more education and limited marketing to children.

Thanks. I’m pretty clear on it to be honest. It’s interesting to see the pushback though. That’s almost as worrying!! But then I get it too. DH is more concerned than me and wants us to limit our screen time as a whole family and I feel like pushing back too! 😂 I know he’s right but then I can’t go posting things on MN and doing this to kill time on my long journey!

You cannot enter into a contract under 18.

I have always thought/known this.

Well that’s all true and those are all concerns of mine too. I guess it’s about the addictive nature and ease of access to harmful content even if not actively sought. I hope I’m wrong to be concerned but at the age I am, I’m not naive.

Ok. But having a SM account involves a contract too. I don’t see your point.

“The third licensing objective in the Gambling Act 2005 specifically singles out children as a vulnerable group who should be protected from being harmed or exploited by gambling.”

Well, thank you to every single poster. It’s been a thoroughly interesting debate. I do not feel reassured. If anything I feel more concerned that we are asleep at wheel but I won’t lose sleep. Hopefully it’s created a debate that will continue in a small way.

I am nearing the end of this interminable journey so will wave you all tata and put my bloody phone down.

No it doesn’t. A social media account doesn’t involve something in exchange for something. There is no contract. Your education clearly hasn’t expanded to contract law.

There also are regulations around social media - account age restrictions - which minors get around because (full circle) bad parents.

You are clearly on it and doing a terrific job

I wouldn't say this! On it-ish, definitely haven't got all the answers. And that's partially as I don't think there are defined answers. You can only keep engaging & adapting, whatever the challenge is.

There will always be those parents. There were when I was a kid - parents who would allow their kids to take a couple of their fags or buy them alcohol or let them have sex at home. Nowadays it's just moved on to vaping and dodgy apps, I guess.

The government could do a better job of highlighting risks to parents, BUT these things are covered in the National Curriculum and there are more and more apps in development that allow parents to monitor phones for safety reasons.

As ever, it's up to parents to make informed choices for their kids and not all will do a great job. I would wager there are many parents who are really uncomfortable about eg Tiktok but allow it because their kids were being left out or bullied for not having them, as is the case with gaming (eg many kids under 12 being on Fortnite etc).

When I talk about legislation I mean of companies. Legislation that forced them to put user health and well-being first and profit second. And more education and limited marketing to children.

Ah ok.

Well that's different to how we legislate for alcohol, smoking, gambling, drugs, all of which are targeted at the user and the direct provider of the product (not the indirect provider).

And it's not what you keep saying with respect to China which is limiting individual choice / behaviour.

And finally, there's plenty of activity in this area. More needs to be done but the dialogue around this at EU & state level (I'm in Ireland) is definitely underway.

I'm all for this.

But you started out with the premise that TT should be banned, like China does! That's a totally different proposition to what you are now saying.

Good luck legislating international capitalism....

It's not China's fault so many of us give our children this shitty tech.
They're just harnessing an opportunity to make money off our permissiveness and fomo.