Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumAndrew Yang Policy on REDUCE HARM TO CHILDREN CAUSED BY SMARTPHONES
Somewhere between 2.1 and 2.5 billion humans currently own a smartphone. While early models were released as early as 1992, the first iPhone (a good line-in-the-sand for widespread adoption of the technology) was released in 2007. In a little over a decade, these machines have become ubiquitous throughout the world. In the USA, around 70% of adults have smartphones.
What about children? Research suggests 22% of young children, 60% of tweens, and 84% of teenagers currently use a smartphone.
While these devices provide unparalleled access to information, their impact on the mind is barely understood. Researchers are just beginning to look at the impact focusing on a screen all day has on human development, and the conclusions are devastating.
There has been an unprecedented surge in depression, anxiety, and suicide, and a marked decrease in sociability. Teenagers are spending more time worrying about whether their online acquaintances like their recent post than they are in person with their friends hanging out and developing social skills. The average teenager spends Friday nights at home, interacting with a machine, instead of out with friends at a game or event.
Those who have worked within the industry describe the work theyve done in stark terms. Often relating apps to slot machines, they say that the smartest minds of a generation are spending their time getting teenagers to click on ads and obsess over social media posts to see how many acquaintances respond or react to their posts.
In short, many experts are worrying that the widespread adoption of a poorly understood technology have destroyed the psyches of a generation.
"Smartphones are turning our kids into anxious and depressed zombies. Parents cant compete - we need to help people take control and make smartphone use healthy and productive. Asking technology companies to regulate themselves is unfeasible - they will always want to maximize engagement regardless of the social impact. Government must provide guardrails to keep technology from corroding our mental and emotional well-being, particularly for young people. I love my smartphone too but we need to get a grip on the impact of this technology for the sake of our children."
https://www.yang2020.com/policies/effects-smartphones-human-development/
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
dalton99a
(81,562 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Blue_Adept
(6,399 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
but snark sometimes needs snark.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
dalton99a
(81,562 posts)Nobody does, either.
(What's the solution? Take away their cellphones?)
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Sherman A1
(38,958 posts)and one that is important to address.
"Create a Department of the Attention Economy that focuses specifically on smartphones and social media, gaming and chat apps and how to responsibly design and use them, including age restrictions and guidelines.
Create a best practices design philosophy for the industry to minimize the antisocial impacts of these technologies on children who are using them. Ask Tristan Harris to lead.
Direct the Department to investigate the regulation of certain companies and apps. Many of these companies essentially function as public utilities and news sources we used to regulate broadcast networks and newspapers and phone companies. We need to do the same thing to Facebook, Twitter, Snap and other companies now that they are the primary ways people both receive information and communicate with each other."
https://www.yang2020.com/policies/effects-smartphones-human-development/
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Laelth
(32,017 posts)My kids would love to go out and be social if they could afford to do so. They can't, so they connect with people through their phones. It's more economical. Plus, it's interactive--a lot better than zoning out in front of the boob tube.
-Laelth
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Turin_C3PO
(14,021 posts)He has a well thought out plan for everything. I especially like his idea of UBI.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden