Growing Up in an AI–Fuelled World: Reflections on Childhood Amid Digital Acceleration

From Animal Crossing to Bard and ChatGPT, childhood today involves a distinct, technologically-charged set of ABCs. Children are using technology avidly, consuming a vast quantity and mind-boggling diversity of media content via growing array of devices that connect seamlessly to the internet. Indeed, the household is the principal site of their formative media experiences, and parents the key architects of their media environments. The bruising Covid-19 pandemic further accelerated household adoption of online social interaction, e-learning and myriad forms of digital entertainment – all underpinned by AI.

What are the promises and pitfalls in children’s technology use in an AI-fuelled world that boasts of disruptive innovations such as the metaverse and generative AI? Immersive and interactive augmented reality environments present engaging and highly customised learning experiences for children. But these may come at the cost of excessive screentime and device dependency. Social media platforms may be able to detect when children are consuming questionable content and send alerts to parents. Yet this needs to be weighed against reduced control over personal data and children’s rights to autonomy and agency. Growing up in a world marked by digital acceleration certainly presents many quandaries to parents and children but possibilities as well.

This talk will draw on humanities and social sciences research on the social implications of AI to discuss the challenges and opportunities parents and children face as the deployment of AI intensifies rapidly. It will also touch on how parents can seek to boost their own and their children’s understanding of the implications of the rising prevalence of AI. It will close by highlighting resources that can support parents and children through these disruptions.

A Q&A session moderated by Jiow Hee Jhee, a parent, member of the Media Literacy Council and Associate Professor at the Singapore Institute of Technology, will follow the talk.

News coverage

The Straits Times - April 5, 2024

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Speakers

Prof Lim Sun Sun

Sun Sun is Vice President, Partnerships and Engagement at the Singapore Management University where she is concurrently Professor of Communication and Technology at its College of Integrative Studies. She is an honouree of the inaugural Singapore 100 Women in Tech list in 2020.

Assoc Prof Jiow Hee Jhee

Hee Jhee is an Associate Professor and Programme Leader of Digital Communications and Integrated Media at Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT). He also serves as a member of the Media Literacy Council (IMDA) and Films Consultative Panel (IMDA).

Assoc Prof Ngoei Wen-Qing

Wen-Qing is Associate Professor of History and Associate Dean (External Engagement) at the College of Integrative Studies at Singapore Management University. His interests lie in foreign policy and international affairs, particularly in US relations with Southeast Asia.