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Do Algorithms harm our Kids?
On Digital Media in Times of Quarantine
In the time of Corona Virus Quarantine, we have to spend much time at home and for many of us, it is difficult to entertain our kids. Often, we choose digital media as a means for distraction in order to survive the quarantine. Many parents are in fear that algorithms of large platforms such as YouTube may influence their children and expose them to inappropriate content. One example of an alarmed parent is Morf who happens to also operate a YouTube Channel. In one of his videos, Morf warns that YouTube and capitalism are degenerating our children.
If you do not have time to watch his full 40-minute analysis, I have a short summary of the entire plot: As the algorithms of YouTube and other platforms select what we are watching, an entire industry creating low-quality videos for children was created earning money from showing cheap flicks to kids. This series of events also coined the name “Elsagate”. In most parts, I follow Morf’s analysis and he is right to criticize this. Much of such content is of low quality. In addition, to his…
