Technology Is Harming Our Kids: What Can We do? | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Discussing the need for kid-friendly technology design and regulation.

Key Insights

• 💗 There is growing recognition among lawmakers of the need for technology designed with children's well-being as a priority, moving beyond mere profit motives.
• 🥺 Historically, marketing tactics used in media have often exploited children, leading to negative mental health impacts that continue in today's digital landscape.
• 🤙 Existing legislation protecting kids is outdated, necessitating urgent calls for new laws that reflect modern technological challenges.
• 🥺 The health implications of online engagement for children are increasingly acknowledged, leading to a push for fundamental changes in how digital platforms operate.
• 👪 Collaborative efforts among parents, researchers, and technologists are crucial for creating a united front in advocating for children's rights online.
• 👶 Acknowledging the diversity of children's online experiences, it's clear that protections must extend beyond child-directed sites to all platforms frequented by young users.
• 🤩 Banning data-driven advertising targeted at children is a key component of proposed design codes to mitigate exploitation and support healthier self-images.

Transcript

hello everyone thank you so much for joining us for today's session about designing with kids in mind um i'm here with longtime cht ally uh and a friend josh golan executive director of fair play um who has been advocating tirelessly for um uh uh give you a second to introduce some of your your history for a media landscape and increasingly technol... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What inspired Josh Golan to advocate for children in technology?

Josh's advocacy was inspired by his previous experiences in the media industry, where he noted the harmful implications of monetizing children's attention. He recalled critical moments, like his time in the late 90s pushing back against unhealthy marketing practices that targeted children, which led to his commitment to improving the technological environment for young users.

Q: What role does Fair Play play in protecting children's online experiences?

Fair Play, formerly known as the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood, works to combat the harmful effects of marketing on children by advocating for policy changes and legislative solutions. They are involved in campaigns, partnerships, and complaint filing to address unfair practices and improve the regulatory framework for children's online safety.

Q: Can you explain what the Age-Appropriate Design Code entails?

The Age-Appropriate Design Code mandates that online platforms design their services with children's best interests in mind. It requires businesses to account for how their design choices affect young users, emphasizing privacy protections, restrictions on data-driven advertising, and creating an online experience tailored to supporting healthy development.

Q: How should technologists contribute to protecting children's online interactions?

Technologists can advocate within their companies for changes that prioritize child safety. They can also provide insights on the feasibility of proposed regulations and technologies. Joining coalitions with parents and public health advocates to share their expertise will enhance collaborative efforts to create safer digital spaces for children.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The session highlights the importance of creating technologies that prioritize children's well-being over corporate profits, emphasizing a collaborative effort among parents, technologists, and lawmakers.

• Josh Golan shares his journey into advocacy for children's rights in the digital age, reflecting on historical media practices that harm kids.

• The conversation includes proposed legislative measures, like age-appropriate design codes, aimed at embedding children's best interests into the development of online platforms.