We talk a lot about the risks of technology for children. What about adults? – The Irish Times

Source Domain: www.irishtimes.com

Last week, Tánaiste Simon Harris called for a ban on social media use for under 16-year-olds. In Australia, a ban has been implemented. In France, a bill banning social media use by children under 16 was passed last week. Legislators in Denmark are also working on a ban, with a measure allowing parents to permit children to use social media when they turn 13. The UK is embarking upon a consultation process regarding a social media ban for under-16s. Italy has a draft law in the works. Greece, like Ireland, is looking to Australia to see if their country could implement something similar. Spain is looking at a ban on children accessing online platforms where generative AI is a feature.

With all of this (well-placed) concern for children online, what about how adults use some technology? Regulation, bans, fines, health warnings and rules will become more commonplace as the negative effects of various technologies – socially and personally – slowly reach the desks of legislators. Children need their safety and health protected by the adults in charge.

Grok, Elon Musk’s chatbot, is the subject of an investigation by the European Commission regarding whether the company “properly assessed and mitigated risks associated with the deployment of Grok’s functionalities into X in the EU”, including risk related to the dissemination of illegal content, such as “manipulated sexually explicit images, including content that may amount to child sexual abuse material”.

When it comes to health and safety measures for adults at a user level, how should we try to mitigate against damage? If you can buy a packet of cigarettes or a bottle of whiskey, then what’s a little head-melting scroll now and then? Shutting down platforms or restricting access to them would be a huge step. Regulation is different. Health warnings could be utilised, as there are obvious addiction issues with certain digital technologies. We all know excessive social media use is bad for…

Source