Facebook causes children harm, insider claims
Senior Facebook insiders have admitted designing technology that hooks users and may cause harm to children. Sandy Parakilas, a former Facebook platform manager, claimed the social media firm’s goal was to “addict” people. “They know what the negative effects are,” he said.
SENIOR Facebook insiders have admitted designing addictive technology that hooks users and may cause harm to children.
Sandy Parakilas, a former Facebook platform manager, claimed the firm’s goal was to “addict” people. “They know what the negative effects are and they are not being honest,” he said.
Leah Pearlman, the Facebook product manager who co-created the iconic “Like” button, said she now advised vulnerable teenagers to beware of the site after she herself became addicted.
In response to growing concern, Ime Archibong, a senior Facebook executive, admitted it was now investigating whether “habit-forming” behaviour is “bringing harm” to users.
The disclosures are made in a BBC
Panorama programme tonight, where the tech insiders express alarm at the way younger children are now being targeted with the launch of Facebook Messenger for six to 12-year-olds.
The Daily Telegraph is campaigning for a statutory duty of care on social media and gaming firms to protect children from potential harm.
“The end goal is to acquire customers at an incredibly young age,” said Mr Parakilas. “Considering the addictive nature of Facebook… it’s really concerning that they are now targeting even younger children without clear standards for what is OK and what is not OK.”
Ms Pearlman said the Like button led her to become addicted to seeking feedback: “I noticed that I would post something that I used to post, and the Like count would be way lower than it used to be. Suddenly I thought I’m actually also kind of addicted to the feedback.”
Aza Raskin, the creator of the endless scroll, where users don’t have to click to switch to another page, said: “Behind every screen on your phone, there are literally a thousand engineers to try to make it maximally addicting.
“It’s as if they’re taking behavioural cocaine and just sprinkling it all over your interface.”
Facebook said the allegations of designing technology to be addictive were wrong: “Facebook and Instagram were designed to bring people closer to their friends, family and the things they care about, and that purpose sits at the centre of every design decision we make. At no stage does wanting something to be addictive factor into that process and we are continually working to make sure Facebook and Instagram contribute to people’s lives in a positive way.”
Children as young as five are falling victim to online abuse because it is too easy for them to get onto sites, Emily Cherry, assistant director of policy at Barnardo’s, told the Commons science and technology committee yesterday. She said that for any app or game there should be verification features.
She said: “We need those safety by design features. Why should the online world be different to the real world?”