With algorithms being so independent and difficult to learn more about, it is natural that parents and loved ones would consider the wellbeing of those they care about at risk. Here are some of my findings about what problems have been coming to light and why it's an issue:

1. Media and algorithm interaction is used as a babysitter instead of a tool that needs to be closely monitored.

This generation of parents was not raised with social media, YouTube, and the internet. With this being the case, parents were not aware of any boundaries to enforce, as they were learning and realizing boundaries themselves. Parents did not realize there would be negative consequences for using media to keep kids preoccupied. Algorithms are a source of immediate self-gratification and can reinforce behavior such that as long as a child maintains behavior, they will get what they want. It also reinforces other types of behavior as well. The algorithm will filter a child's media to include that which they engage the most with. Because of this narrowing of the scope, contention becomes more prevalent and normalized as kids see comment sections and videos full of clashing arguments and even brawls. This bleeds into reality as they replicate the behavior they see online, becoming confrontational and disruptive on purpose.

2. Kids lack many developing critical thinking skills necessary to manage algorithms and media in a healthy manner.

Like I previously mentioned, young people have a craving to fit in and "be cool" in the eyes of their peers. Because of this, standards and self-confidence often fall to the wayside in favor of trends and practices that are often problematic. I spoke with Mrs. Gina Adams, who spoke of an experience she witnessed where a child was on stage for a performance and made a highly explicit hand gesture. The boy's fellow friends cheered for him, while the young adults and adults stood shocked and horrified. After being dragged off stage by the assisting college students, they asked him why he did that and if he knew what it meant. He said no and reported just seeing it online. Children and some teens do not deeply consider their actions before they do them because their developmental stage in life makes them impulsive and reckless. Without this forethought, this rambunctious behavior will go unchecked and worsen as algorithm engagement continues to rise.

4.  Algorithms replace all other motivators if addictions are not managed.

This goes for everyone, but especially young kids who we are currently seeing coping with screen addictions. As one in five kids now have their own device between the mere ages of 3–4, the number one thing that they prefer to engage in isn't play or art, but screen time. They care about little else. We see this change occurring with parents, as a common negative reinforcement or punishment is to lose access to an electronic device. Afterwards, the child begins to act out because they have not learned how to regulate their emotions, partially due to their early stages of development, but also because they have not interacted with the real world enough to be taught these lessons. People of all ages lack the drive to do things in reality because they can just as easily get dopamine hits from the algorithm. Hopping online to interact takes less effort, is much faster, and appears to have the same results as connecting with people and the world around you in person.

5.  Children lack interaction with people in general, but especially adults.

All necessary skills in life are taught to a person by a more experienced individual, usually someone older than that person; in most cases, an adult. Kids now prefer to spend as much time as possible interacting with media, dulling many of their abilities to learn and grow. Just a few examples came from Mrs. Kate Bottger, an elementary school teacher who has taught several different grades, including kindergarten and second grade. She says children now struggle to communicate properly, have stunted imaginations and the means to think metaphysically in general, experience a lack of sleep, have heightened emotions, they lack direction, and learn no social and sometimes no physical boundaries. Face-to-face human interaction is the key to developing skills like these, and these children have no desire for them, leaving them underdeveloped and at a disadvantage for when they have to start taking on responsibilities independently.