The Asian Age

End kids’ phone addiction, say ex- FB, Google employees

Many social media networks have been accused by people from various pockets of being ‘ psychologi­cally addictive’

- AGE CORRESPOND­ENT

Former Facebook and Google employees have come together to raise their voice against the rising technology addiction, especially among children. There have been several studies of late which have gone on to prove the consequenc­es which the children have these days due to an ‘ addiction’ which they develop due to overuse of these latest gadgets.

Tristan Harris, a former Google employee commented on this issue and said, “They’ve created the attention economy andare now engaged in a full- blown arms race to capture and retain human attention, including the attention of kids. Technologi­sts, engineers, and designers have the power and responsibi­lity to hold themselves accountabl­e and build products that create a better world.”

January 2018 witnessed investors named Jana Partners and the California State Teachers’ Retirement System, enquiring Apple and requesting them to understand the addiction which children and teens have. And according to a report by USATODAY, several advocates have advised Facebook to scrap a messaging service for kids. These social media platforms have been accused by people from various pockets of being ‘ psychologi­cally addictive.’

James P. Steyer, CEO and founder of Common Sense commented on the prevalent situation, which read: “Tech companies are conducting a massive, realtime experiment on our kids, and, at present, no one is really holding them accountabl­e. Their business models often encourage them to do whatever they can to grab attention and data and then to worry about the consequenc­es later, even though those very same consequenc­es may at times hurt the

◗ Several advocates have advised FB to scrap a messaging service for kids. ◗ January 2018 witnessed investors, enquiring Apple and requesting them to understand the addiction which kids and teens have.

social, emotional, and cognitive developmen­t of kids. It’s time to hold tech companies accountabl­e for their efforts designed to target and manipulate young people.”

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 ?? PHOTO: PIXABAY ??
PHOTO: PIXABAY

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