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What?
In addition to playing and creating games, Roblox users can attend events, visit virtual destinations (like a virtual Chipotle), and other experiences as a part of the "metaverse." A recent addition is Slivingland, bearing Paris Hilton's name and set in a virtual Hilton hotel lobby where visitors can find collectibles, earn real-world rewards, and more.
Now What?
Ask your children what the purpose of these virtual destinations and experiences is: Who is creating them, and why? Does that kind of experience appeal to them? Why or why not?
What?
Among other chatbots, the website Character.ai has almost 500 bots with keywords related to therapy or psychology in their names. The "Psychologist" bot—created by a psychology student—has gotten over 78 million messages in the past year, including from kids and teens.
Though some users report that the bots have helped them, psychologists warn that AI is unpredictable, and could give bad or inaccurate advice, or could exhibit harmful bias.
Now What?
First, address your child's digital well-being when possible. We have resources and counsellors at school to help with this, and offer these tips. Then encourage AI literacy so children understand the potential risks of sharing personal information with a chatbot.
Be curious about why a bot might be appealing to someone who is experiencing mental health issues. Does the text-based experience appeal to them? Does it matter that a bot can't experience real empathy?
What?
Jimmy Donaldson, aka Mr. Beast, has millions of followers across platforms and was on the cover of Time. He's now creating an Amazon Prime reality game show that will feature stunts and huge cash prizes, similar to his online videos.
Now What?
Discuss with children: Why do they think Mr. Beast is so hugely popular? Social media and television used to be separate: Does it matter that everything overlaps now? Will they watch his show? Why or why not?
Online philanthropy and filmed acts of generosity/kindness are now a type of content on social media: What do students think about this trend? Are all of the videos authentic? How do they know?
And a heads-up: The app Fizz: What's Fizzin'? is attempting the ill-fated idea of anonymous, school-based online communities. Though it claims to do it in a "safe" way, this type of app has caused drama and other troubles on campuses, so it could be an opportunity to discuss the potential downfalls of anonymity and curtail cyberbullying.
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