4 ms·

Why is "eavesdropping" on children such a big issue? Our "adult" devices may or may not be eavesdropping on us at all times.

saagarjha 7y ago
Children cannot consent to or directly retaliate against eavesdropping.
- deleted 7y ago
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TeMPOraL 7y ago
Because unless you're deeply involved in politics or some nefarious activity, all that surveillance isn't likely to impact you immediately and directly in any noticeable way. Most of it isn't even seen by other humans. Whereas parents have direct power over their children, and they tend to pay close attention - which makes "eavesdropping" on children both a huge risk for parental abuse, and a general source of development issues, as tracked kids know their movements are watched and subject to consequences.
- ehnto 7y ago
  This was my first thought when reading the article. Why are these devices out there in the first place? Even if I had come to the conclusion that I needed one for my child, in no sane world would I hand that responsibility over to a tech startup that only just cobbled itself together. I'm sure they -could- be done securely, but I'll never get to see all the links in the security chain to make sure, and it's ultimately run by humans. Even the best technologically secure system can be ruined by a human with the right access.
  - jeena 7y ago
    Once a parent was looking for their 4 years old in panic with help of the police because the child for some reason decided to look for them outside of the house and ended up meeting some other children and went with them to the new playground, those parents look for something like a phone or something with GPS so they can find them earlier before something happens. Not every of those parents have the overview of which company can be trusted and which can't so they need to believe what the advertisement says.
ben_w 7y ago
It’s also bad that “adult” devices eavesdrop in adults, but in theory adults can decide for themselves if they’re ok with it. In practice, I suspect the average adult is as aware of how much their devices spy on them as they are of the terms and conditions of the products and services they use — a distant and meaningless theoretical that might as well be a work of fiction.
deleted 7y ago
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ramblerman 7y ago
For the same reason we don't allow children access to alcohol and tobacco. Society had a duty to protect them until they can decide for themselves.
- ta999999171 7y ago
  I can't decide to turn off all the phones around me on the street, in the DMV, in a restaurant, in a store, etc.

saagarjha 7y ago

Children cannot consent to or directly retaliate against eavesdropping.

deleted 7y ago
[deleted]

TeMPOraL 7y ago

Because unless you're deeply involved in politics or some nefarious activity, all that surveillance isn't likely to impact you immediately and directly in any noticeable way. Most of it isn't even seen by other humans. Whereas parents have direct power over their children, and they tend to pay close attention - which makes "eavesdropping" on children both a huge risk for parental abuse, and a general source of development issues, as tracked kids know their movements are watched and subject to consequences.

ehnto 7y ago
This was my first thought when reading the article. Why are these devices out there in the first place? Even if I had come to the conclusion that I needed one for my child, in no sane world would I hand that responsibility over to a tech startup that only just cobbled itself together. I'm sure they -could- be done securely, but I'll never get to see all the links in the security chain to make sure, and it's ultimately run by humans. Even the best technologically secure system can be ruined by a human with the right access.
- jeena 7y ago
  Once a parent was looking for their 4 years old in panic with help of the police because the child for some reason decided to look for them outside of the house and ended up meeting some other children and went with them to the new playground, those parents look for something like a phone or something with GPS so they can find them earlier before something happens. Not every of those parents have the overview of which company can be trusted and which can't so they need to believe what the advertisement says.

ben_w 7y ago

It’s also bad that “adult” devices eavesdrop in adults, but in theory adults can decide for themselves if they’re ok with it. In practice, I suspect the average adult is as aware of how much their devices spy on them as they are of the terms and conditions of the products and services they use — a distant and meaningless theoretical that might as well be a work of fiction.

deleted 7y ago

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ramblerman 7y ago

For the same reason we don't allow children access to alcohol and tobacco. Society had a duty to protect them until they can decide for themselves.

ta999999171 7y ago
I can't decide to turn off all the phones around me on the street, in the DMV, in a restaurant, in a store, etc.