The Kids are AI-Generated (Issue #66)
This week’s theme is new developments – how we navigate a changing world.
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Hi friends!
As far as repetitive discourses go, “technology is ruining the children” is really nothing new. It’s a debate that’s existed for decades. When my mom was a kid in the 80’s, the target was television. By my childhood, the enemy was video games. And now, it’s smartphones and social media. But something does feel different this time around. Tech is progressing more quickly than we can reliably assess its risks. Hundreds of lawsuits have been filed against Meta, TikTok, and YouTube for the addictive nature of these platforms, along with claims that these sites can cause depression, anxiety, and insomnia in children.
And now, with these new developments making their way into schools, administrations struggle to adapt. A few months ago, The Daily released an episode I haven’t stopped thinking about - Real Teenagers, Fake Nudes: The Rise of Deepfakes in American Schools (gift link). The story follows a scandal at an American high school in which a group of students made AI nudes of their female classmates. The reporting by NYT is good, so I encourage you to listen to the actual story. However, as you might imagine, the school administration really fumbled as they tried to navigate this sensitive and pretty unique situation. The fact is, we’re just ill-prepared to handle these emerging issues. Did you hear about The Instagram Account That Shattered a California High School (gift link)? This time, it wasn’t AI, but social media bigotry spiraled out of control. Part of what makes dealing with these issues so complicated is how unique all of these situations are — coming up with a one-size-fits-all solution feels basically impossible.
It’s all had me reflecting on my own relationship with technology. I got my first social media account at 13 — I secretly set up a Facebook profile under a fake name to hide it from my mom. This was back in the days when Facebook was the place to “like” silly pages, play Farmville, and poke your friends. Social media was in its infancy for most of my adolescence, so when I got a Twitter in the second half of high school, it was mostly just me live-tweeting my Spanish class. And as far as a smartphone goes, I didn’t get one until my senior year of high school. Constant access to social media was somewhat limited until my late teens, and even so, I still cringe at a lot of the things I posted. Which is why it’s wild to think about 8, 9, and 10-year-olds reflexively scrolling social media all day long!! It’s concerning, of course, because they are still just young kids — developmentally less equipped to act appropriately, think critically, and avoid manipulation.
I imagine restricting social media access is tricky because, for many kids, it’s a representation of their social lives. But I really do think a reckoning is coming. One where our cultural relationship to social media and attitudes towards its use will shift drastically. Already, bipartisan bills have been introduced to lead this change, and the issue feels urgent enough that I expect (read: hope) things will move quickly.
And so — today’s issue is all about the new challenges that arise as times change. Enjoy!
A round-up of things to watch, read, and listen to as you head into the weekend.
The New York Times: Inside the Booming Business of Cutting Babies’ Tongues (gift link) by Katie Thomas, Sarah Kliff, and Jessica Silver-Greenberg
With the growing belief that “breast is best” for newborn feeding, the demand for lactation consultants has surged. This article delves into a controversial procedure where a baby’s tongue or lip tie is cut to aid breastfeeding. The medical science supporting this procedure is limited, and the industry lacks significant regulation. The reporting in this article is fantastic, and you can listen to an audio version at the top of the page!
Podcast: Murder 101
This series was captivating from start to finish! Here’s the description: “In a small Tennessee town, a local serial killer was caught by the most unlikely investigators: A group of high school students led by their teacher, Alex Campbell. Throughout the course of one school semester, the class pieced together a 30-year-old mystery and identified the killer behind at least six brutal murders. Shockingly, while the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations publicly agrees with their theory, no charges have been filed against the murderer. While some sleuthing students already have graduated, they, along with a fresh crop of current high schoolers, still want to finish the assignment, once and for all.”
Substack: On technology in schools from
byThis piece questions the role of technology in the classroom and the reasons so many educators see more tech as inherently helpful to learning, even if that doesn’t always seem to be the case.
A reflection + action for your week. Compete on your own or with friends – I dare ya!
Truth - What’s a new technology or trend you’re most excited about? How about the one you’re most concerned about? Why?
Dare - Host an “I Saw the Future Party,” where the theme is all about what people used to think the future would be like. Take inspiration from images like these ones, or from media like The Jetsons or Back to the Future Part II. Require costumes and get creative with the decoration and futuristic food + drinks!
Things to try + share in the group chat.
If I were to sing “Hey Now,” how would you finish the song? This comedian argues your answer might just be a giveaway for what generation you’re a part of. 👀
I’ve been getting ads for these reusable paper towels for a while, but this was the ad that finally convinced me to click buy. I was initially worried they would be like any other sponge and smell bad over time, but they dry super quickly and don’t hold onto odor! PLUS, they’re really easy to wash and save on paper towel waste, which I’m sure Mother Nature would be happy about.
Last week, I shared my thoughts on Jordan Chiles being stripped of her bronze medal, and I’m still mad about it. You can read my take here.
Have a great weekend!
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