A fresh report from Common Sense Media, a non-profit organization renowned for reviewing and rating media and technology, reveals a sweeping distrust among American teenagers toward Big Tech.
The investigation, unveiled on Wednesday, involved over 1,000 teens answering questions about their trust in the intentions, ethical inclinations, and privacy protection efforts of big technology firms like Google, Apple, Meta, TikTok, and Microsoft. A significant percentage of those surveyed expressed little to no confidence in these companies. Close to half of these young respondents expressed doubts in the commitment of these firms to responsibly handle AI technologies.
The skepticism toward Big Tech has been gaining momentum over the past years due to numerous instances, like the public exposure of government’s mass data collection in 2013, the Cambridge Analytica scandal, and the revealing leaks by Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen. The pattern culminated in Congressional explorations scrutinizing Big Tech CEOs over app safety, anti-trust matters, and harmful algorithms.
The report indicated that 64% of young American respondents do not expect Big Tech to prioritize their mental well-being. A further 62% felt that their personal safety would not supersede these companies’ pursuit for profits.
Significantly, over half of the participating teens (55%) asserted their distrust in the ethical design decisions of these tech titans. An additional 52% felt uncertain about the safety of their personal data, while 51% questioned the inclusivity and fairness of these platforms.
The findings shed light on a growing concern among American teens about tech companies’ handling of AI. About 47% believed these firms won’t make responsible choices relating to AI use.
Common Sense Media’s report, which extends previous research on teens’ engagement with AI and its influence on the media landscape, underlined the widespread unease and ambiguity associated with online content. The study links this to the rapid development of AI, with 35% of teens predicting that the emerging AI generation (“GenAI”) will further degrade trust in online information – a figure subject to change as we stride deeper into the digital age.
Original source: Read the full article on TechCrunch
