Voice-controlled smart devices can hinder a child's social and emotional development

An expert in the healthcare field using artificial intelligence and machine learning noted in a note published online in the Archives of Disease in Childhood that voice-controlled smart devices such as Alexa, Siri and Google Home could hinder children's social and emotional development
.

Anmol Arora, of the University of Cambridge, said the devices could hinder children's ability to think critically, empathize and empathize, as well as their learning skills, for long-term impact
.

While voice-controlled devices can act as "friends" and help improve children's reading and communication skills, their advanced artificial intelligence and "human" voices have raised concerns about
the potential long-term effects of children's brains at critical stages of development.

The authors explain that there are three broad areas to focus on
.

He cited some widely circulated examples of inappropriate reactions, including a device
that suggested that 10-year-olds touch a live plug with a coin.

"It is difficult to implement strong parental controls
on these devices without seriously affecting their functionality," he said.

He noted that these devices don't teach children how to behave politely because they don't expect to hear "please" or "thank you" and don't need to consider the tone of voice
.

Preliminary research on the use of voice assistants as social partners for lonely adults is encouraging
.

"This is especially important
at a time when children may already be harmed by social development due to COVID-19 restrictions and [they] may spend more time isolating from smart devices at home," he stressed.

Devices are designed to search for the information needed and provide a concise, specific answer, but this can hinder the traditional process of children learning and absorbing information, the authors said
.

When children ask adults questions, he said, adults can ask for contextual information, explain the limitations of their knowledge, and explore the child's reasoning — a process
that these devices can't replicate.

Searching for information, he explains, is also an important learning experience that teaches critical thinking and logical reasoning
.

"The rise of voice devices has brought great benefits
to people.

"However, there is an urgent need to study the long-term consequences of children's interaction with these devices," he insisted
.

He concludes: "Interacting with these devices at critical stages of social and emotional development can have long-term implications
for empathy, compassion, and critical thinking.