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Using AI to Monitor Kids Online

Posted by Zonk on from the ok-yeah-sigh-think-of-the-children dept.

eldavojohn writes "An Australian startup believes that the best way to protect your children online is through an artificially intelligent software program. The inventors of this idea are banking on children's attachment to pets. The creature's 'cuteness' and helpfulness will ingratiate the software with the child, so that he or she will respect it and listen to it, or even find it as a likable companion. Agent-based internet applications are nothing new but for concerned parents, this might be an admirable solution to what is perceived by many to be a growing problem. From one of the inventors: 'Of course, we're also planning to release a version of the Moji IM for teenagers and adults, but we're focusing on children at the moment.'"

8 of 230 comments (clear)

  1. Ohwait, so THAT is the solution... by 88NoSoup4U88 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Ha, and here I was thinking that the best way to protect your children online was having an honest and open relationship and giving them decent social/online education: What a fool I am.

    1. Re:Ohwait, so THAT is the solution... by pclminion · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Ha, and here I was thinking that the best way to protect your children online was having an honest and open relationship and giving them decent social/online education: What a fool I am.

      I hate comments like this. Yes, parents are the ultimate authority and responsible party over their children. But what the hell, are you saying that we're not allowed to use TOOLS to aid in this task? Should I carry my child to school instead of driving him? As long as this sort of technology isn't used in a "fire and forget" configuration, but is accompanied by active involvement, I don't see how this is a bad thing AT ALL.

      Suppose I give my kid a book about morality, a book which closely matches my own concepts. Am I copping out? Please spell out exactly what is and is not acceptable in the rearing of a child, it would be very helpful for me.

      Your comment isn't insightful. More like a knee-jerk, canned response. Sounds like you're the one copping out by refusing to consider new possibilities and working only within some rigid structure that defines what is and isn't acceptable. Try thinking, it helps.

  2. hmm... by Pojut · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I'm all for keeping kids safe and sound on "teh internetz" but I think a better solution would be more education...however, education that is not made in a stupid way.

    Teach kids what is safe (your name, your interests) and not safe (you address, phone number, email) to tell "strangers" online...don't teach our kids to FEAR the internet (much like they do with sex-ed in school) teach them to utilize it safely.

    I think this is a good step in the right direction, but I think the efforts could be more useful through other ways. Still, good for them for at least trying to combat the problem.

    Education for parents to not give their young teens unfettered and unmonitored access might help. You don't have to stand over their shoulder or anything, but put the computer in a place like the family room or the kitchen...just having you in the same ROOM will at least HELP to deter them from doing things they shouldn't

    --
    Living With a Nerd
  3. Marketing... by DaveM753 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    What it's really about...
    FTA:
    Fong noted that Mor(f)'s technology may also impact the way advertising is done online.
    Since Moji pets are able to understand user preferences, it could be programmed to suggest products to the user in a more personal manner.

  4. Re:Oh that's rich... by spun · · Score: 4, Insightful

    What's wrong with people? Lots of things. In relation to kids? Too many stupid fuckers don't actually want them, but society tells them having kids is the expected, normal thing to do. We all remember the one important lesson from school, right? Be normal or be an outcast. So these stupid fuckers do what is expected of them, but they never really wanted a kid. Or rather, they never really wanted the responsibility that comes with having a kid.

    They never stopped to think about it because society said they don't have to, just do it, have a kid, God will love you and you get great tax breaks! So the kid pops out and the parents say, "Wait a minute, THIS isn't what we ordered! I'm sorry, we ordered the model that would love us unconditionally and justify our existence? This one just seems to cry and poop. We were promised fulfillment, where's that? I don't see any of that, but I sure see a lot of poop."

    These schmucks then turn to any solution that purports to take responsibility for the kids. TV, schools, grandparents, toys, magic AI programs, anything that will shut the little fuckers up for a second or two.

    And those kids go on to make up the perfectly well-adjusted bulk of humanity that we all know and love. Circle of life, ain't it grand?

    --
    - None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license. -- John Milton
  5. Exploit by WiseWeasel · · Score: 4, Insightful

    This gives a whole new meaning to the term 'exploit'. What happens when your eNanny gets compromised, and starts encouraging your kid to do drugs and whore themselves out? Who's going to monitor the monitoring software?

    --
    "I like systems, their application excepted", George Sand (French)
  6. Re:How clever is the AI? by SNR+monkey · · Score: 5, Insightful

    You were (mostly) modded funny, but you make a very good point. Many times when I hear "think of the children!!" arguments, I conclude that the situation wouldn't be a problem if the parents were ACTUALLY PARENTING. I know that parents can't watch their children 24/7, but this just seems like it is making it easier for parents to sit their children in front of some box (computer instead of TV this time) and take a minimalistic approach to parenting.

  7. Subscription fee keeps Moji healthy by Time_Ngler · · Score: 5, Insightful
    Fong said that the company is banking on this attachment to keep users shelling out the monthly subscription fee for the service because failing to do so will result in the pet dying.


    If this doesn't show the cold dark heart of a corporation that peddles to children, then I don't know what does.