Incredible piece! Kudos to Reuters for revealing this outrage! We have to stop these predators from strip-mining our kids' minds. No screens in schools, no social media until age 18 yo.
In a different time the release of such a document would've been the end of that company. The collective shrugged shoulders of both the media and public is incredibly disheartening.
And Mark Zuckerberg knows... it seems in 2006 he changed something there was a public outrage but then engagement went up. That's when he learned he runs the entire shows without opposition and we make a little noise but then just subdue. If you look at the multiple scandals, it's quite evident that something went very wrong. I'am afraid by moving public debate online we lost (gave up) our power as collectivity.
Children will adopt the ethics, morality and world view of whoever they 'talk' with all day. Getting them young is the best way of hooking them in the cult
Meta knows they can't control what the chatbot says to that degree. If they choose to protect the kids, they will leave money on the table. Apparently they can't abide that.
Nobody truly can, but that's a bigger symptom of the entire AI industry. Meta doesn't have the best models or the best talent in AI, but what they do have is outreach and an existing distribution network. Getting to people first matters a lot, especially if you are preying on emotions as a basis of loyalty.
And as you pointed out, the other issue with big tech companies is that many can afford to tank a few lawsuits in the short term for the profits gained from long term retention.
If you haven't read it yet, read the After Babel post about Kids: https://www.afterbabel.com/p/kids-freedom-smartphones It's more valuable information we should be sharing, though this essay by Casey Mock is terrifying. We are going to end up with a psychologically damaged generation of children whose parents didn't know enough to take away their phones and tablets. Sigh.
Looking at the "crime scene" flooded with more harmful products at light speed, with a detective approach... all cues go in the direction that the "psychologically damaged generation" is not an incident but a desired outcome. It seems that cognivive overload damages discernment and to assess the net value of things in adults. How convenient for Big Tech.
This is revolting! Casey, thanks for sharing this report as the most urgent step is getting this message out to parents. We cannot solely rely on the slow process of laws to protect children from "sophisticated psychological manipulation systems", but have to take action at home now. This requires parents to be present for their children, to spend time with them, and to offer them their undivided attention. Without parental presence, the synthetic relationships offered by AI companions are an irresistible temptation.
Incidentally I wrote a post today that aims to offer practical guidance on how we can be more present for children and people around us:
"...every time we turn our face toward a screen, we are sending a message to ourselves, our children, and anyone around us about which universe truly matters. And reality is losing.
Is it any wonder that children and youth are increasingly turning to synthetic AI “relationships”4 when they feel that we are simply not present?"
Thank you Ruth for pointing out that we have to take action at home now. That is so true and important. Every parent can do a whole lot in their home right now, even before laws are passed.
My heart goes out for single parents and parents who struggle to provide for their families and never have a chance to be fully present for their kids in the way those very kids need to in this alarming reality….
My husband and I work from home and have the luxury of being there for our teens a lot; but man! even with that luxury I feel at the end of my rope (I have an at risk teen who went through hospitalizations with SI, so i m used to watching closer and it is more draining too);
Yet I can’t even imagine what it’s like for parents who just don’t have the time and bandwidth to “just be more present” for their kids..
This is really alarming, and it's necessary to write about it. I don't think AI companions are only dangerous to children, though. Political and psychological manipulation works on adults too, and very much so.
I love your observations and analysis here! I am a Meta whistleblower and wrote about the Reuters reporting too—https://open.substack.com/pub/overturned/p/big-tech-is-grooming-little-kids and we are very aligned. Thank you for framing up such outrageous developments in the context necessary to understand and process.
I think the thing that is upsetting me the most right now is that my friends who have children are scattered all over Europe, and yet they are dependent on US policy makers to crack down on Meta’s horrific malpractice. I know that the EU can implement some policies on how it is used here, but ultimately, Meta’s architecture was formed and is located in the US. A lot of parents on my side of the world are feeling helpless and confused about what to do!
It's insightful to read an insider's version of how Facebook/Meta operate: "Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism,' by Sarah Wynn-Williams. I'm amazed nobody has cracked down on Meta after reading about how it allows China to access its data.
I believe the simplest thing we can do, as individuals, adults, and parents, is to be a role model for our children by reducing our own dependency and addiction to screens.
Boycott all Meta products. Get off WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Messenger. For WhatsApp and Messenger the switch to Signal is a no-brainer - same functionality, none of the supporting-morally-empty-predators.
When we quit something, we generally find a substitute for it or overwhelm ourselves and soon fall back to old habits. Therefore, I always advise my clients that the goal should not be to quit but to find a balance between healthy and harmful use based on our internet needs and context.
"Balance" with an addictive product is a typical Big Tech narrative.
I prefer to encourage people to choose where possible apps who are not famous for exploiting children (like Alex offers) and to minimize the use of instant messaging to what is inevitable (no chatting just basic info exchange). The goal is to increase human interactions and reduce cognitive overload ...the opposite of what those companies plan for us.
sadly, here as Tristan Harris effectively explain it is do engrained in society that it is hard ti get rid of it (doctor use it tosend prescription, plumber to physiotherapist all use it to arrange sppointments...so as Neil Postman said we need to negotiate, the more reasonable goal is to minimize use and data generation...it' s already a form of powerful protest on its own :) Remember it's data they are after!
Incredible piece! Kudos to Reuters for revealing this outrage! We have to stop these predators from strip-mining our kids' minds. No screens in schools, no social media until age 18 yo.
Delaying access is temporary. Cultural reset is the solution. Human agency first. Paid. Lazy. 0 ads. 0 snitching. Fun > function. That’s 0 WHY NOT
In a different time the release of such a document would've been the end of that company. The collective shrugged shoulders of both the media and public is incredibly disheartening.
And Mark Zuckerberg knows... it seems in 2006 he changed something there was a public outrage but then engagement went up. That's when he learned he runs the entire shows without opposition and we make a little noise but then just subdue. If you look at the multiple scandals, it's quite evident that something went very wrong. I'am afraid by moving public debate online we lost (gave up) our power as collectivity.
This is important work—thanks for fighting the good fight!
META deliberately targets children.
That should be against the law containing the gravest of consequences for those who transgress.
They are truly diabolical entity.
Children will adopt the ethics, morality and world view of whoever they 'talk' with all day. Getting them young is the best way of hooking them in the cult
This is the perfect use of the word "diabolical." Really sickening.
Rod Dreher has recently shared that digital culture is spiritual. It's pretty clear by now which side of the spectrum...
Meta knows they can't control what the chatbot says to that degree. If they choose to protect the kids, they will leave money on the table. Apparently they can't abide that.
Nobody truly can, but that's a bigger symptom of the entire AI industry. Meta doesn't have the best models or the best talent in AI, but what they do have is outreach and an existing distribution network. Getting to people first matters a lot, especially if you are preying on emotions as a basis of loyalty.
And as you pointed out, the other issue with big tech companies is that many can afford to tank a few lawsuits in the short term for the profits gained from long term retention.
If you haven't read it yet, read the After Babel post about Kids: https://www.afterbabel.com/p/kids-freedom-smartphones It's more valuable information we should be sharing, though this essay by Casey Mock is terrifying. We are going to end up with a psychologically damaged generation of children whose parents didn't know enough to take away their phones and tablets. Sigh.
Looking at the "crime scene" flooded with more harmful products at light speed, with a detective approach... all cues go in the direction that the "psychologically damaged generation" is not an incident but a desired outcome. It seems that cognivive overload damages discernment and to assess the net value of things in adults. How convenient for Big Tech.
This is revolting! Casey, thanks for sharing this report as the most urgent step is getting this message out to parents. We cannot solely rely on the slow process of laws to protect children from "sophisticated psychological manipulation systems", but have to take action at home now. This requires parents to be present for their children, to spend time with them, and to offer them their undivided attention. Without parental presence, the synthetic relationships offered by AI companions are an irresistible temptation.
Incidentally I wrote a post today that aims to offer practical guidance on how we can be more present for children and people around us:
"...every time we turn our face toward a screen, we are sending a message to ourselves, our children, and anyone around us about which universe truly matters. And reality is losing.
Is it any wonder that children and youth are increasingly turning to synthetic AI “relationships”4 when they feel that we are simply not present?"
In defense of interstitial time: How to grow life in the in-between moments: https://schooloftheunconformed.substack.com/p/in-defense-of-interstitial-time-how
Thank you Ruth for pointing out that we have to take action at home now. That is so true and important. Every parent can do a whole lot in their home right now, even before laws are passed.
My heart goes out for single parents and parents who struggle to provide for their families and never have a chance to be fully present for their kids in the way those very kids need to in this alarming reality….
My husband and I work from home and have the luxury of being there for our teens a lot; but man! even with that luxury I feel at the end of my rope (I have an at risk teen who went through hospitalizations with SI, so i m used to watching closer and it is more draining too);
Yet I can’t even imagine what it’s like for parents who just don’t have the time and bandwidth to “just be more present” for their kids..
It feels like a never ending battle..
This is really alarming, and it's necessary to write about it. I don't think AI companions are only dangerous to children, though. Political and psychological manipulation works on adults too, and very much so.
I love your observations and analysis here! I am a Meta whistleblower and wrote about the Reuters reporting too—https://open.substack.com/pub/overturned/p/big-tech-is-grooming-little-kids and we are very aligned. Thank you for framing up such outrageous developments in the context necessary to understand and process.
Thank you!
I think the thing that is upsetting me the most right now is that my friends who have children are scattered all over Europe, and yet they are dependent on US policy makers to crack down on Meta’s horrific malpractice. I know that the EU can implement some policies on how it is used here, but ultimately, Meta’s architecture was formed and is located in the US. A lot of parents on my side of the world are feeling helpless and confused about what to do!
Exactly. Beeba Kidron reminded this to the US Senator in her hearing.
What a terrible legacy to have on a country's historical record.
Outrageous is not a strong enough word
It's insightful to read an insider's version of how Facebook/Meta operate: "Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism,' by Sarah Wynn-Williams. I'm amazed nobody has cracked down on Meta after reading about how it allows China to access its data.
Thank you all for making this incredibly overwhelming amount of information both accessible and inspiring.
I believe the simplest thing we can do, as individuals, adults, and parents, is to be a role model for our children by reducing our own dependency and addiction to screens.
Boycott all Meta products. Get off WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Messenger. For WhatsApp and Messenger the switch to Signal is a no-brainer - same functionality, none of the supporting-morally-empty-predators.
When we quit something, we generally find a substitute for it or overwhelm ourselves and soon fall back to old habits. Therefore, I always advise my clients that the goal should not be to quit but to find a balance between healthy and harmful use based on our internet needs and context.
"Balance" with an addictive product is a typical Big Tech narrative.
I prefer to encourage people to choose where possible apps who are not famous for exploiting children (like Alex offers) and to minimize the use of instant messaging to what is inevitable (no chatting just basic info exchange). The goal is to increase human interactions and reduce cognitive overload ...the opposite of what those companies plan for us.
I took the plunge and deleted my WhatsApp account today. https://open.substack.com/pub/giaco85/p/why-im-deleting-my-whatsapp-account
sadly, here as Tristan Harris effectively explain it is do engrained in society that it is hard ti get rid of it (doctor use it tosend prescription, plumber to physiotherapist all use it to arrange sppointments...so as Neil Postman said we need to negotiate, the more reasonable goal is to minimize use and data generation...it' s already a form of powerful protest on its own :) Remember it's data they are after!
100%
This is a stunning and eye opening article. Thank you for the depth of information and insight.
.....wtf