tech
AI toys could weaken kids' bond with their parents, 'The Anxious Generation' author says
AI toys could compromise children's relationships with their parents, NYU professor Jonathan Haidt said.
TL;DR
- Jonathan Haidt, author of 'The Anxious Generation,' is concerned about AI toys and chatbots designed for children.
- He believes these AI companions could become emotional attachment figures, potentially interfering with children's relationships with their parents.
- Haidt points to products like Moxie and AI-enabled dolls, noting the rapid growth of the AI toy market.
- He argues that if AI companions are more consistently responsive than parents, children's attachment systems might focus on the AI.
- Haidt calls for a 'techno-skeptic' approach, citing past harms from social media and educational technology.
- He suggests AI products for children should not convey understanding or care, as they do not possess these qualities.
- Haidt recommends years of safety testing for emotionally persuasive AI products aimed at children.