How design of digital products impact kids
Year 4 - 10 parents and teachers
As parents and teachers, we worry about bad actors and content that may affect our children in the online world, but how do the commercial objectives of digital companies translate into design features that negatively affect our children? Features that ensure — they maximise their time in app, maximise their reach, and maximise their activity. This results in addictive behaviours and translates into companies making more money from the increased attention. Some kids are more vulnerable than others, but no connected child is exempt from the demands of the digital world.
They spend too much time online.
They are contacted by adult strangers or are exposed to inappropriate content.
They are made to feel pressure to behave in ways that gain attention and validation.
Made to feel pressure to be ‘visible’ and active online.
Made to feel the fear of missing out.
Made conscious about their appearance and encouraged to improve through image alteration.
There is an incredible carelessness and disregard for children, embedded in the features, products, services, and the norms of the digital world. Most digital products were designed for adults, but are extensively used by ever younger children armed with a smart phone. Some companies even break their own terms by recommending, ranking, rating, or offering inappropriate materials to children and get away with it. The digital world has been allowed to be risky by design. It is fixated on commercial outcomes that do not account for children. It is high time that governments regulate these addictive design features to protect the wellbeing of our children.
The eSafety Commisioner website is a treasure trove for help. Every parent and teacher should take time to browse its many resources.
Question: By what age should a child have access to a smart phone?
Casper Pieters PhD Dip Ed is an author and educator who uses adventure narratives to enliven the ICT curriculum for young people. www.casperpieters.com
