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Tech firms must tame toxic algorithms to protect children online

ofcom.org.uk

11–20 of 123 posts

Re: Tech firms must tame toxic algorithms to protect children online

#11
post #5

> We want children to enjoy life online. But for too long, their experiences have been blighted by seriously harmful content which they can’t avoid or control. Many parents share feelings of frustration and worry about how to keep their children safe. That must change. Yes, stop letting kids stare at screens all day. Yes, you are a bad/lazy parent letting the firehose of the Internet pipe into their heads.

Children at school use a screen for school work starting in middle school (and sometimes even in elementary school). It is very difficult for parents or teachers to always supervise this. I think the adults should educate the children of safe online behavior but like other real world experiences they need have the independence when being online too.

Re: Tech firms must tame toxic algorithms to protect children online

#13
The thing that always strikes me in all the reporting and discussion of the problems that Ofcom is trying to solve is that no one seems to ask if the problems are equally bad in other countries, especially in non-English speaking countries. And if it isn't then can, and should, whatever helps there be implemented in the UK?

I live in Norway and it doesn't seem that the problem is so severe here. Or is it simply that English speaking media is more willing to latch on to extreme events and make out that they are the norm?

Re: Tech firms must tame toxic algorithms to protect children online

#15
post #4

No intention of protecting adults?

Adults could potentially protect themselves, children absolutely can't.

I'm an adult, history of ADHD. Youtube, facebook, reddit is a disease for me. I am a moderator of some niche subreddits but if I stray away I will find myself stuck reading comments and engaging in conversations for hours.

I take steps by not using my phone during work or after a certain time but it is extremely difficult and I still fall into the trap and watch some shorts for 2-3 hours at a time. I'm not stupid either, graduated with honors in CS and people consider me really smart. My brain just likes how it makes me feel.

Now, I have a fear what all this stuff will do to my child, if even I have trouble with it.

I hate almost everything about the modern commercialized web and really miss irc and forums.

Re: Tech firms must tame toxic algorithms to protect children online

#16
post #12
post #4

No intention of protecting adults?

As an adult, I do not want to be "protected". I can decide for myself if I like the algorithm or product/service and choose not to use it if I don't like it.

The problem is in modern societies the society is footing the bill for those who choose, let's say, unwisely.

Why should my mandatory social and medical insurance taxes go fix issues created by such wrong choices? Should the society not cover them? E.g. smokers with lung cancer should pay out of pocket? Or should society try to minimize wrongdoing instead?

Re: Tech firms must tame toxic algorithms to protect children online

#17

The thing that always strikes me in all the reporting and discussion of the problems that Ofcom is trying to solve is that no one seems to ask if the problems are equally bad in other countries, especially in non-English speaking countries. And if it isn't then can, and should, whatever helps there be implemented in the UK? I live in Norway and it doesn't seem that the problem is so severe here. Or is it simply that…

US/UK really like spying on their citizens. Privacy is not their thing.

Their culture regards anything sexual as Taliban regards women not covering their head. As an extreme taboo. As a fellow European, yes, I know, it's crazy.

Re: Tech firms must tame toxic algorithms to protect children online

#18

Isn't it the parents' job? Why introduce authoritarianism under the disguise of caring for children?

The internet is a big place. How am I supposed to manage what Google / Facebook / YouTube etc. serves to my daughter?

Re: Tech firms must tame toxic algorithms to protect children online

#19

The thing that always strikes me in all the reporting and discussion of the problems that Ofcom is trying to solve is that no one seems to ask if the problems are equally bad in other countries, especially in non-English speaking countries. And if it isn't then can, and should, whatever helps there be implemented in the UK? I live in Norway and it doesn't seem that the problem is so severe here. Or is it simply that…

There's a general election coming up in the UK, probably later this year. No date announced yet but they're starting to get TOUGH ON CRIME and other things in preparation.

Re: Tech firms must tame toxic algorithms to protect children online

#20

Isn't it the parents' job? Why introduce authoritarianism under the disguise of caring for children?

The internet is a big place. How am I supposed to manage what Google / Facebook / YouTube etc. serves to my daughter?

Is there a reason you can't supervise your child's time online and/or use appropriate parental control software?
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