When it comes to their kids, many parents don’t trust tech companies any more. Social media companies have spent the better part of the last decade arguing that their platforms are safe for teens, but quite a few parents aren’t convinced. They, along with a growing number of regulators, have increasingly accused companies like Meta of designing products that are addictive to younger users.
AI firm OpenAI, thrust into the public consciousness much more recently than Meta, has had to defend against dozens of lawsuits alleging chatbot ChatGPT lacks safety guardrails. Now, workers at the world’s leading AI firms have warned that their employers prioritize competing with each other over building their models safely. Both the AI and social media companies have denied the claims, and introduced additional safety measures such as parent-linked teen accounts.
Still, for many parents, lawsuits and public accusations have been enough to change their minds about whether to allow their children to use both social media and AI. The Guardian asked parents whether their perspective on their children’s use of social media or AI has changed in the last year and whether they plan to let their kids use either technology. The vast majority of those who responded said they no longer wanted their children to use social media, and many of them said they also try to steer their children away from AI.
Not in a doomsayer way, but, being realistic, the world is going to be a very different place when they grow up. I’m torn between two worlds – the world I work in, and that supports their upbringing, and the knowledge that the very work is destroying their future – whether that be on an economic or environmental level. Do I feel the need to encourage them to use AI?
On the flipside, social media is out. They can use WhatsApp to connect and build real-world relationships. But otherwise no good can come of it.
The recent major lawsuits against Meta, along with decisions by non-US governments to limit social media use for under-16s, have enabled me to have meaningful conversations with my daughter about the real risks of social media use for her age group. She still asks to use these products (they aren’t limited in the US), but I remind her of the decisions we’ve made, together, to wait until she’s older before she can use them. My 11--year-old is not permitted to use social media on her own.
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